Museo Pambata Part 3: Introducing Kids to Theater, Dance, and Music

We visited Museo Pambata on a Saturday and there was a short shadow puppet theater show on the theme of a working man's efforts to survive in Manila. While the theme may be a bit heavy for kids, it was done to the lively tune of a witty Yoyoy Villame song and was over in no time (perfect for short attention spans). Kids were given a chance to try their hand at casting shadows on the screen.  Excited little ones queued up for their turn to wave around their sticks/puppets of various plants and insects.

I liked seeing the museum's effort to introduce children to puppet theater as this is one way to instill in our youth an interest in a form of art that serves as a reminder of our rootedness in Southeast Asian performing arts traditions. That the museum recognizes the need to instill a sense of regional identity in the youth is seen in the collection of puppets from other parts of Asia displayed in another exhibit hall nearby.  

Then there's the Pangalay exhibit which shows a choreographic diagram of the flow of movement of the arms and the various postures of the body. That children (and enthusiastic adults like me) are encouraged to give the dance a try is suggested by the presence of a full-length mirror positioned conveniently next to the diagram. This is an interactive museum after all, and we're encouraged to move! (so yes, I danced shamelessly, and happily - imagining the rhythmic beat to accompany my movement) 

And then there were musical instruments.  My daughter Narra had fun with the kulintang and the piano (two instruments we also have at home).

I love how much freedom one feels in this museum. When outside the home, kids are often told "don't touch" for fear that they may destroy something. Here at Museo Pambata, they're encouraged to do the opposite - Touch to discover! Move, make noise, and dance your way to learning!

Related Posts:

Museo Pambata Part 1: Introducing Kids to Philippine Architecture
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-1-introducing-kids.html

Museo Pambata Part 2: Encouraging Kids to be Writers and Artists
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-encouraging-kids-to-be.html

Museo Pambata Part 4: Exposing Kids to Entrepreneurship
http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-4-exposing-kids-to.html

Museo Pambata Part 5: Instilling Environmental Awareness Early On

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/museo-pambata-part-5-instilling.html

Narra's Star on Museo Pambata's Christmas Tree

http://nikki-mama.blogspot.com/2011/11/narras-star-on-museo-pambatas-christmas.html