In order to provide direct educational services for children (and not only), we need to follow several steps that run cyclically, as evaluation of activities is extremely important. Following the evaluation process we can revisit the steps in order to adapt and improve the activities according to the weaknesses identified during their implementation. Thus, it is necessary to determine as precisely as possible the target audience we wish to address, formulate the objectives we are aiming for, determine the type of activity, the methods used in working with the group of beneficiaries, clarify the subject matter and select the cultural materials used as examples, organise and carry out the activities and evaluate them.
In the material on target groups we discuss the criteria we use to best characterise the categories that are of interest for the aims that the organisation we represent intends to propose. If we refer to children, the most natural and used approach is from the perspective of organised groups.
They are usually easier to attract, since teachers can mediate the process. In addition, members of organised groups share certain common characteristics (including a similar level of already acquired knowledge to refer to), which makes it easier for the cultural education specialist to approach them. In addition, there is the involvement of the teachers who coordinate the groups, with whom certain areas of interest can be discussed and negotiated. Moreover, we can have an interdisciplinary approach and relate to the curriculum.
In addition to groups of pre-school and primary or secondary school pupils accompanied by a teacher, we can consider groups from kindergartens or private schools (with or without language teaching), children taken in the care of foster homes, associations and foundations, as well as children with physical disabilities and mild mental problems (for which we generally offer free of charge options). In addition, during holidays, we can address mixed-age groups in afterschools.
The educational services are designed according to the field of activity and the expertise of the cultural education specialists the organisation has or collaborates with.
Inspiring activities dedicated to organised groups of children can be found in the educational offer of many cultural organisations. For example, the National Museum of Maps and Old Books in Bucharest and the associations with which it collaborates organise cultural education programmes for schools and kindergartens during the week: https://www.muzeulhartilor.ro/invata-scoli-si-gradinite/
We can also propose initiatives aimed at children with individual enrolment, carried out during weekends or holidays. We can also have initiatives specifically for families with children, taking into account the age of the children, but actively involving parents or grandparents in the activities and encouraging teamwork. Additional segmentation criteria can be added, such as a group of families with children identified from among partners.
The Summer Educational Programme School in the Traditional Village proposed by the ASTRA National Museum Complex in Sibiu is an initiative aimed at children, parents and grandparents. During the summer holidays, they can participate in educational workshops and craft demonstrations by craftsmen from all over the country. Details here.