Parent & Educator Resources

Boston Children's Museum has been creating curriculum, activities and other resources for educators and parents for 100 years. These resources are used in every state in the United States and in over 100 countries around the world, and are rooted in decades of understanding 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 BCM Home Edition – a book of 26 activities that families can try together at home. Each of these resources is available for free to any parent, teacher or other caregiver that wishes to use them. Click on the links below to find out more.

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.

Download the STEM Sprouts Teaching Guide

BCM Home Edition

Boston Children's Museum's mission is to engage children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. But these kinds of engaging experiences don't only happen at the Museum…they can happen at home as well. BCM Home Edition was created to encourage families to explore, learn and grow together through activities that are fun and inspiring and that any family can try at home. Click below to download this free PDF and bring the Boston Children's Museum home with you!

Download BCM Home Edition

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 Activity Sheets

Tinker Kit Family Guide English PDF

Tinker Kit Family Guide Spanish PDF