Kidville

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Boost your bookshelf with a dose of THANK YOU by exploring our FIVE titles on gratitude. These reads will spark deep family conversation and open dialogue for more opportunities to express gratitude inside your home.

Read more over on the blog for book summaries, ages and reviews! kidville.com/blog/booksongratitude/

THANK YOU: Two words that can mean so much! Two words that we are bringing to the forefront of our daily work. Two words that inspired this week's DO MORE GOOD CHALLENGE!

We are calling on our Kidville families to continue to build an attitude of gratitude by creating a family gratitude practice. Here are a few prompts to get you and your crew started:

· People you are thankful for

· A trip you went on

· Something your parents do for you

· A talent you have

· A favorite memory with your friend

· What you like about summer

· A food you love

· A game you enjoy

· The best spot in your home

· Something that is your favorite color

· Something outside you enjoy looking at

· Something that smells good

· Your favorite song

· Your favorite animal

Share your ideas below on how you foster gratitude inside your home. Ms. Elizabeth is on the look-out for more acts of kindness and cannot wait to read your responses!

The best kind of attitude we can foster during these times is AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE! We are here to help deliver virtual content, mindfulness and pure positivity LIVE from our virtual classroom direct to your home and heart.

Join us TODAY, July 20th, at 4:15pm EDT for a FREE Live Interactive Art Class with a deep mission behind it, Kidville's Art with a Heart.

Part mini "TED talk" and part live crafting - this 30 minute class will uplift your family's spirit and inspire you to complete our weekly DO MORE GOOD CHALLENGE!

TODAY'S PROJECT: DIY Gratitude Tree!

SUPPLY LIST:
Sticks/ twigs- the bigger the better (alternative to sticks is a few paper bags)
Paint
Paint brushes
Jar or container
Play dough
Optional rocks to secure branches in container
Decorative elements – feathers, yarn, pompoms, buttons, etc
Precut small leaves
Glue
Scissors
String

Secure your spot for FREE at kidville.com/theplayground

Happy Kids. Happy Families.

These four words stand as the driving force behind everything we do. Our intention is always to spark moments of joy, create long lasting memories, and provide a space for children and their families to find happiness that will travel home with them and spread throughout their communities.

There’s a purposeful inclusiveness to those words which indicates that the happiness is not reserved for a specific kid or a specific family. While it stands true that all are welcome at Kidville, now, more than ever, it is important for us to speak directly to those who may not always feel welcomed and let them know that not only are they welcome at Kidville, but they are fully celebrated.

To the LGBTQIA+ members of our community - you are welcomed, you are celebrated, and we will continue to do everything in our power to create a space where you are safe to be your fullest self and find happiness within our community.

Join us this Friday June 26th at 4:15pm for the first annual Kidville Family Pride Parade with a special appearance by none other than the Queen of Kindness herself, Nina West, who will serve as the Grand Marshall of the parade. Reserve your spot over on kidville.com/theplayground and please invite your squad!

Ah! We love seeing all of the orders roll in for The Kidville Campfire! Thank you for entrusting us with your camper's summer plans!

DISCOVER: NEW password protected private campsite!

EXPLORE: NEW interactive themes every week!

NAVIGATE: LIVE and ON-DEMAND camp segments!

SHINE: During LIVE segments where campers are unmuted and given the spotlight.

SHARE: Camp memories with your NEW summer BFFs!

Learn more at kidville.com/theplayground/buycamp/ and see you around the campfire!

OMG! We just put the finishing touches on our NEW password protected virtual campsite. Campfire families gain access every weekend to the following week's fresh crop of amenities including:

1). NEW Weekly Kidville Field Guide: A digital publication that includes daily camp itineraries, detailed supply lists and a bounty of themed resources, printables, games, activities, projects and more!

2). Private ZOOM Links: We go LIVE Monday through Friday at 10:00am EDT with the Campfire Crew for an interactive 75-minute camp session where each camper is highlighted, unmuted and given the space to SHINE!

3). Daily On-Demand Video Library: Each landing page has a collection of camp video segments to keep the FUN going on your schedule.

4). Daily Resources: Download TWO resources per day to compliment the LIVE lessons and enrich each topic and theme we uncover.

5). Access to our Campfire Crew: Calling all summer pen pals, we are available via email, snail mail and right here on social. We cannot wait to build the most epic SUMMER 2020 Camp Memory Book!

We light the first campfire of the season on Monday June 29, 2020 for our first crop of SUMMER 2020 CAMPERS! Are you in? If you have any questions drop them below!

