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A graphic with a cartoon image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the words "teach kids about Dr. King and civil rights"

Teach Kids about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights

Monday, January 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. Kids are never too young to learn about civil rights and how to treat others with kindness and respect. Here are some resources for teaching kids about this important holiday. Watch In this segment from “Sesame Street,” Elmo, Abby Cadabby and their friends learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dream. The characters work together to decorate a Peace Treaty showing how they can be part of Dr. King’s

Read More
A graphic featuring pink and purple fireworks in the text "celebrate the new year with picture books"

Welcome 2024 with Picture Books Celebrating New Year’s Traditions

Soon, people around the world will be celebrating the start of a fresh, new year. Count down to 2024 with these fantastic picture books about New Year’s traditions across countries and cultures. Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport, illustrated by Marion Eldridge Shante’s grandmother is out of black-eyed peas — and the family always eats them on New Year’s Day for good luck! As Shante goes out to search for peas, she learns about her neighbors’ traditions and celebrations

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Fun Indoor Activities During Winter – Part 1

  As we head into the holiday season, it’s also the time when the weather gets cold, and child care providers are looking for activities to do with their kids. As the rain and snow fall, its time to find some fun indoor activities. We have gathered just a few ideas for you: Tissue paper mittens – This is a fun activity that doesn’t take a lot of prep work, but can last for hours. First, draw or paint the outline of

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

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

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

Imagine Spotlight: Linda Leslie

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

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

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

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

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

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
A graphic with a cartoon image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the words "teach kids about Dr. King and civil rights"

Teach Kids about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights

Monday, January 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. Kids are never too young to learn about civil rights and how to treat others with kindness and respect. Here are some resources for teaching kids about this important holiday. Watch In this segment from “Sesame Street,” Elmo, Abby Cadabby and their friends learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dream. The characters work together to decorate a Peace Treaty showing how they can be part of Dr. King’s

Read More
A graphic featuring pink and purple fireworks in the text "celebrate the new year with picture books"

Welcome 2024 with Picture Books Celebrating New Year’s Traditions

Soon, people around the world will be celebrating the start of a fresh, new year. Count down to 2024 with these fantastic picture books about New Year’s traditions across countries and cultures. Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport, illustrated by Marion Eldridge Shante’s grandmother is out of black-eyed peas — and the family always eats them on New Year’s Day for good luck! As Shante goes out to search for peas, she learns about her neighbors’ traditions and celebrations

Read More

Fun Indoor Activities During Winter – Part 1

  As we head into the holiday season, it’s also the time when the weather gets cold, and child care providers are looking for activities to do with their kids. As the rain and snow fall, its time to find some fun indoor activities. We have gathered just a few ideas for you: Tissue paper mittens – This is a fun activity that doesn’t take a lot of prep work, but can last for hours. First, draw or paint the outline of

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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