Open Forum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Inattendent parents are apparently widespread in the society, as is the use by some of museums and SDCs as informal day-care facilities rather than opportunities for shared informal learning.

I have observed, including while conducting audience research, phenomenon similar to what you describe: parents bringing children to early-learner spaces to 'dump' them while the pareents socialize among their age-peers or use their phones. In one especially disappointing instance I observed a father-child dyad enter a reading area, where the father directed the child to gather some books of intrerest. The child returned to the table eagerly offering a few books that she obviously expect to read with her dad. He then directed her to 'look at those' while he spent the next 20 minutes on his phone. So much for her eagerly anticipated shared experience with a parent.

I recommend that you create a brief (card rack sized) discussion piece about 'sharing informal learning with your child' that can be distributed to parents at the admission desk. Provide some methodological suggestions on how to engage in shared experiential and/or object-centered inquiry, esp. cognitive and affective 'scaffolding' and modeling, and, if appropriate, how to use interpretive text. I would also suggest that you either prohibit mobile phones from early-learner spaces or direct that phones are to be set to vibrate, explained as a matter of pedagogy (rather than general etiquette).

------------------------------
Kevin Coffee
Chicago IL
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Hello!

I used to work at San Juan National Historic Site, National Park Service as a tour guide. I gave a 20 minute tour every hour and on Thursdays and Fridays I gave two tours to schools groups. It didn't matter how "fun" or how many interpretative techniques I used, there was always someone with a cellular phone. They didn't pay attention, they disrupt the group, they tend to stay on the back or simply they look for "facts" to contradict my tour. At the beginning, I asked everyone to put away their phones. And that, of course, didn't work... not only because I was forbidding something (the forbidden fruit taste better!) to tourists on their vacation (a no-no), but I didn't archive the attention I was expecting because of those "very important" calls.

My solution: include the cellular phone in my tours. If the visitor, the parent have to use the phone for the tour...then, I decide how and when they would used it. If the kid knows that he would get a movie, fun facts or a game in the parents phone...believe me they would demand their parent's phone. I started creating a scavenger hunt and now I created a mobil app. This app (uDiscover) is free for the cultural site, you just give me the content (which could be change in minutes) and the parent/visitor choose if they would like to pay .99 cents for your extra offering. If your interested in any more information you could contact me at jessicaopp@live.com and good luck! 

------------------------------
Jessica Oppenheimer
WLG Innovations, Inc.
Caguas
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

I would encourage you to shift your thinking a little bit. Until I became a parent, I too thought cell phones should be banned/limited, and parents should be interacting with their children while at a museum. Being at a museum is a wonderful opportunity to learn together and encouraging it or communicating its value to parents is a good thing and an effective method. At Boston Children's Museum they put up signs with photos of parents and kids playing together that read "Unplug... Connect." Brilliant. 

However, you shouldn't judge the parents who are not engaging. The fact that they feel safe enough in your environment to take their eyes off their kids for a moment, lets you know that you are doing something right. It is also important for kids to be able to play or explore by themselves. Sometimes, I have to remind myself NOT to engage with my child. They are content without me and that is both a process of becoming independent and valuable to their growth. You don't know how often that parent is visiting and how they are interacting with them on other visits. You also don't know how much the parents engage with their child outside of the museum. A museum visit may be a place where they know they can take a break. It may look like they are playing on their phones, but this may be the one opportunity in the day that their child is occupied, and they can send that email to Grandma about her pending visit.

In regards, to parents chatting with other adults... again I would encourage a shift in perspective. Perhaps they came on a play date (or started a conversation with another visiting parent) and are swapping techniques about parenting and child development. That is valuable interaction and the kind we as children's museums want to encourage. Even if they are just "catching up" with another adult, that can be a recharge moment so they are more present for their child at a different time. 

The less you can judge a parent's actions during the brief time they are at a museum, the better. At least they brought their child there! That in itself should be valued. 

Of course, a parent not supervising a child while playing on their phone should be corrected. In that instance, you may want to gently remind them that we need their help to supervise their child. We also have several signs up in the museum (around risky activities) that read, "Your child's safety is your responsibility." The fact that it impacts your limited staff resources is a problem. Signage as suggested by another person may help. We put up signs that read "Play together to learn together." But honestly, the thing that has helped me the most has been to shift my own thinking around the issue.

------------------------------
Tina Keegan
Exhibits Director
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
Palo Alto CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Embrace the issue and use it to your advantage. In some of the museums we work with the same issue is present. So to counteract the issue we are having APPs developed that allow the parent to use the phone but become interactive with the exhibit and the children. If you can't beat it join it. It also allows the parent/child to extend the visit and take it home with them.

