Российский музей детства: к вопросу о разработке научной концепции

Abstract

Background. Despite a number of large-scale projects focused on the study of childhood, there is an urgent need to preserve modern and historical examples of children culture. Psychological and pedagogical ideas on the age speciZcs ofchild development, elaborated within the framework of cultural-historical approach, serve as a solid foundation for the Russian Museum of Childhood. Objective. [e aim of the article is to present an outline of possible activities and scientiZc approaches to the development of the Russian Museum of Childhood. Methods. [e available data on the activities of Childhood Museums in Russia and abroad are profoundly analysed. Results. [e study of the experience in creating museums devoted to the culture of childhood has shown that children’s toys constitute the dominant feature of collections. At the same time, practically no museums represent various aspects of the social situation of a child’s development nor re\ect they the peculiarities of child’s daily and cultural life. [e idea of preservation and exhibition of cultural samples of children’s life forms the basis for investigating possible directions of scientiZc and practical work of the Russian Museum of Childhood. It is suggested to assemble thematic museum collections re\ecting the socio-cultural components of children at di]erent ages in di]erent historical periods. [e museum’s target audience includes children, parents, and teachers. In addition to exhibition and excursion activities, the museum is supposed to serve as a place of children’s leisure and creativity, a space of communication and education for parents and teachers. ScientiZc life of the Russian Museum of Childhood will be based on deep research into the history of toys and play traditions as well as the history of childhood in an interdisciplinary context. Both, the contemporary culture of childhood, and the historical aspect of psychological and pedagogical research on childhood will be analysed. Conclusion. Creation of such a cultural space will contribute to the preservation and maintenance of intergenerational relationships and continuity in the family. It will also promote educational culture of parents and professional development of teachers. Conducting scientiZc research in the Russian Museum of Childhood will make it possible to develop science-intensive and culture-intensive innovative psychological and educational projects.