Melbourne Museum has expanded to include a gallery designed for very young children from babies to five-year-olds, setting a new standard in early childhood learning. After two years working alongside over 500 child 'consultants' and over 100 specialists from fields such as education, special needs, landscape design and playground creation, this space will be a cutting edge arena for learning through immersion. This is truly a space designed by and for children.
Walk in the shoes of a palaeontologist at the Dinosaur Dig or dance the morning away at the Camouflage Disco, complete with a mirror wall, light projections and unique soundscapes. There will also be a net climbing structure, Indigenous storytelling featuring the First Nations creation stories and murals from street artist David Booth (better known as Ghostpatrol). Tired tots can then rest their weary legs at the ‘nothing nook’ – a quiet space to recharge in between adventures.
To celebrate the launch of the Pauline Gandel Children's Gallery, Museums Victoria has also announced 'The Museum Generation' initiative, which will provide a free six-month Museums Victoria household membership to every Victoria child born, adopted, or fostered in 2017. The initiative, delivered in partnership with the Victoria Maternal and Child Health Service, will include free entry to Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, IMAX, and the Immigration Museum.