Interpretation for children

Abstract

This paper discusses environmental interpretation for children. Included are definitions of interpretation; reasons for doing it; why emphasis upon children is important; the special requirements of effective interpretation for children, and some examples of techniques that have been used.

The bulk of this paper comprises edited excerpts from the three undergraduate diploma dissertations that have been done on the topic: - Somerville, M. (1979) "Environmental Education for Young People." - Burns, L. (1982) "Interpreting for Children in New Zealand National Parks." - Edginton, M.O. (1983) "Introducing Children to Nature: Interpretative Displays for Children in National Parks.

Although the topics of these dissertations overlap, each makes a particular contribution on its own. This is reflected by the extensive excerpts from each included in Section 2.3. Where smaller excerpts have been used in previous sections, appropriate acknowledgement is made by author initials before and after. Other material is referred to as required. All references are included in Appendix One as a composite bibliographic list, which also includes a list of suggested readings.