Teaching Philosophy
The National Museum of Play® at The Strong takes play seriously. Play and learning go hand in hand, each building upon the other and together they help children develop socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Set in the context of play, the museum philosophy for the design, development, and implementation of educational programs is based on five key beliefs about how learning happens:
- Learning happens when there is an emotionally safe climate and a rich, stimulating environment. The museum's trained educators and its playful, engaging activities and exhibits provide environments conducive to learning.
- Learning happens when meaning can be constructed from an array of information or from an experience. Museum educators provide opportunities to organize information, look for relationships, and reach broad understandings through interactive problem-solving activities.
- Learning happens when learners know and can ask for what they need to assist in their process and can make choices based on their learning preferences and interests. Museum educators incorporate the Theory of Multiple Intelligences and the Reggio Emilia model of early childhood education into teaching to facilitate this process.
- Learning happens when products are created or performances produced that allow learners to apply what they have learned to new situations. Museum educators provide opportunities to apply learning through interactive activities in lessons and the hands-on components of exhibits.
- Learning happens through reflection. Museum educators encourage learners to pause and analyze during and after the learning experiences.
The National Museum of Play's educational programs also use New York State Learning Standards and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences as foundations.
The museum is committed to helping school districts, teachers, and students incorporate the New York State, National, and Universal Pre-K Learning Standards into school programs. All National Museum of Play learning experiences use specific, standards-based content to encourage and engage students in problem solving and critical thinking.
