Please Touch Museum is proud to announce an expanded partnership with Vanguard Strong Start for Kids™, whose generous investment now supports the Museum’s full suite of early childhood learning programs under the Journey Together umbrella.
This expanded commitment builds on a long-standing collaboration that began with Kinder Launch™, later grew to include Play Builders, and now extends to all four programs: Museum Tinies, Museum Minis, Play Builders, and Kinder Launch™. Thanks to Vanguard’s continued partnership, these programs are completely free of charge for participating families.
Investing in Philadelphia’s Youngest Learners
The first five years of life are a time of rapid brain development that shapes a child’s lifelong health, learning, and success. Through Journey Together, Vanguard and Please Touch Museum are working to close opportunity gaps by ensuring that families have access to high-quality, caregiver-inclusive early learning experiences. The programs are designed to help children ages 8 months to 5 years — and their caregivers — build skills in language, social-emotional development, and school readiness through the power of play.
Over the next two years, Journey Together aims to serve more than 600 children and caregivers, prioritizing families from under-resourced communities in Philadelphia.
A Continuum of Learning Through Play
Play is the work of childhood. Journey Together uses intentionally designed, play-based lessons, materials, and environments that empower children to direct their own learning while building social, cognitive, and pre-academic skills. Through play, children practice emotional regulation, problem-solving, communication, and creativity in a joyful, developmentally supportive setting.
Each Journey Together program is led by trained PTM facilitators who engage children and caregivers side by side:
- Museum Tinies (8–18 months): Babies and caregivers build connection through sensory exploration, with a focus on early language and oral-motor skills, motor development, social-emotional bonding, and imaginative play.
- Museum Minis (18 months–3 years): Toddlers engage with rotating themes while developing early literacy, fine and gross motor skills, cognitive skills, and imaginative play.
- Play Builders (3–4 years): Preschoolers strengthen emotion recognition, regulation skills, identity development, expressive language, and imaginative play while engaging in hands-on learning across Museum exhibits.
- Kinder Launch™ (4–5 years): Children prepare for kindergarten through activities that support routines and transitions, social-emotional skills, early literacy and art, small-group collaboration, and imaginative play.
Each program features four sessions and runs quarterly from October through August. Each program hosts eight cohorts per year, with 10–15 families in each cohort.
Every session centers on learning through play, social-emotional development, and the importance of caregiver involvement, reinforcing the Museum’s mission to support the whole child—and the whole family. Families who complete a program series also receive a free promotional membership to Please Touch Museum to continue learning through play beyond through the many activities and experiences within the Museum.
A Partnership with Purpose
Vanguard’s Strong Start for Kids™ initiative focuses on improving early education outcomes in low- and moderate-income communities. This growing investment in Journey Together reflects a shared belief that equitable access to early learning experiences can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
“Vanguard’s support has helped us build an intentional pathway for families from infancy through kindergarten,” said Amirah Ali, Director of Community Programs and Inclusion. “Together, we’re ensuring that more children in Philadelphia begin their educational journey with confidence, curiosity, and joy.”
Expanding Impact and Access
As part of the two-year grant period, PTM will:
- Engage approximately 300 families per year, reaching more than 600 individual participants annually.
- Expand enrollment through neighborhood engagement consultants and community partnerships with local libraries, schools, and family resource centers.
Provide take-home resources, reflection activities, and peer connections that strengthen the caregiver-child bond.
Join the Journey
Families can learn more about Journey Together and submit an interest form at PleaseTouchMuseum.org/JourneyTogether. With the continued generosity of Vanguard Strong Start for Kids™, Journey Together is helping families grow, play, and learn side by side—laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Interested in sponsoring special programs at Please Touch Museum? Let’s connect.
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