“Play is the highest form of research.” — Albert Einstein
Children’s museums are institutions that provide exhibits and programs to stimulate informal learning experiences for children. In contrast with traditional museums that typically have a hands-off policy regarding exhibits, children’s museums feature interactive exhibits that are designed to be manipulated by children. The theory behind such exhibits is that activity can be as educational as instruction, especially in early childhood.
Children’s museums are spaces designed to give children the opportunity to learn through play or ‘informal learning‘. They are different from traditional museums, where visitors aren’t usually allowed to touch or interact with exhibits – children’s museum exhibits are usually hands-on, encouraging children to learn by testing, experimenting, exploring their natural curiosity and using their senses and imagination.
The science of brain development is providing concrete evidence that there is real power in play. While often dismissed as “just fun,” play is the vital activity that children use to learn about and interact with their world, and gain the mental, physical and social skills necessary to succeed in their adult lives. Play is actually the work of a child in which they are preparing themselves for adult roles and for society at large. For a child, play is the vehicle for exploring and learning, developing new skills, and connecting with others. Through self-directed play, children can follow their interests, explore the unknown, link outcomes with choices, conquer their fears, and make friends.
Play also has important links to developing key skills that serve as a foundation for life-long success, including critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and collaboration. Often referred to as 21st century skills, these capabilities complement core subject matter knowledge and are highly valued in a world that is increasingly complex, competitive, and interconnected.,
At Park Invest Kidz Museum, we strive to provide a rich environment that stimulates children’s natural curiosity and creativity. We work closely with researchers to develop play-based learning activities for children to explore. The Museum is a multi-sensory, hands-on, active, and child-centered environment which offers children unique opportunities for playfulness – to freely and joyfully explore, engage and connect with the world in which we live.
We have hundreds of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to inspire children aged 0 to 11 to learn about themselves and the world around them through play and discovery. We regularly run special themed events for the whole family, as well as educational sessions for schools and groups.
Mission
To create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.
Vision
It is our vision to be recognized as the global leader among all museums and cultural institutions serving children and families.
Core Values
We Believe In Preserving The Legacy Of The Museum By/Through:
Promoting Family Learning:
- Creating transformational extraordinary family learning experiences across the sciences, arts and humanities that promote family engagement through the use of real objects, immersive environments, and live interpretation.
- Meeting the learning needs and interests of children and families to nurture hands-on, minds-on experiences.
- Supporting Government Education Schemes by serving as a valued resource for schools, teachers, and teacher training institutions.
- Developing and leveraging the museum’s brand to retain and grow new audiences and connect and nurture all visitors beyond the museum visit.
Providing Value to Our Community, State, Nation and the World:
- Being a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, stability, and community engagement.
- Seeking and collaborating with other institutions and organizations locally, regionally, nationally and globally to create dynamic partnerships which leverage the positive impact of our museum.
- Providing a safe, clean, friendly, fun, efficient and engaging visitor experience that is affordable and accessible.
- Being good stewards of our human and financial resources, recognizing our staff and volunteers are our principle human resources and our endowment is our principal economic engine, and being transparent in how we use our resources.
- Investing and participating in an environmentally sustainable museum and campus.
Valuing People:
- Investing in the development, care and nurturing of our diverse and highly skilled staff, volunteers and museum Guild.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion among our staff, volunteers, the audiences that we serve, the programs we produce and the relationships that we pursue.
- An engaged board of trustees committed to providing strategic and extraordinary time, talent and treasure.
Pursuing Excellence Always:
- Investing in research, development and technology to remain relevant and to help us ensure we meet our strategic goals and objectives.
- Using data to measure our performance and mission, learn about our audiences, and inform our decision-making.
