We will explore current leading research in Early Years practice in museums, touching on themes of language development, early socialisation and family support. The event is organised by GEM and GEM Yorkshire and the Humberside in partnership with Art Fund and NESTA.

Agenda:

09:30 Welcome and housekeeping, Kate Fellows, Head of Learning and Access, Leeds Museums and Galleries, chair

9:35 Hello from GEM!, Rachel Tranter, Director of GEM

09:40 Introduction to research and practice around Early Years in museums, Sam Cairns, Director Cairns-Crump

09:45 Investigating young children’s use of language at Sewerby Hall, Lucy Cooke, Under 5s Learning Co-ordinator, East Riding of Yorkshire Museums Service, and Professor Abigail Hackett, Professor of Childhood and Education at Sheffield Hallam University

10:05 Collaborative research with young children and families, Kate Noble, Senior Research Associate: Museum Learning and Participation, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

10:25 Questions

10:30 Screen break

10:35 Art Fund and NESTA Mini Wonders programme

10:40 Emerging insights from Cohort 1 of the programme, NESTA

10:50 How it’s working in practice, Eve Phethean, Learning and Access Officer Leeds Industrial Museum and Anna Murray, Families & Early Years Co-ordinator at National Galleries of Scotland

11:10 Questions and time for discussion

11:30 Close