As some of you may or may not know, tomorrow is Juneteenth (June 19th), which marks a momentous occasion for Black Americans as a day of celebrating the last slaves in the United States being notified of their freedom. ⁣
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Our team will take tomorrow as a new and on-going corporate holiday to collectively dig deeper into Juneteenth’s current and historical significance. ⁣
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We hope you’ll join us in celebration and reflection of this important American holiday and please stay tuned for family-friendly resources that will be shared in our Stories! 🖤

We are serving up BACK TO BACK free family events today over on The Kidville Playground! Reserve your space today for FREE by registering over on kidville.com/theplayground.

FREE LIVE INTERACTIVE ART CLASS:
Art with a Heart
Monday, June 15
3:15pm EDT
Learn about emotions and empathy and create your own emoji emotions wheel!

FREE BIRTHDAY BLOCK PARTY:
The Kidville Prom
Monday, June 15
4:15pm EDT
Dress to impress and meet us on the dance floor for a BIRTHDAY party designed to celebrate all the June kiddos and more!

Share and invite your friends for a LIVE afternoon of non-stop fun! Tag a friend below that you want to see on The Kidville Playground!

Did some say PROM? YES, Monday June 15th at 4:15pm EDT we are hosting our FREE monthly Birthday Block Party which is PROM-inspired. Register today at kidville.com/playground and download our FREE party PROM printables.

What to expect?
A high energy DANCE party designed with interactive games, activities, choreographed dances and MORE!

Come dressed to impress and wear your dancing shoes! Who are you inviting to PROM?

My Big Messy Artists - Your friendship quilt has arrived!

In honor of Friendship Week on The Kidville Playground, Maker Morgan and Painty had children design, paint and craft their own individual square creations. We then brought all the individual masterpieces TOGETHER to form this one-of-a-kind friendship quilt.

There are more opportunities this month to CRAFT LIVE and then "Show and Shine" your creations in class with us. Register over on kidville.com/theplayground today!

Diversify your bookshelf! Today we are sharing some of our favorite titles that foster friendship and promote themes of kindness, inclusivity and care.

🌈 ABCs of Kindness by Samantha Berger (Author), Ekaterina Trukhan (Illustrator) Age Range: 2 - 5 years

🌈. We're Amazing, 1, 2, 3! by Leslie Kimmelman (Author), Marybeth Nelson (Illustrator) Age Range: 3 - 7 years

🌈 You Are Friendly by Todd Snow (Author), Melodee Strong (Illustrator) Age Range: 5 - 6 years

🌈 Sam and Leo by Ruth Phang (Author), Susan L. Roth (Illustrator) Age Range: 5 - 7 years

🌈 Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship by Marie Kondo (Author), Salina Yoon (Author, Illustrator) Age Range: 3 - 7 years

🌈 Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Author, Illustrator) Age Range: 4 - 7 years

🌈 Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller (Author), Jen Hill (Illustrator) Age Range: 3 - 6 years

🌈 Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (Author), Taeeun Yoo (Illustrator) Age Range: 4 - 7 years

🌈 Jake the Growling Dog: A Children's Book about the Power of Kindness, Celebrating Diversity, and Friendship by Samantha Shannon (Author), Parker Sinclair (Editor), Kerrie Joyce (Illustrator) Age Range: 5 - 7 years

Tag your BFF below with something you LOVE about them! Visit the Kidville blog for book descriptions and book stores to support.

We are celebrating FRIENDSHIP this week on The Kidville Playground. Grab your BFF and join us for an interactive LIVE class where you can connect with your teacher AND your fellow classmates. kidville.com/theplayground

Some ways to promote FRIENDSHIP with your toddler:

1). PLAY - Get down on the floor and engage your little one in play to introduce skills like turn-taking and sharing.

2). SAYING HELLO - Encourage your little one to greet peers with a wave or a simple, "Hi!" A warm welcome is an important step toward friendship building.

3). BLOCKS - You see blocks in many Kidville programs because the act of BUILDING together is one that fosters social engagement.

Most importantly, MODEL kindness in your grown-up friendships. Share any other tips below!

Broadway lovers! We know your annual tradition of gathering together to watch the Tony's has been postponed tonight on what would have been The 74th Annual Tony Awards. We still want to fill your hearts tonight.

In the spirit of amplifying Black voices, we dedicate this space to featuring some of the amazing Black artists that have brought their talents to the stage! Thank you Jeremy Daniel Photography for capturing these beautiful images.

