Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana (VOA) and Knock Knock Children’s Museum have announced a new partnership designed to expand early learning opportunities for children and families across the Baton Rouge community. The launch included a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the museum, marking the official start of the “Little Explorers” initiative.
The new program aims to connect children and families with high-quality early learning experiences while removing financial barriers. Through Little Explorers, young learners and their families receive free tickets to the museum for field trips and family visits, which are distributed through participating early learning centers or directly to families across the 23 parishes VOA serves.
A key feature of the initiative includes the sponsorship of Knock Knock’s “Crawbaby” learning zone, a swamp-themed space designed to engage infants and toddlers in play-based, developmentally-appropriate learning. The partnership also provides professional development opportunities for early childhood providers and introduces Knock Knock in the Know family workshops, connecting parents with expertise and resources to support their children’s growth.
Little Explorers focuses on enhancing family engagement, fostering curiosity through learning play, supporting social-emotional growth, and building early literacy, language, and STEM skills. The initiative also highlights the impact of the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credit in supporting children, families, and child care providers.
By removing financial barriers and providing equitable access to enriching experiences, the partnership reinforces VOA and Knock Knock Children’s Museum’s shared commitment to promoting school readiness and supporting the long-term development of Louisiana’s youngest learners. The ribbon-cutting celebration brought community members together to honor this milestone and the opportunities it provided for children across the region.
