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The National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is proud to partner with the National Head Start Association to bring together resources from seven Smithsonian museums to support initiative and curiosity, language and communication, and exploration and discovery in Head Start classrooms nationwide!
"Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian" encourages early STEAM learning through play discovery with live virtual field trips to the Zoo, wrap-around classroom activities and resources, and engaging professional development modules that bring the best of Smithsonian early learning to the Head Start community.
Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian resources are designed by educators from the National Zoo, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Postal Museum, and the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center.
Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian is funded in part by the Jeff Bezos gift to the National Air and Space Museum.
2023-2024 Live Programs
Me, You, and Elephants, Too!
January 18, 2024 at 2p.m. ET
Join the herd as we learn about identity and community with our Asian elephants!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Cost: Free
Languages: English, Spanish (simulcast)
Do Sea Lions Wear Sunglasses?
March 21, 2024 at 2p.m. ET
How do animals stay comfortable in different weather and habitats?
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Cost: Free
Languages: English, Spanish (simulcast)
Birthday Party at the Zoo!
May 16, 2024 at 2p.m. ET
Happy birthday; healthy bodies! How do animals keep their bodies healthy?
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Cost: Free
Languages: English, Spanish (simulcast)
Past Programs (Recorded)
Pre-Math with Cheetahs
Counting with colorful creatures is the best way to learn pre-math concepts!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Happy Birthday, Head Start!
Pinky visited the Zoo for a very special party to learn how baby Andean bears, goats, and flamingos celebrate their birthdays!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Join the Elephant Herd
Ready to walk, talk, and play like an elephant? Let's learn how with the Zoo's Asian elephants! Don't miss your chance to do the hokey pokey with Rani the elephant!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Cats of All Kinds
What do all cats have in common and what makes each of them unique? Let's pounce like a tiger, roar like a lion, and run like a cheetah as we learn about cats of all kinds at the Zoo! Don't miss the special visit from Cheese and Olly the bobcats and Nikita the tiger!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Small Mammal Sing-Along
What is a mammal? Manny the tamandua and Sherman the armadillo teach us that mammals have hair and drink milk, but also love to learn, play, and even do crafts, just like their Head Start friends!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Panda-Versary!
Celebrate 50 years of giant pandas at the Zoo with music, movement, and a playful conversation with giant panda keepers designed to inspire the next generation of panda scientists!
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Fun at the Farm
Zoo educators celebrated the Lunar New Year with music, movement and some amazing animal guests! Explore the "playgrounds" of the animals on the Kid's Farm and help us solve the mystery of the 2022 lunar new year animal.
Standards: Supports Head Start ELOF Goals P-SCI-1; P-SCI-2; P-SCI-3
Head Start Asks...
Head Start Asks the Smithsonian
Head Start classrooms nationwide asked us their questions about cats of all kinds. How loud is a lion's roar? Do big cats chase butterflies? Let's find out the answers with educators from across the Smithsonian!