🎙️ Can Museums Help Children Who Struggle With School?

When we think about learning, museums aren't always the first places that come to mind.

But what if museums could play a powerful role in helping children who feel disconnected from education?

In this episode of RECAP The Podcast, I'm joined by Leslie Palanker, Learning Coordinator at North East Museums, to explore how museums are creating inclusive, sensory-rich learning experiences for children, young people, and families - including those experiencing SEND, anxiety, and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).

From sensory storytelling and accessible learning to innovative programmes supporting young people outside traditional education settings, this conversation challenges what learning can look like and where it can happen.

💡 In this episode, we discuss:

✨ What museum learning actually looks like today

✨ Why learning should be active, engaging, and curiosity-led

✨ How sensory experiences can transform access to learning

✨ Supporting children and young people with SEND through inclusive museum programmes

✨ The pioneering work being done with families experiencing EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance)

✨ Why listening to communities is essential when designing learning opportunities

✨ The unexpected benefits museums can offer for confidence, belonging, wellbeing, and connection

✨ How cultural spaces can help reduce barriers to engagement and learning

❤️ Why this matters

Not every child learns best in the same way.

For some young people, traditional educational environments can feel overwhelming, inaccessible, or difficult to navigate. Leslie's work highlights the importance of creating alternative spaces where children can feel safe, curious, valued, and included.

This episode is a powerful reminder that learning doesn't only happen in classrooms. It can happen through art, history, storytelling, sensory experiences, conversation, and community.

When we widen our understanding of what learning looks like, we create more opportunities for every child to thrive.

🎧 Listen now - available on:

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🔗 Connect & Follow

Follow RECAP for evidence-informed, accessible content for families and professionals:

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Website: https://www.recapinfo.co.uk

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/recapinfo/newsletter

Links from Leslie:

South shields Museum and Art Gallery: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/southshieldsmuseum/learning

Arbeia Roman Fort: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/arbeia/learning

Sensory Journeys: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/southshieldsmuseum/learning/sensory-journeys

💬 Join the conversation

Have you ever visited a museum that inspired curiosity or sparked a love of learning?

👉 How can museums and cultural spaces better support children and young people?

👉 What role do you think alternative learning environments should play in education?

Share your thoughts in the comments - we'd love to hear from you.

🔍 Keywords:

museum learning, SEND education, emotionally based school avoidance, EBSA, inclusive education, sensory learning, alternative education, museum education, child development, neurodiversity, home education, learning outside the classroom, educational inclusion, anxiety and school attendance, parenting podcast UK

🔖 Hashtags:

#MuseumLearning #SENDEducation #EBSA #InclusiveEducation #AlternativeEducation #ChildDevelopment #SensoryLearning #MuseumEducation #Neurodiversity #HomeEducation #ParentingPodcast #EducationPodcast #LearningOutsideTheClassroom #RECAPThePodcast

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