Curious Minds Newsletter

May 2026

PACCC’s Whole-Child Approach

Physical Development (PD)

In partnership with the California Department of Education, PACCC is continuing its work as an early adopter of the revised Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) program and Learning Foundations (LFs), which closely aligns with our vision and mission statement. Designed by the State of California and funded by the California Department of Social Services, DRDP is a “developmental continuum from infancy through grade three that is designed to assess the progression of skills across multiple domains of learning.” The DRDP directly aligns with California’s Learning Foundations. Together, they are used to plan curriculum, inform instruction, and document developmental milestones.

Meet Kai Ryder,

Ambassador for Physical Development!

Please join us in welcoming our Ambassador of Physical Development and storytelling avatar, Kai Ryder, here to share more about Physical Development and PACCC’s Whole-Child Approach! Tell us all about it, Kai!

Kai Ryder was so excited to be the Ambassador for Physical Development with the honor of addressing their fellow classmates, they could not help but do a fancy summersault on the way to the podium!

Weee! One, two, and three roll ‘em summersaults with a perfect landing at the podium! Wow! The crowd cheered and just for a moment, Kai imagined what it would be like to be an Olympian! Kai could see it all so clearly in their mind – the jumping, the rings, the balance beam…more jumping, more running…taking home the gold!

Kai was very active and the ideal person for the Physical Development Ambassador role. Kai had been practicing summersaults for as long as they could remember. Kai’s mom had joked once that when Kai was an infant-toddler, they went from crawling on the side of their crib to pole-vaulting and doing cartwheels with a baby bottle in one hand. That’s just silly, thought Kai.

Kai stepped up to the mic, leaned in and said, “My fellow Olympians…Oops! I mean, my fellow classmates, I am Kai Ryder, Ambassador for Physical Development! Today, we’re going to learn about our motor skills: Perceptual motor skills, gross motor skills – but not the kind of gross like when your baby brother spits out his food, and…fine motor skills.”

Read the Full Story.. 👀

PACCC Partners with Center for Children and Youth

In alignment with our Strategic Plan to Cultivate Valuable Partnerships, we are proud to share that PACCC is partnering with the Center for Children and Youth. The Center for Children and Youth “is transforming the way children’s mental health needs are addressed with the latest international research, evidence-based treatments, parent education, and public policies that help families thrive.”

Details regarding the partnership, including parent education discounts and scholarships, will be shared soon.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Founded by Mental Health America in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month “has led the effort every May to promote mental wellness nationwide.” This awareness month presents an opportunity to reduce stigma around mental health and focus on increasing our understanding, empathy, and importance of mental wellness in ourselves, our children, and our community. PAUSD notes, “We encourage staff, students, and families to take part in meaningful conversations and activities that center on emotional well-being, build connection, and support our communities.”

PACCC is dedicated to creating safe, healthy spaces for children to learn, play and grow. Our Social-Emotional curriculum (Second Step) is focused on Emotional Foundations for Infant-Toddlers (ages 0-3), Big Feelings and Coping Skills for Preschool-K (ages 4-6), and Emotional Skills and Resiliency for School-age (ages 7-11) featuring play-based, age-appropriate activities designed to build secure attachment, identify emotions and coping skills, and normalize mental health conversations.

Early Education and Care Aren’t Just for Kids!

Early education and care aren’t just for kids – it’s a crucial factor for the economy, especially for employers considering how to best support employees with families.

Build the Future notes, “The cost of childcare in Santa Clara County has risen to unaffordable levels for families, forcing many to leave the workforce or the county entirely. 40% of women in STEM careers in Silicon Valley left or changed jobs after having their first kid. This has resulted in a workforce crisis in Santa Clara County, with many businesses unable to staff up and stay open. Investments in childcare benefit our entire economy. When parents are able to work, they contribute more revenue from taxes and have more money to participate in our local economy.”

The PACCC story originated from this same need for early childhood education and care more than 50 years ago when women began joining the workforce in large numbers. “Six forward-thinking mothers recognized the growing demand for quality, affordable child care in their community and presented this need to the City Council. The Child Care Task Force was then formed by the Palo Alto City Council, which recommended that the City take an active and supportive role in the provision of child care education.”

It’s a history we’re proud of, and a story that must continue for Palo Alto to grow and thrive. In fact, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce was a recent sponsor of the Employer Child Care Policy Summit, which focused on how child care can boost employee morale and retention. Contact your Human Relations department to advocate for additional childcare benefits from your employer.

PACCC in the Community

As a community leader in Palo Alto, and in keeping with our Strategic Plan and commitment to build and foster community. You will find PACCC engaged in the following advocacy efforts and events this month:

City Council Meeting - November Ballot's Cubberley Sales Tax
Foothill Council Early Education Advisory Committee
PAUSD EEA EOY Showcase and Celebration
Palo Alto Community Fund for a Festive Evening
Town Hall at Barron Park, Palo Alto Orchards, Green Acres and Monroe Park Neighborhood
Safe Kids Santa Clara, San Mateo
Avenidas Lifetime Achievement Awards
Stanford Community Benefits Advisory Council
Palo Alto Pride Celebration

Family Fun in Palo Alto!

Super Family Fun Day – May 17

Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

Sunday, May 17 • 5:30 PM - 7 PM

On Sunday, May 17th, the Palo Alto Junior Museum will be open exclusively to families with children who have disabilities. Children with all disabilities are welcome, as well as siblings and grandparents. Free.

Family Kite Flying at Shoreline – May 17

Sun May 17,10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Dig the kite out of the garage and head over to the Shoreline Kite Flying Lot in Mountain View for some high-flying family fun.

Garden Walk Event – May 30

Saturday, May 30^th, 11AM – 1PM

Take the kids on a garden walk at Stanford Shopping Center and “discover what’s blooming this season while enjoying interactive floral fun, tasty treats, and more.”

Garden walk starting in-between ALO and L'Occitane en Provence

Playhouse Series: The Three Little Pigs – May 30, 31

10 AM and 12 PM on Saturdays and Sundays

1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Palo Alto Children's Theatre presents The Three Little Pigs, an Original Fairytale by Playhouse Participants Sarina Shah, Pearl Yeh-Lee and Agastya Goel. “With very simple sets and costumes, and lots of opportunities to get up and wiggle, this story-teller style theatre is perfect for young audience members, suggested ages two to six years old. Performances are approximately 55 minutes in length.