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Imagine Spotlight Pierce County: Diego Ramos

The Imagine Institute helps support early learning providers all across Washington State, and like to keep track of the progress these providers are making. This week, we want to introduce you to Diego Ramos, who is helping kids in Pierce County, and helping to start a new trend in helping other providers in his community.   MEET DIEGO Diego lives in Tacoma and has been a licensed family home child care provider for about three years, but his training goes back even

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Spring Into New Activities For Kids

The ground is thawing out, and the weather is getting warm. Spring is here, and it’s time to find some seasonal activities for your kids. Whether it’s outside or inside, we have some ideas for you that are fun and entertaining for your group. Cloud Paintings – The weather can change a lot during spring, and that means there are many different types of clouds in the sky. Take your kids outside to identify some of them. They can draw or paint

Read More
A graphic that shows two girls reading books in the text "Women's History Month: Girl Power Picture Books"

Picture Books about the Power of Girls

Women’s History Month is a wonderful time to share the stories of remarkable women who girls can look up to. But girls also need to hear stories about the amazing things they can do while they’re young. Children of all genders will be inspired by these true stories of incredible girls, too! Malala’s Magic Pencil, by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala’s first picture book shares how she dreamed of making the world a better place as a

Read More
A young woman with brown hair stands on a beach

Imagine Spotlight: Alexis Wynne

This week, we are excited to highlight Alexis Wynne, who runs a family home child care business in Auburn, Washington.   MEET ALEXIS Alexis grew up in the child care business. Her mother, Carli Meek, started Little Steps Discovery Zone when Alexis was 7 years old and her sister was a baby. When she was a young teenager, Alexis started volunteering at Little Steps. She took a break after graduating high school, but she soon found her way back to child care.

Read More
Two women, a mother and her adult daughter, sit in a car together

Imagine Spotlight: Carli Meek

This week, we are excited to highlight Carli Meek, the program manager for Imagine U and a longtime child care provider in Auburn, Washington.   MEET CARLI When Carli had her second daughter in 2004, she had just finished dental assistant school. But her plans quickly changed. Her sister also had a newborn, and the two enjoyed staying home with their babies so much, they decided to start a family home child care business. “I was able to stay home with my

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 9: Final Remarks," with an image of a Black person with a green, yellow and red flag draped over their shoulders

Black History Month 2024: Final Remarks

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Throughout this series, we have covered some parts of Black History in celebration of Black History Month 2024. To wrap up this series,

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 8: Soul Food," with an image of a white bowl filled with shrimp and grits

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – Soul Food

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. All About Soul Food Soul food originated in the American south during the Antebellum period and is associated with the cuisine of the

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 7: Literature & Resistance," with an image of a Black man in a beige sweater and jeans reading a book

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – “The Art of Resistance”: Protesting Through Literature

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Influence of Literature Literature is a fundamental avenue of Black expression in the United States, and one that has been historically suppressed. Pre-dating

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 6: Protesting Through Song," with an image of a vinyl record

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – “The Art of Resistance”: Protesting Through Song

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Song writing and performance has been a marker of protest and resistance for Black Americans for centuries. It is also a marker of

Read More
A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month: Part 5: Presidential Proclamation and Theme," and an image of an official letter

Black History Month 2024: Presidential Proclamation and Theme

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. On January 31st 2024, President Joseph R. Biden released A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024. It has been customary for all

Read More

Imagine Spotlight Pierce County: Diego Ramos

The Imagine Institute helps support early learning providers all across Washington State, and like to keep track of the progress these providers are making. This week, we want to introduce you to Diego Ramos, who is helping kids in Pierce County, and helping to start a new trend in helping other providers in his community.   MEET DIEGO Diego lives in Tacoma and has been a licensed family home child care provider for about three years, but his training goes back even

Read More

Spring Into New Activities For Kids

The ground is thawing out, and the weather is getting warm. Spring is here, and it’s time to find some seasonal activities for your kids. Whether it’s outside or inside, we have some ideas for you that are fun and entertaining for your group. Cloud Paintings – The weather can change a lot during spring, and that means there are many different types of clouds in the sky. Take your kids outside to identify some of them. They can draw or paint

Read More
A graphic that shows two girls reading books in the text "Women's History Month: Girl Power Picture Books"

Picture Books about the Power of Girls

Women’s History Month is a wonderful time to share the stories of remarkable women who girls can look up to. But girls also need to hear stories about the amazing things they can do while they’re young. Children of all genders will be inspired by these true stories of incredible girls, too! Malala’s Magic Pencil, by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala’s first picture book shares how she dreamed of making the world a better place as a

Read More
A young woman with brown hair stands on a beach

Imagine Spotlight: Alexis Wynne

This week, we are excited to highlight Alexis Wynne, who runs a family home child care business in Auburn, Washington.   MEET ALEXIS Alexis grew up in the child care business. Her mother, Carli Meek, started Little Steps Discovery Zone when Alexis was 7 years old and her sister was a baby. When she was a young teenager, Alexis started volunteering at Little Steps. She took a break after graduating high school, but she soon found her way back to child care.

Read More
Two women, a mother and her adult daughter, sit in a car together

Imagine Spotlight: Carli Meek

This week, we are excited to highlight Carli Meek, the program manager for Imagine U and a longtime child care provider in Auburn, Washington.   MEET CARLI When Carli had her second daughter in 2004, she had just finished dental assistant school. But her plans quickly changed. Her sister also had a newborn, and the two enjoyed staying home with their babies so much, they decided to start a family home child care business. “I was able to stay home with my

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 9: Final Remarks," with an image of a Black person with a green, yellow and red flag draped over their shoulders

Black History Month 2024: Final Remarks

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Throughout this series, we have covered some parts of Black History in celebration of Black History Month 2024. To wrap up this series,

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 8: Soul Food," with an image of a white bowl filled with shrimp and grits

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – Soul Food

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. All About Soul Food Soul food originated in the American south during the Antebellum period and is associated with the cuisine of the

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 7: Literature & Resistance," with an image of a Black man in a beige sweater and jeans reading a book

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – “The Art of Resistance”: Protesting Through Literature

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Influence of Literature Literature is a fundamental avenue of Black expression in the United States, and one that has been historically suppressed. Pre-dating

Read More
A graphic that reads: "Celebrating Black History Month Part 6: Protesting Through Song," with an image of a vinyl record

Celebrating Black History Month 2024 – “The Art of Resistance”: Protesting Through Song

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Song writing and performance has been a marker of protest and resistance for Black Americans for centuries. It is also a marker of

Read More
A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month: Part 5: Presidential Proclamation and Theme," and an image of an official letter

Black History Month 2024: Presidential Proclamation and Theme

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. On January 31st 2024, President Joseph R. Biden released A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024. It has been customary for all

Read More