Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC applauds family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers. Share pictures and stories about your family on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #woyc20. 

   Parents and families are children’s first teachers. Family Friday focuses on engaging families to support our youngest learners.

   During this time families are spending more time together. Schedules have slowed down and the rushing to the next event is       not necessary. This is a good time to really get to know your kids. Listen to them, let them lead the activities of the day - ask   them what they would like to do. You may never have this chance again for this special time together.

  Learning is important, but spending time with your children learning about them and sharing your family stories is more   important than academics right now.... maybe they could illustrate the family stories!

  Below you will find some ideas... they don't need to be done today.... we have time to really enjoy. 

Think, problem solve, create! Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts! Create and share photos of your children’s creations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #woyc20.

Find ways to display your classroom’s art projects for the community to see, and while you have their attention, educate them about the importance of high-quality early childhood education. Here are some suggestions to get started:

• Set up a gallery at a local business or public library to share your classroom art creations.
• Check out how one center set up an exhibition last year in their student center.
• Create a digital gallery on social media or on your program’s website. Share using the hashtag #woyc20. 
• Create a print book to share with the community. Tip: Sell the book for fundraising for art supplies!
• While we are staying at home, put your child’s artwork in your front windows for the neighborhood to see and maybe even challenge others to do the same so they can view each other’s art as they do their neighborhood walks.

When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home. Build and share pictures of children’s creations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #woyc20.

The young children in your classroom aren’t the only ones who succeed when they work together. Take a moment to join NAEYC in advancing our profession by signing up for Power to the Profession; supporting your peers through the discussions on HELLO; reaching out to elected officials about the importance of investing in ECE; or inviting someone new to become a member. Working together makes us stronger together, and that means the impact we make can be monumental!

This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Create your own healthy snacks and share the recipes and photos of your creations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #woyc20.

Tasty Tuesday isn’t just about eating your favorite snacks together. It’s also about cooking together and connecting math with literacy skills and science while introducing ways to incorporate healthy habits into children’s lifestyles. Use the tips, resources, and recipes below to get started. 

Explore the culture specific foods that the young children in your classroom may enjoy at home. Connect with families by engaging them in the history and tradition of meals from their countries of origin. Consider having families share a story or recipe about their favorite dish and the history behind it. Introduce your class to new ingredients and discuss where they are grown. Create a recipe book using images the children draw and share the book with the community. The creative opportunities are as endless as the meals themselves.

Inspiration for Teachers in the Classroom:

• Teaching and Learning with Hip-Hop Culture
• Integrating Music, Drama, and Dance Helps Children Explore and Learn
• Now Sing This! Ella Jenkins
• Experiencias Musicales
• Music supports social and emotional development

For Families at Home

• Playing with Music at Home
• Support Math Readiness Through Music
• Sing With Me Baby!
• 10 Ways Babies Learn When We Sing to Them
• Message in a Backpack™–Make Animal Music

PW! Child Care Task Force Goals:

1) Have three mentors with capacity to take a total of 6 students in Clallam County

2) Inform public about Child Care Crisis and need for Child Care Centers and well-trained workers

3) Support the development of a 24/7 child care center in Clallam County

Licensed Child Care search:

Child Care Check

Child Care Check is a search tool for you to get information about individual child care providers and early learning programs in Washington. https://www.findchildcarewa.org/

Are you interested in becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider? Check out this resource: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/early-achievers 

October 5 at Jamestown Campus’ Red Cedar Hall from 9 AM to noon.

Dr. Marya (“Mary-ah”) Barey, Seattle Psychologist, teacher, mental health supervisor and author, will define Compassion Fatigue, indicate prevention activities for caregivers and increase awareness of personal & professional consequences of Compassion Fatigue.  Dr. Barey will offer effective strategies to prevent and counteract symptoms professional caregivers may experience over time.

Flyer: Building Resilience Against Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Register at: https://pw4kids.brownpapertickets.com/

Please find the slides from Ann Renker's Trainings here

Child Brain 101 August 7, 2019  ChildBrain.PW.final.pdf

Teenage Brain 101 August 8, 2019 TeenageBrain.PW.final.pdf

Please watch this tab for a NEW Searchable Early Learning Directory! If you want to have your program included, send request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Our goal with this directory is to help families with young children by publishing a list of early learning programs available and learning resources within Clallam County. This list is for the purpose of informing families of available programs. It is not intended to recommend any particular program, nor is it any kind of endorsement for those contained within. Adults need to determine if a given program meets the criteria they believe are important for their child. Programs provide us with the information contained in this directory.

Children ages 18 months to Kindergarten entrance                                                                                           

Help your child prepare for school!

Participants of Child Check gain:

• Insight about your child’s social, emotional and behavioral health through relevant screenings
• Family Resource Kit
• Confidence that your child is on track
• The opportunity to speak to a professional about your child’s development
• Access to relevant community resources

To schedule your free screening call Parent Line @ 360.452.5437.