EELI, Resources

The Big Umbrella

INCLUSION

by Ndara G. Miles, Early Learning EELI Specialist

We’ve entered a new month with another great, equity-focused story: The Big Umbrella.

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates uses a simple umbrella as a metaphor for inclusion, hospitality, and welcoming others. The book features vivid illustrations that encourage open-ended thinking about a shelter that keeps people warm and dry while bringing them together.

Through discussions and meaningful activities, the children will brainstorm how to motivate each other and include peers in play, conversations, and problem-solving—both inside and outside the classroom.

You can continue this work at home by reading or listening to The Big Umbrella and taking a “picture walk.” Try looking at the illustrations before reading the text, giving your child the chance to generate their own ideas and questions about what the story might be about. While reading, talk with your child about small acts of kindness you’ve done or can do in your community, imagining who you can invite under your own “imaginary umbrella.”

Ongoing conversations and shared stories about inclusion provide children with valuable opportunities to practice empathy, tolerance, and acceptance, helping to foster a natural culture of kindness.

Resources

Early Stages DC

Early Stages is an evaluation center for children aged 2 to 5 years. They identify developmental delays and disabilities in children. Early Stages provides evaluations for DC children who are not in school or who are homeschooled, and children living outside of DC if they attend a private school or child care center in DC.

Refer a Child
Anyone may refer a child between the ages of 2 years and 5 years to Early Stages for a screening. For younger children, refer to Strong Start DC.

Early Stages Workshops
Early Stages offers free parent and professional workshops on many early childhood topics. Organizations may contact [email protected] to book group workshops.

Click here to learn more.

Resources

The Basics – Montgomery County

The Basics

The Basics is a FREE program in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Basics campaign consists of five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles that promote high-quality cognitive and social-emotional development among children 0-5.

Based on these five pillars, The Basics campaign supports community-level initiatives to improve early childhood outcomes, including kindergarten readiness. The Basics provides handouts, videos, and implementation guides to help communities teach parents and caregivers about the five pillars and their importance to children’s growth and learning. Click here for The Basics.

Return to Wonders Community Resource Page.

Articles

Nurturing New Moms

By Rebecca Gale

Wonders was featured in an article written by journalist, Rebecca Gale, “Nurturing New Moms: Child Care Centers are Becoming a New Frontier for Postpartum Support,” which was published on page 172 of the May/June issue of Bethesda Magazine. The article highlights the recent post-partum training Wonders Early Learning educators received by Postpartum Support International (PSI), to provide Wonders educators with insight on how to recognize signs of postpartum mood disorders and provide resources that can be shared with families. Liza Pringle, Wonders Early Learning Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, noted, “We can take this on. Parents can know they aren’t alone. We just need to be informed so we know the next steps to give them help.

Return to Wonders Community Resource Page.