Powerhouse brings creativity to toddlers

The Powerhouse (aka MAAS) is working on an interesting new program for the very young.

MAAS Tinies is aimed at kids from 6-months to 2 years and covers: “Exploring the theme of ‘textures’ MAAS Tinies provides a playful introduction to the applied arts and sciences for the tiniest curious creators. A play-based program for mobile babies and toddlers up to the age of 2 and their carers, enjoy activities together set in the Museum’s galleries and led by an educator. Learn about textures through songs, rhymes and our hands-on sensory tubs, before getting creative with making texture collages and play dough stamping.”

MAAS Minis is for 3-5 year olds: “Get tinkering! Inspire your young inventor in this session that playfully explores science, technology, engineering, art and maths. Pre-schoolers aged between 3–5 years and their carers can enjoy this unique opportunity to touch and discover more about an object from the Museum’s education collection. Plus deconstruct some old technology then put it together again in an invention inspired by imagination, hear stories and construct something new with boxes!”

There are provisions for dealing with siblings too.

This is a very cool idea and a great way to encourage young families into a museum. If they pull this off properly, and there are templates out there in places like San Francisco’s wonderful Childrens Creativity Museum, it could be a valuable addition to geeky Sydney.

Right now this is a pilot program with sessions scheduled for early September. The sessions are free but currently available exclusively to MAAS members – the quid pro quo being that feedback is asked for to fine-tune the program. It could well be another excellent reason to sign up for membership.

All the details can be found here.