ShortStuff

Summer At Your Library

Summer is a time when children get a break from the rigorous studying and learning they do from late August to early June. Sadly, summer break also means that many children fall victim to the dreaded “summer slide.” Summer slide, or summer learning loss, occurs during these summer months when children simply stop learning. During the summer months, summer slide can cause a child to lose as much as 2/3 of what they have learned during the previous school year. This simply means that they return to school not as on grade level as their peers who are engaged in some kind of activities which stimulate the mind to continuously learn during the summer months.

Libraries across the country have been fighting summer slide for over a hundred years now. This year the fight continues on with Summer at Your Library. What started out as a reading program at the library during the summer months has evolved into a summer full of fun, educational, and free programs for the entire family. Reading is still a very big component of the program, but there are also many performers providing entertainment to kids. Learn more about programs near you below!

Whether your kids enjoy reptiles, reading, crafts, magic, or music—there’s something for everyone! Head to ccparent.com/summer-reading to find free and fun programs near you!

Great American Campout

Connect with nature and help wildlife stay wild during the Great American Campout, kicking off in June. The National Wildlife Federation encourages people to pledge to camp at least once this summer—anywhere from a forest to their own backyard. The Great American Campout is an easy way to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of nature and wildlife, whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-time camper. Once you are ready to pitch your tent, pack up your RV, or venture into your backyard, take a look at the NWF resources to turn your Campout into an annual event! Download fun camping-themed activities from Ranger Rick to try both during the day and after the sun goes down, and browse through additional outdoor activities. Get tips, recipes, and so much more when you register at nwf.org/campout!

Get Active and Save Lives!

UNICEF Kid Power is a free, digital platform designed to empower your child. Kids complete short, interactive videos where they dance, move, play games, and learn. By getting active, your child unlocks lifesaving therapeutic food that UNICEF delivers to severely malnourished children around the globe. They also earn and give digital currency to make a positive impact in their own communities. The more kids move, the more lives they save. They’re empowered as their actions make a real-world difference.

Half of surveyed American kids don’t feel empowered to make a difference in their community or the world. One in every four children under five are malnourished. With UNICEF Kid Power, your child can join a community of kids making real-world impact everyday. Additionally, the videos are a great way to get your kids active!

Teachers, parents, or guardians can visit gokidpower.org to sign-up for free!

Some Shorter Stuff

Meet our Cover Kid, Jude!

Jude is 8-years-old and is from Fresno. His favorite things to do around town are going to the zoo, playing at splash parks, hanging out at the library, riding his bike, and playing outside. He also loves to spend time with his grandma learning to cook, bake, and garden. He has four pets, two dogs (Lucy and Kingsley) and two cats (Mitch and Dazey.) He is very kind and considerate of others and loves to make new friends.

Use Extra Care with Car Seats this Summer!

Hot temperatures make metal buckles hot enough to burn little ones. You can prevent this by covering their car seat with a towel, sheet, or reflective car seat cover when parking, to keep the entire car seat cooler.

Weekly Giveaways!

Be sure to stay connected with Central California Parent at ccparent.com and on all our social platforms for a chance to win prizes every week! Last month, we gave away Monster Jam tickets, a diaper bag bundle, a subscription box, books, and more!

Show Kids How To Be Handwashing Heroes!

Head to the Scrub Club® website to engage your kids ages 3–8 in learning the importance of hand hygiene and the five steps of washing their hands. The website includes a fun cast of characters and free digital resources ranging from animated music videos to printable worksheets. Visit scrubclub.org where kids can become Scrub Club® heroes and receive an official certificate by completing activities and worksheets.

Fight Bac!

The kids’ games and activities page hosted by the nonprofit Partnership for Food Safety Education includes interactive and printable games and activities for school or at home. This is a great, go-to source for kids, their teachers, and their parents to learn about preventing food poisoning through the fundamentals of cleaning, separating, cooking, chilling, and Fighting BAC! Visit fightbac.org to learn more.

Launching Young Readers!

Reading Rockets offers information and free resources for parents and teachers on how kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help. Reading Rockets is also big on summer reading and learning and created Start with a Book to help grown-ups find summer themes that match the curiosities and interests of the young children in their lives and get them actively exploring and reading. Parents can visit readingrockets.org and startwithabook.org to start a summer of reading!

Always at ccparent.com!

Visit us online to view the digital edition of this month’s issue, our calendar of family events any day of the week, local resources, and so much more!

Summer officially begins June 21st!

The weather is warming up, the days are longer, and there's more time to be outside doing all kinds of fun things! Visit kidshealth.org and search "Sun Safe" for tips on how you can keep sun safety in mind this summer.