<p><em>Talk with Me!</em></p> <p>Having conversations with young children contributes to their thinking and language development. All conversations are good, but research shows that the quality of words children hear matters more than the quantity. Further, what’s best is an exchange; in other words, talk with children, not at them.</p> <p>The Talk with Me Toolkits give parents and caregivers thematically organized high-quality, authentic materials to make children their conversational partners in discussions that matter. Each online toolkit features captivating videos and real-world photographs, as well as intriguing paintings and other artworks to observe and discuss through conversation prompts.  Hands-on activities and books complete each toolkit. Simple instructions appear right in the toolkits, so you can jump right in. See what interests your child and get started. There’s a lot to talk about!</p> <p>To read more, see, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Usable Knowledge site, <a href="https://www.gse.harvard.edu/uk/author/bari-walsh/517480" target="_blank">The Brain-Changing Power of Conversation</a>.</p><p><br /></p>

<p>SI resources for insects.</p><p><br /></p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>

<p>Artwork, museums, and the community are powerful resources that bring concepts to life with young children. This collection provides examples of how to utilize museums and the community to explore STEM concepts through artwork. </p> <p>This collection was created by a Smithsonian Early Enrichment faculty member to support a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvnS1yxWT0w" target="_blank">webinar</a> with the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, presented in October  24, 2018.  </p> <p><br /></p> <p></p>

<p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories</p>

<p>This collection uses Eric Carle's book <em>From Head to Toe </em>to explore how animals and people move. To talk about the book with your child, first read From Head to Toe together (or watch the video in the first box). Next, let your child look at the other animals on the webpage and decide what he/she wants to explore. Encourage conversation and exploration!</p> <p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories</p>

<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>

<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>

<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>

<p>Objectives - </p><p><br /></p><ul><li>Learn that active volcanoes erupt </li><li>Discover that volcanoes erupt when pressure builds up </li><li>Experiment with eruptions </li><li>Learn that some mountains are volcanoes </li></ul><p><br /></p>

<p>This collection provides a brief introduction to the Vejigante tradition practiced during the month of February in Puerto Rico, in observance/celebration of Carnival.</p><p>This collection was created by Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center faculty member. #SEECStories<br /></p>

<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>

<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>