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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

 

Ancient Egypt

<p>Explore the vast resources on Ancient Egypt that the Smithsonian has to offer.</p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Batiks: A Classroom Exploration

<p>What lines and shapes might represent you? This classroom exploration is on batiks - a fabric that this made by applying wax and then dyeing to create lines, shapes, and patterns. Explore the history of batiks and learn about how different batiks appeal to different people and cultures. Create a batik inspired project using fabric, glue, and paint. </p> <p>This project was inspired by a Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center's <a href="https://seecstories.com/tag/bisa-butler-project/">Teacher Feature on Bisa Butler.</a> To learn more about the batik process, read the blog <a href="https://seecstories.com/2022/11/14/making-batiks-bisa-butler-project/">Making Batiks: Bisa Butler Project</a>. </p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Bisa Butler: A Classroom Exploration

<p>How can you create art using fabric? This classroom exploration is on Bisa Butler an artist who creates portraits using quilting techniques. Look closely at "<em>I Go To Prepare A Place For You</em>" a quilted portrait of Harriet Tubman. Compare and contrast the quilted portrait to the photograph which inspired it. To learn more about quilting techniques, you will look at the patterns, textures, colors, and fabrics in a variety of quilts. </p> <p>Create your own fabric inspired art. Start by choosing fabric. Consider how the fabric feels. Practice new skill sets of sewing and stitching. Learn to thread a needle and make zig-zags like Bisa Butler. This project was inspired by a Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center's <a href="https://seecstories.com/tag/bisa-butler-project/">Teacher Feature on Bisa Butler.</a>  </p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Cicadas

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Communication

<p>How do you communicate? Through words? Body language? A look? Explore this collection to see how people, and animals communicate.</p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Dinosaurs

<p>Explore the vast resources on dinosaurs that the Smithsonian has to offer. </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
 

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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Firefighting Dogs

<p>Objectives:</p><ul><li>Learn about firefighting dogs</li><li>Walk by a working fire station and make observations</li><li>Practice identifying different scents </li><li>Explore the sense of smell   </li></ul><p><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
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Guatemalan Weaving

<p>This collection provides an introduction to the art of weaving practiced in Guatemala.</p><p><br /></p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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Hot Air Balloons

<p>OBJECTIVES:<br /></p> <ul><li>Explore the differences between the positions up and down</li><li>Imagine what it would look like to float high in the sky</li><li>Identify the parts of a hot air balloon—basket and envelope </li><li>Experiment with hot air balloon design</li><li>Be inspired to create own fabric design</li><li>Discover that the flame heats the air causing the balloon to float up</li></ul><p></p>
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
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