Curating Self-Expression
Starting this April, and running right up until June 1st, we’re curating all forms of self-expression. We’ll be dancing, storytelling, playing, making, all on the basis of exploring and encouraging the skills required for children to employ and enjoy… self-expression!
But why is self-expression so important? We’re glad you asked!
When children learn to express themselves, it fosters creativity (of course) but it also builds confidence and emotional intelligence, empowering them to communicate their ideas and feelings, develop an identity and belonging and enhance critical thinking.
Studies show that practicing forms of self-expression in our early years builds skills that enhance our lives well into our adulthood.
Studies also show that self-expression is a vital component of a child’s development as it fosters creativity, individuality, and emotional intelligence. Through self-expression, children learn to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in various forms, whether it be through art, music, storytelling, or play. This process allows them to explore and understand their own identities, preferences, and strengths, laying the foundation for self-awareness and confidence. By encouraging self-expression, caregivers and educators provide children with a safe space to freely express themselves without fear of judgment, promoting a sense of autonomy and self-esteem.
Lastly, self-expression plays a crucial role in enhancing cognitive and social skills. When children express themselves, they engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, as they navigate the process of articulating their thoughts and emotions. Moreover, self-expression facilitates communication and empathy, as children learn to understand and respect the perspectives of others while expressing their own. Through collaborative activities and shared creative experiences, children develop interpersonal skills, build relationships, and cultivate a sense of belonging within their communities. Ultimately, embracing self-expression empowers children to navigate the complexities of the world with authenticity, resilience, and compassion.
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@costasworld you are welcome at MoPA ANY time! 🌱 😃 🎨 🕺 Thanks for the shout out on ABC 774. x MoPA
AFTERNOON ART CLASSES: Bookings for Term 1 are Now Open!
Kaila and the amazing team of educators here @MoPA are VERY excited to meet our new students. Enrol now to secure the day that works best for your Term 1 schedule! x MoPA
WORST kept secret of 2025? 🤔 MoPA is coming to Nunawading!!!
No one imagined we’d find the perfect location for a Children’s Museum in Melbourne’s East so early in 2025. But it happened. It’s a thing. Work has already begun on a HUGE new Children’s Museum - right here in the heart of Melbourne’s EAST... On Whitehorse Road, Nunawading!
The Museum is set to open mid-2025. To learn more, watch the progress unfold, and get early access, be sure to join the mailing list. Head to the Nunawading page on our website for all the juicy deets.
LOVE YOU NUNAZ. SEE YOU SOON!
x MoPA
GET EXCITED!! Enrolments for Afternoon Art Classes @ MoPA - TERM 1 - are NOW OPEN!!
World’s BEST art teachers. Beautiful workshops. Small class sizes. Convenient afternoon class times (4 til 5.30). Available at our Geelong Museum, Thomastown Museum AND Sandringham Museum. Carers can ‘drop-and-run’ or ‘stay-and-play’ (use our wifi to smash out some work). Chef prepped snacks. HEAVEN for your lil’ CREATIVE!!
Loads of deets on the website. Classes are expected to sell out quickly. Soooooo excited!! x
Just some of our FAVE dress-up craft creations so far. Seeing what children do with such an open brief is truly magical. Love love love these works of art.
For the remainder of the school hol’s we’re exploring THE ART OF DRESSING UP at MoPA. This activity and many more activations are all included in each session. See post and website for deets. xx
THE ART OF DRESS UPS!
Showing From Jan 2nd til’ Feb 3rd
While activities like dress-ups may seem like harmless fun, these joyful shenanigans can actually be VERY. Serious. Business...
Children (and sometimes adults!) dress up because it’s just fun, of course. But children also use these make-believe opportunities to experiment with personas and scenarios that reach far beyond regular everyday life. The dress-up games they play enhance their creative skills, and it’s also now proven that children build fundamental social skills through play; and these skills pay dividends well into adult life.
All of MoPA’s new dress-up activities, and the materials required to participate in them, are all included with all regular tickets.
x MoPA
Why is it so important book ahead?
As we head into the holiday period, we thought it would be helpful to remind our gorgeous guests that you must book your tickets to MoPA online, prior to arrival.
We receive amazing feedback about limiting entry numbers in order to maintain a comfortable and safe environment.
Many of the team at MoPA are parents too, and so you can be sure that we all fully appreciate how difficult it can be to be super organised with your lil’uns 24-48 hours ahead of time. Booking your tickets online, however, does mean that you will never ever find MoPA to be overcrowded - even if it’s a rainy day in the middle of the school holidays ☔️🚗🎨🌈
The first week of school holidays are already 85-90% sold out, but there are LOTS of tickets available after Xmas and into January ♥️
WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!! x
And the MOST popular Xmas Gift @ MoPA this year is? Our limited edition Xmas Membership Pack!!
$98 for UNLIMITED MoPA visits in 2025 + free tee + free paintbrush pen + free sticker pack!! WHOA!!!
🎨🎄Mo Mo Mo, Merry Christmas🎄💝
ATTN: IT’S FREE CRAFT SNOW DOME O’CLOCK.
From today right up until Christmas eve, ALL children visiting MoPA can work with our educators to create and take home their very own PERSONALISE-ABLE SNOW DOME!!
Yep. That’s right. Snow. In a dome. AND a drawing. Also in the dome. Cutest. Gift. Ever.
A tribute to Nonny? A nod to Uncle Lach? A gift for Auntie Paula? Or perhaps simply “The place where Iggy came from” (thanks Lily, Mum did clarify that Iggy is your lil’ plush penguin).
YOUR child’s snow dome can be whatever their imagination desires; and EVERY child that visits MoPA will receive one to make and take - from now and Christmas eve. Epic.
x MoPA
