Hello Museum Colleagues, The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center is experimenting with some new ideas around the use of play in museum spaces and extending that to how objects enrich play in a classroom setting. We hope you'll join us for this two day workshop at the Smithsonian. Even if you can't make it to DC in May, we would love to hear if you have some interesting stories to share related to playful museum encounters with young children. Best, Betsy Betsy Bowers Director, Center for Innovation in Early Learning Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center *Play: Engaging Young Learners in Object Rich Environments* *May 1 and 2, 2014* The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center invites educators to join us for a seminar exploring the incorporation of play in our object-based approach to teaching young children. This two day seminar takes place at the Smithsonian Institution and covers the use of play as a vehicle for engaging young children in the classroom, museum, and community. Bringing together children's interests, play themes, and museum collections, seminar participants partake in hands-on, object based activities, gallery visits, and guided discussions with museum professionals and early childhood educators. In this seminar, participants think critically about different types of play and how to connect play to memorable museum experiences. We explore the use of stories and narrative that tie to a child's interests and think creatively about how to provide an environment that supports these interests. Participants practice questioning techniques that promote concept development. By using the intrinsic motivation of play, educators can take advantage of a setting where children are attentive and actively engaged. Considering the educator's role and approach in children's play, seminar participants will learn to guide seemingly spontaneous activity that encourages exploration and learning. Read more on the blog<http://seecmuseumedblog.wordpress.com/category/professional-development-2/> ! *Cost:* Pilot Program Rates - One Time Only Offer $250 Early registration before March 21 $300 Registration before April 18 $325 Late registration after April 18 *Location of Seminar:* Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian Castle Library, Room 384 *Date:* May 1 and 2, 2014 *Time:* 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. *Transportation:* Smithsonian Metro Stop (Orange or Blue Line) *For information:* Sarah Bartel, [log in to unmask] Betsy Bowers, [log in to unmask] Phone: (202) 633-9587 Fax: (202) 786-3153 PO Box 37012 MRC 184 National Museum of Natural History Washington, DC 20013-7012 *How to register:* Register online through Eventbrite at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ play-engaging-young-learners-in-object-rich-environments-tickets-10754770809 OR Send in a registration form found at http://www.si.edu/seec/educators OR Call Betsy Bowers at (202) 633-9587 to register over the phone. *A confirmation letter will be mailed to each participant. Space is limited.* ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).