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 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated annually in May. This annual recognition of the histories and contributions of individuals from the AAPI community originally began as a week-long celebration and was expanded to a month-long observance in 1990.
Early childhood researchers suggest that exploring culture and identity in the earliest years teaches children the value of inclusivity from the start. Families can learn more about the wide range of history and contributions made from by the AAPI community at home through virtual offerings and through local District events:
- Celebrating AAPI literary contributions: DC Public Library locations across the District are hosting a range of virtual and in-person events for children and families that can be found below. Families can enjoy sing-alongs, movie screenings, author talks and crafts that center the history, experiences and culture of the AAPI community.
- Explore AAPI history: The Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center is a traveling museum that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Families can explore digital resources that explore the history, culture and voices of AAPI community members.
- Learn through art: The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art is hosting a variety of in-person and virtual experiences in honor of AAPI Heritage Month designed for children and families. The Asian Art Museum also offers virtual exhibit tours that families can explore together and age-appropriate art projects.
Resource Highlights
- Parents Magazine AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Guide – Parents magazine created a helpful guide for families who wish to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. The guide includes a host of engaging activities that can be done at home.
- PBS’ AAPI Children’s Book Reading List – PBS provides families age-appropriate reading recommendations that honor AAPI authors and stories.
- Zero to Three’s AAPI Heritage Month Family Resource – Zero to Three, a leading early childhood research and policy organization, has a resource for families with activities to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with toddlers.
DC Child Care Connections’ Family Connections Workshops
Workshop: Baby Signs
Thursday, May 12, 2022, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
During this workshop, families will be introduced to a host of hands-on activities designed to explore the various ways young children communicate. Participants will learn new and interesting ways of communicating with babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children.
Workshop: Discover Summer with DC Public Library
Thursday, May 19, 2022, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join DC Public Library (DCPL) for a presentation about Discover Summer, their exciting all-ages summer learning program. Families will learn about the program as well as simple and engaging activities to build early literacy skills at home. Families will also receive information about free resources, services and programs available through DCPL.
National Foster Care Month
May is National Foster Care Month. This month-long observance acknowledges the important roles that families, foster parents and other community members play in the lives of children and youth in foster care. The Children’s Bureau provides resources to learn more and increase awareness about foster care. Additionally, individuals interested in making a difference in the lives of children in foster care locally can visit the District’s Child and Family Services Agency site to learn more.
Let’s Read Together!
Read with your child throughout the day, each day during the week.
- A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
- Drawn Together by Minh Lê and Dan Santat
- Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami and Julianna Swaney
- Words to Make a Friend by Donna Jo Napoli and Naoko Stoop
- Kiyoshi’s Walk by Mark Karlins and Nicole Wong
Week of May 9, 2022
- Music and Movement Monday: Learn about shapes through a fun dance exercise.
- Tasty Tuesday: Enjoy summer fruits with a sweet fruit pizza snack.
- Wellness Wednesday: Learn about the benefits of meditation for children.
- Textured Thursday: Celebrate spring with an egg carton flower craft.
- Family Fun Friday: Use sidewalk chalk to explore eight fun games together
Week of May 16, 2022
- Music and Movement Monday: Practice rhyming while dancing to a fun beat.
- Tasty Tuesday: Make refreshing fresh fruit popsicles.
- Wellness Wednesday: Learn about age-appropriate physical activity recommendations for young children.
- Textured Thursday: Get creative with a cherry blossom handprint painting.
- Family Fun Friday: Document family time outdoors with a nature journal.
CARES Community Support
The United Planning Organization (UPO) supports the District’s low-income residents’ well-being through more than 30 programs and services. UPO CARES provides support for community members impacted by COVID-19. These supports include rental and utility assistance, COVID-related bill assistance, mobile grocery and food distribution, mental health counseling, career certifications, quarantine support, employment support, youth book club and emergency assistance for UPO’s Head Start families.
For more information, families can visit the UPO CARES website, email UPOCARES@upo.org, text UPOCARES to 41444 or call (202) 231-7992.
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. Strong Start is currently offering and delivering services to children and their families through in-person visits; a combination of in-person and telehealth visits; or completely through telehealth visits.
If you have questions about your child’s development, call Strong Start today at (202) 727-3665.
Submit a Strong Start Referral Now!
Product Recall Alerts
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the following recalls:
- Rae Wellness Prenatal and Immunity Dietary Supplements have been recalled due to failure to meet child resistant packaging requirements.
- The Red Leagues Children’s Pajamas have been recalled due to burn hazard.
- Monti Kids Wooden Push Toys have been recalled due to choking hazard.
- Bed, Bath and Beyond H for Happy Woven Bunny Baskets have been recalled due to choking hazard.
- AmazonBasics School Classroom Stack Chairs have been recalled due to fall hazard.
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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