Science Museum - Exploring a child’s inner world through toys

Margaret Lowenfield (1890-1973) was a pioneering child psychologist. She believed that the way a child moved the toys on a tray, like the one below, expressed the child’s inner world. These non-verbal techniques are still used today.

On display at Kew Gardens from 11 July - 21 August 2011

Children’s perception of the natural world is now of great interest to botanists. In both western and traditional societies, it’s clear that less knowledge about the natural world is being handed from generation to generation.

Selection of toys (Image: Science Museum, London)

This knowledge is vital for managing diet, health and natural resources. Knowledge of the natural world is also part of a society’s cultural heritage.

Many botanic gardens are taking a lead in encouraging transmission of traditional knowledge from one generation to the next. This is as important at home as in the tropics: Kew is actively involved in the Remembered Remedies project, which is documenting the herbal traditions of the British Isles. The project includes many reminiscences from older people, especially those who experienced life before the National Health Service was founded in 1948.

2009-15 (tray), 2009-14 (toys), Science Museum.

Visit the exhibition at Kew Gardens