Portland Childrens Museum

A museums name tells you a lot about what it treasures. You hear the name--art museum, history museum, automobile museum--and you immediately know what youll find there: objects, rare and wonderful; encounters with the unusual; beauty for beautys sake. The specifics differ, but in each case, the collection takes center stage. Our name shows what we treasure, too, and it tells you how were different. Were a museum that doesnt act like a museum because our audience--children and the adults who care for them--is more important to us than anything we collect. Indeed, our audience is the essential component that gives our exhibits meaning. Instead of investing in precious objects, we use familiar materials to craft priceless opportunities for children to learn through play. Our approach is inspired by the early childhood schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy; built on inquiry-based learning strategies; and influenced by a strong image of children as intelligent, creative, and resourceful. ...