My Museum Moment ...

Imagine this ... A girl whose face is painted almost entirely with bright colors wanders into the ”Pet Hospital” holding hands with an adult woman - probably her mom. The girl immediately drops the hand she was holding and runs into the corner of the hospital where she dons some blue scrubs and a stethoscope.

Child: “Pretend you are waiting for your dog.” The child - now a competent veterinarian - turns and leaves the woman waiting on the bench near the entrance of the Pet Hospital. The child picks up the black lab next to her, wraps its paw with an ace bandage, then places the dog in a kennel cage before returning to the woman.

Woman/Parent: “Is my dog well enough to come home now?”

Child: “Her paw isn’t better yet, but you can take her home. Here’s some information for you.” The child hands the woman a note on which she has written something, then retrieves the lab from the kennel and hands her over.

Woman: “When should I bring her back?”

Child: “You’ll need to take her to the other animal hospital.”

Woman: “Do you have directions to that hospital?”

The child sits down at the front desk (which is perfectly sized to fit her small frame) and “types” in a request for directions using the keyboard. “Here you go,” she says handing the woman another piece of paper which is readily available at the desk, along with brochures, clipboards and pencils. After typing in some additional information she hands over a small piece of paper and announces, “And here’s a reminder for your appointment. Oh and you’ll need to give her a bath so her paw stays clean.”
Woman: “How do I do that?”

Child: “Come watch me,” she directs as she walks over to the animal bathing area. The parent declines saying she’d rather wait “in the lobby” and sits down on the bench. The now-parent announces, “It’s almost time for us to leave,” to which the child - still in character - replies, “Do you have someone who can take care of your dog for you?”

Woman: “Is there a kennel I can leave her in here?”

Child: “Yes, but not on the holidays.”
Woman: “Okay, thank you for treating her paw. I’ll take her in for her check up.”

Parent: “Okay Abby, let’s put things away, we need to leave now.”

As I watched this exchange unfold I was impressed by the believability of it all. The child merely said to the woman accompanying her “pretend you are waiting for your dog” and the entire scenario launched. The child didn’t ask for permission or help, immediately assuming the role of the adult/professional. Everything in the hospital was set up for her accessibility and independence. It was fun to see her enthusiasm and complete immersion into character. Even when her mom told her it was time to go - she still “acted” as the doctor insisting the dog be taken care of before they could depart. This reminded me of how so many children are still enveloped in their playing/learning when teachers decide it is time to move on to something else. The theorists are correct when they encourage large blocks of time for uninterrupted play/learning - I think Abby could’ve played veterinarian all day!