Date issued: 27 April 2020
Colchester Museums’ new home learning programme, Museum From Home, has joined forces with the Essex Children’s University to bring households across Essex and Suffolk fun, historical-based learning activities.
With schools currently closed, Colchester Museums is missing its regular school visitors and so has teamed up with the Essex and Suffolk Children’s University to bring a slice of Museum life to families at home.
Over the coming weeks (and possibly months), the team will be creating a series of fun activities – the first of which is all about the Romans!
Colchester is long associated with the Romans. The town was the first Roman Capital of Britain and the site of Queen Boudica’s bloody rebellion. Colchester Castle was even built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius, so there is plenty of local history to inspire young minds!
Have a go at making a Roman mosaic, dressing up and researching what life as a Roman Soldier would have been like, or even play detective and try to decipher the teams very own Caesar’s Cypher!
All children who complete the activities badged up with the Children’s University Logo will be eligible for an activity stamp in their Children’s University Passport to Learning, which will count towards their graduations once everyone gets back to normal life.
Children can find the first activity on the Museum From Home webpage cimuseums.org.uk/museumfromhome along with plenty of other activities to keep them busy.
Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “I am thrilled the team at Colchester Museums has joined forces with the Children’s University to ensure children don’t miss out on the learning-based activities the Museums usually offer.
“Through simple and fun tasks, families can complement any home learning they are doing, and children can earn stamps for their passports. It’s hoped that these small activities will help maintain a degree of normality for children during this uncertain time.”
Debbie Bennett, Manager of both Essex Children’s University and Suffolk Children’s University, added: “Learning happens all around us, in different ways, every day. Home learning challenges and activities are part of our general offer and we’ve been working hard to make sure that children and families have an extended variety of suggestions and ideas and we are delighted that our partnership with Colchester Museums goes from strength to strength.
“For every child that takes part in Children's University we want the following outcomes:
- They feel they have grown in confidence and self-belief.
- They have enjoyed new experiences, in new places (albeit virtually, for now) and want to keep exploring.
- They believe they have a broader range of essential skills.
- They feel empowered to make positive choices about their future.
- They see that learning is fun, aspirational and lifelong.
- They feel their eyes have been opened to a multiplicity of learning activities and opportunities.
- They feel celebrated for their commitment to learning by their family, school and community”
Colchester Museums are custodians of nationally important artefacts and strive to ensure the public can access these, even while their doors are shut.
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Page last reviewed: 23 April 2020