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Judge pauses deadline for federal workers to accept Trump's resignation offer; California state lawmakers are taking action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement; Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Combating summer learning loss in WA

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Monday, June 24, 2024   

School is out for the summer but a lack of learning opportunities can leave kids behind when they head back to school next year.

The organization Save the Children is offering advice on how parents and caregivers can include learning into everyday activities. It is also providing events to help kids in rural areas.

Amee Barlet, Washington state program specialist for Save the Children, said parents are kids' first and most important teachers and they can help children learn in many different situations.

"Cooking, and this is good for all ages, getting kids in the kitchen," Barlet suggested. "When you're doubling a recipe it's a really important way of talking about fractions, adding fractions. They're using measuring cups."

Barlet noted for younger kids, parents can pick a letter and ask kids to find things starting with the letter. She added families can look into their family history, and parents and caregivers can make books more fun by drawing characters from them or acting them out.

Barlet pointed out Washington is one state where Save the Children is holding Make Summer Fair events, which is giving kids in rural areas learning opportunities.

"There's many wonderful things about growing up in a rural community," Barlet explained. "There's lots to offer. But one thing that we know is that rural communities are often underresourced when it comes to providing structured learning activities over the summer, leaving kids kind of at a loss."

Yolanda Minor, early learning specialist for Save the Children, had advice for parents who are looking to incorporate learning into the summer.

"Let them know to make it fun for children," Minor urged. "We want children to foster a love for reading and not think that these engagements are chores or anything."

Disclosure: Save the Children contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Early Childhood Education, Education, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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