Enhancing Children's Voices


Date: Jun 2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture

For the past two years, Dr. Anne Burke and Dr. Diane Collier from Memorial University have been co-researching innovative teaching, language, culture and identity. Alongside primary teachers and children from two multicultural elementary schools in St. John’s, they have worked together to enhance ways to listen to young children's perspectives, to talk about artifacts and engage in various ways of making art to tell stories.

Please join the researchers, teachers and children as they talk about this rich project looking at experiential learning that honours the voices of children. Through working with artists and partnering with Memorial University and The Rooms, their research is part of a larger project called  ADVOST that includes projects in Finland and the United Kingdom.

Most recently, they completed an identity mapmaking project with the support of educator Anne Pickard-Vaandering at The Rooms. Children came to The Rooms to interact with the exhibition "Helping Hands: 30 Years at Kinngait Studios". They experimented with mapping and drawing their interests and identities, and then returned to their classrooms to create their own art. Their artworks are featured in the MakerFaire event at The Rooms on June 3.

Today's Events & Programs

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Program

Get hands-on with our province’s plants, animals, and wild spaces at The Rooms with Nature NL!

Nature Nook is a monthly session where you can interact with real specimens like seal pelts, skulls, whale baleen, antlers, moose fur, and a variety of rocks and minerals. Learn more about nature and ask volunteers all your questions about Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife.

Cost: Included with admission to The Rooms (Free for Rooms Members).

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Program

Step into a world of family fun at The Rooms! Enjoy an afternoon of creativity and connection for the whole family. This month’s activity: ornament making.

Feeling festive? Create two ornaments — one to take home, and one to add to a special holiday tree at The Rooms, on display throughout the season.

Explore The Rooms Giftshop for holiday shopping, grab a treat at the café, and enjoy the building's beautiful decorations.
Don’t miss the Bishop Field School Choir performing in the atrium at 2 pm!

Cost: Included with admission to The Rooms (Free for Rooms Members).

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Workshop

Let your kids dive into a world of creativity while you tackle your holiday to-do list. In this fun and festive workshop, children aged 8–11 will explore the magic of printmaking and craft up to 12 one-of-a-kind holiday cards to share with family and friends.

Highlights include:

  • A special visit to the Wooden Santas and The Rooms’ dazzling holiday decorations
  • Hands-on printmaking activities—no experience needed
  • A cozy hot chocolate break to warm up and recharge

Just bring your holiday spirit—we’ll take care of the rest!

Cost: $40 per person plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Register online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

All workshop materials are included in the cost, but this workshop may get messy—appropriate clothing is recommended.

The Rooms Gift Shop will be open for your holiday shopping experience.

 

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Performance

Join the Bishop Feild Elementary Choir as they sing in the season with your favourite holiday songs.

Cost: Included with admission to The Rooms (Free for Rooms Members).

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Tour

Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador

Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Mummers Festival

Please note: this program has been rescheduled from December 3, 2025. To attend this new date, kindly reserve a new ticket. Tickets from December 3 cannot be used. 

The 2025 Mummers Festival features a tradition from Christmas’ long past.

Actors, folklorists, dancers, musicians, and community members join forces in “The Spirit of Mummering,” a collective project presenting the traditional Newfoundland Mummers Play.

Come for the play, learn some traditional Newfoundland dances, and enjoy music by local musicians. Join us as we explore a whole other side of Newfoundland mummering!

Cost: Free. A ticket is required. Reserve your seat online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

This program is presented in partnership with the 2025 Mummers Festival. For more information about festival events, visit www.mummersfestival.ca.