Family Learning
The HWTMA family learning programme offers an extensive range of innovative and appealing activities for engaging families with fun, participative learning on their own terms.
- Learning in an informal setting (from historic forts, through community centres/libraries to muddy river banks)
- Developing skills (soft and hard)
- Cross-curricular approaches (literature, history, maths, science etc.)
- Engaging the community
- Fostering a sense of local identity and appreciation of local/regional heritage
The programme offers;
Some recent family learning events:
Dads' Breakfast Club
In June 2009 HWTMA received a request from a Hampshire Children's Centre to organise a fun day out for their Dads' Breakfast Club.
The Breakfast Club is for fathers and their children ofwe various ages. They meet regularly at the weekends for a breakfast club and from time to time take part in diverse activities around Hampshire
The event was held at Manor Farm Country Park, Hampshire (http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/manorfarm.htm) on a sunny Saturday in June. On their way to the venue the group's coach unfortunately broke down, but as keen as they all were, the Dads took their children and walked the last bit to meet staff from HWTMA.
We all went for a walk through countryside and ancient woodland towards the Hamble River, stopping in the woods to learn about old and new boats
The path continued down to the river where we talked about the destiny of Grace Dieu an early 15th century ship, the remains of which lie in the mud of the River Hamble.
The Farm
After a quick lunch went to Manor Farm to visit the Victorian school building where some of the children dressed up and others played with Victorian toys. Later in the afternoon we all had the opportunity to meet some of the smaller animals up close. On hearing that it was time to leave, one eight year old boy exclaimed: "But we've only been here for an hour!" (when in fact they'd been there for five hours!).
Hampshire Neighborhood Centre
In May 2009 HWTMA was requested by a Neighbourhood Centre in Hampshire to host a day of activities for families with children of all ages. There were 27 participants in total (10 adults 17 children). event took place at Itchen Valley Country Park
Knots or natural jewellery.
The participants had the opportunity to handle some archaeological artefacts (finds) before they were divided into two smaller groups (making sure families stayed together). One group learned about knots and ropes. The other group crushed nettles to get the fibres with which to make bracelets and other 'natural' jewellery.
Pooh sticks and bog bodies
After lunch the two groups were separated again, one group produced their own knot-boards to take home with them. The other group went for a 'bush walk' over the Itchen River where they discussed wetland environments and 'bog bodies'! They also played a few games of "Pooh Sticks" on the bridge.