March 2020 Bits & Bytes

DCAEYC Celebrates  Women's History Month

In 1987 Women’s History Week became a month long celebration when Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. As part of this celebration, each year the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) selects and publishes a yearly theme. In honor of the centennial of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, the NWHA chose “Valiant Women of the Vote” for the 2020 theme. This theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others."

Book Suggestions to Help You Celebrate: 25 Children’s Picture Books For Women’s History Month 17 Children’s Must-Reads for Women’s History Month

LEARN MORE HERE

Upcoming Events

DCAEYC Annual Meeting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 6:00pm - 7:30pm ​ Educare of Washington, DC 640 Anacostia Ave NE Washington, DC 20019   Join us for light refreshments and updates on: The State of DCAEYC   DCAEYC Nominations and Elections Fair Compensation for the ECE Workforce  The Early Educator Fellowship - New Program!  DC Early Educator Experience And more! REGISTER NOW

DC Early Educators Experience  Saturday, April 4, 2020 9:00am - 5:00pm ​ Ronald Regan Building and Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004 DCAEYC is partnering with the Bainum Family Foundation, the D.C. Family Childcare Association, and the District of Columbia Head Start Association to bring you this exciting new event. Join us and connect with early childhood educators who work in the District of Columbia for a full day of learning, networking, advocacy, and celebration. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

*Volunteer Opportunity* We need help to make sure the DC Early Educators Experience goes off without a hitch. Volunteers will be asked to help with such tasks as directing attendees, handing out materials, and assisting with set-up. Interested in volunteering or know someone who might want to support the event? Email Kathy Hollowell-Makle at  ed.dcaeyc30@gmail.com for more info.

KEEP UP WITH EVENTS

 Center Spotlight On... Glarios Day of Care and Gloria Green, Proprietor

"Mrs. Green credits her success to years of building great relationships with families who return generation after generation to place their children and grandchildren in her care."

MEET MRS. GREEN

Principle of Practice

"Music is a brain builder for young children."

Whether it’s listening to music, singing along, clapping, swaying or dancing to the beat, music matters. When a child is exposed to music it is an opportunity for them to build vocabulary, develop language, enhance literacy readiness skills, strengthen memory, celebrate and express their joy, and engage with others. To utilize the power of music, incorporate singing songs, rhymes, fingerplays, instruments and dance parties into your daily schedule.

FIND RESOURCES HERE

Policy Beat

DCAEYC at NAEYC's 2020 Public Policy Forum

This year’s Public Policy Forum brought together 400 Early Childhood Education advocates from all over the country to Washington, DC. The first two days of the Forum provided sessions on advocacy, early childhood educators’ compensation, the 2020 Census, building and galvanizing your networking, and engaging with policymakers.  The Forum culminated with a visit by the DC Team to the Wilson Building to visit with Councilmembers (CM) to advocate for the funding of Birth-to-Three. Productive discussions were had with CM R. White and CM Grosso’s Legislative Directors. CM Gray met with the team personally and confirmed support for investments in high-quality learning for all. At the conclusion of each visit, each council member received a symbolic wooden train as thanks for “being on board” for high-quality child care.

DC Public Policy Team - Standing: Beverly Robeson Jackson, Catherine Worrell. Sitting from the left; Rahshita Lowe-Watson, Jackie Hines, Kathy Hollowell-Makle, Berna Artis, Syritha Robinson, Makai Kellogg; Missing from the photo: Robert Gundling and Calvin Rice

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT  THE EXPERIENCE OF A FIRST TIME ATTENDEE

DCAEYC is a Proud Member of the Under3DC Coalition

Under3DC advocates for the full funding of the Birth-to-Three for All Act. This act builds on the successes of DC’s Universal Pre-K by providing access to affordable high-quality childcare, a skilled and well-compensated workforce and the coordination of city agencies to support child development.

BECOME AN ENGAGED MEMBER AND LEARN MORE AT UNDER3DC.ORG

A Message from One of Our Partners: Join the Council Alumni Network (CAN)

The new Council Alumni Network (CAN) is expanding! Council program participants and stakeholders are now eligible to join, including current and former CDA credential holders, CDA PD Specialists, Gold Standard training organizations, and formal partners. Once launched, CAN will operate as a personal and professional growth hub to cultivate shared best practices, ECE career insights, and access to special interest networks. Alumnus benefits include: No fees to join Special access to alumni networking and anniversary events Opportunities to submit your CDA stories, professional accomplishments, and milestones Select discounts on 45th anniversary and other Council merchandise And more! I CAN, You CAN, We all CAN together!

JOIN TODAY

Stay Connected ‌ ‌ ‌ DC AEYC | dcaeyc.org Support DCAEYC DCAEYC  serves as the D.C. Affiliate Chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Our mission is to strengthen the early care and education system in D.C. so that every young child has the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life. We do this by: Advocating for young children and their families Collaborating with partner organizations in the city Offering resources and services to members Striving to be a high performing, culturally sensitive, inclusive organization