Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum

 

Kidsbridge Tolerance Mini-Museum
at The College of New Jersey

“‘I have been made fun of before and I didn’t like it, and that’s why I do not make fun of other people.  The museum helped me to know what to do in situations like that.  I also learned that I can go to college if I get all A's and B's and have good behavior.”
4th grader

”Thank you for the opportunity to visit the Kidsbridge museum of tolerance at The College of New Jersey.  This is, by far, the best and most effective trip I have taken my students on – in my thirteen years of teaching.”
Teacher

Further Information
Children's museums are uniquely positioned to help reverse stigma and discrimination. They are neutral sources of information that provide shared experiences through interpretative and interactive exhibits. By exposing adults and children to unfamiliar concepts in a non threatening hands-on approach, we create bridges of understanding.

Furthermore, this environment also provides the opportunity to bring children from different communities together. Children from all socio-economic backgrounds (Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton, Montgomery, etc.) will participate providing the opportunity to make new friends, develop new sensitivities and learn about tolerance and discrimination in a truly diverse environment.

To find out more or to bring your class, Scout group, leadership group, club, faith-based or day campers to the exhibit, please call Kidsbridge at (609) 581-0239. Visit can also include tour of college campus. Pre and post curriculum materials available.

Objectives will be measured by undergraduate students from the College's Psychology Department—directed by the Psychology’s Department Chair and an Associate Professor of Psychology. An assessment plan has already been drafted to measure progress against the objectives as well as to measure the additional variables of self esteem and emotional intelligence. Specific objectives are:

  1. To learn about stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination and the effects they have on others within our society.
  2. To achieve greater understanding and respect for oneself and others through an interactive and experiential process.
  3. To develop necessary skills to deal with prejudice and the emotions that arise from prejudice and discrimination.

Students will:

  • Explore various approaches to dealing with prejudice and discrimination by examining the experiences of other children.
  • Feel they are not alone in being subjects of prejudice and discrimination.
  • Learn that name calling is a form of prejudice and discrimination and explore their emotions about victims of name calling (and how to handle it).
  • Understand that exclusion is a form of prejudice and discrimination and that being a silent bystander is comparable to doing a harmful action.
  • Explore differences through exposure to a collection of diverse images of people.
  • Learn to recognize and dispel stereotypes.
  • Learn that creative expression takes a variety of forms, such as art, writing, and music, and that each one can be a powerful means of communicating feelings and experiences.
  • Feel inspired and empowered to take action against prejudice and discrimination.
  • Gain a historical perspective of prejudice and discrimination through studying historical signage and photographs.

In addition, this program satisfies NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards in:

  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Social Studies
  • Career Education and Life Skills

For an in-depth look at the exhibits and their learning goals and objectives, please click here.

To find out more or to bring your class, Scout group, leadership group, club, faith-based or day campers to the exhibit, please call Kidsbridge at (609) 581-0239. Visit can also include tour of college campus. Pre and post curriculum materials available.

PARTNERS

Kidsbridge - Lynne Azarchi, Executive Director

The College of New Jersey

  • Dr. Carol Bresnahan, Provost
  • Dr. Bill Behre, Dean, School of Education
  • Chair, Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
  • Dr. Debra Frank, Director, IeDEA Coordinator 
  • Kevin J. Ewell, Assistant Dean
  • Dr. Jean Kirnan, Chair, Psychology Department
  • Dr. James Graham, Associate Professor of Psychology
  • Prof. Christopher Ault, Interactive Multimedia Dept.

Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement —Pat Donohue, Executive Director

The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education –
Dr. Paul Winkler, Executive Director