Family Connections is a bi-weekly newsletter from DC Child Care Connections for families with children birth to age 5. The newsletter highlights evidence-informed resources and developmentally appropriate activities for families to support their child’s growth, development and social-emotional well-being.
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A Musical Summer
Music is a natural and joyful part of childhood. Children love to dance, sing, and tap out rhythms on cardboard boxes, pots and pans, or even their own bodies. Alongside other learning experiences, exposure to music supports childhood development across multiple areas. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of early music education, ways families can encourage engagement with music at home, and free, family-friendly music events happening in the DC area this summer.
Music’s role in early childhood development
Music can boost a child’s cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Early exposure to music fosters early language development, social skills, creativity, and self-expression. This article from Music Atlas and this post from the University of Maryland College of Education explain the association between exposure to music and healthy development. In addition to supporting growth and development, music offers children meaningful ways to connect to their cultural roots.
How families can connect music to learning at home
Children connect to music most easily through play. This article published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children outlines strategies for families to introduce kids to music, such as by playing different genres of music at home and talking about the instruments they hear. Another strategy is to build and play DIY instruments, as outlined in this post on artsycraftsymom.com and this blog on easyplayideas.com.
Families can find music education videos on YouTube, including these from Caitie’s Classroom and these from Mr. Boom Boom.
Free local concerts and festivals
Families living in and around DC can take advantage of musical events throughout the summer. This mommypoppins.com article lists events from now through October.
Resource Highlights
- Emotional well-being In moments when we feel emotions such as anger or fear, one relaxation strategy is to focus on our senses. Families can share this Sesame Workshop video with their children about the value of slowing down and noticing what they see and feel.
- Boost toddler language skills – Children learning to talk benefit when families engage them throughout the day. This Parents article contains five practical, research-based tips to support toddlers’ speech and language development.
- The pool is open – District families can dive in! The outdoor pools and spray parks operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are now open on weekends until June 22 and then open daily. You can find a list of pools near you here.
Let’s Read Together!
When families read aloud to young children, they maximize the experience by encouraging their kids to appreciate the pictures and pay attention to printed words. In the long run, this can help improve their language skills and reading comprehension. It is important to read to children daily.
Here are some e-books available at the DC Public Library (DCPL) that families can enjoy together this week:
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin – In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune.
- Don’t Hug Doug by Carrie Finison – Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn’t like hugs. But there are other ways his family can show him affection.
- The Future Book by Mac Arnett – A picture book that imagines a silly, upside-down world of tomorrow and its unexpected words, strange social customs, and mind-blowing colors!
- Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin – Since Millie Fleur moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found. She is determined to welcome the dark back to town, but first she must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights.
- Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson – You can’t trust fish because they spend all their time in the water where we can’t see them, some are as big as a bus, and they are likely plotting our doom. Right?
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 daily moments into brain-building opportunities.
Today’s Tip: Little Chef
- Keep your child engaged in dinner prep. Take turns measuring, pouring, and mixing. They might spill, so put the bowl in the sink where spilling is OK. Talk to them about what you’re doing and the ingredients you’re using. Encourage them to smell, touch (and taste!) as you prepare. Ask them what they notice.
Brainy Background
- This activity gives your child the opportunity to hear new words, which builds vocabulary. Measuring involves counting, which will help them with math in the future. Children of all backgrounds can build strong math skills from an early age.
Week of June 15, 2026
- Music and Movement Monday: Take a quick yoga movement break, complete with dancing and breathing.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make a veggie pita pizza.
- Wellness Wednesday: Build a structure out of veggies and then eat it!
- Textured Thursday: It’s warm outside. Time for an ice cube sensory bin!
- Family Fun Friday: Start a family band.
Week of June 22, 2026
- Music and Movement Monday: Perform a scarf street dance.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make a batch of ladybug pops.
- Wellness Wednesday: Focus on your breathing to settle your thoughts and feelings.
- Textured Thursday: Play with a simple homemade sensory board.
- Family Fun Friday: Take an evening walk with your family.
Free Produce Giveaway
From now through Nov. 25, DC residents can pick up free, fresh produce grown at DPR communal farms. Weather permitting, the giveaways take place:
Every Tuesday
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Edgewood Rooftop Farm
301 Franklin St NE
Every Wednesday
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lederer Garden
4801 Nannie H. Burroughs Ave NE
Every Thursday
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Powell Communal Farm
3149 16th St NW
Every Saturday
10 – 11 a.m.
Lederer Garden
4801 Nannie H. Burroughs Ave NE
Sunday Storytime Planet Word Museum
Sunday Storytime is a free monthly program designed especially for young children and their grownups. The programs feature songs and read-alouds presented by children’s librarians from DCPL. Each Sunday Storytime takes place from 10- 11 a.m., and combines stories, songs, and hands-on fun for families. Afterwards, attendees are invited to stay for activities, explore the museum or stop by the pop-up DCPL wagon to check out children’s books using their library cards.
The next Sunday Storytime is in July (date TBD). Check Planet Word’s event calendar in July for more information. Families are encouraged to reserve their no-cost passes in advance here. Planet Word Museum is located at 925 13th St. NW. Click here for directions for getting to the museum by Metro, bus, car, or bicycle.
Family Connections June 2026 Workshops
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Orientation and Introduction to DC CCC
Join DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC) for an overview of the services and information we offer to support families across the District. Families are invited to join this session to learn more about DC CCC’s responsive services and evidence-based supports that promote high-quality early care and education.
Click here to register.
Strong Start
Strong Start is DC’s early intervention program, offering free services for children under 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Strong Start provides therapeutic and other services for DC infants, 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 recall:
- Mainstays 9-Drawer Fabric Dressers, because they are unstable if not anchored to the wall. They can tip over and entrap children, posing risks of serious injuries or death.
- Anzmtosn Luminous Fidget Spinner Balls, because they violate the federal standard for toys. The mini flashlight included with the fidget spinner balls uses button cell batteries that are easily accessed by children. If ingested, the batteries can cause serious injuries or death.
We are here to help! If you need support navigating these resources, contact DC CCC at (202) 829-2500.
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