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A graphic that has three penguins holding presence and a book with the title Penguin Picture Books for Winter Weather

Stay Warm This Winter With Picture Books About Penguins

November 24, 2023

Winter snow and ice are on their way. Snuggle up somewhere warm and enjoy these picture books about everyone’s favorite cold-weather bird: penguins! Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers When a penguin arrives at a boy’s door, he decides to help it find its way back to the South Pole. On the way, he learns about what really makes a home. The penguin and boy return in Up and Down. Seals are Jerks, by Jared Chapman Lorelei is sure that penguins and

Read More
A child making a pumpkin craft with glue, feathers and pompoms

Imagine Spotlight: Linda Leslie

October 31, 2023

This week, we are thrilled to spotlight Linda Leslie, owner of Sweet Pea’s Early Learning Place in Yelm, Washington. MEET LINDA Linda is a family child care provider and a state-approved peer Mentor who started her business 23 years ago! Linda grew up in Washington State and has lived in many communities in Western Washington. She worked as a preschool teacher before building her home in Yelm. Linda was seeking child care for her own two children when she decided to make

Read More
An image that reads "books to read's cookies and milk" over a background of cookies

Classic Books to Read with Milk and Cookies

October 27, 2023

Everyone loves a reason to eat dessert — and November is National Cookie Month! Here are some classic cookie-themed picture books to enjoy with your favorite sweet treat. The Cow Loves Cookies, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall Every creature in the barnyard has a favorite treat — but the cow wants to share the farmer’s cookies instead of eating hay. Little ones will love to bounce along with the cheerful rhymes in this book. The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!, by

Read More

Help Kids Take Care of Their Teeth for National Dental Hygiene Month

October 10, 2023

Healthy teeth matter at every age! For National Dental Hygiene Month, here are some kid-and family-friendly resources for encouraging healthy habits and finding dental care. For Kids Daniel Tiger Gets His Teeth Cleaned Going to the dentist can be full of questions for toddlers and preschoolers. Help them get to know what happens at the dentist’s office and feel less scared of unfamiliar tools with this video. Why Do We Brush Our Teeth? Learn the science of teeth, cavities and more n

Read More

Finding Fun Fall Activities For Kids

September 29, 2023

Fall is here! As the season changes, it’s time to think about new activities you can do with your kids. With the weather getting cooler, it may be better to stay indoors, but there are a few activities you can still do outside. Find Things to Draw in Nature – This can be an indoor and outdoor activity. First, go into the yard, or on a small walk, and have kids find things from nature like leaves, branches, acorns, etc. You can

Read More

Bilingual Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 27, 2023

Happy National Hispanic American Heritage Month! Celebrate from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with this collection of Spanish-English bilingual books for kids. De Colores, translated by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes Little ones can sing along to a classic Spanish folk song with this bright board book. Wepa, by J. de la Vega Some grownups think Mia Emilia Lucia Renata is loud, but her grandma says she’s full of wepa — a joyous Latin American slang term that

Read More

Check Your Child’s Car Seat This Child Passenger Safety Week

September 20, 2023

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week! Here are some tools to help you make sure the children in your life are safer when they ride in vehicles. Why should children use car seats? Car seats save lives. In 2021, 711 children under the age of 13 were killed in passenger vehicles, and more than a third of them weren’t buckled up, according to the Centers For Disease Control. Using a car seat or booster seat instead of a seat belt alone dramatically reduces

Read More

First-Day-of-School Books Help Kids Face Familiar Fears

August 30, 2023

Back-to-school time can mean big emotions for kids. These picture books tell stories of first-day fears and feelings, whether children are starting preschool or kindergarten, entering a new grade, or moving to a new community. How to Get Your Octopus to School, by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett Kids who are feeling nervous about school will relate to the stubborn little octopus in this book. Caregivers will appreciate the gentle reminders of morning routines during the school year. Everyone will laugh!

Read More

Imagine U to Increase Child Care in the SeaTac Area

August 25, 2023

Every child in the SeaTac area deserves high-quality child care. The city’s partnership with the Imagine Institute’s Imagine U program will help train new licensed family child care providers and prepare them to start their own businesses serving SeaTac families. Imagine U is one of The Imagine Institute’s signature programs, pairing experienced and talented licensed child care providers with those interested in becoming licensed. Imagine U graduates have opened 562 new child care businesses statewide since the program started in 2017. Beginning

Read More

Program Spotlight: Shared Services Brings Child Care Providers Together

August 23, 2023

Child care providers across Washington build friendships and find support through the Shared Services Hub! Shared Services is a partnership between The Imagine Institute and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It connects licensed family child care providers and child care center directors to resources and services to help grow their businesses, build bonds with fellow providers, and access free training and expert advice. All licensed family child care providers and independent child care center directors in Washington State

