Fostering a space for project initiatives in the primary school parent-child community

Abstract

This article addresses the creation of conditions for self-realization among educational stakeholders through supporting initiatives of the parent-child community based on the principles of participatory design.

The authors examine the experience of primary school children studying the biography and works of Alexander Pushkin through the collaborative planning and development of educational events for the interactive museum ‘With Kind Feelings Aroused by My Lyre’. Children’s museum activities generate and preserve value orientations, draw attention to the historical past — including through modern interactive equipment — and help maintain, develop, and strengthen traditional spiritual and moral values.

The child-adult initiative to create an interactive school museum is not merely about furnishing a space but represents the implementation of participatory design practices that stimulate children’s creativity, autonomy, and social engagement. Thus, the museum becomes a space for collective action.

Participatory design of joint events helped support the child-adult initiative, transform the museum space, motivate children to independently explore biographical details and specific phases of Pushkin’s creative work, create a museum guide, and develop the museum’s tour program and events.

Practical outcomes included the organization of events, creation of art objects, and development and implementation of social projects. Such projects, in turn, serve as examples for other children and adults, inspiring new achievements.

The experience gained can be adapted by other educational institutions interested in fostering parent-child initiatives and creating a favorable environment for the self-realization of educational stakeholders.