New from EdNC
The Editor’s Notes
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a version of the budget reconciliation bill with short and long term consequences for health care and food in North Carolina. Headed to the House, here is our guide on how to contact your NC delegation in Congress.
Both the governor and the lieutenant governor issued press releases about child care in North Carolina yesterday, highlighting $5.65 billion in lost economic activity each year. Here is the interim report.
Governor Stein also signed 15 bills into law yesterday. From child care to cellphones, here is what he had to say.
Shout out to Johanna Lynch at DPI for the excellent parent and family newsletter this week. In it, she shares these suggestions for summer learning. Please share with parents in your network.
- If your child is working on reading, visit the library and help your child choose a book. Read to, and with, your child at home.
- If your child is working on speech, try games like I Spy, Go Fish, Candy Land, Headbanz, or 20 Questions.
- If your child is working on fine motor skills, try Legos, puzzles, Play-Doh, or cooking together.
- If your child enjoys a quiet workspace or sensory breaks, create a calm corner with a small tent, pillows, blankets, music, fidget toys, or headphones, as appropriate.
- If your child enjoys being outside, take a nature walk and bring a camera, visit different playgrounds, or plant seeds and chart their growth.
- If your child enjoys the arts, get creative at home by keeping on hand washable paint, chalk, clay, foam paintbrushes, or easy-to-grip tools.
- Have a dance party and let your child choose the music. Make it into game and play freeze dance—when you stop the music, your child freezes OR let them control the music and you freeze!
- If your child is older, consider activities that support independence while having fun: many local parks and recreation programs offer adapted sports and activities, plan and cook simple meals together, plan and complete a trip to the grocery store, practice doing laundry, or practice completing employment applications, if appropriate.
- Develop a scavenger hunt for your child to find items related to different themes (such as kitchen tools, self-care products, or nature items) based on their individual needs or preferences.
- Use household items such as pillows, tape, blankets, pots/pans, etc. to build an in-home obstacle course to practice balance and following directions.
- Create a summer memory book using magazines to clip pictures from, items found on walks, take photos and print.
- Develop a daily and weekly structure, and involve your child when planning the schedule or day trips. Focus on short, consistent, and engaging activities instead of high-pressure lessons, and most importantly, keep it fun!
Need to know
Trump Withholds Nearly $7 Billion for Schools, With Little Explanation
The money, which was allocated by Congress, helps pay for after-school programs, support for students learning English and other services.<br /> ... Read the rest
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What Are SNAP Benefits, and How Might They Change?
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NEW POLL | Six Months in, Half of North Carolinians Disapprove of President Trump
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Bitzer breaks down the poll