1. Two-time Tony Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson in “A Raisin in the Sun.”
2. Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis in “The Music Man.”
3. Sandie Lee and the 2020 National Touring company of the Tony Award-winning revival of “The Color Purple.”
4. The National Touring company of the four-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Memphis.”
5. Wallace Smith and Emmy-Award winner Uzo Aduba in the Broadway revival of “Godspell.”
6. The National Touring company of the four-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Memphis.”
7. Stephanie Pope stars as Velma Kelly in the six-time Tony Award-winning revival of “Chicago.”
8. “High School Musical” star Corbin Bleu in the Broadway revival of “Godspell.”

You can still catch all of Van Jones and Erica Hill's partnership with Sesame Street for Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families! The full program is available online and linked here: bit.ly/CNNSSWATCH

A few of our favorite segments:
1). Louie, Elmo's Dad, said, "Not all streets are like Sesame Street." What a powerful opening to start a dialogue about race and the protests.

2). SocialJusticeBooks.org was mentioned as a resource for books about race. We encourage you to explore their, "Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books."

3). The final call to action is one we can all resonate with:
We can do better.
We must do better.
We will do better.

What segment was most impactful for you and your family?

Grab your sunnies and join us for our FREE Virtual Summer Camp Trial Day! The Kidville Campfire Crew will guide happy campers through our traditional Morning Meeting, Arts & Crafts, Track & Field and LIVE Music! 100% interactive - 100% fun!

TODAY Saturday June 6
10:00am EDT
REGISTER: Kidville.com/theplayground
THEME: Beach - Grab a beach towel and come in your summer best!

SUPPLY LIST:
Arts & Crafts: shaving cream, watercolor paint, cardboard or plastic card to scrape with, paintbrush, straw, paper, sea animal stencils from the Camp Field Guide
Track & Field: beach ball, towel, blanket, water bottle
Music: instruments to play along with (DIY is great, too!)

Today would have been Breonna Taylor's birthday had she not been murdered in her very own home. We urge our community to visit http://ow.ly/PYHM50A02cn for a list of action items that we can complete to fight for justice for Breonna.

We have also linked to yesterday's The New York Times article about the importance of saying her name and including her story in the landscape for justice. bit.ly/BTJNYT

We see every day on The Kidville Playground the importance of saying each child's name. We see the joy in their face when they feel seen. We can feel the connection of belonging.

Say her name, Breonna Taylor, and continue to take action.

“We’re not trying to compete with Floyd’s story, we’re trying to complete the story,” said Ritchie, who is also the author of “Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color.”

ACTION ITEM: 9 Social Justice Organizations to Support

Simply stating your outrage is only one of many steps we as a society must take in order to combat the systemic racism that has plagued our nation for centuries. One of the most tangible ways to show your support will always be by making financial contributions directly to the organizations working to make impactful changes to policy at both the local and federal level or to those that directly benefit Black folks with services like therapy, rent assistance, and more.

As a company, we chose to donate to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which aims to win landmark legal battles, protect voters across the nation, and advance the cause of racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society. All donations made by our team members were matched by Kidville.

You may choose to join us in supporting the NAACP Legal Defense Fund or by one of the many other organizations below.

The Loveland Foundation
Campaign Zero
Black Lives Matter
Color Of Change
Reclaim The Block
The Okra Project
Equal Justice Initiative
Center for Black Equity

Join Big Bird, CNN commentator Van Jones and CNN anchor and national correspondent Erica Hill for a 60-minute special "Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families" which will air on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. ET.

Families you can submit questions on protests, racism and diversity by visiting cnn.com/sesamestreet.

How to watch: The town hall will air on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español. It will stream live on CNN.com's homepage and across mobile devices via CNN's apps, without requiring a cable log-in.

Anti-Racism Reading List for Kids & Grown-Ups! Do the work alongside of us and build a library rich in topics of race, diversity and inclusion. Kidville book nooks are being refreshed with these important titles that will be integrated into our programming on The Playground and when we are back inside our classrooms. https://bit.ly/ARBookListKV

Support Black-owned indie bookstores and explore additional titles for the entire family.

