ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part shows that the case studies variously touch on ways that experience, duration, time and memory are an entangled aspect of ways that young children and their families visit museums. Most obviously a child’s first visit to the museum is a significant moment: they encounter an unfamiliar building and one that contains a wealth of unfamiliar objects. The part explores some of the complex ways that time unfolds for families, both when they first encounter museum spaces as well as over regular and repeat visits. When working beyond the museum or gallery building, and engaging on a regular basis with a local community, the museum can make an unconditional offer of time to the participants and accompanying this is an intense focus on the experiences and relationships that take place in the moment.