------------------------------
Ronald Street
Managing Director/Principal
Northstar Advisors
Ardmore PA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

As a veteran of facilitating in some of these interactive spaces, I sometimes wonder if the problems lie in our design and in our expectations of visitors. Of course, we have created wonderful settings based on the notion that we will be engaging the whole family in interacting and learning together. But are we completely certain that is always what the families want and need? After all, the parents are learning, interacting, and facilitating the children almost all the time, whether in or out of the museum. When they encounter a space where children can be fairly independent in their exploration, it does make a certain amount of sense that they might embrace it as a welcome respite from their "always-on" role as parent. Then, too, parents are often 'herding' larger groups - the other parent and kid(s), family friends, older parents - and may be trying to stay in touch and keep plans organized for during and after the museum visit.

At the same time, I've seen many such spaces designed beautifully to engage toddlers and preschoolers, but are simply not that interesting for parents to delve into, except perhaps as something to facilitate for children (again). Looking at the appeal of interactives, the tone and design of labels, and other elements might help staff identify intrinsically rewarding content and experiences for adults that they can have in parallel with, or by interaction with, the kids. Some children's museums have tried labels describing ways to observe children for markers of cognitive development, for instance, or highlighted how activities help them learn and grow. Others use humor to appeal to adult audiences. Levels of challenge and information can be tweaked to make playing with or alongside children more fun, too. 

The main need, I would think, is to understand exactly why the adults are indulging in the phone behavior, and design in response to what is heard. If it's that they really need respite at that point in the museum visit, perhaps an interactive performance-based presentation that involves the kids but lets parents take the back row would be best. If it's that they are busy organizing other people, maybe a dedicated communications/charging station for doing just that would be welcome, loaded with local maps, recommendations, etc., and near but not in the midst of the discovery area. If it's that they perceive the activities as for children only, rather than as fun for a multi-generational group or adult-child pair, then turn to the design of the space and experiences to find out what would satisfy both audiences. 

Finally, it sounds like the greeting and expectation-setting would be critical to making a space like this work. If a staff member can welcome every group and "pitch" the adult-child design of the space to each newcomer, that can help set expectations. 

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Michelle Moon
Assistant Director for Adult Programs
Peabody Essex Museum
Salem MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 08:00 AM
From: Ronald Street
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

Embrace the issue and use it to your advantage. In some of the museums we work with the same issue is present. So to counteract the issue we are having APPs developed that allow the parent to use the phone but become interactive with the exhibit and the children. If you can't beat it join it. It also allows the parent/child to extend the visit and take it home with them.

------------------------------
Ronald Street
Managing Director/Principal
Northstar Advisors
Ardmore PA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

I appreciate everyone's responses and observations.  Many of the suggestions are ones we've been trying or mulling over, and it's good to feel we're on the right, or tried and true, track.  I think we'll begin with a focus on the engagement of adults -- already looking into having a charging station, probably in the museum reception area (the only place where food and drink are allowed), and see what further steps we can take down the road.  I'd be interested in knowing some detail about interesting apps that have been designed for parents of babies and toddlers, since this is the focus of our concern (our preschool room).

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 09:38 AM
From: Michelle Moon
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

As a veteran of facilitating in some of these interactive spaces, I sometimes wonder if the problems lie in our design and in our expectations of visitors. Of course, we have created wonderful settings based on the notion that we will be engaging the whole family in interacting and learning together. But are we completely certain that is always what the families want and need? After all, the parents are learning, interacting, and facilitating the children almost all the time, whether in or out of the museum. When they encounter a space where children can be fairly independent in their exploration, it does make a certain amount of sense that they might embrace it as a welcome respite from their "always-on" role as parent. Then, too, parents are often 'herding' larger groups - the other parent and kid(s), family friends, older parents - and may be trying to stay in touch and keep plans organized for during and after the museum visit.

At the same time, I've seen many such spaces designed beautifully to engage toddlers and preschoolers, but are simply not that interesting for parents to delve into, except perhaps as something to facilitate for children (again). Looking at the appeal of interactives, the tone and design of labels, and other elements might help staff identify intrinsically rewarding content and experiences for adults that they can have in parallel with, or by interaction with, the kids. Some children's museums have tried labels describing ways to observe children for markers of cognitive development, for instance, or highlighted how activities help them learn and grow. Others use humor to appeal to adult audiences. Levels of challenge and information can be tweaked to make playing with or alongside children more fun, too. 

