Cleaver's one-of-a-kind guidebook encourages parents and children to discover one--or more--of the many hands-on, participatory museums, discovery rooms, and "please touch" facilities available across the country--to unlock the joyful world of learning through doing and partake of the creative exuberance found at these "learning playgrounds".

Describes innovative, hands-on participatory museums, discovery rooms, and "please touch" museums and discusses what each museum has to offer. Gives strategies for successful museum visits.

In this one-of-a-kind volume, museum staff and social scientists begin to explore the many facets of the relationship between museums and families. They examine the museum's importance to the family as a source for socialization and learning. At the heart of this exciting book is a concentration on developing programs of experiential learning and knowledge building that will assist families in understanding their history and culture.

In this guidebook to childrens museums in the United States, more than 200 contemporary museums, science centers, and discovery centers are listed along with brief descriptions and important contact information. All of the museums listed offer educational programs or activities tailored specifically to children, including permanent childrens displays and interactive, hands-on exhibits.

Documents the needs, interests and concerns of major stakeholders in the children's museum movement.

What does a museum do with a kindergartner who walks through the door? The growth of interest in young children learning in museums has joined the national conversation on early childhood education. Written by Sharon Shaffer, the founding Executive Director of the innovative Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, this is the first book for museum professionals as well as students offering guidance on planning programming for young children.This groundbreaking book:-Explains the various ways in which children learn-Shows how to use this knowledge to design effective programs using a variety of teaching models-Includes examples of successful programs, tested activities, and a set of best practices