The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center is offering an innovative training program for museum professionals and early childhood educators interested in using objects to teach young children.

This two-day program, which will be held at the Smithsonian Institution on June 22 and 23, 2004, will demonstrate how a host of museum objects-including paintings, sculptures, an African headrest and a chestnut roaster-can help children, as young as two or three, learn about themselves and the world around them.

Featuring hands-on exercises with museum objects, lectures and discussions, the program is designed to help museum educators forge more creative encounters with young museum-goers, and to introduce early childhood educators to the magic of museums.

Participants will be encouraged to think expansively about tapping resources in their own communities-resources such as objects in local museums and community centers, statues, public art, bridges, buildings, fire hydrants and more.  All objects, even commonplace ones, tell stories.  But you have to know how to read them.  That's what "Learning through Objects" is all about.

For registration information contact:

Ann Caspari and Lynann Derrick, Museum Educators
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(202)786-4717

Sharon Shaffer, Executive Director
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202-357-3077

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
P.O. Box 37012
Room CE-G50 MRC 184
Washington, DC 20013-7012

Seminar Dates:
June 22 and 23, 2004
Cost: $275.00 early registration
$300.00 after June 1, 2004
National Museum of Natural History

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