The American Swedish Historical Museum is happy to announce new semi-virtual Homeschool Workshops! Our first theme workshop is on the New Sweden Colony! Come learn about Pennsylvania colonial history in the Delaware Valley and the influence of the New Sweden Colony. This program is designed for families with children in grades K-6 who homeschool or are learning at home virtually. Families will receive a link for a pre-recorded lesson to watch prior to visiting.
Cooking with kids is a popular activity all around the world, and certainly in Sweden. Your family is invited to join cook book author and nutritionist Amy von Sydow Green as we make the classic Swedish chocolate balls (chokladbollar). These delicious little chocolate oat balls are a staple in Swedish households - it is the first recipe that every Swedish child learns how to make. The recipe is super easy, but it can get quite messy... We will also prepare warm spiced apple juice to drink and make a fun fall leaf crafts to decorate.
Join the ASHM with The Swedish-American Historical Society for their online fall 2020 program, Turbulent 2020 and the Swedish-American Museum Experience: A Conversation with the Directors. This program will feature a conversation with the directors of the four largest Swedish-American museums as they discuss their museums and communities during, what has become, an unprecedented year of upheaval!
Featured Directors:
This month families will get into the holiday spirt and learn about Swedish traditions. We will be reading The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren, learn how to make Swedish holiday decorations and join in the festivities as we dance to seasonal music! Free Craft kits will be available starting Tuesday December 8th and can be picked-up during public hours.
This month Toddler Time will focus on our new exhibition about Swedish-American illustrator Gustaf Tenggren. We will be reading "The Lion's Paw" by Jane Werner Watson that was illustrated by Tenggren. We will take a tour through the exhibition From Fairy Tale to Fantasy: The Art of Gustaf Tenggren. Families will learn about storytelling, illustration, and characters through games and activities. Head to the Families page for activities and video: https://www.americanswedish.org/education/families
Every toddler loves to collect things from leaves and rocks to sticks and shells. This month we will read Hannah’s Collection by Marthe Jocelyn at Toddler Time children will discover what collecting means to a museum. Families will get a behind the scenes look at the museum’s collection and learn how to start and sort their own collection.
The world is made up of shapes and that includes the Swedish Museum. This art inspired Toddler Time will help reinforce knowledge of shapes through reading the book Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Children and parents will then take a virtual tour of the museum as they go on a shape safari! Accompanying downloadable games and art crafts will “round” out their day of fun and learning!
The New Sweden History Conference explores the history of the New Sweden Colony (1638-1655) and its legacy in colonial America. This year the conference will be held virtually via Zoom. Registrants will receive links to view each speaker’s recorded presentation prior of a live panel discussion. Participants may submit any questions they have for the presenters in advance which will be answered during the live panel discussion webinar on Saturday Oct. 31st.
It’s time to celebrate the end of summer like a Swede! For this month’s Toddler Time kids will learn about Swedish cuisine and the all-important summer Crayfish party! Activities included a crayfish craft, party decorations, and recipes for you to make your very own summer fest!
Visit our Facebook page to view the story time and our Education page for the accompanying activities.
To celebrate our newest exhibition highlighting Swedish illustrator Gustaf Tenggren, ASHM is hosting a Book Fair and Family Fun Day! This is a free outdoor event on the Museum's terrace with plenty of space for physical distancing. Each child attending will receive a free Golden Book! Admission is Free.
Activities include craft stations and a story corner where young readers can build literacy skills by reading The Poky Little Puppy to dogs from the Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Program: Future Service Dogs!