Boston Children’s Museum has been creating curriculum, activities and other resources for educators for over 100 years. These resources are used in every state in the United States, in over 100 countries around the world, and are rooted in decades of research and understanding about how children learn most effectively, and how adults can best support that learning.
The resources below include the multiple–award winning “Beyond the Chalkboard” website, which was named “Best of the Web – Education Website” and is used by tens of thousands of afterschool professionals all around the world; the STEM Sprouts Teaching Guide, which offers ideas and activities for early childhood educators who teach science, technology, engineering and math; guides for afterschool educators working with English Language Learners and children with autism; and Tinker Guides, which support early STEM skills and fine motor skill development. Each of these resources is available for free! Click on the links below to find out more.
Beyond the Chalkboard
Beyond the Chalkboard is a free online curriculum for after-school teachers. The curriculum provides fun and engaging science, literacy, culture, art, health, math, and engineering activities for after-school learning, in ways that support what kids learn during the school day. The curriculum promotes critical 21st century skills like problem solving, communicating, and working collaboratively with peers.
STEM Sprouts Teaching Guide
The STEM Sprouts Teaching Guide is the product of collaboration among National Grid, Boston Children’s Museum, and WGBH. The goal of this guide is to assist preschool educators in focusing and refining the naturally inquisitive behaviors of three- to five-year-olds on science, technology, engineering, and math. It includes general information on how young children explore science topics as well as specific activity suggestions that align with the Massachusetts state guidelines for STEM teaching in early childhood. Click below to download this free PDF.
National Grid Tinker Kit Guides
Boston Children’s Museum and National Grid have collaborated once again to develop this unique resource that supports young children’s exploration of tinkering, engineering, and making in an early childhood education setting. Through active investigation and inspired play, we aim to build the life skills that will guide our workforce and leaders of the future. This Guide offers preschool educators and childcare providers vital information about materials, approaches, and activities that will get young kids tinkering and learning for life. Our activities use everyday materials – like scissors, paper, and egg cartons -and familiar settings to build the developmental skills and habits of mind that will serve our youngest learners throughout their lives.
National Grid Tinker Kit Educator Guide
Tinker Kit Family Guide English PDF