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SINGAPORE: It has been said in theory that listening to Mozart’s music can enhance kids’ intellect.
The National Museum of Singapore puts this theory to the test from May 1 with its first ever Children’s Season.
The event features a series of exhibitions aimed at stimulating the intellect of children through refining their senses.
Leading the exhibits is ‘Mozart – A Child Prodigy’, which invites kids to explore 11 themed rooms to compare their present everyday life with young Mozart’s, back in the 18th Century.
Expected to be a crowd favourite, this award-winning exhibition was the brain-child of the world renowned De Ponte Institute and ZOOM Children’s Museum.
According to Tina Handl, the Creative Designer of Zoom Kindermuseum, ‘Mozart – A Child Prodigy’ was originally planned for 2006 in Austria, as it was the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.
And this is the first time the exhibition is moving out of Austria, to inspire other kids from all over the world.
Said Handl: “Mozart is a child prodigy and is a very good role model for children… and kids can relate to him if they too, are developing their talents.”
And to coax children into discovering their hidden geniuses, Lee Chor Lin, the Director of the National Museum of Singapore said interaction was the way to go.
“Museum exhibits tend to be too adult-centric. This is one exhibition… is made for us to pull in the kids,” said Lee.
Gone are the usual serious ‘do-not-touch’ works of art for the section of the museum, and in their place is a ‘playground’ full of interesting artefacts for kids to toy and tinker with.
Visitors can expect a whole list of fascinating tasks to complete, including mixing herbal remedies, dressing up as aristocrats, writing with quill and ink, making wigs and learning to dance.
Handl explained that fun ways to learn could help a child develop much more than going by the book.
“(In the interactive museum), you can touch and explore everything because… playing is already learning,” said the creative designer. “And we think that if the children start to learn with all their senses, they will remember a lot more as compared to just talking to them.”
Apart from experiencing life in Mozart’s time, visitors will also get to know his music, which will be accompanying the exhibition.
“It’s the kind of music which you recognise, but you don’t know it’s by Mozart,” said Lee. “So by going to the gallery, you will learn. There’s the Turkish March and other pieces like Twinkle Twinkle little star, which was derived by Mozart too.”
Other than ‘Mozart – A Child Prodigy’, the museum also offers other related exhibitions such as films and theatre for children and workshops for parents on ways to discover their child’s talent.
The ideal age for the exhibition is from six-years-old to twelve-years-old, but those above the range need not despair.
The exhibition is opened to everyone and there really is no reason why those older than twelve-years-old should not let their inner child come out and play. After all, it’s never too late to learn, or to discover a hidden talent.
Children’s Season 2008 will be held from May 1 to July 6 at the National Museum of Singapore.
- CNA/yb
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