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 Young Children All Month
The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration launched in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. This year, the Week of the Young Child is celebrated April 6-12.
Some early childhood organizations, including DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC), found they couldn’t contain all the events they wanted to host in just one week, and many now celebrate throughout April. Here are some key local and national activities for families:
- Participate in DC CCC’s virtual events. See the Family Connections section below for a series of virtual workshops on a range of topics from expressing emotions with music to promoting good health through nutrition and yoga.
- Celebrate ARTboretum with the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) and CC CCC. This in-person event on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., will be held at the National Arboretum (3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC). ARTboretum will celebrate the intersection between art and nature. The child-centered, family-focused event for children ages 2 to 12 will include face painting, arts and crafts and games. For more information and to register, click here.
- Celebrate with NAEYC. The association’s website lists classroom and family activities and articles for educators and families for each day of the Week of the Young Child. To see the association’s suggestions, click here.
- Celebrate with the District of Columbia Association for the Education of Young Children (DCAEYC) all month long. DCAEYC is the DC affiliate of NAEYC and recognizes the Month of the Young Child. It has a calendar of events throughout April, including in-person events. To learn more and register for in-person events, click here.
Resource Highlights
- Parents Magazine – Whining is a childhood behavior that can tax even very patient families. In this article, Parents Magazine explores why children whine, how families can handle the behavior and – just as importantly – what not to do.
- Sesame Workshop – Humming a song can help support emotional well-being. In this 30-second video, Elmo shares that emotions like frustration and anger are okay — and how humming a song can help manage big feelings.
- Safe Kids Worldwide – Every year, about 60,000 young children end up in the emergency room because they ingested medicine. Safe Kids Worldwide explains the best practices around safely storing medication.
Let’s Read Together!
Did you know that reading aloud to children helps them thrive? PBS Kids for Parents has an article explaining why. Below are several spring-themed books to be read aloud. Remember to read to your children every day, several times a day.
- Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner – follow a young girl and her grandmother as they plan, plant and harvest a garden – and learn what happens down in the dirt.
- When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes – animals and children watch as the natural world transforms from the dark colors of winter to bright spring.
- Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons – the author introduces and defines basic weather conditions in this book, which also includes a list of weird weather facts.
- Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal – a brother and sister gather flowers in preparation for Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors. When the big day comes, they gather with friends, family, and neighbors for a vibrant celebration of spring and fresh starts.
- Singing in the Rain by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown – an adaptation of the song by the same name, which celebrates the glory of clouds and rain.
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: Super Hero Helper
During cleanup time, invite your child to become a Super Hero Helper! Ask them to pick a cleaning superpower. Are they super-fast when picking up toys? How about being super-strong when carrying laundry or groceries? Encourage them to show you their superpower in action. Then comment on all their hard work. Now it is your turn to show them your superpower.
Brainy Background
When you include your child in your work, you show them they’re valued and accepted. As you describe what you’re both doing, you teach them new words and important concepts. This type of interaction creates trust and encourages lifelong learning.
Week of April 8, 2024
- Music and Movement Monday: Use stones, sticks or other outdoor objects to create a garden maze.
- Tasty Tuesday: Bake some ham and cheese puffs.
- Wellness Wednesday: Work with a family member to develop a ‘magic exercise’ routine.
- Textured Thursday: Mix up some liquid sidewalk chalk and use it to decorate your sidewalk or driveway.
- Family Fun Friday: Learn some magic tricks together.
Week of April 15, 2024
- Music and Movement Monday: Gather some bottles and a ball and go bowling outdoors.
- Tasty Tuesday: Create a fruit pizza for dessert.
- Wellness Wednesday: Play the Fishing for Good Foods game.
- Textured Thursday: Pick up a bean bag, shaker or rain stick and use it as an instrument as you dance to music.
- Family Fun Friday: Make some paper bag puppets and stage a family puppet show.
Learn More About FONA
FONA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Arboretum as a vibrant public space. It also facilitates experiential programs that instill a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit.
One of FONA’s ongoing programs is the Washington Youth Garden (WYG), a one-acre education garden at the National Arboretum and a garden-based education and nature play destination. It was originally established in 1971 to teach local elementary students about horticulture and life skills.
Today, WYG features a sensory garden, promotes innovative growing techniques and supports a nature-explore classroom to encourage visitors of all ages to engage with agriculture, farming and environmental education. Thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables are grown in WYG each year, all distributed to students and families in the DC community to fight food insecurity.
And don’t forget! FONA is partnering with DC CCC to bring ARTboretum to the National Arboretum on Saturday, April 27 from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is part of FONA’s Annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale.
To learn more about FONA and the Arboretum projects it supports, click here.
Family Connections April 2024 Workshops and Events
DC CCC is hosting the following workshops and events in April in celebration of the Week of the Young Child:
- Express Emotions With Music
Monday, April 8, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Whether through song, dance, instruments or storytelling, all music expresses emotion. The famous DC Public Schools (DCPS) puppet, Scribbles, will kick off DC CCC’s Week of the Young Child, followed by a musical celebration of interactive activities. Register here.
- Promoting Good Health Through Nutrition and Yoga
Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
This session highlights the importance of good nutrition and exercise by emphasizing good eating habits and building strong bodies in all young children. Yoga for children builds an arsenal of strategies to combat anxiety and stressful situations. Register here.
- DC Schools and the Special Education Journey
Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join the Special Education Hub of DC’s State Board of Education to learn more about resources and support for families navigating special education in DC. Staff will also host an interactive jeopardy game for parents, caregivers, educators and children to enjoy and challenge their knowledge of DC, school topics and children’s interests. Register here.
- Exploring Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)
Thursday, April 11, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join this engaging and hands-on learning experience where we’ll explore STEM! During this session, participants will listen to a read-aloud story and complete a building project. Register here.
- A Focus on Fatherhood
Friday, April 12, 2024, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Join us as we discuss the uniquely important role fathers and surrogate fathers play in the lives of children. During this session, participants will discover fun activities they can do with their children, like going to the playground, playing a game or sharing a snack, and learn about resources they can use to engage with their children. Register here.
- Kindergarten Readiness
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Early learning experiences help prepare young children for school and life. This session will focus on what children ages 3 to 5 should know and be able to do in order to enter kindergarten ready for success in school. Register here.
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:
- Comfi Baby Infant Walkers because they pose a risk of falls and entrapment to children.
- Fisher-Price Little People Donald Duck and Daisy Duck figures because the heads can detach, posing a choking hazard to young 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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