Whitaker Center
Central PA’s Nonprofit Center for the Arts

Little Learners

Little Learners

Little Learners

Little Learners at Whitaker Center is an interactive STEAM program filled with lots of fun and hands on activities! We will sharpen our science process skills as we experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly activities as well as time to explore our KidsPlace exhibit. 


Dates and Times

Every program takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m on Wednesdays in KidsPlace

Please note, the rest of the science center will NOT be available for exploration after the conculsion of Little Learners at 11am on Wednesdays.

Please enter through the Market Street entrance.

Pricing

Members: $3 per child  ages 2 to 6 years old

Non-members: $10 per child ages 2 to 6 years old

November Theme - Falling into Autumn

This November let’s celebrate all the things we love about Fall! Apples, Leaves, Squash, Gourds and Turkeys! 

Wednesday Nov 15th: Corn, Squash and Gourd
Pumpkins may get all the praise in October, but this November we get to explore some other fun fall crops that have many uses!

  • What are Corn, Squash and Gourds?
  • How do they grow?
  • What do we use them for?

Wednesday Nov 22nd: Thanksgiving
When you think Thanksgiving, you think Turkey and Togetherness! Let’s celebrate both! We’ll do some thankful activities as well as learn more about Turkeys!

  • What are turkeys?
  • What can we be thankful for?
  • How can we show kindness and gratitude to others?

Wednesday Nov 29th: Fall Sensory
Sensory Exploration utilizes basic STEAM concepts. Let’s do some fun Fall Sensory bins to explore things like volume, capacity, shapes, colors, touch, sight and smell.

  • What is volume?
  • What is Capacity?
  • How do I recognize a shape?


December Theme - Warm Fuzzies

In the month of December we will be celebrating the warm fuzzy feelings you get during family traditions and togetherness time. Hopefully these fun activities give you the warm fuzzies as well! 

Wednesday Dec. 6th: Gingerbread Fun!

Run, Run, Run, as fast as you can to catch these Ginger-tastic STEAM Activities! We’ll also be making “Gingerbread” potpourri cutouts to take home!

  • What pulls objects down a ramp?
  • What is a pattern? How do I make one?
  • How can I represent a number?

 Wednesday Dec. 15th Stuffed Animal Extravaganza!

There’s nothing warmer or fuzzier than a stuffed animal friend! Bring your favorite with you to Little Learners for some fun Measuring and math activities!

  • How can I know how long an object is?
  • How can I know how much an object weighs?
  • How can I compare 2 or more different numbers?

 Wednesday Dec. 20th: Jingle Jams and Jammies Featuring Olaf’s Frozen Adventure!

Jingle Bells, Olaf Yells, Come dressed in your Pajamas! It’s time for Jingle Jams and Jammies, where we’ll explore sound, go through a Jingle bell obstacle course and we even get to go watch Olaf’s Frozen Adventure!

  • Why do bells make sound?
  • How can we make different sounds?
  • How can we stop sound?

 PLEASE NOTE: Wednesday Dec. 27th: No Little Learners Program - Whitaker Center is Open to the Public


January Theme - Agriculture and You

January 3 - PA Farm Show
January 10 - Farm Animals
January 17 - Tractors, Harvesters and Combines
January  24 - Grown in PA
January 31 - Be a Farmer

February Theme - Winter Weather Wonderland

February 7 - Arctic and Antarctic Animals
February 14 - Valentines Day
February 21 - Ice  and Snow
February 28 - Hibernation and Migration

March Theme - Brilliant Books

March 6 - Read Across America Day
March 13 - St. Patrick's Day
March 20 - The Very Hungry Caterpillar
March 27 - Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom

April Theme - Bring on Spring

April 3 - Rainy Rainbows
April 10 - Seed to Flower
April 17 - Water, Water, Everywhere!
April 24 - Wormy Weather

May Theme - Universe Explorers

May 1 - Deep Sea
May 8 - Pirates and Shipwrecks
May 15 - Dinosaurs

Cost:

$10 per child non-member on Wednesdays

$3 per child member on Wednesdays

Each child ticket includes admission for one accompanying adult.

If inquiring about complimentary admission with an ACCESS card, please contact education@whitakercenter.org to discuss the registration process. 

Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office within Whitaker Center.  Tickets will be available the morning of the program or in advance for the coming weeks.  

 Who needs a ticket?

Every child that is crawling or walking and participating in all or part of the program will need a ticket. If young children are being carried in a pack, sling, or will remain in the stroller, they do not need a ticket. 

Additionally, we realize many families have school-age children learning remotely at home. You are invited to purchase them a ticket and have them join in the program. Just keep in mind, the activities are planned for children ages two to six years old and all stations may not be developmentally appropriate for older children. 

Registration: 

Pre-registration is suggested, but not required.  Walk-ups will be permitted the day of the program until all program seats are filled.

Other Details: 

All participants must enter the Center at our Market Street entrance. 

A Whitaker Center staff member will meet participants at the door to admit them into the Center.

Whitaker Center follows CDC guidelines and recommendations.  At this time, masks are optional. 


Thank you to Penn National Insurance for sponsoring this program.

 

This program and many others are part of the

 

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