Montshire Museum of Science Opens New Early Learning Exhibition
NORWICH, VT – The Montshire Museum of Science is excited to present a new exhibition designed for its youngest visitors. Welcome Home: Celebrating Asian Childhood opens on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
The Welcome Home exhibition was developed as part of the Freeman Foundation Asian Culture Exhibit Series and provides an age-appropriate, play-based introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Hmong cultures while encouraging the development of critical school readiness skills in children ages 2 to 5. The Montshire Museum is one of four museums selected from across the U.S. to receive this exhibition.
Designed for young children and their adult caregivers,Welcome Home invites immersive exploration inside and outside of Chinese, Japanese, and Hmong “homes.” With interactive exhibits that have a focus on food, gardening, play, and storytelling across each represented culture, young children have the opportunity to hone gross and fine motor skills, practice early language and literacy skills, and grow general content knowledge. Storybooks celebrating Asian cultures invite discussion between children and their parents and caregivers, and encourage social and emotional learning. To make the exhibition more accessible to families, it is presented in both English and Spanish.
“This exhibition accomplishes two very important goals,” shares Lara Litchfield-Kimber, Montshire Executive Director. “First, by encouraging school readiness skill development in young children, it helps build a solid foundation for learning in pre-K and kindergarten. Second, it enables the Montshire to stand with Asian communities and celebrate culture, diversity, and families at this critically important time.”
Welcome Home: Celebrating Asian Childhood was developed by the Freeman Foundation, a private foundation committed to increasing and strengthening the understanding of nations in East Asia, in partnership with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM).
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About The Montshire Museum of Science
The Montshire Museum of Science forges and empowers lifelong learners through engagement with science. Located in beautiful Norwich, VT, the Montshire Museum of Science is open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Daily admission is $20 for adults and $17 for children ages 2-17. The Museum is free for members and children under the age of two. Memberships are available. Visit montshire.org or call 802- 649-2200 for more information.
The Montshire Museum of Science is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is supported by admission, membership, grants, and charitable contributions.
Media Contact:
Lara Litchfield-Kimber Executive Director
Cell: 607-227-2579
Email: lara.litchfield-kimber@montshire.org