What age for African American History Museum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’ve taken your kids there, what age would you recommend taking? Are some parts more appropriate/meaningful for younger elementary age kids?

Any age you want really. Just adjust the time limit and expectations for the trip accordingly. For instance for a younger child you wouldn’t expect them to read all the history, but maybe just see some of the artifacts in both the history and culture section. During and afterwards you can discuss some of the imagery and symbolism present in the museum. For a mid to upper elementary child, they might do some of the reading of history and look at a culture section that relates to a specific interest of theirs (sports, music, writing, etc). You can ask during and after how this relates to things they’ve talked about in school. And on and on as kids get older and into adulthood.

Museums are experiences. They can-and should be visited multiple times as the experience and learning can be different each time. Look on the museum website to understand each section and what activities are offered for kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’ve taken your kids there, what age would you recommend taking? Are some parts more appropriate/meaningful for younger elementary age kids?

I'd do it 1-2 years after you have visited the Natural History and American History museums several times.

Kids need context and chronological continuity to understand things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took my white son at 8. He behaved, was interested (he loves museums and is generally very curious, and goes to an all black school), and I took him through the Emmet Till memorial exhibit room.

It was a shorter day with him than I had spent on my precious adult only visit. I’d recommend seeing the harsher parts (like Emmet Till, not the slavery parts) before taking a kid so that you can be focused on their reaction and be prepared in advance for how you might feel.

White or not, that is child abuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, if there are any other local sites that might be good for younger elementary students to learn about African American history, please share.

The Frederick Douglass home is a good one.

[Anonymous]

Atlantic626 wrote:I have been a bunch of time. I’m sure that they have child interfaces but I didn’t look for them because I wasn’t with my daughter. However, I would say 10-12 because there is so much great history focused on great areas of interest - the military, economics and wealth, emmitt TIL, and pop culture. The museum also takes longer that a day to view so I would try to break it up and have a plan if you want to keep your kids focused and see specific exhibits

Spend time in the basement. The museum is curated to be viewed from the lowest to highest levels.

I agree. I think 5th grade and up actually. Definitely middle schoolers will be able to comprehend the atrocities that were faced. For younger children the lower floor with the slave cabins and the upper floors with the sports and arts exhibits are more appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, if there are any other local sites that might be good for younger elementary students to learn about African American history, please share.

The Frederick Douglass home is a good one.

Yes. There is also a Black Civil War museum near Howard U on U Street.