Using storytelling and interactive exercises to introduce preschool-age children to the museum
Date of project: 2020-2022
About Pancakes and Pierogi
RAMM employed freelance artist practitioner Sophie Yarde-Buller to develop an interactive storytelling tour, centred around the theme of food, which was offered to local pre-schools from lower socio-economic areas of Exeter.
The partnership used a creative and accessible style to reach out to children at preschools near the city centre.
The idea was to increase awareness of the museum among families of preschool-age children whose parents might not otherwise have considered it a fun and/or possible place to visit. RAMM also wanted to provide a model to preschools who could use the museum on weekdays when visitor numbers are lower.
The tour centred around the characters of Zenek and his Polish grandmother, Babciu Roza. Zenek cannot decide between pancakes or pierogi, but as they have the same ingredients, he has been sent to get them. The ingredients (such as flour and milk) were linked to objects on display in the museum to form the framework of the tour.
The tour included exploring objects from throughout the museum, as well as incorporating the Families Area in the World Cultures Gallery.
The tour explored how similar dishes and ingredients are used in different countries and cultures across the world. The tour also introduced Makaton signs for different types of food to reinforce learning and ensure the tour was accessible to different types of learners.
Participants & partners
West Exe Preschool, St Sidwells Preschool and Primary School, St Davids Hill Preschool, Newtown Community Preschool.
RAMM has worked with preschools within walking distance of the museum, prioritising those with larger numbers of lower-income families, to introduce the museum and show how it can be an enjoyable trip for both children and staff.
Feedback so far
“The feedback from parents is that it was positive and they enjoyed doing something together with their children. We were bringing hardest to reach families, so I think it was very successful as I think they will return.”
– Teacher West Exe Nursery School
What next?
All children who took part were given an envelope to take home with them which contained an activity sheet, pancake recipe and voucher for the RAMM café. The idea behind this was to reinforce the learning and activities that children and their parents had experienced in the session and encourage follow up family visits to the museum.
We hope to deliver further storytelling sessions based on Pancakes and Pierogi as a family workshop offer in future.
Further information
Ellie Coleman
Engagement Officer
[email protected]
01392 265966
