The All babies exhibition is the first exhibition at the Early years Museum aimed at children under 6. In this dedicated area, children can learn about and be amazed by baby animals.
Young children seem to be fascinated by animals. They also identify with and show an interest in other ‘babies’. The special union between two parents is the beginning of a new life: a baby. The exhibition provides clues in view of answering a few questions.
Which animals lay eggs and which animals give birth to fully formed young? What happens in mummy's tummy? What happens in a hen's egg? Children, young wild boars, baby elephants and chicks as well tadpoles, alevin and caterpillars – do they look like their parents, a little, a lot or not at all? To raise their young, birds make nests. Other species dig burrows. What do babies know how to do? Not all babies have the same aptitudes at birth, some need help longer than others to eat, walk, fly, swim, hunt, sing, speak and so on.
The exhibition at the Museum of Bordeaux includes specimens from long-standing collections that have been restored but also new collections and new taxidermy mounts of young birds and mammals with their parents. Humans are presented through photos, resin models and drawn outlines serving as points of comparison with other species on display. It was a deliberate choice not to include interactive screens in these exhibition spaces, however several audio devices interact with the specimens in the displays to stimulate curiosity and promote learning for our youngest visitors.
Through the collections, children are encouraged to play and ask questions.
The Early years Museum is open to families and groups looking to spend a moment of quite relaxation and discovery with their little ones.