The main need, I would think, is to understand exactly why the adults are indulging in the phone behavior, and design in response to what is heard. If it's that they really need respite at that point in the museum visit, perhaps an interactive performance-based presentation that involves the kids but lets parents take the back row would be best. If it's that they are busy organizing other people, maybe a dedicated communications/charging station for doing just that would be welcome, loaded with local maps, recommendations, etc., and near but not in the midst of the discovery area. If it's that they perceive the activities as for children only, rather than as fun for a multi-generational group or adult-child pair, then turn to the design of the space and experiences to find out what would satisfy both audiences. 

Finally, it sounds like the greeting and expectation-setting would be critical to making a space like this work. If a staff member can welcome every group and "pitch" the adult-child design of the space to each newcomer, that can help set expectations. 

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Michelle Moon
Assistant Director for Adult Programs
Peabody Essex Museum
Salem MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 08:00 AM
From: Ronald Street
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

Embrace the issue and use it to your advantage. In some of the museums we work with the same issue is present. So to counteract the issue we are having APPs developed that allow the parent to use the phone but become interactive with the exhibit and the children. If you can't beat it join it. It also allows the parent/child to extend the visit and take it home with them.

------------------------------
Ronald Street
Managing Director/Principal
Northstar Advisors
Ardmore PA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

I am learning from the responses.

The responses have not addressed the "kids run wild" issue. This is related to, but different than, engaging the adults. I am assuming that the poster is not talking about kids interacting with the exhibits without adults.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Jennifer Saffran
docent
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2015 08:09 AM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

I appreciate everyone's responses and observations.  Many of the suggestions are ones we've been trying or mulling over, and it's good to feel we're on the right, or tried and true, track.  I think we'll begin with a focus on the engagement of adults -- already looking into having a charging station, probably in the museum reception area (the only place where food and drink are allowed), and see what further steps we can take down the road.  I'd be interested in knowing some detail about interesting apps that have been designed for parents of babies and toddlers, since this is the focus of our concern (our preschool room).

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 09:38 AM
From: Michelle Moon
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

As a veteran of facilitating in some of these interactive spaces, I sometimes wonder if the problems lie in our design and in our expectations of visitors. Of course, we have created wonderful settings based on the notion that we will be engaging the whole family in interacting and learning together. But are we completely certain that is always what the families want and need? After all, the parents are learning, interacting, and facilitating the children almost all the time, whether in or out of the museum. When they encounter a space where children can be fairly independent in their exploration, it does make a certain amount of sense that they might embrace it as a welcome respite from their "always-on" role as parent. Then, too, parents are often 'herding' larger groups - the other parent and kid(s), family friends, older parents - and may be trying to stay in touch and keep plans organized for during and after the museum visit.

At the same time, I've seen many such spaces designed beautifully to engage toddlers and preschoolers, but are simply not that interesting for parents to delve into, except perhaps as something to facilitate for children (again). Looking at the appeal of interactives, the tone and design of labels, and other elements might help staff identify intrinsically rewarding content and experiences for adults that they can have in parallel with, or by interaction with, the kids. Some children's museums have tried labels describing ways to observe children for markers of cognitive development, for instance, or highlighted how activities help them learn and grow. Others use humor to appeal to adult audiences. Levels of challenge and information can be tweaked to make playing with or alongside children more fun, too. 

The main need, I would think, is to understand exactly why the adults are indulging in the phone behavior, and design in response to what is heard. If it's that they really need respite at that point in the museum visit, perhaps an interactive performance-based presentation that involves the kids but lets parents take the back row would be best. If it's that they are busy organizing other people, maybe a dedicated communications/charging station for doing just that would be welcome, loaded with local maps, recommendations, etc., and near but not in the midst of the discovery area. If it's that they perceive the activities as for children only, rather than as fun for a multi-generational group or adult-child pair, then turn to the design of the space and experiences to find out what would satisfy both audiences. 

Finally, it sounds like the greeting and expectation-setting would be critical to making a space like this work. If a staff member can welcome every group and "pitch" the adult-child design of the space to each newcomer, that can help set expectations. 

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Michelle Moon
Assistant Director for Adult Programs
Peabody Essex Museum
Salem MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 08:00 AM
From: Ronald Street
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

Embrace the issue and use it to your advantage. In some of the museums we work with the same issue is present. So to counteract the issue we are having APPs developed that allow the parent to use the phone but become interactive with the exhibit and the children. If you can't beat it join it. It also allows the parent/child to extend the visit and take it home with them.

