Course Overview

You may be asking yourself, what exactly is a sensitive topic?  

Often, the topics that adults consider sensitive make us feel uncomfortable. These topics can be controversial, involving many different and strong opinions with no “right” answer. This self-directed course is designed to equip you with practical tools and resources to confidently and compassionately respond to young children’s questions about sensitive or complex topics.

Whether you are a teacher, school staff member, family caregiver, community leader, or any trusted adult a child turns to for guidance, this course will help you foster meaningful, age-appropriate conversations that honor children’s curiosity and unique perspectives.

Course Information

• Start Date: On-Demand
• Course Level: Beginner
• Requirements/Prerequisites: None
• Target Audience: Education Staff
• Course Meeting Times: None
• Completion Timeline/Duration: 45 Days

Module Topics: 

In this course, you will:

• Gain tools for building a classroom community that supports and celebrates individual differences.
• Learn how a supportive community of adults and peers strengthens children’s ability to explore complex topics and ask critical questions.
• Practice skills for addressing complicated content and celebrating differences between people, in ways that are developmentally appropriate for ages 0-5. 
• Discover helpful resources from the Smithsonian Institution to build community and support discussions around complex topics.

Head Start Alignment

Head Start Program Performance Standards are used by the Office of Head Start to ensure that Head Start programs provide a safe, comprehensive, and high-quality learning and care experience to the young children and families they serve. The content in this course aligns with the following Head Start Program Performance standards: Program Operations: Subpart C – Education and Child Development

• Purpose (1302.30)(opens in a new tab): “…A program must deliver developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, mathematics, social and emotional functioning, approaches to learning, science, physical skills, and creative arts.”
• Teaching and the Learning Environment, Effective Teaching Practices (1302.31.b.1.i) (opens in a new tab): “…Teaching practices must…emphasize nurturing and responsive practices, interactions, and environments that foster trust and emotional security; are communication and language rich; promote critical thinking and problem-solving; social, emotional, behavioral, and language development; provide supportive feedback for learning; motivate continued effort; and support all children’s engagement in learning experiences and activities.

This course for teachers aligns closely with Head Start Early Learning Outcome Framework (ELOF). It provides strategies for promoting language development, social-emotional learning, and cognitive growth in the classroom. Educators gain tools for fostering literacy, empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students. We also emphasize the importance of family engagement in the learning process. By addressing these key areas, our course equips educators to meet Head Start standards effectively, nurturing the holistic development of their students.

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Course Author

Julia Smith

Julia Smith is a Museum and Early Learning Specialist at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center’s (SEEC) Office of Engagement. In this position she offers curricular support to classroom educators working with children birth through kindergarten. She aids in developing lessons grounded in play and utilizing the surrounding museums and community. Additionally, Julia brings SEEC’s expertise in museum-based education for young children out to the world through professional development for educators, public programs, and partnerships with other educational institutions. Julia began her role at SEEC as a toddler educator. She is committed to advocating for the inclusion of all young children, particularly those 0-3 years, in educational spaces.

Course Partners

Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian NHSA and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration