مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Mother-Child Interaction in the Museum Environment: A Pilot Study

Abstract :

Museums provide individuals of all ages with an environment of learning and cultivation with connections to life. In this respect, museums are an environment of knowledge and play that has the potential to bring together children, teachers and parents in an active learning and cultural area. Studies focusing upon supporting mother-child interaction in early childhood suggest that it is important for mothers and children to get engaged in various activities and to play together. This study enabled preschool children and their mothers to carry out activities together in a museum. Fourteen children aged between 48 and 60 months attending a preschool in Ankara, and their mothers took part in this study. The activities were carried out in the Museum of Natural History of the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA). “Before the museum activities”, mothers and children get prepared and were informed about the activities. “During the museum activities”, children and mothers took part in “warming up and getting to know each other, finding answers, and shadow play” activities under the guidance of two museum trainers. “After the museum activities”, the children and mothers created collages, and the mothers were asked to fill out a questionnaire to assess the study. At the end of the study, the participants were granted a certificate of attendance, and an informative bulletin that explains ways for improving the mother and child relationship. The mothers’ evaluation of these activities indicates that the process allowed them to entertain, learn and cooperate with their children and to give way to the leadership of their children.