*Black Pearl Bookstore in Austin, TX:
blackpearlbookstore.com
*Semicolon Bookstore in Chicago, IL:
bookshop.org/shop/Semicolonchi
*Mahogany Books in Washington DC:
mahoganybooks.com
*Ashay By The Bay in Vallejo, CA:
ashaybythebay.com
*The Lit Bar in Bronx, NY:
bookshop.org/shop/thelitbar

Please share additional recommended reading below and follow some of our favorite IG accounts that helped us discover more of these works:
The Conscious Kid
Here Wee Read
Teaching Tolerance
We Need Diverse Books
The Tutu Teacher

Kidville Families,

Tap the link in our bio for our latest communication to our community about our solidarity with Black Lives Matter and respective links for donation and our first round-up of family anti-racism books for children and grown-ups alike. We will remain on pause through tomorrow out of respect for our Black colleagues and community by not continuing to operate 'business as usual.'

We encourage you to swipe through and explore just a few of the powerful voices of Black leadership. Please be mindful to use this time to do the work independently and to not place additional burden on Black educators. Use the resources available, subscribe to their Patreons and donate.

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS:
cargle

As an organization, it is our responsibility to stand up and speak truth to what we believe.

We believe that:

-Love is stronger than hate.

-Hate is taught and we will have no part in that teaching.

-Racism exists.

-Black lives matter.

To the Black members of our community who are hurting right now - we see you, we hear you, and we will continue to learn, listen and take action to make the world a better place for your children.

Please visit our stories as we assemble resources designed for families about anti-racism and share ways we are financially contributing to social justice as an organization.

Once upon a time, Kidville transformed into a far away place ONLINE called The Kidville Playground! Join us at kidville.com/theplayground this week for a royal adventure complete with princess visits!

Wednesday 5/27 5:15pm EDT One Man Lullaby Band

Kaityln Davidson, who played Ella in the Broadway and First National Tour productions of Cinderella, will join Mr. Calvin to sing "In My Own Little Corner" and talk about what it's like to be a princess on Broadway.

Friday 5/29 11:15am EDT My Big Messy Art Class

Princess Elsa will make a special guest appearance to help Maker Morgan create wands and crowns during class today. Elsa is brought to us in partnership with Little Miss Princess Parties.

Grab your crowns and join us ONLINE today!

KINDNESS ROCKS! We know that sentiment to be true and Ms. Elizabeth has sparked artists all across The Kidville Playground to paint kindness rocks and leave them in their neighborhood! What a fun DO MORE GOOD Challenge of the week.

Join Ms. Elizabeth and Maker Morgan later today at 3:15pm EDT for an IG LIVE on Kidville's main Instagram handle: KIDVILLE. Ms. Elizabeth and her kindness spotter will be checking in our Do More Good challengers of the week AND they will do a mini craft session LIVE!

IG LIVE CRAFT: DIY Window Clings

SUPPLY LIST:
Bowl
2 tablespoons school glue
1/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap
3-5 drops food coloring in the color of your choice
Plastic wrap
cookie cutters (optional)
Markers
Paper

Calling all princesses and princes in the land, join us TODAY and THURSDAY at 3:30pm EDT over on Kidville's main Instagram handle: KIDVILLE for a live music serenade from atop Mr. Calvin's castle!

Tune in for music from your favorite fairytales and beyond! Mr. Calvin cannot wait to see you there!

Will the REAL Painty please stand up?! You know you have arrived when a fellow Playground pal has created their very own Painty!

Meet Painty in one of Maker Morgan's LIVE interactive art classes on The Kidville Playground. Painty helps us unlock our creativity in My Big Messy Art Class and meet NEW artists in My Masterpiece.

Drop a rainbow 🌈 below if you are in Painty's fan club!

Ready, set CRAFT! IG LIVE IN ONE HOUR!

Join Ms. Elizabeth and Maker Morgan for a fun midday DO MORE GOOD check-in and crafting session. Ms. Elizabeth is going to show us how to create floating chalk prints!

IG LIVE 411:
Wednesday May 20th
3:15pm EDT
Instagram Handle: KIDVILLE

SUPPLY LIST:
Paper
A shallow tray or Tupperware of 1" water
Chalk in variety of colors
A popsicle stick or dull knife to scrape chalk

Our hearts are full seeing this week's Do More Good Challenge in action with this chalk message of JOY from Sydney! Way to get crafty and kind! (BONUS: We love the unicorn shape you chose for your DIY chalk)

Continue the chalk fun with an IG Live TODAY Wednesday May 20th at 3:15pm EDT on Kidville's main Instagram handle: KIDVILLE for a LIVE crafting session hosted by Ms. Elizabeth and Maker Morgan.

Supplies to craft LIVE: Floating Chalk Prints!
Paper
A shallow tray or Tupperware of 1" water
Chalk in variety of colors
A popsicle stick or dull knife to scrape chalk

Tag a friend below to join you!