Enhancing Children's Voices


Date: Jun 2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture

For the past two years, Dr. Anne Burke and Dr. Diane Collier from Memorial University have been co-researching innovative teaching, language, culture and identity. Alongside primary teachers and children from two multicultural elementary schools in St. John’s, they have worked together to enhance ways to listen to young children's perspectives, to talk about artifacts and engage in various ways of making art to tell stories.

Please join the researchers, teachers and children as they talk about this rich project looking at experiential learning that honours the voices of children. Through working with artists and partnering with Memorial University and The Rooms, their research is part of a larger project called  ADVOST that includes projects in Finland and the United Kingdom.

Most recently, they completed an identity mapmaking project with the support of educator Anne Pickard-Vaandering at The Rooms. Children came to The Rooms to interact with the exhibition "Helping Hands: 30 Years at Kinngait Studios". They experimented with mapping and drawing their interests and identities, and then returned to their classrooms to create their own art. Their artworks are featured in the MakerFaire event at The Rooms on June 3.

Today's Events & Programs

10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Playdate

Join us for a delightful morning at The Rooms! Bring your little ones to our enchanting Harbour View Room for unguided playtime surrounded by an array of toys and books tailored for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4.

No prior registration is necessary; simply pay your admission at The Rooms front desk and drop in anytime between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that caregivers must accompany their children throughout the session. While our program room can accommodate up to 20 adults with their little ones, if it reaches capacity, we kindly ask caregivers to momentarily step back to make room for others to join in the fun.

The Playdate is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms Members. 

With support from Thomas and Susan (Kent) Foran Family Foundation.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Program

Join the students of the Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP) for their holiday play-in! Enjoy a selection of Baroque and Classical songs from the students’ shared repertoire on violin, viola, and cello, along with Newfoundland and Irish fiddle tunes that are sure to inspire a new appreciation for music.

About STEP:
The Suzuki Talent Education Program offers a complete string music education for children (ages 0–18) in violin, viola, and cello. Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, STEP has been the foundation of string playing in our community for over four decades and is the province’s only Suzuki music education program.

Cost: Free. No registration required.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Workshop

Let your kids dive into a world of creativity while you tackle your holiday to-do list. In this fun and festive workshop, children aged 8–11 will explore the magic of printmaking and craft up to 12 one-of-a-kind holiday cards to share with family and friends.

Highlights include:

  • A special visit to the Wooden Santas and The Rooms’ dazzling holiday decorations
  • Hands-on printmaking activities—no experience needed
  • A cozy hot chocolate break to warm up and recharge

Just bring your holiday spirit—we’ll take care of the rest!

Cost: $40 per person plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Register online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

All workshop materials are included in the cost, but this workshop may get messy—appropriate clothing is recommended.

The Rooms Gift Shop will be open for your holiday shopping experience.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Tour

Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou

In this exhibition, find out about the impacts of the First World War on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and how events overseas dramatically altered our lives at home.

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Step inside the world of Nirvana, a new play by Lisah Nsanzugwanko, in this intimate work-in-progress showcase created through Twiga Collective’s Sound & Movement workshop.

Join us for an afternoon of performance, conversation, and behind-the-scenes insight into the making of a new Afro-futurist story set in 2035—a celebration of Black creativity, process, and artistic community.

Cost: $12 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.