Exploring Priceless Ceramics Freely with a Toddler
Visiting galleries with a toddler can be challenging, especially when the child is an active explorer rather than a sleeping baby. The experience of exploring priceless ceramics freely in a gallery setting has prompted reflection on whether parents should focus on exhibitions aimed specifically at children. A recent visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge offered insight into how family-friendly drop-in sessions can accommodate young children’s curiosity while allowing them to engage with art alongside adults.
From Sleeping Babe to Boisterous Explorer
When the child was a baby asleep in a sling, visiting galleries and museums was relatively easy and enjoyable. However, as the child grew into a toddler with a strong will and quick movements, the experience became more unpredictable. The toddler’s fascination with saying “no” and darting around like a squirrel made the parent question whether to stick to exhibitions and events designed for children.
Despite initial hesitation about child-focused activities such as stay-and-plays or singalongs, the parent decided to attend a “family-friendly drop-in” session at the Fitzwilliam Museum. These sessions are free, require no booking, and are designed to be child-led and loosely structured, which was a relief compared to more rigidly organized children’s events.
Family-Friendly Drop-In Sessions at the Fitzwilliam Museum
The drop-in session took place in galleries filled with glazed cabinets showcasing ceramics, pottery, glassware, and metalwork. Rather than isolating children in separate noisy zones, the museum integrated child-friendly activities within the adult gallery space. Children were free to move between rooms, exploring the displays while holding musical instruments like maracas.
- Activities included colouring pencils and paper, big cushions, stripy rugs, books, building blocks, musical instruments, and gauzy fabrics.
- Children could choose to engage with these materials or simply explore the gallery at their own pace.
- Stencils and foam blocks inspired by the decorative shapes of the ceramics encouraged creative play linked to the collection.
Kate Noble, assistant research professor in museum participation and practice, explained that museums are primarily designed for adults but are committed to welcoming young children by placing objects at child level and providing activities rooted in the collection. She emphasized that children are interested in the same kinds of art as adults, though they may interpret it differently.
Engagement and Discovery Through Play
The toddler’s exploration led to unexpected discoveries, such as noticing a tureen shaped like a carp and a crayfish salt pig, which might have gone unnoticed without the child’s curiosity. The child’s interaction with the ceramics, including shaking maracas near a cabinet of plates and spotting rabbits among the crockery, enriched the experience for both child and parent.
Michael Corley, deputy director of learning and public programmes, shared an observation of a child who spent an unusually long time looking at a portrait while playing with fabric from a resource trolley. This demonstrated how providing children with materials to play and explore can deepen their engagement with art in ways that structured activities might not achieve.
The parent found the drop-in session enjoyable and engaging, to the point of almost forgetting plans to visit other exhibitions. Friendly staff enhanced the experience by offering personalized attention, such as showing the child a dog depicted on a 3,300-year-old papyrus in the ancient Egypt exhibition.
Building Confidence for Museum Visits with Children
The monthly family-friendly drop-in sessions stem from research by Kate Noble and Nicola Wallis, aimed at helping parents feel more confident bringing young children to museums. The sessions provide an introduction to being in a museum with a child, offering a gentle route to developing comfort and familiarity with the environment.
While the parent does not plan to attend only child-focused sessions in the future, this experience has opened the door to being more receptive to them. One minor challenge noted was the proximity of the drop-in area to the museum shop, which can be distracting for children drawn to colorful books, toys, and crayons.
