Bethnal Green Museum
visit by children from Sir William Burrough School

We visited the museum to see how good it is for children, and how we could improve it for visitors.

Before you read what the pupils said, why don't you listen to them
TALKING ABOUT IT-MP3 (not too big!) SOUND files:

First impressions

We expected to see a more colourful building when we arrived, it did not show anything about what was inside. We thought it should be called the history of toys.

To make it better you could have a play area or exhibition outside. It could be painted in brighter colours, and more child friendly.

 They had a statue outside; there could be more statues of different characters, like "Winnie the Pooh".

When we went in, there were no signs to tell us where things were. There should be a welcome sign telling you where things are displayed. There should be signposts or a map/ plan of the museum. There should be bigger, eye-catching signs at eye level, in different languages. As soon as you go in there is the information desk, which has lots of things inside, but it doesn’t look very good. It was not clear that you could get a map from them. The map was not easy to understand where things are. It was not very colourful. A child might not read it, as it is not very attractive.

Downstairs were dolls houses and upstairs were clothes and hats. They should be more children’s’ stuff downstairs, the dolls houses did not look very exciting when we first went in. The displays could be displayed from long ago to now, to see the difference in how they have changed over time. There could be displays about how different festivals were celebrated, like Christmas, Easter, and Chinese New Year, making different things like Victorian Christmas Toys.

It could be more geared to children. There could be children’s activities, like dress the doll, putting things in dolls houses, trying on clothes.

There could be an exhibit called toys around the world, Of Asian and African, Chinese, Toys all around the world. The heights of the displays were for adults; the displays could be lower for children. The displays were really dark, it made them look boring, if better lit it would look more interesting.

Upstairs, the Postman Pat display was really good; if that was downstairs it would be really exciting.

The trying on hats bit was really good; they could make this bigger with more clothes to try on, and information about when the clothes were from, with pictures of people wearing the clothes.

You should be able to see things work without having to put money in, like the "Terror" thing, everyone wanted a go, but only one child had the money.

It was really good that you did not have to pay to go in.

The story area could have an adult there to read a story to children at certain times, i.e. Postman Pat at 2.00pm. It was not very comfortable, and just a few books chucked on the floor. It could be tidier with more books for different ages, and from around the world.

Things could be organised into downstairs for younger children, the middle floor for older children and upstairs for adults. All the displays were Victorian; there should be a wider range of toys. There should be more up to date exhibits, like Pokemon, Harry potter, Telly Tubbies; there should be more TV things, and the Internet. To try and attract visitors and children not coffee drinkers (the cafe and the shop were so huge in comparison to the rest of the areas).

There were things out of order; a member of staff could walk around to see if things were working.

The lift was for staff only, not very good for disabled access.

There could be a board for children and people to stick up pictures that they have drawn at the museum, for other visitors to see.

There could be information using different media, not just signs, there could be phones giving information, a touch screen where you could click on things to find out things. Something like headphones telling you what goes on, or automatic machine telling you where things are. There could be a mini cinema, to give information, to vary the way they give information, not just signs.

There could be a suggestions box on the way out. There could be a free water drinking fountain for thirsty children. It would be a good idea to have a cloakroom for people to hang up their coats. There needs to be workshops with people demonstrating things like, a puppet show, magic show, a Victorian school teacher, (near the blackboards).

Displays for School Use.

Schools work in topics; they need to think about the schools curriculum. There could be areas showing these topics, like children from around the world, maths games area, Victorian children. A Design and Technology area to do with toys, or designing chairs.

It would be interesting to say what materials were used, and why design has changed. Or computer controlled things, like a moving car, or talking toys. Or what it’s like to be a child in WWII, or now.

There could be models showing how things looked when children played with them, like a 1950’s model, or Victorian model. Or modern toys where they talk or do things.

There could be a toy hospital to mend broken toys.

You should have to answer questions as you go around, so you have things written at the end. There should be things hanging from the ceiling or coming out of the walls, not just in display cabinets.

Children taking notes about the visit.

A note from the children.

Please let us know what you plan to do at the museum; we would be very interested to see what you are planning to do. Or you could give us the 3 million pounds and we will come in and do it. Or could we come in and help you do the improvements."

Bethnal Green Museum were so impressed with the work that the children from Sir William Burrough School undertook during their visit to the Museum, that they have been invited to set up the "Bethnal Green Museum Children’s Forum."

As a starting point they have been invited back to the Museum at the beginning of June, to see what changes are being made, and to preview the new Seaside Exhibition, opening the week beginning 15^th June 2002.