The Museum Playful Learning Collective, (MPLC) is a collaborative group of museum-based preschool programs that prioritize playful and interactive learning experiences for young children. Members of this collective share resources, ideas, and best practices to enhance early childhood education within museum settings. The collective aims to foster creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning through innovative and engaging educational approaches tailored to the unique environment of museums.
We are partnering with other museums who either have an existing school within a museum or are interested in learning more about how children learn in their museum programs. Our partners currently include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, Boston Children’s Museum, The Woodbury School at The Strong National Museum of Play, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, The Children’s Museum Group, Explora, The Woodlands Children’s Museum, Great Explorations, and Bay Area Discovery Museum
Research Goal funded by IMLS
The Miami Children’s Museum Early Childhood Institute was awarded funding from Institute of Museum and Library Services to examine the impact of Children’s Museums and Museum Schools on young children and their families. Our project goal is to assemble a networking group of museum preschools and co-create a tool that speaks to the unique opportunities provided in a museum-based early education preschool program. We are examining how curriculum and environment in a museum setting impact a child’s school readiness and learning from a comprehensive holistic lens. We seek to understand how museums use the environment to guide children in their own learning experiences and inspire exploration and discovery.
MPLC vision statement
We envision a dynamic network where established preschool programs and emerging museum initiatives come together to redefine early childhood education in museums. By leveraging the expertise and resources of our diverse participating institutions, we are piloting new systems and building upon innovative approaches to museum-based learning, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to embark on a transformative educational journey.
Join us! As a collective we can leverage the opportunities that museums provide as key players in the educational ecosystem. We can:
- Advocate and create awareness in promoting the unique value of museum learning.
- Network and collaborate to share resources, ideas, and best practices as well as partner with other local and national early childhood organizations, museums, and educational institutions to build a museum learning community.
- Research, document and publish the impact and outcomes of museum preschool programs.
- Create a repository and shared materials of museum preschool plans, literature, activity guides and articles that utilize museum resources.
- Seek grants aimed at innovative early childhood programs or museum education initiatives.
- Advocate for policy change to include museum preschools in early childhood education policies, accreditation, and funding mechanisms.
- Ensure museum preschools are accessible to diverse populations and promote inclusive practices.
- Create opportunities for involvement for families and communities that foster a sense of belonging and support.
