What Do Caregivers Notice and Value About How Children Learn Through Play In a Children's Museum?
ABSTRACT In two studies, Providence Children's Museum investigated caregivers' observations and perceptions of their children's play and learning at the museum. In the first, caregivers (N 40) were interviewed about what they observed children doing, what they believed children were thinking about, and their own thoughts and actions while watching children play. In the second, caregivers (N 22) described what they valued about their museum visits, and what types of learning might occur through play in general and at the museum. Responses showed that most caregivers reflected on their children's play and articulated a variety of benefits of museum visits for their children. Nevertheless, some found it challenging to articulate how children learned by playing at the museum, even when they believed that children learned through play in general. The findings informed the development of exhibit materials that aimed to make learning through play more visible within the museum.