Pedagogic method at Wereldmuseum Junior

Wereldmuseum Junior informs children about various cultures in relation to Western society and stimulates children to grow up into respectful and open minded world citizens. Convinced that true understanding comes from active involvement, TMJ wants to inspire children mentally and emotionally by using their physical, social and intellectual skills. 

The museum demonstrates this commitment by establishing extraordinary exhibitions, offering immersive experiences, that are designed to make children curious and open to different cultures. We show connections between people, cultures, the present, past and future. We do this by telling stories from multiple perspectives while using worldwide collection.

“It is not only about looking at or listening to. It is about being part of.”

The exhibitions of Wereldmuseum Junior exemplify how research, museum methodology and design production techniques can be integrated into an interactive experience. We believe that genuine understanding is achieved through active involvement. We have developed seven criteria for exhibitions and programmes aimed at encouraging open-mindedness and achieving a meaningful museum experience.

We are a museum about people. We increase knowledge about how people and cultures shape the world together and we stimulate empathy by sharing human stories, experiences and perspectives.

Our mission is to inspire global citizenship. A world citizen feels co-responsible for a liveable and just world. A world citizen approaches people and cultures with an open mind. A world citizen sees the connections between here and there, now and in the past.

Our overall objective is to encourage children to an open outlook on cultures and people. We inspire children to reflect on their life and the world they share with others. We encourage intercultural understanding by stimulating their curiosity & empathy and increasing cultural (self) awareness.

Based on our conviction that true understanding comes from active involvement, we stimulate children mentally and emotionally and inspire them to use all their senses, as well as their physical, social and intellectual skills and talents. We make them aware of their connection to people around the globe, to achieve understanding and respect for the diversity of our global community.

Worldwide connections & cultural diversity are eminent themes in our new exhibition: Sabi Surinam, discover the world behind things. Surinam’s diversity, with ancestral roots in four continents, is a result of our shared colonial past. A past that lives in the present. A Surinam woman said: “I am here, because you were there”. Behind those simple words lies a world to explain and understand. The urge to share more knowledge about the colonial and slavery history is high. Knowledge that you hardly find in school curriculums and schoolbooks.