SINGAPORE - To help nurture the next generation of art and heritage lovers from a young age, a pilot scheme will bring 400 pre-schoolers to the National Museum of Singapore from May to October this year.

Twenty pre-school teachers will also work with museum educators to design lesson plans based on heritage objects such as a Tiffin carrier. Called Singapore's Little Treasures, the project is by the National Heritage Board (NHB) in partnership with the Early Childhood Development Agency.

It involves 10 pre-schools for now but may be extended to all interested pre-schools from next year, depending on the pilot. The NHB also hopes to involve other museums.

This is "so that we can start this sense of a museum-going culture from young", said Minister for Community, Culture and Youth Lawrence Wong on Saturday. He was speaking at the launch of PLAY @ National Museum of Singapore, a special new area of the museum dedicated to children and young families.

Aimed at children aged three to seven, it has three sections. In one, children can explore spaces such as a living room, kitchen and garden in order to learn about local history and culture. There is also an activity room where children can create artworks, and a space for the performing arts.

PLAY @ National Museum of Singapore is open from 10am to 6pm daily at the third floor of the museum. Admission is free.