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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New Year, New Goals
The start of a new year is a good time for families to discuss their goals for the months ahead. Setting intentional goals can strengthen bonds with children and support positive habits all year-long. The resources below highlight the benefits of family goal setting and provide practical tools to get started.
Learn about the benefits of family goal setting. Setting shared goals can teach young children the importance of teamwork, perseverance and self-confidence. PBS explores some of these benefits through a fun, interactive goal setting activity ideal for families with young children.
Identify family goals that are achievable and fun. Choosing goals that suit your family’s interests and support daily routines can help everyone stay motivated. Families can find age-appropriate strategies to set achievable, fun goals here.
Find opportunities to celebrate small victories. Recognizing progress along the way keeps everyone excited and working toward shared goals. This interactive paper chain activity can help families visually track and celebrate milestones, big or small.
Resource Highlights
- Mind Yeti YouTube is a library of research-based, guided mindfulness sessions. These video sessions help children and adults increase calm and connect to the world around them.
- Smithsonian Kids is an online learning resource where children can learn about art, science, history, nature and culture through fun and engaging activities.
- Learning Games for Kids hosts a library of free and interactive games for children of all ages.
Let’s Read Together!
Reading aloud to young children helps them develop the . Through read-alouds, children can learn the names and meanings of the things, people and ideas all around them. They can also learn how these items relate to one another, which is critical for literacy development. It is important to read to children daily, preferably several times a day.
Read with your child every day of the week.
- There Was a Party for Langstonby Jason Reynolds and Jerome Pumphrey
- A Friend for Henryby Jenn Bailey and Mika Song
- How to Catch a Groundhogby Alice Walstead and Emma Gillette
- Stormy Nightby Salina Yoon
- Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger and David Leonard
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: Take Time to Watch
Take a minute today to watch your child. Pay attention to what they look at. How do they move? What do they sound like? What are they learning? Even when you’re busy, responding to what they are experiencing and learning deepens your connection with them.
Brainy Background
When you’re in tune with your child, you’ll be able to pay attention to their needs and interests. This deepens the trust between you and will help your child feel confident to to explore, experiment and learn.
Week of January 13, 2025
- Music and Movement Monday: Design an indoor racetrack to develop fine motor skills.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make healthy granola bars at home.
- Wellness Wednesday: Practice mindfulness with a breathing exercise.
- Textured Thursday: Create fun animal crafts using paper plates.
- Family Fun Friday: Make a fun game out of household chores.
Week of January 20, 2025
- Music and Movement Monday: Practice counting skills with a fun numbers maze.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make tasty homemade apple chips.
- Wellness Wednesday: Promote focus with an activity using all five senses.
- Textured Thursday: Inspire creativity with a pressed paper craft.
- Family Fun Friday: Get moving with exercises for the whole family.
DMV Kids Out and About
DMV Kids Out and About provides families with ideas for fun kid-friendly activities. Families can browse the website or sign up for a free newsletter to receive the most up-to-date information about virtual and in-person activities that kids will enjoy in the District. The site also provides information on places to visit in the DC area that are family friendly.
Family Connections January 2025 Workshops
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Exploring DC’s School Options with My School DC
This workshop led by My School DC will support families to learn about the DC public school lottery and familiarize themselves with key dates and deadlines for the 2025-2026 school year and utilize My School DC. Click here to register.
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 Snuga Infant Swings have been recalled due to suffocation hazard.
- Multi-Purpose Children’s Helmets have been recalled due to risk of head injury.
- Yaomiao Children’s Jewelry Sets have been recalled due to risk of lead and cadmium poisoning.
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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