Early Childhood Connections

Early Childhood Connections (ECC): School-Based Program

Since 1992, the Museum's Early Childhood Connections program has provided critical professional development opportunities and classroom resources to teachers in schools with high percentages of children who are considered at risk of academic failure. Over the course of each school year, nearly 100 educators receive hands-on training from area experts in the project approach, a proven classroom strategy that actively engages children in the learning process. In addition to professional development opportunities, this high-impact program includes in-Museum experiences for participating classrooms and parent involvement through parent/child workshops and family celebrations.

ECC: Center- and Home-Based Childcare Center Program

In 2007, the ECC program expanded to include center- and home-based childcare providers with service delivery that was adapted to meet the needs of these important caregivers. This critical effort will impact 30 providers each year and increase school readiness for participating children entering kindergarten in public schools in Cook and Lake Counties.

Early Childhood Connections Research

In 2007, the Museum launched a study to inform the ECC program's value through an assessment of changes in children's language and ability to problem solve as a result of working on projects. The Museum has selected past ECC participants who have been conducting projects in their classrooms for two years or more and will use control group students for comparison. The quantitative data collected will be used to document the extent to which this type of instruction has a significant impact on language and problem solving skills, which subsequently have a significant impact on lifelong learning.

Early Childhood Connections was generously funded by the following organizations: The Abbott Fund, Francis Beidler Foundation, Fidelity Investments, Field Foundation of Illinois, Inc., Grand Victoria Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, ITW Foundation, Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels, Malott Family Foundation, C. Louis Meyer Family Foundation, The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, National Endowment for the Arts, Northern Trust, Polk Bros. Foundation, and Shefsky & Froelich