Early Childhood Education Commons^™

A Hands-On Museum For Children, Stephanie Townsend

Graduate Theses

This paper concerns itself with the preparation for the development of a children's hands-on museum. Included is a definition of such a museum, a rationale for this type of museum, organizational considerations of a community museum, four exhibits intended to stimulate and guide children's cognitive processes, and a brief summation. The rationale for this children's museum is derived primarily from Piaget's theory of cognitive developmental psychology. Thus, the exhibits are exemplars of Piagetian curriculum. The organization section emphasizes Guthe's philosophy concerning museum organization.