Dadu, Children's Museum a platform for learning

Qatar Museums (QM) chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has put a spotlight on the key role of ‘Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar’ as a platform for learning, giving children the opportunity to develop and fulfil their potential.“What we learn through play from childhood, stays with us for life. It strengthens our bonds with family and friends and brings us much joy and laughter," HE Sheikha Al Mayassa posted on her social media pages Tuesday.“This is the driving force behind our future Children’s museum, Dadu, which will enrich the lives of children and their families by providing an unparalleled space for learning through open-ended play, exploration and experimentation,” she added.According to QM, families will have the chance to play and learn together at Dadu (meaning “pla”" in Arabic) through a wide range of “stimulating, interactive and accessible indoor and outdoor experiences”.While the museum has yet to open, QM said it is already engaging the community in the country such as family events with its partner organisations, as well as Museums in Residence programmes in schools around Doha.Dadu will also support all children and those with special education needs and disabilities to learn through play, family bonding and other funfilled activities.“As the plans for the museum develop, I have enjoyed participating in this special project with @daduqatar and @inq_giftshop for this uniquely sustainable toy – the Dal Blocks – inspired by the unique designs for the building to create a toy that will bring people together, regardless of age, gender and interests,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said, as she thanked participating Dadu Founding Families: Shell Qatar, Baladna, and Exxonmobil, “who share our belief in the value of play”.Echoing HE Sheikha Al Mayassa’s statement, Dadu director Essa al-Mannai highlighted the importance of the museum’s mission of nurturing children's creativity, imagination, and love of learning.“We feel we are needed at this time to support families, and to connect people and ideas despite being physically apart,” al-Mannai posted on QM’s website.Dadu has an ongoing interactive experiment titled ‘Light Atelier’, which began on July 1 and runs until September 11 at the Museum: Arab Museum of Modern Art. This educational space gives participants the opportunity “to take the lead and freely discover concepts about light and shadow, colour mixing, reflections and more”, allowing them “to play, explore and experiment”. “We take a broadly constructivist approach to learning, starting from the position that each learner is unique. Learning outcomes are developed and delivered while taking into account different learning styles and differing developmental stages. Children are encouraged to go on a learning journey that is both challenging and within reach.“Our playful approach creates a sense of delight and uses all types of play – pretend, dramatic, constructive, multisensory and social play to support children's learning,” QM said.