The Blog of Boston Children's Museum
How do young children develop empathy? Are they even capable of understanding perspectives that differ from their own, especially when they are still experiencing so much of the world for the first time? These are the questions that I asked myself when tasked with running a program all about empathy for the first time.
Recently, a child said to me that “why” is her favorite word and that she could even ask it for a hundred years. That’s a really long time! While the frustration of being caught in a “why” loop might cloud the positives, we can remind ourselves that there is curiosity beneath all of these “whys.”
At Boston Children’s Museum, we define Working Flexibly as incorporating and revising ideas based on new information, employing objectivity and acknowledging subjectivity. Learn how Working Flexibly comes into play throughout the Museum in Program Fellow Sydney’s latest blog.
Next up in the Habits of Mind blog series is Thinking Creatively and Imaginatively. Habits of Mind are ways of thinking and being that help children (and adults!) stay curious, creative, and confident. Envisioning possibilities, solutions, and forms of expression; having ideas; thinking outside the box; problem finding and solving are all aspects of Creative and Imaginative Thinking. Let’s dive in.
Play and exploration aren’t just fun — they’re essential. Play helps kids grow, learn, and understand the world around them in ways that are just as important as what they learn in school, at home, or during after-school programs. In this new blog series, Museum staff will highlight how Habits of Mind come to life in and outside the Museum. First up: Taking Risks.
While ingredients and shapes may change, one thing cultures around the world have in common is a love of dumplings. In September 2024, Mei Mei, a local dumpling business, hosted a Dumpling Folding activity at Boston Children’s Museum, offering Museum visitors the opportunity to learn dumpling folding techniques. Learn about Ziyi Cheng’s experience at the Dumpling Folding Activity and its connection to the power of play.
Mud pie masterpieces, crushed flower cupcakes, watermelon pie, what might you cook up using natural materials, kitchenware, and your imagination? Boston Children’s Museum recently celebrated our Summer of Curiosity, encouraging visitors to think, wonder, and ask questions about the world around them. Learn about Museum Program Fellow Kate and team’s experiences in the latest blog post!
Boston Children’s Museum’s Japanese House, a 140 year old traditional Japanese House, was a friendship gift given from Kyoto, Japan to Boston in 1979 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their Sister Cities relationship. Years later, the Japanese House still acts as a symbol of friendship, bringing together old and new friends. In this blog, Sean shares their thoughts about reuniting with old friends at the Japanese House.
The Power of Play 