Parents as well as children have fun through playful learning programs that focus on self-initiated experiences

On September 26 in 2011, an experiential museum for children housed in an independent building opened for the first in Korea. This was the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum.

The Gyeonggi Children’s Museum, Korea’s first experiential museum for children established in an independent building, aspires to become a learning place that enables children to have fun while learning through various interactive exhibits and educational programs.

Visitors can experience the feeling of an amusement park in an urban environment where children and parents can have fun and relax together. 

◇ Children participate in an experiential program, a 21st century Version of Jack and the Beanstalk. ⓒ Reporter Kim Tae-hun 

◇ Families experience a permanent exhibit, the Han River and Water. ⓒ Reporter Kim Tae-hun

The Gyeonggi Children’s Museum’s programs are generally categorized into permanent exhibits and special exhibits.

Special exhibits are displayed under a total of nine themes on the first, second and third floors.

The first floor consists of the Natural Playground, where children experience diverse stimuli while exploring nature in various ways, and the Healthy Playground, where children can learn the importance of health and nutrition

On the second floor, children are given opportunities to learn about architecture and make their own creative structures at the Construction Zone, to explore the structure and functions of the human body in the “How does our body work? ” exhibition hall, and to understand the importance of nature and water at the Han River and Water exhibit.

On the third floor, children can learn how to protect the environment and experience recycling at the Eco Atelier, and experience traditional fairy stories in Wisdom in Fairy Tales. The “These are My Friends ” exhibit is designed to help children better understand multi-cultural families, and the Mini Theater allows children to perform plays while wearing costumes and to watch movies.

Currently, a special exhibit entitled My Pet, presented to celebrate its second anniversary on September 26, is being featured. This exhibit aims to help children better understand pets.

Kim Young-mi, a curator at the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum said, “Children seem slightly distracted but very responsive. Parents have also actively participated in experiential programs that geared for children”. The museum has also focused on providing a wide range of online activities for parents to enjoy with their children at home so as to enhance communication and relationships between parents and children.

A 40 year-old father (Yongin City), who visited the museum along with his son during the weekend, said, “It’s difficult to play with my child on weekdays due to work. Even on weekends, I didn’t know how to play with him. I really enjoyed the experiences and had fun with my son at the museum, and both my son and I could relax here”.

Indeed, the Gyeonggi Children’s Museum is a place to have fun with children in the midst of busy lives and to foster creativity through various experiences.

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Gyeonggi Province Youth Reporter Team Kim Tae-hoon shirune04@naver.com 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201406172258584814C083&s_code=C083