To submit comments, or to suggest items for this newsletter or First5LA.org, contact Katie Kurutz, public affairs officer, at kkurutz@first5la.org or (213) 482-5902.
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Click events below to view full listings.
Due Date for Preschool Teacher of the Year Award Nominations
May 5, 2010
South Bay Family Health Care OB Open House
May 5, 2010
from 9:00am - 11:00pm
Part 1: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) & Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS-R)
May 7, 2010
from 8:30am - 12:30pm
Part 2: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) & Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS-R)
May 10, 2010
from 8:30am - 12:30pm
The 6th Annual "Week of the Young Child" Conference
May 15, 2010
from 8:30am - 3:00pm
Introduction to Floortime (TM)
May 15, 2010
from 9:00am - 12:00pm
Looking Back, Moving Forward
May 19, 2010
from 8:00am - 4:00pm
Part 2: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) & Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS-R)
May 21, 2010
from 8:30am - 12:30pm
Cultural Challenges, Creative Solutions: Blacks, Latinas, Asians and Teens
May 22, 2010
from 9:00am - 4:00pm
Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures Training
May 22, 2010
from 9:00am - 1:00pm
Effects of Prenatal Drug Exposure
May 24, 2010
from 8:30am - 4:30pm
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity to Working Clinically with Adoptive Families
June 12, 2010
from 9:00am - 4:00pm
Controversies in Breastfeeding Support and Management
June 14, 2010
from 9:00am - 4:00pm
Learn About Ages and Stages Developmental Screening (ASQ-3)
June 17, 2010
from 8:30am - 12:30pm
Program Evaluation for the Program Manager and Evaluator
June 24, 2010
from 8:30am - 12:30pm
Program Evaluation: Focus Groups and Surveys
June 28, 2010
from 8:30am - 12:30pm
Assisting Mothers to Successful Baby Led Latching
July 14, 2010
from 9:00am - 4:00pm
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National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
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Project ABC Provides Materials to Support Children's Mental Health
Being a parent or guardian is one of life's most demanding roles. Local collaborative Project ABC, has provided several publications that focus on keeping children and their families mentally healthy. More »
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Helping Children with Transitions
Adapting to change is never easy, and for young children, it can be especially difficult. Licensed occupational therapist Minal Dhanak talks about easing children's anxiety around change. More »
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Health Care Reform Supports Nursing Mothers in the Workplace
Providing a lactation break time during the work day represents an important step in preventative health. Learn how the new health care reform bill has made this possible for many working moms. More »
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Happy Mother's Day
May is Mental Health Month. And since Sunday is Mother's Day, I would like to commemorate both of these special times and encourage all mothers to take special care of their mental health on May 9. A mother's mental health is imperative to her child's growth, so taking time out to care for yourself is crucial not just for you but your whole family as well.
A mother myself, I often look for self-care tips, and came across the following on a fun blog written by freelance writer, Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Marking this Mother's Day, I'd like to share a few of her tips below:
- Set limits with emotional vampires. Emotional vampires are people who sap your energy and leave you feeling fatigued, agitated, or craving comfort food. Emotional vampires come in all forms, from needy children and critical spouses, to unpleasant coworkers and nagging parents. When you're around people who drain your energy, practice saying no, politely excusing yourself, or communicating your limits clearly and calmly.
- Stay in the "now." When you feel yourself being overwhelmed by responsibilities, deadlines, and pressures, don't catastrophize. Instead, keep your mind focused on the present moment only. Don't let it wander to worst-case scenarios. To manage stress as a mom, stay focused on the positive changes you can make and the practical steps you can take today.
- Evaluate the anxiety. Thoughtfully consider if a real threat exists or if you're blowing things out of proportion. You can ask questions such as, "What's the worst thing that could happen?" Or, "Will anyone die, go hungry, or be harmed?" To manage stress as a mom, go through this mental exercise to bring stressors back into perspective.
- Express gratitude. One of the quickest ways to manage stress is to take a breath and make a mental list of five things for which you are grateful. Not only does this activity distract you from obsessive worries, but cultivating positive thoughts has an immediate calming effect on your neurochemistry and will help you relax and unwind.
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