Activity 5
Roleplay
Summary
The children do improv acting where they interact with an exhibition piece based on a prompt that gives them a certain role or attitude.
Goal
Learn about the children’s preferred ways of interacting with museum items. This activity allows you to get insights zoomed in on the interaction between a child and a museum item.
Preparation
Write attitude prompts that fit your needs. Set up a fictional exhibition artifact for the children to interact with.
Method
Divide the children in pairs and line them up in front of the performance space.
Tell the first pair of children their attitude prompt. Make sure no one else hears the prompt.
Let the first group prepare for a few seconds and then let them start acting like they are in a museum and behave according to the prompt.
Cut off the performance after approximately one minute.
Let the other children guess the prompt.*
Repeat with the next pair of children.
*Adding this guessing game element ensures children are dedicated to the objective and will likely exaggerate.
Tips and Tricks
If you have permission from the children and their caretakers, film their performances for future reference.
Example material
Approach the object as if it is the most interesting thing you have ever seen.
You are a stuck-up art critic that will give comments about anything.
The object is very smelly.
What can you expect from this method?
Preferred Interaction Styles: Observing how children interact with museum items based on different attitude prompts provides insights into their preferred styles of engagement. Designers can learn whether children prefer playful, contemplative, informative, or other types of interactions, guiding the design of exhibits that cater to diverse preferences.
Understanding of Audience Engagement: By witnessing the improvisational performances, designers can gain a deeper understanding of how children naturally engage with museum artifacts. Insights gained can inform the development of interactive elements and storytelling techniques that effectively captivate and educate young visitors.
Feedback on Exhibit Design: The activity allows designers to assess how well the exhibition pieces facilitate various types of interactions. Insights into which prompts elicit the most engaging responses can inform decisions about exhibit design, layout, and presentation to maximize visitor engagement and enjoyment.
Creative Interpretations: Observing the creative interpretations of the prompts by children offers insights into their imaginative capacities and interests. Designers can use this information to develop interactive and immersive exhibits that encourage creative exploration and play.
