Amy Hoose is the Family Programmes Creative Producer at the Ashmolean Museum.
Currently, she focuses on how to expand museum learning to vulnerable families. Previously, she held the post of Events and International Summer School Officer for the Refugee Studies Centre.
Prior to this, Amy worked with such institutions as the Imperial War Museums, British Museum, Augusta Museum of History and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum focusing on visitor experience, events and education.
Amy Hoose will be speaking at the Museums, Games & Play Summit :
Toddler Time: creating play experiences for toddlers at the Ashmolean museum
In this presentation, attendees will explore the ways in which museums can promote early play and positive family interactions, particularly for vulnerable families visiting for the first time. While the power of play in supporting toddlers’ early interactions and development is well-recognized, the challenge lies in translating this understanding into effective museum experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in activities like becoming a Pharaoh or discovering ancient coins with a metal detector, as we share insights from the Ashmolean Museum’s initiatives. This session will showcase gallery-themed play opportunities designed for parents and toddlers, integrating interaction and language development into a variety of play activities. The presentation will highlight the most successful activities and key learnings, offering practical examples of how museum play experiences can be tailored to support diverse family needs.
