ABSTRACT
Culture is implicit and explicit, sometimes hidden in the language and nuances of family and friends, but boldly celebrated at other times. Exposure to cultural experiences and practices outside of a child's circle of comfort allows a child to compare his own knowledge about the world to less familiar ideas. Object lessons are intended to inspire children to think expansively and make connections to their past experience. Object lessons introduce ideas through artifacts that may, at first glance, be unfamiliar to the preschool visitor, yet have resonance with the child's personal experience if introduced in a meaningful context. Cultural artifacts displayed by museums offer a unique opportunity for conversations that allow young children to explore the notion of sameness and difference while absorbing important concepts about race and ethnic identity. Museums offer a wide array of cultural experiences that can enrich and broaden children's understanding of the world.
