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A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month Part Two: "Avoiding Misappropriation of Black Culture" with the image of several people's silhouettes in shades of brown

How To Avoid the Misappropriation of Black Culture during Black History Month

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. Focus on the Black Community An important part of celebrating Black History Month (BHM) is to focus directly on the Black community. While

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A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month Part One: the History of Black History Month" with the image of a Black hand painted with green, yellow and red stripes

The History of Black History Month

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. How Black History Month Began Black History Month has a long history, beginning as a week in the 1920s. It was created by

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A graphic featuring a background of fruit and a plate with an orange slice with the words Books to Enjoy with a Snack

Picture Books to Enjoy With a Snack

Kids love a good story and a good snack! Here are some fun picture books to read out loud during snack time, and snack ideas to go with them. Crocodile Hungry, by Eija Sumner, illustrated by John Marz Kids will giggle as Crocodile causes chaos on his quest for the perfect snack. Make quick and easy mini-pizzas using biscuit dough for your kids and crocodiles with this recipe from Pillsbury. Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player A little boy dreams of

Read More
A photo of a home child care space with blue tables and chairs and colorful rugs

Imagine Spotlight: Irma Acosta (in English and en español)

This week, we are thrilled to highlight Irma Acosta, who runs a family home child care business and a child care center in Brewster, Washington.   MEET IRMA Irma Acosta’s years of dedication to child care have made her a leader in her community. She has run her family home child care business, Happy Faces Daycare, for 20 years. In September 2023, she opened Bilingual Child Care Center as well. Her work has helped keep her area from being considered a child

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

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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
A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month Part Two: "Avoiding Misappropriation of Black Culture" with the image of several people's silhouettes in shades of brown

How To Avoid the Misappropriation of Black Culture during Black History Month

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. Focus on the Black Community An important part of celebrating Black History Month (BHM) is to focus directly on the Black community. While

Read More
A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month Part One: the History of Black History Month" with the image of a Black hand painted with green, yellow and red stripes

The History of Black History Month

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. How Black History Month Began Black History Month has a long history, beginning as a week in the 1920s. It was created by

Read More
A graphic featuring a background of fruit and a plate with an orange slice with the words Books to Enjoy with a Snack

Picture Books to Enjoy With a Snack

Kids love a good story and a good snack! Here are some fun picture books to read out loud during snack time, and snack ideas to go with them. Crocodile Hungry, by Eija Sumner, illustrated by John Marz Kids will giggle as Crocodile causes chaos on his quest for the perfect snack. Make quick and easy mini-pizzas using biscuit dough for your kids and crocodiles with this recipe from Pillsbury. Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player A little boy dreams of

Read More
A photo of a home child care space with blue tables and chairs and colorful rugs

Imagine Spotlight: Irma Acosta (in English and en español)

This week, we are thrilled to highlight Irma Acosta, who runs a family home child care business and a child care center in Brewster, Washington.   MEET IRMA Irma Acosta’s years of dedication to child care have made her a leader in her community. She has run her family home child care business, Happy Faces Daycare, for 20 years. In September 2023, she opened Bilingual Child Care Center as well. Her work has helped keep her area from being considered a child

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