Thank you Chrissie McDevinney for mentioning us.  We do have a dedicated
space for toddlers and parents called the "Early Childhood Resource
Center."  It is staffed by a part-time early childhood person and by Museum
"Discovery Guides" (paid floor staff).  Programs include: "Let's Play
Science," "Scissors Clinic," and "Messy Play" (fingerpaint, clay, etc.)
among others.  In addition, we have a one time a month pre-school morning
program featuring visiting artists (singers, etc.). For more information
about the space, contact Linda Fischetti, Public Programs Manager at
408-298-5437  x222, FAX 408-298-6826, e-mail: [log in to unmask]

You can also contact the Staten Island Children's Museum, Staten Island,
NY. They have a dedicated space for preschoolers that was designed based
upon a demand created by the community. The space's theme is nautical and
is designed to look like a wooden ship, complete with bell, wheel, and
galley. Kids can play with plastic food manipulatives, wood blocks, and
animals.  They also have dedicated programs for this audience as well as a
program for pregnant teen Moms.  Contact Diane Matyas, Public Programs or
Elizabeth Egbert, Asst. Director of the Museum (Programs and Exhibits) at
718-273-2060.  You also might want to discuss space design with Elizabeth
who is also an artist/designer.

Good luck Kathryn!

Roy Mueller
Director Curriculum and Professional Development
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
180 Woz Way
San Jose, CA 95110-2780
408-298-5437  x246
FAX 408-298-6826
e-mail: [log in to unmask]


Date:    Mon, 7 Oct 1996 17:22:42 -0400
From:    MCDevinney <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Toddler museums

There are many wonderful Children's Museums that also have spaces for the
toddlers, who are often overwhelmed by the bigger kids and their
enthusium.  One that comes to mind is the San Jose Discovery Museum, in
San Jose CA - they have a room set up for the little ones and their
parents, there are toys and exhibits that are age approiate and the kids
over 5 can't come in so the little ones don't get pushed away from the
toys (at least not as often:) )

There are also materials and resources for parents in the room.  I was
there on a visit in May and it looked like several of the kids there come
on a regular basis, they seemed to know the staff and the other kids.
Which to me was a good sign that the locals thought the room was a great
place to go.

Good Luck
Chrissie Devinney
Mom to an almost 1 year old - ps the definition of toddler that I am
familiar with is a child who is walking (or toddling)  that is still in
diapers or is not yet in school.

------------------------------
Date:    Mon, 7 Oct 1996 17:44:12 -0400
From:    NyRanger4 <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Toddler museums

In article <[log in to unmask]>, JCA Boeyens
<[log in to unmask]> writes:

>Hi there
>
>I am going to a discussion about the setting up of a toddler museum as
>part of a new museum complex in central Pretoria. Everybody however
>is a bit confused about the meaning of toddler-surely this is between 1
>and 3 years old. It seems a bit young to me-wouldn't the museum
>essentially be for young families then?  Shoudn't such activites be part
of
>the broader museum, ie why have the fun part seperated from the
>serious part? Are there museums/museum exhibitions for under 5s? Any
>suggestions, ideas, examples would be gratefully appreciated.
>
>Kathryn Mathers
>Pretoria