It is beyond debate, now, whether museums contribute to the education of children. We, as parents know that it does. Educators acknowledge it. The children, themselves, enthusiastically second it. For children, museums are not just tourist attractions or places of education, but a special environments made of absolute fun, entertainment, and enjoyment. Sure enough, when there is information and learning, packed with fun, it is a true form of educating the young minds definitely, and effectively.

The reasons why, I feel, museums are very important for children, and everyone else, are:

• Not only are museums an inspiring experience of learning for children, they are also a great place for developing knowledge and skills for all age groups and genders.

• They promote values and culture. Some things that we just cannot explain in a way that children may understand easily, a museum can, literally, show.

• Children with learning disabilities may find museums a great place to learn things through play and activity.

• Certain concepts, which children may find difficult to understand at school, can be taught easily at museums.

In fact, a study conducted by the department for education and skills, at the University of Leicester, identified these five learning outcomes in children, as a result of visiting museums.

• Museums provided knowledge and understanding: Around 97 percent of teachers interviewed, felt that there was increased learning of a subject area after visiting a museum. It also increased the understanding of connection between subjects, as well as learning across all subjects. About 90 percent of children also felt that they learned new things, and 77 percent of them felt that they understood a subject better.

• Museums provided enjoyment, inspiration, and creativity: Once again, a majority of the teachers, i.e., 97 percent, and 91 percent of children, felt that museums provided enjoyment and fun and inspired them to learn better at school. Museums also provided fulfilment and satisfaction from achievement. 64 percent of children agreed that a museum makes school work more inspiring.

• Museums facilitated action, behavior, and progression: 92 percent of teachers felt that the museum visits increased the involvement of students in class, school, and community events.

• Museums improved attitudes and values, both among children and teachers: 91 percent of the teachers felt that there was an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem in the children. It increased their understanding, respect, and tolerance for others. The teachers, themselves had a higher level of satisfaction about teaching and also developed more confidence in the subjects, as well as teaching them.

• Museums helped develop skills: 91 percent of the teachers felt that museum visits increased the children's ability to work with others, and to make informed choices beyond and within planned experiences.

The above findings have been impressive and go beyond our expectations of the effects that museums have on our children. This goes to prove that museums, not only have a huge potential to educate our children, they also provide so many other social and cultural advantages that, otherwise, may have been almost impossible to 'teach' as such.