Another method that has worked for me is making a game out of the
rules.  Obviously, this works best with small groups of young children.
Many of them can't sit still through a long list of what they can and can't
do.  Ask them questions such as "In the Museum should we walk or
should we run?" etc.  I have even seen educators perform short skits
depicting the perils of disobeying the rules, for example falling down
because someone was running etc.  I agree, that regardless of age
group, it is critical to address the parents and teachers with the school
group.  It has been my experience that the chaperones can be extremely
distracting to the musuem educator and the children.  This can be tricky
since most adults do not like being told what they can and can not do (it
needs to be done in a tactful manner).  It is better to make expectations
clear than to have to  track down missing chaperones or to scold them
for manhandling pieces of art!


Amy Hauser