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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Music and Movement in Early Childhood
From a very young age, children are naturally drawn to rhythm, melody and physical activity. Music and movement are fun and powerful tools to boost early learning and development. Families should check out the resources below to learn more about the benefits of music and movement and the types of activities they can do at home.
Why music and movement matter in early childhood.
ZERO TO THREE, a national early childhood organization, details how music and movement benefit many aspects of children’s cognitive, physical and emotional development.
How families can promote music and movement in infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Music and movement can be used to engage young children in meaningful and healthy play. Families can find suggestions for age-specific activities for children aged 0-5 and information on where to find music and movement classes in local communities here.
How to play music at home.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides practical tips for families on ways to connect music to learning at home. NAEYC suggests resources where families can find free, kid-friendly music. They also offer tips on introducing children to various musical styles and instruments, along with ways to engage them in conversations about music.
Resource Highlights
- Parents – Establishing household rules can help everyone in the family understand and honor boundaries. This article provides tips and examples for setting family rules.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – The CDC reports that the number of cases of whooping cough in children (also known as pertussis) is five times higher than last year. Read the agency’s guidelines for controlling the spread of this highly contagious respiratory illness.
- Verywell Mind – Teaching children gratitude can help them feel happier, enjoy better social relationships and improve their sense of well-being. This article discusses strategies for raising grateful kids.
Let’s Read Together!
Reading books to young children helps prepare them to learn to read. The first three years of a child’s life are the most critical period for language and speech development. Families can help boost reading readiness by reading books aloud, singing to a child, and talking about everyday events. It is important to read to a child daily, preferably several times a day.
- Being Home by Traci Sorell – a young Cherokee girl and her family leave their city home and prepare to return to their ancestral land. This is a relevant book for November, Native American Heritage Month.
- Thankful by Eileen Spinelli – a picture book about being grateful for everyday blessings and the meaningful people in a child’s life, from family to firefighters.
- Good Night, Little Bookstore by Amy Cherrix – join the Little Bookstore’s friendly staff as they perform the ritual of closing the store after a busy day.
- Mina by Matthew Forsythe – Mina the mouse and her father live a quiet life in a hollowed-out tree stump until he brings home a cat.
- Hot Dog by Doug Salati – a little dog is overheated and overwhelmed by summer in the city. The dog’s owner helps him find calm with some sea, sand and fresh air.
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: Taste and Touch
Offer your child safe objects to put in their mouth, like wooden spoons or plastic cups. Talk about what your child is doing as they put the objects in their mouth or move them. Even if they can’t yet speak, your voice and actions support them.
Brainy Background
One of the most important ways your child learns about the world is by exploring objects with their mouth. As you talk about what they’re doing, and the color, shape, and size of the objects, you share vocabulary to use for these experiences.
Week of November 18, 2024
- Music and Movement Monday: Play music while you crawl like a bear.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make a batch of berry granola yogurt bark.
- Wellness Wednesday: Follow Grover’s monster workout video.
- Textured Thursday: Explore printmaking using recycled materials.
- Family Fun Friday: Gather around to make Thanksgiving place cards.
Week of November 25, 2024
- Music and Movement Monday: Dance along to the Kiboomers’ exercise song.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make a kale, spinach and apple quesadilla.
- Wellness Wednesday: Practice bubble breathing with mindful monster Abby Cadabby.
- Textured Thursday: Craft a textured hot air balloon.
- Family Fun Friday: Gather your family to make an orange peel bird feeder.
Free Vegetable Giveaway
Every week through Nov. 28, 2024, DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation is giving away free, organic fruits and vegetables to residents. The giveaway happens between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. at three different locations:
- Tuesdays: Edgewood Rooftop Farm, 301 Franklin St. NE (Ward 5)
- Wednesdays: Lederer Gardens 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE (Ward 7)
- Thursdays: Powell Communal Farm. 3149 16th St. NW (Ward 1)
For more information, email Joshua.Singer@dc.gov.
The YMCA’s Physical, Healthy & Driven (PHD) Program
Some families have busy schedules that make it challenging to ensure their children practice healthy habits regularly. The PHD program offered through local YMCA branches seeks to combat childhood obesity and teach kids how to stay healthy for life. It is designed for children ages 6-14 and combines assessment tools, fun games and activities, exercises, nutrition education, and family involvement. PHD encourages the whole family to get involved through a wellness newsletter featuring healthy recipes, fitness tips and family activities.
To find PHD activities happening in your community, call (202) 232-6700. Select the menu option for the YMCA closest to you.
Learn more here.
Family Connections November 2024 Workshop
DC CCC is hosting the following workshop in November. Learn more below.
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Renters’ Rights in the District of Columbia
Families, educators and child care providers will learn the rights of residential tenants in the District of Columbia. Whether rent is paid at the market rate, a voucher or subsidy, this session will inform renters living in DC of available rights and processes for ensuring fair treatment under the law.
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:
- Guava Roam Strollers, because the brakes can fail to engage or unexpectedly disengage, posing fall and injury hazards to children.
- Kyte Baby Slumber Suits, because they violate federal flammability regulations for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.
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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