Occupational Therapy students learn importance of play, accessibility at Children’s Museum in Portland

On a blustery day in mid-March, a group of kids-at-heart gathered to play — and learn.

Dozens of students in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) program at the University of New England descended upon the newly relocated Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine on Tuesday, March 22. Their aim was simple enough — to learn about how the museum engages children as part of a pediatrics field work assignment — but their experience was far more entertaining than any traditional coursework.

Groups gathered for tours of the massive, three-level facility at Thompson’s Point in Portland, with windows overlooking scattered breweries, the city’s West End, and the Portland International Jetport across the water.

They pretended to be pilots, firefighters, and lobstermen in a room modeled after the city. They played with water as it twisted through dazzling mechanisms and spurting fountains. They weaved their way through the makerspace to a darkened room, illuminated only by interactive light-up activities and a live-action shot of the Portland skyline from one of the country’s few publicly viewable cameras obscura. Concluding at the museum’s aquarium, they were offered turns at the “touch tank,” featuring several species of anemones and starfish galore.

Yonkers, New York, native Jordan Agabin (M.S.O.T., ’23) said the experience gave him a deeper appreciation for environments where children can learn and play.

“Having a vibrant, unique, and interactive space for children to explore is a tremendous resource, and I believe it brings life and joy into the local community,” he reflected. “I believe having an OT on staff would be incredibly helpful to consult with about affordances and barriers in the environment, accessibility, universal design, and the value of play for children.”

Agabin said Maddy’s Theatre — a signature feature of the museum — was his favorite part of the tour, as it provided several opportunities for children to explore the many different aspects of theater, from acting to costuming and operating lights. He also lauded the neighborhood theming.

“Whether a child is from Maine or not, I think the ‘Our Neighborhood’ exhibit provides a great ‘kid-sized’ version of what makes Maine unique and the strong community bonds present in this area,” he said.

Elizabeth Crampsey, Ed.D, M.S., OTR/L, associate clinical professor of occupational therapy at UNE, said the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine supports children of all ages and abilities to engage in the most important of childhood occupations — play.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for the M.S.O.T. students to step into the shoes of children for an hour and consider the endless sensory, motor, cognitive, and developmental possibilities at the Children's Museum,” she reflected.

Kris Winston, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, director of UNE’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program, said the trip allowed students to explore how important play can be for their future pediatric clients.

“Play is how children learn and discover themselves and the world around them,” Winston said. “The visit to the Children’s Museum offered UNE M.S.O.T. students the opportunity to explore play in many ways and in different contexts. We are very fortunate to have such an amazing space in our community with whom we can collaborate.”

Megan Eagleston (M.S.O.T., ’23) lauded the museum’s accessibility, which she said is important for children of all differing abilities. She added that the experience inspired her to pursue pediatric occupational therapy after graduation.

“The Children’s Museum thought of all accommodations,” she said. “I chose occupational therapy because of the creativity and the fun atmosphere, and I really got to experience both of those while at the Children’s Museum.”