To help families with young children adjust to the current situation brought on by the public health emergency, DC Child Care Connections developed a system to provide useful information and resources to help with at-home learning, maintaining mental health and other important early childhood topics.
We have worked with community partners to identify a series of daily resources and activities from nationally-recognized organizations that families can use to keep children engaged and to continue the learning process. All resources are developmentally appropriate for the ages specified and are aligned to the DC Early Learning Standards.
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STEM Learning for Young Children
Children benefit significantly from learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Research reported by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) indicates early exposure to STEM positively affects later educational outcomes. Knowledge of math predicts a preschool-aged child’s later academic achievement better than early reading or attention skills.
STEM concepts help children develop new ways of thinking that encourage curiosity and analysis. Children who learn these concepts are better prepared for the increasingly technology-focused world. Learn more about STEM from the resources below.
- Why STEM is important for young children. NAEYC explains what STEM is, why it’s important and how families can provide children STEM learning opportunities.
- How families can boost their children’s math knowledge. ZERO to THREE, a national early education organization, offers a free math curriculum for children ages 30-48 months. The curriculum includes family resources and activities to do with children.
- Where to find STEM activities in the DC area. The National Children’s Museum takes a playful approach to STEM learning, including interactive exhibits and field trips. The museum charges an admission fee. Other free DC museums with a STEM focus include the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Resource Highlights
- Parents Magazine – Toddlers often engage in quirky behaviors that might concern families but are quite normal. This Parents Magazine article explores nine of these common behaviors.
- Sesame Workshop – April is Autism Acceptance Month, and Sesame Workshop has developed new content for its Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative. The new material focuses on autism, belonging and artistic expression. Other resources topics include family bonding, making friends and routines and flexibility.
- Earth Day 2024 – Earth Day is celebrated on Monday, April 22 this year and its focus is on the elimination of dangerous plastics. Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and that all people can contribute to that goal. Click here for activities families can do on Earth Day and throughout the year.
Let’s Read Together!
Did you know that reading aloud to children helps them thrive? PBS Kids for Parents has an article explaining why. Below are several spring-themed books to be read aloud. Remember to read to your children every day, several times a day.
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers – Duncan sits down to color but finds each of his crayons has left a letter saying, “I Quit!” What’s a boy to do?
- Little Kids First Book of Why 2 by Jill Esbaum – a colorful reference book that answers some of kids’ most burning “Why?” questions.
- The Earth Book by Todd Parr – a board book all about taking care of our planet, filled with ideas on how we can help Earth.
- Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace – poor Little Pea has to eat candy for dinner when all he wants is green vegetables.
- Press Here by Herve Tullet – a celebration of imagination. Each page of this book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book and see what happens.
Vroom Brain-building Tip
Vroom is a website and app with science-based tips to help boost young children’s brain connections. Families can turn everyday moments into brain-building opportunities.
Today’s Tip: Bigger or Smaller
When you’re out and about, be on the lookout for bigger and smaller! If you’re in the produce aisle of the grocery store, point out two fruits or vegetables. Invite your child to compare them. Which is bigger and which is smaller? Is one heavier? What other differences does your child notice? Talk together about what they’ve discovered. Then, try some other pairs!
Brainy Background
This game encourages your child to think like a scientist. They’re making guesses about how things compare with each other. They also get the chance to explain what they’ve learned to you in their own words. This is building communication skills too!
Week of April 22, 2024
- Music and Movement Monday: Today is Earth Day. Celebrate by doing a litter clean-up around your neighborhood.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make some Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles.
- Wellness Wednesday: Get moving as you follow this Simon Says video.
- Textured Thursday: Pick just one dandelion and turn it into a piece of art.
- Family Fun Friday: There are 12 National Parks in the DC area. Pick one and go on a family field trip.
Week of April 29, 2024
- Music and Movement Monday: Play a classic outdoor game, Capture the Flag.
- Tasty Tuesday: Bake up a batch of lemon blueberry mini muffins.
- Wellness Wednesday: Do something good for yourself and go outside. It can improve your mood and sense of well-being.
- Textured Thursday: Use all of your senses to investigate indoors and outdoors. What do you see, hear, feel, smell or taste?
- Family Fun Friday: Together, come up with a secret family handshake and use it when a family member completes a task (e.g., emptying the dishwasher).
Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)
LEDC equips Latinos and other underserved communities with the skills and financial tools to create a better future for their families and communities. Participants in LEDC’s programs learn how to build their long-term financial security by buying and staying in their homes, taking control of decisions affecting their apartment buildings and starting or expanding their small businesses.
The center’s programs include:
- InBusiness, which empowers local entrepreneurs by providing practical business advice and access to capital.
- Housing services to help clients buy and preserve their most critical asset, their housing. The Homeownership Counseling program assists families who want to buy their first home or save their home from foreclosure. The Affordable Housing Preservation Program works with families and community organizations to keep rental housing affordable.
- The Direct Community Investments (DCI)Department partners with government and private entities and individuals to provide timely financial assistance to vulnerable families and small businesses.
LEDC also holds frequent events and online workshops. To learn more and register for an event or workshop, click here.
- Kindergarten Readiness
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Early learning experiences help prepare young children for school and life. This session will focus on what children ages 3 to 5 should know and be able to do in order to enter kindergarten ready for success in school. Register here.
Questions About Your Child’s Development?
Strong Start is DC’s early intervention program, offering free services for children under the age of 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Strong Start provides therapeutic and other services for DC infants and toddlers and their families.
If you have questions about your child’s development, call Strong Start today at (202) 727-3665 or submit a Strong Start referral online.
Product Recall Alerts
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the following recalls:
- Yoto Mini Speakers for Children because the speaker’s lithium-ion battery can overheat and catch fire, posing burn and fire hazards.
- The following liquid laundry detergent packets: Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods and Ariel Pods. The packets can split open, posing a risk of severe injury or death if children ingest the contents.
We are here to help! If you need support in navigating these resources or help planning experiences for your children, please contact one of our team members today. Please contact us at DC Child Care Connections (202) 829-2500.
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