Family Connections

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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Celebrating the DC Early Learning Community

The Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is celebrated from April 5-11. Established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), this annual event celebrates all members of the early learning community, including young children, their families, and the early childhood programs and services that support them.

Learn more about WOYC and find ideas on how you can celebrate below.

Check out 80 ways to celebrate. Explore a brief history of WOYC and browse ideas for celebrating in the classroom and at home here.

More ideas on appreciating and inspiring young minds. Families can promote their children’s education by creating a dedicated home learning corner, sharing stories from their own childhood or encouraging creativity through arts and crafts. Read more here.

Visit a child-friendly museum in DC. Celebrate WOYC with your family by visiting a museum together. A comprehensive list of child-friendly museums in DC can be found here. Many of the included museums are free or low-cost for children.


Resource Highlights

  • Children and Screens – This website has a library of articles on digital media use by children as young as 2 years old and the effects on their cognitive development.
  • Parents – Check out simple, development-boosting infant activities suggested by leading child development experts.
  • Sesame Workshop – Each day presents chances for children to express their emotions. This article explores ways families can encourage their children to express feelings.

Let’s Read Together!

The most powerful ways to develop children’s literacy skills are simple: talk, listen and read to them and write with them. PBS Kids for Parents has tips for reading, writing, speaking and listening to children ages 2 to 8.

It’s important to read to children daily, preferably several times a day. Here are some books to consider:

  •  The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach – This book is a tongue-in-cheek exploration of metamorphosis that will amuse readers while providing facts about how caterpillars transform into butterflies.
  • How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward – An introduction to how to spot and observe our feathered friends for budding birders. It features more than 50 different species, from the giant whooping crane to the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird.
  • Cubs in the Tub by Candace Fleming – A story about the Bronx Zoo’s first female zookeeper. Helen Martini and her husband Frank raised dozens of lion and tiger cubs at home, until they were old enough to return to the zoo.
  • Don’t Push the Button by Bill Cotter – Larry the playful monster can’t resist pushing a heart-shaped button. With each push, he changes colors, the room around him or something else. Where will it stop?
  • This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen – A sneaky little fish steals a big fish’s hat and confidently tries to escape where the tall grasses grow.

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: Waiting Games

While waiting in line, ask your child to guess how long it’ll be until your turn. Or how many numbers can you count? Or how many times in your life will you sing a favorite song? Take turns inventing new “waiting games.”

Brainy Background

“Waiting games” is not about right or wrong answers. It’s about learning strategies for waiting or maintaining self-control. Studies have found that patience and self-control help children thrive now and in the future.

Week of March 24, 2025

Week of March 31, 2025


DPR and Capitol Area Food Bank Produce Giveaway

Each month, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DC DPR) partners with the Capitol Area Food Bank to provide produce and food goods for the community. The giveaway happens on the second Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Lederer Gardens, 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE. Families should bring their own reusable grocery bags. View the schedule.

Beginning in May, there will also be weekly communal farms veggie giveaways at three locations in DC. They will feature local, fresh organic produce grown at communal farms. These giveaways will take place:

  • Every Tuesday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Edgewood Rooftop Farm, 301 Franklin St. NE
  • Every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Lederer Gardens, 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE
  • Every Thursday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Powell Communal Farm, 3149 16th NW

Click here for more information.

 


 

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:

 


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.

Check out our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on events and opportunities.

 

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