The mission of Providence Children's Museum is to inspire learning through active play and exploration. The Museum serves the children of southern New England and the adults who care for them by presenting hands-on exhibits and programs that explore the arts, culture, history and science. Its exhibits and programs are based on the developmental needs of children ages one to eleven and embrace a wide range of learning styles and forms of expression. The Museum is committed to being accessible and responsive to all families -- culturally, physically and economically; to working in partnership with schools, child welfare agencies and other organizations to meet the needs of children and families; and to increasing understanding of the ways in which children learn. The Children's Museum is one of the few places where children and adults have the opportunity to learn together. Its participatory approach to education encourages a life-time love of learning.

Description:
To better understand the Providence Children's Museum, review our educational philosophy. We believe... 1.Self-directed, hands-on learning is the most effective method of learning. 2. Children are their own best learning resource. 3. People learn best when they want to learn and when they can learn in their own style and at their own pace. 4. Children need to succeed. 5. Each child should develop his or her own individuality and find the confidence to express it. 6. Children learn best when they are allowed to make choices and experiment - the process is as important as the outcome. 7. Children should respect themselves, other people and the objects and environment around them. 8. Parents are their children's primary educators. 9. Concentration and interaction with others are both essential ingredients of learning. 10. Children's creativity should be encouraged and nurtured. 11. Children learn best when they feel safe and respected.

In keeping with these beliefs and our mission, educational programs are designed with an emphasis on learning by doing. The Museum's educational programs have the following characteristics: 1. Children are active participants whether they are making their own puppets or stirring melting ice in a simple science experiment. 2. The variety of modalities in a program might include listening to a story, engaging in discussion, making something and even tasting something. 3. Children make choices from among a variety of materials and ways to use them - no two children come away with identical products. 4. Children are independent; they are encouraged to do what they can do themselves, to find their own ways of succeeding. 5. Programs are creative experiences; they encourage children to think with flexibility, fluency and originality. 6. Individual learning styles are taken into account in program development and presentation; the small class sizes enables the educators to be aware of and responsive to each child. 7. Developmentally-appropriate activities are designed for varying age groups; recommended ages are clearly stated in promotional material. 8. Interesting, inexpensive materials are used in programs, common re-useable like cardboard tubes, natural objects and manufacturing left-overs. 9. Parents are facilitators; accompanying adults have an important role as resources for their children but not "doers-for". Written resource material is available for parents to extend the activity at home.

History:
The Children's Museum was incorporated in 1976 as a participatory learning center for children, their parents and teachers and opened to the public in 1977 in the Pitcher-Goff House in Pawtucket. The Museum's audience grew to an average of 50,000 visitors a year. People from communities throughout southeastern New England came to enjoy and learn from the Museum's interactive exhibits and lively staff-directed programs. The Museum's 5,000 square foot Victorian mansion could not accommodate the ever-increasing visitation. In October 1997, the Museum successfully completed a $3.3 million capital campaign and opened at much expanded quarters.

The new building, a former factory in Providence's jewelry district, contains 17,000 square feet on two floors. The property is at the juncture of the two major interstate highways, making it easily accessible from all points in the state. It is located near family services and cultural attractions and within walking distance of inner-city neighborhoods, allowing the Museum to establish long-term relationships with traditionally under-served audiences. More than a half a million people have visited the Museum since it opened at the new site.

The Museum is a private nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose policies are implemented by a professional staff. Volunteers and student interns from area colleges provide invaluable assistance. In addition the Museum is an AmeriCorps site; each year ten to fifteen adults serve full-time at the Museum, developing and implementing programs for children from inner-city community centers, Head Start programs, and elementary schools throughout the state.

The Museum has a $1.5 million annual operating budget. More than a third of that is earned through admission, membership and program fees, and gift shop sales. Government grants and contracts provide 35 percent. The balance is provided by the generosity of the community through sponsorships, gifts and grants.

Contact person: Kelly Fenton, Visitor Services & Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (401) 273-1004

Address:

100 South Street Providence, RI 02903 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.childrenmuseum.org

Directions:

Please call for directions

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