Join the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center for a family program that combines the early childhood expertise with the wonders of the Smithsonian. This fall we’ll continue to offer virtual programming for ages 3 to 8, as well as a new in person option for families with children ages 0 to 8.

Current Class Offerings

Virtual Workshops for Early Elementary

Virtual Workshops for Preschool

Parenting Classes (Virtual)

Families Together: Meet Ups (In Person)

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Private Classes: Want to schedule a class or a session of classes for your family and family friends? Email SEECinfo@si.edu for more information and availability.

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Our Guiding Principles

What We Believe

• that children are individuals who develop and learn differently. If you let them choose what speaks to them, you will set them up for a lifetime love of learning.
• that caregiving is a hard job and is not to be judged.
• that young children are developing their ability to sit, listen, cooperate, and control their emotions. As adults, is it important to remember that this is hard work and we should try to balance our expectations with a child’s individual progression.
• that our programs are for fun and family.
• that playing is learning.
• in playing with children, being silly, singing, having fun, and getting dirty.
• in asking open-ended questions and wondering out loud, even with infants and toddlers.
• in taking time to stop, look carefully, and describe the objects we encounter in the classroom, community, and in the museums.
• in encouraging children to try new skills and in not being afraid to fail.
• in a community of learners. Learning truly begins at birth and should continue into adulthood.
• that having a calm body and adult hand will keep us and the objects we visit safe, but this will not preclude us from looking, talking, singing, and playing during our museum visits.

How We Teach

Not all children will be interested in ALL of our teaching methods so we use a variety of techniques to engage them. Follow your child’s lead and be flexible; there is no one way to learn.

Community
The world is our classroom and we not only use museums, but parks, stores, libraries, and beyond.

Objects
Objects help engage the senses and provide a concrete and memorable learning experience. They are more powerful than words and pictures alone and children are more likely to remember and connect with them.

Observations
Observation encourage minds to focus, eyes to look closely, and brains to develop a deeper understanding.  We often start lessons by asking, “What do you see?”

Questions
Questions require children to be active participants in the learning process and because of this, inquiry is more powerful than simply sharing information. We also ask questions as a way to create dialog and cultivate flexible thinking. Thinking out loud helps us see how others are thinking and therefore, expand our own thinking.

Preverbal Learners
Posing questions to children who are preverbal is still important. Look for nonverbal cues such as pointing, looking, and giggling and respond to them.

Experimentation
Experimentation is a process by which children explore a topic. Children experiment as a way of understanding cause and effect relationships or as a way to solve problems. Anything a child does more than once can be considered an experiment. We will ask “What would happen if …” as a way to harness a learner’s natural desire to experiment.

Exploration
Exploration allows children to discover and learn about a topic in a variety of ways.

Math
Math concepts are interwoven into lessons. Examples you might observe are: counting, representing quantities, noticing differences in quantities, observing patterns, and categorizing.

Fine motor
Fine motor activities allow children to use the small muscles in their hands to help them learn how to do things like dress independently, and write.

Movement
Gross motor activities engage a child’s large muscles, for example running, jumping, and climbing. Movement helps children learn what their bodies are capable of, as well as provide necessary and fun outlets for physical movement.

Art
Our art activities focus on the process, rather than the outcome. Participating in process-based art encourages creativity and problem solving and develops fine motor skills.

Sensory
Sensory activities are those that stimulate a child’s senses. Young children have a more meaningful learning experience when their senses are engaged.

Play
Play can be defined in many ways, but typically involves some element of imagination.  Play helps children explore roles, ideas, and situations, and often builds social skills as they navigate play with peers or adults.

Literacy
Research has proven the importance of reading with young children, and that positive experiences with books help create a love of reading.

Singing
Singing is important tool with young children, science has proven that music helps children better remember concepts and vocabulary. It also helps children transition from one activity to another.

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