------------------------------
Ronald Street
Managing Director/Principal
Northstar Advisors
Ardmore PA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

I appreciate everyone's responses and observations.  Many of the suggestions are ones we've been trying or mulling over, and it's good to feel we're on the right, or tried and true, track.  I think we'll begin with a focus on the engagement of adults -- already looking into having a charging station, probably in the museum reception area (the only place where food and drink are allowed), and see what further steps we can take down the road.  I'd be interested in knowing some detail about interesting apps that have been designed for parents of babies and toddlers, since this is the focus of our concern (our preschool room).

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 09:38 AM
From: Michelle Moon
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

As a veteran of facilitating in some of these interactive spaces, I sometimes wonder if the problems lie in our design and in our expectations of visitors. Of course, we have created wonderful settings based on the notion that we will be engaging the whole family in interacting and learning together. But are we completely certain that is always what the families want and need? After all, the parents are learning, interacting, and facilitating the children almost all the time, whether in or out of the museum. When they encounter a space where children can be fairly independent in their exploration, it does make a certain amount of sense that they might embrace it as a welcome respite from their "always-on" role as parent. Then, too, parents are often 'herding' larger groups - the other parent and kid(s), family friends, older parents - and may be trying to stay in touch and keep plans organized for during and after the museum visit.

At the same time, I've seen many such spaces designed beautifully to engage toddlers and preschoolers, but are simply not that interesting for parents to delve into, except perhaps as something to facilitate for children (again). Looking at the appeal of interactives, the tone and design of labels, and other elements might help staff identify intrinsically rewarding content and experiences for adults that they can have in parallel with, or by interaction with, the kids. Some children's museums have tried labels describing ways to observe children for markers of cognitive development, for instance, or highlighted how activities help them learn and grow. Others use humor to appeal to adult audiences. Levels of challenge and information can be tweaked to make playing with or alongside children more fun, too. 

The main need, I would think, is to understand exactly why the adults are indulging in the phone behavior, and design in response to what is heard. If it's that they really need respite at that point in the museum visit, perhaps an interactive performance-based presentation that involves the kids but lets parents take the back row would be best. If it's that they are busy organizing other people, maybe a dedicated communications/charging station for doing just that would be welcome, loaded with local maps, recommendations, etc., and near but not in the midst of the discovery area. If it's that they perceive the activities as for children only, rather than as fun for a multi-generational group or adult-child pair, then turn to the design of the space and experiences to find out what would satisfy both audiences. 

Finally, it sounds like the greeting and expectation-setting would be critical to making a space like this work. If a staff member can welcome every group and "pitch" the adult-child design of the space to each newcomer, that can help set expectations. 

Good luck! 

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Michelle Moon
Assistant Director for Adult Programs
Peabody Essex Museum
Salem MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2015 08:00 AM
From: Ronald Street
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

Embrace the issue and use it to your advantage. In some of the museums we work with the same issue is present. So to counteract the issue we are having APPs developed that allow the parent to use the phone but become interactive with the exhibit and the children. If you can't beat it join it. It also allows the parent/child to extend the visit and take it home with them.

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Ronald Street
Managing Director/Principal
Northstar Advisors
Ardmore PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

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Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
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We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
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This is something we haven't had to deal with as much as some because we're currently located in the basement of the Museum.  However we'll be moving upstairs in the next few years, where cell & wifi access is better.  I've been saying we should bring in some early education students or human behaviorists to do a "before and after" study of parents' engagement levels!

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Kathleen McNeece
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

One responsive 'behavioral' project you might examine is in the Children's Museum of Manhattan, where they created a program specifically for au pairs and other caregivers on the topic of how to use the museum (interactively with children, obviously) to best advantage.

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Kevin Coffee
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2015 01:55 PM
From: Elspeth Inglis
Subject: Parents' use of cell phones while kids run wild in the museum

We're having an increasing number of parents come to the museum with their children, turn the kids loose while they -- the parents -- yak on the phone or text or read e-mails, social media - whatever.  The problem is especially pronounced in our preschool room, where parents assume the one museum staff person present will watch after their kid, along with everyone else's.  Staff want us to ban phones and other electronic devices, which we can't/won't.  Our museum is highly interactive, not just in the preschool room.  We are known for our hands-on approach, even in our history gallery.  Still -- or maybe because of this -- we find parents actually sitting on the floor with their phones plugged into the outlets in the galleries, ignoring their children while they play.  I'm hoping some of you have come up with, or seen, creative ways to get parents to not only pay attention to their children while visiting a museum, but to actually interact with them -- anyone??

------------------------------
Elspeth Inglis
Assistant Director for Educational Services
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------