One of the most interesting programs of this sort I have seen anywhere
in the world is run at the Fortress of Louisbourg, on Nova Scotia's Cape
Breton Island. It has what is really a day care centre where parents can
leave their kids while they visit the site, a reconstructed French
garrison town of the first half of the 18th century. The costumed staff
play "period" games with them, make "period" snacks with them, take them
on special tours where they have a real hands-on experience, etc. My
children had a wonderful time and were very proud of the fact that they
were taken to see places where we werne't allowed to go, such as some of
the ramparts. Indeed, the kids, now 30, 27 and 25, are still rubbing it
in!  I believe the facility is run by the volunteers.

Our Discovery Room at the Canadian War Museum provides a hands-on
experience for people of all ages. The big problem is that the smaller
children can't always use the colouring table (historical colouring
books, of course) because the older teenagers spend so much time
colouring!

Harry Needham
Special Advisor - Program Development
Canadian War Museum
330 Sussex Drive,
  Ottawa, Canada
K1A 0M8
Voice: (819) 776-8612  Fax (819) 776-8623
Email: [log in to unmask]

> ----------
> From:         Jennifer L. Blair[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> Sent:         Thursday, June 04, 1998 10:10 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: hands-on history for pre-schoolers
>
> Depending on how long the activities will be it is not unreasonable to
> require an adult (parent, grandparent, guardian, adult friend...) to
> accompany children of this age group.  This would probably work if the
> activities are approx. an hour long. This way the adult can help
> children
> who may need more assistance.  This probably would not work if you are
> planning a camp type of program.  Either way, considereing the range
> of the
> abilities of the chilren it seems it would be best to design fairly
> open
> ended activities so that all children can achieve a sense of success
> while
> being challenged and given the opportunity to explore and expand their
> projects.
>
> > ----------
> > From:         Aspen Historical Society[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent:         Thursday, June 04, 1998 10:06 AM
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      hands-on history for pre-schoolers
> >
> > Hello!
> >
> > I am developing hands-on history programs for pre-schoolers at the
> Aspen
> > Historical society and am looking for ideas and input.
> >
> > 1.  Does anyone have have any Victorian craft ideas or
> mining/geology type
> > of activities that would be appropriate for this age group?
> >
> > 2.  The program may attract an age group between 3-7.  I am
> concerned
> > about
> > having young 3 year olds with 6-7 year olds. Because I probably
> won't know
> > exactly what ages I will have until the kids show up...I was
> wondering if
> > anyone has advice about combining this age group.  (It seems to me
> that
> > there is a big jump between 3 and six....)
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
> >
> > Brigitte O'Ryan
> > Aspen Historical Society
> >
>