Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Nestled in the nation’s capital in the richest museum complex in the world is the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, a model early childhood program that places children at the center of every experience. SEEC utilizes an emergent curriculum, following the children's interests to teach content and developmental skills through objects in the museums and community.
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center's collections
Wheels and Axles
<p>Objectives:</p>
<ul><li>Identify the shape of a wheel</li><li>Experiment with differently shaped wheels </li><li>Learn that wheels and axles help heavy things move </li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Flying Trapeze
<p>Objectives</p>
<ul><li>Learn that trapeze artists had to be very precise with their timing</li><li>Experiment with motion and pendulums </li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Spoons
<p>You may think of spoons as everyday objects, but spoons can tell special stories and teach us about cultures. Explore this collection to learn more. </p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Grasshopper - Lesson
<ul><li>Compare and Contrast the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper to the Conehead Grasshopper<p><br /></p>
<ul><li>Colors</li><li>Ability to move</li><li>Shape and size</li></ul></li><li>Explore grasshopper's mouth pieces that are used for grinding </li></ul><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories</p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
7
Sink Float
<p>OBJECTIVES:</p>
<ul><li>Experiment with objects to see if they sink or float</li><li>Learn that boats float</li><li>Discuss how sometimes boats sink and learn the word shipwreck </li><li>Look closely at the 3D model of the Philadelphia Gunboat (a boat which sunk and was then later brought to the surface and into the Natural History Museum)</li><li>Make ships out of aluminum foil and experiment to see how many pennies can go on the boat before it sinks</li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Fire Engine vs Fire Pumper
<p>Objectives: </p>
<ul><li> Learn that firefighters are people who help keep you safe</li><li> Discover that firefighters use fire trucks to help them get to the fire quickly</li><li> Compare familiar firetrucks to the less familiar hand pump fire truck in the museum</li></ul><p></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Emotion Eruptions
<p>Objectives </p><ul><li>Build an emotional literacy </li><li>Discuss ways to calm down body instead of erupting </li><li>Use bells to practice breathing and mindfulness</li><li>Explore ancient bells of China</li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Robots that Help
<p>OBJECTIVES:<br /></p>
<ul><li>Learn that people make robots to do things to help people </li><li>Look closely at a robot that some people have in their house</li><li>Learn about other types of helping robots </li><li>Talk about why robots are made</li><li>Learn that robots are designed with a purpose </li><li>Think about times when it might be helpful to have a robot </li><li>Use creativity to design robots </li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
22
Stanley - The Driverless Car
<p>Objectives </p>
<ul><li>Learn that robots need special sensors to help them understand the world around them</li><li>Discover that we use our senses to help learn more about the world around us</li><li>Explore our senses</li><li>Compare our senses to the senses of Stanley the driverless car </li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
14
Pretend Robots
<p>Objectives</p><ul><li>Learn closely at a variety of fictional and toy robots</li><li>Compare and contrast a group of fictional and toy robots</li><li>Develop an understanding that people like to imagine different types of robots</li><li>Have the opportunity to create their own pretend robot using various household items</li><li>Think creatively and be inspired to wonder</li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Dramatic Play Pirate
<p>Objectives:</p><ul><li>Be exposed to pirate motifs (eye patch, parrot, jolly roger flag) </li><li>Learn that pirate sail ships </li><li>Talk about ideas of fair and unfair, hero and wrongdoers </li><li>Learn about Anne Bonny and Mary Read two famous women pirates </li><li>Explore through play fair and unfair and hero and wrongdoers </li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
19
Monkeys Grasp
<p>Objectives</p>
<ul><li>Compare movements of the flying trapeze artist to the movements of monkeys swinging from the trees </li><li>Imagine what it would feel like to swing (like a trapeze artist and like a monkey)</li><li>Learn about how monkeys move </li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
12
Fire Safety
<p>Objectives </p><ul><li>Identify objects that help to prevent fires </li><li>Learn what to do if they hear an alarm </li><li>Identify objects that are fire hazards</li><li>Learn to stay 3 feet (two big steps) away from fire hazards</li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Bodies
<p>This collection is comprised of artwork and objects that reflect a variety of bodies and the amazing things bodies can do. </p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Expressing Emotions
<p>Objectives</p><p>● Identify facial features<br />● Learn about different ways to communicate<br />● Discover that the way your face looks can communicate emotions<br />● Explore different emotions and how faces might look when expressing emotions<br />● Build empathy by learning how others might express their emotions</p><p></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
15
Ocean
<p>The ocean covers the majority of the Earth and contains so many diverse creatures. Check out some of the objects in the Smithsonian collection related to the ocean. </p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Riding on a Carousel
<p>OBJECTIVES</p><ul><li>Look carefully at a variety of carousel animals </li><li>Identify the animals </li><li>Compare and contrast the animals </li><li>Talk about which animals people typically ride</li><li>Talk about real vs pretend</li><li>Create a model carousel</li></ul>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Electricity
<p>What is electricity? What are the mechanics behind it? How do we use it? What is its history. This collection helps to answer these questions and may spark more curiosity about electricity.</p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Sports
<p>Sports are important to our culture in many ways, and help teach sportsmanship, leadership, and persistence. Use the images and discussion ideas to have conversations about sports in your community and in the world.</p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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