Early Childhood Education
At the National Museum of African American History and Culture we believe meaningful museum learning can, and should, happen at every age. Our dedicated team of early childhood educators design fun, age-appropriate experiences and resources for children from birth to 8 years old.
Discover the Museum’s many unique objects, big ideas, and important stories through our educational programs, learning materials and special object collections.
Have a question? Want information about future offerings in-person and online? Contact the Early Childhood Education Initiative team at NMAAHCearlychildhood@si.edu.
The Early Childhood Education Initiative is generously funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Joyful ABC Activity Booklets
Download Our Joyful ABC Activity Booklets
The Joyful ABC Activity Booklet series invites caregivers and educators to support children’s positive identity development while also growing their language and literacy skills with activities, museum objects, and new words. Learn more about the series and download all our available activity booklets for early learners ages 3 - 5 and infants and toddlers.
Explore More
Use the tabs below to find upcoming programs, new booklets, and interactive online resources to share with the child in your life.
Programs
Join us for engaging activities, educational programs and exciting events designed especially for young children! Register for our age-appropriate experiences, inspired by the Museum's collection, by checking out our calendar of events.
Please note, as a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Museum's early childhood programming will consist of virtual, online offerings to protect the safety and well-being of our participants, staff, and volunteers until further notice.
Joyful ABC Activity Booklets
The Museum's Joyful ABC Activity Booklet series invites caregivers and educators to support children’s positive identity development while also growing their language and literacy skills with activities, museum objects and new words based on characteristics featured in the book, A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book.
Each activity booklet provides early childhood caregivers and educators with all this and more!
- Insight into children’s developmental stages
- Age-appropriate play and art activities
- Literacy and language development experiences
- Opportunities to look closely at museum objects
- Suggested books, videos, articles, and other resources
Visit our Joyful ABC booklets series to learn more and download interactive booklets for infants and toddlers and early learners, ages 3 - 5.
Download our supplies list PDF and build an at-home creativity kit full of all the supplies and recycled materials you’ll need for future ABC art and play activities. Find the supplies list here!
Take a closer look at Museum objects featured in the Joyful ABC booklets by exploring the Museum's Learning Lab collections.
Activities and Resources
Engage with our Museum from home or in the classroom with activity sheets, learning plans and recommended resources inspired by objects and stories from the Museum's collection. Check back regularly for new materials!
Celebrate African American Poetry
Empower the children in your life with activities and lessons inspired by Maya Angelou's Life Doesn't Frighten Me and Useni Eugene Perkins' Hey Black Child.
Download English PDF Descargar Espanol PDF
Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth
For young children, the concept of freedom and the history of slavery can be challenging to grasp. Use our guide to start this important conversation, learn more about Juneteenth and enjoy a special activity and book collection together.
Download Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth
Celebrate Kwanzaa with the Museum
Learn more about the Museum's collection and the 7 principles of Kwanzaa - Nguzo Saba - by downloading our PDF activity sheets for each day.
Download English PDF Descargar Espanol PDF
Honoring Dr. King
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an art project, recommended resources, and a Learning Lab collection inspired by his important activism. Download our interactive PDF to learn more.
Download English PDF Descargar Espanol PDF
Explore Smithsonian Learning Lab
Bring the Museum's collection to your classroom or home with themed online collections of objects curated by the early childhood education team. Plus, discover additional discussion questions and suggested activities by visiting our Learning Lab.
Talking About Race
Positive identity development, including racialized identity, begins at birth. Visit Talking About Race to guide your journey so you can support the child in your life to develop a healthy sense of self and understanding of others.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Abolitionist, Author and Educator