Read More
A graphic that has three penguins holding presence and a book with the title Penguin Picture Books for Winter Weather

Stay Warm This Winter With Picture Books About Penguins

November 24, 2023

Winter snow and ice are on their way. Snuggle up somewhere warm and enjoy these picture books about everyone’s favorite cold-weather bird: penguins! Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers When a penguin arrives at a boy’s door, he decides to help it find its way back to the South Pole. On the way, he learns about what really makes a home. The penguin and boy return in Up and Down. Seals are Jerks, by Jared Chapman Lorelei is sure that penguins and

Read More
A child making a pumpkin craft with glue, feathers and pompoms

Imagine Spotlight: Linda Leslie

October 31, 2023

This week, we are thrilled to spotlight Linda Leslie, owner of Sweet Pea’s Early Learning Place in Yelm, Washington. MEET LINDA Linda is a family child care provider and a state-approved peer Mentor who started her business 23 years ago! Linda grew up in Washington State and has lived in many communities in Western Washington. She worked as a preschool teacher before building her home in Yelm. Linda was seeking child care for her own two children when she decided to make

Read More
An image that reads "books to read's cookies and milk" over a background of cookies

Classic Books to Read with Milk and Cookies

October 27, 2023

Everyone loves a reason to eat dessert — and November is National Cookie Month! Here are some classic cookie-themed picture books to enjoy with your favorite sweet treat. The Cow Loves Cookies, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall Every creature in the barnyard has a favorite treat — but the cow wants to share the farmer’s cookies instead of eating hay. Little ones will love to bounce along with the cheerful rhymes in this book. The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!, by

Read More

Help Kids Take Care of Their Teeth for National Dental Hygiene Month

October 10, 2023

Healthy teeth matter at every age! For National Dental Hygiene Month, here are some kid-and family-friendly resources for encouraging healthy habits and finding dental care. For Kids Daniel Tiger Gets His Teeth Cleaned Going to the dentist can be full of questions for toddlers and preschoolers. Help them get to know what happens at the dentist’s office and feel less scared of unfamiliar tools with this video. Why Do We Brush Our Teeth? Learn the science of teeth, cavities and more n

Read More

Finding Fun Fall Activities For Kids

September 29, 2023

Fall is here! As the season changes, it’s time to think about new activities you can do with your kids. With the weather getting cooler, it may be better to stay indoors, but there are a few activities you can still do outside. Find Things to Draw in Nature – This can be an indoor and outdoor activity. First, go into the yard, or on a small walk, and have kids find things from nature like leaves, branches, acorns, etc. You can

Read More

Bilingual Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 27, 2023

Happy National Hispanic American Heritage Month! Celebrate from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with this collection of Spanish-English bilingual books for kids. De Colores, translated by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes Little ones can sing along to a classic Spanish folk song with this bright board book. Wepa, by J. de la Vega Some grownups think Mia Emilia Lucia Renata is loud, but her grandma says she’s full of wepa — a joyous Latin American slang term that

Read More

Check Your Child’s Car Seat This Child Passenger Safety Week

September 20, 2023

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week! Here are some tools to help you make sure the children in your life are safer when they ride in vehicles. Why should children use car seats? Car seats save lives. In 2021, 711 children under the age of 13 were killed in passenger vehicles, and more than a third of them weren’t buckled up, according to the Centers For Disease Control. Using a car seat or booster seat instead of a seat belt alone dramatically reduces

Read More

First-Day-of-School Books Help Kids Face Familiar Fears

August 30, 2023

Back-to-school time can mean big emotions for kids. These picture books tell stories of first-day fears and feelings, whether children are starting preschool or kindergarten, entering a new grade, or moving to a new community. How to Get Your Octopus to School, by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett Kids who are feeling nervous about school will relate to the stubborn little octopus in this book. Caregivers will appreciate the gentle reminders of morning routines during the school year. Everyone will laugh!

Read More

Imagine U to Increase Child Care in the SeaTac Area

August 25, 2023

Every child in the SeaTac area deserves high-quality child care. The city’s partnership with the Imagine Institute’s Imagine U program will help train new licensed family child care providers and prepare them to start their own businesses serving SeaTac families. Imagine U is one of The Imagine Institute’s signature programs, pairing experienced and talented licensed child care providers with those interested in becoming licensed. Imagine U graduates have opened 562 new child care businesses statewide since the program started in 2017. Beginning

Read More

Program Spotlight: Shared Services Brings Child Care Providers Together

August 23, 2023

Child care providers across Washington build friendships and find support through the Shared Services Hub! Shared Services is a partnership between The Imagine Institute and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It connects licensed family child care providers and child care center directors to resources and services to help grow their businesses, build bonds with fellow providers, and access free training and expert advice. All licensed family child care providers and independent child care center directors in Washington State

Read More

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