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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Exploring the Great Outdoors
Children are natural explorers—eager to discover and learn more about the world around them. Young learners can engage in meaningful, hands-on learning by spending time outdoors. Whether it’s a walk in the park or a backyard adventure, nature offers opportunities for discovery. Below are some helpful resources for families looking to connect with the world outdoors.
Learn more about the benefits of outdoor exploration. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) published a series of articles about the benefits of spending time outdoors and specific ways families can encourage children to explore and learn from nature. In this article, Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental conservation, discusses how outdoor play benefits children’s physical health, mental health and academic achievement.
Explore nature through the senses. OutGrown is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families with young children build relationships with nature. This spring, OutGrown is publishing a series of blog posts as a part of their Spring Sensory Celebration encouraging families to explore nature with their senses, starting with taste.
Visit a nature center. The DC area has 11 free nature centers where families can see animals up close, learn about the natural world and hone their love for the great outdoors. Check out Mommy Poppins to learn more about each center.
Resource Highlights
Sesame Workshop offers a list of conversation starters to help young children practice making new friends. Families can use the prompts to role-play with their children.
Transforming Toddlerhood is a web-based organization dedicated to helping families confidently navigate the toddler years. The organization is hosting a free, five-day virtual conference for parents of children aged one to five starting May 1, 2025. Learn more and register for the event here.
Parents published an article exploring seven strategies for teaching young children self-regulation skills.
Let’s Read Together!
April is National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world. During this month, tens of millions of people around the globe celebrate poetry’s important place in our lives and cultures.
Exploring poetry with young children helps them develop essential pre-reading and communication skills. It teaches them how to read as they pay attention to volume, pitch, inflection, patterns and pronunciation.
Families should read to children daily. Here are a few books of poetry available at the DC Public Library you may want to consider:
- Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman – A humorous book of poetry designed to be read by two voices. The poems ring with the love songs of book lice, the serenades of moths, and a choir of cicadas.
- Spot the Plot by J. Patrick Lewis – Thirteen witty poems pose riddles that challenge readers to “Name That Book.” From Goodnight Moon to Madeline, children and their families may recognize cherished stories.
- Noisy Poems for a Busy Day by Robert Heidbreder – A collection of poems that capture adventures big and small in a child’s day.
- Let’s Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out! by Patricia C. McKissack – This is a songbook, a storybook, a poetry collection and much more, all rolled into one.
- I Wish by Toon Tellegen – A book of 33 imaginative prose poems prompted by the statement “I wish.”
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: Finger Fitness
Help your child explore how things open and close. Offer them a shirt with buttons and let them practice buttoning and unbuttoning. Or, let them thread a shoelace in and out of the buttonholes. They can also Velcro something on and off or pull a zipper up and down. Talk with them about what they’re doing. Encourage them to keep trying, even if they don’t succeed right away.
Brainy Background
This hands-on game helps your child learn about concepts like up and down, in and out and on and off. It’s also a great way for them to explore and learn with their hands. When you encourage them to try hard things, they learn to take on challenges in life.
Week of April 21, 2025
- Music and Movement Monday: Sing and dance to the “I’m a Little Teapot” song.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make some apple sorbet.
- Wellness Wednesday: Start learning how to pump a swing.
- Textured Thursday: Create a construction site sensory bin.
- Family Fun Friday: Watch this video about the primary colors and then play a game of “I Spy” with your family.
Week of April 28, 2025
- Music and Movement Monday: Listen to the Clean Up Song as you help tidy your home.
- Tasty Tuesday: Assemble some Greek pita pizzas.
- Wellness Wednesday: Practice the Beetle on Back exercise.
- Textured Thursday: Play with texture and create a work of art.
- Family Fun Friday: Grab a flashlight and take turns making shadow puppets on the wall.
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
The Nature Center serves as the visitor center for Rock Creek Park. It offers hiking information, brochures and maps, a bookstore and exhibits on area plants and animals. It has the only planetarium in the National Park Service. Many of the park’s ranger-led programs take place at the Nature Center.
Come to the visitor center to learn about the more than 150 species of birds; mammals, including deer, flying squirrels, chipmunks, foxes and beavers; and 11 types of reptiles and amphibians. There are forests, swamps and meadows within the park’s boundaries.
The visitor center is located at 5200 Glover Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20015. View operating days and times here.
Family Fun Day at The National Arboretum
The Friends of the National Arboretum will host their annual Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. At the event, DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC) will offer free, family-friendly activities including face painting, arts and crafts and games for children ages 2-12. DC CCC will be on hand to share information with families about early childhood programs and services in DC.
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:
- Fisher-Price Brunch & Go Stroller Toys, because part of the toy can crack into small parts posing a choking hazard to young children
- Babyjoy Convertible 6-in-1 High Chair Activity Centers because they violate federal regulations. The openings in the seat are wider than allowed and a child can become entrapped. In addition, the tray can disengage and a child can fall, posing a serious injury hazard.
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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