Abstract
How can maritime heritage be used in early childhood settings to foster inclusion, play, and adult-child interaction? Since 2022, the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark has worked strategically to design areas and activities for collaborative play. The object of this has been to investigate possible responses to challenges identified in Danish early childhood institutional settings such as limited variety in play activities, insufficient peer interaction, and a need for more meaningful adult-child engagement. Based on observations by play studies researchers, the museum has developed activities for children focusing on inclusive, low-threshold formats that support different energy levels, language development, and collaboration. This includes a 400m² immersive maritime play area at the museum, designed to engage children through imaginative roleplay, movement and physical challenges, and a mobile outreach program, The Dreamship on Wheels, which visits kindergartens with simple, low-threshold maritime games and songs designed for group play and flexible use in everyday settings. As an attempt to reach informal settings such as private homes as well, an original children’s music album was published. Together, these activities have contributed to new ways of engaging young children through cultural heritage. In this showcase, we share practical insights and design strategies from our experience, offering inspiration to others that seek to center play in the museum.
Presenters
Nina TrierEducation & Family Activities Manager, Research and Exhibitions, M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, Denmark
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
Play, Inclusion, Participation, Playdesign, Children, Outreach, Design
