Monday Morning Report | First 5 LA - Champions for Our Children
First5la.org

To submit comments, or to suggest items for this newsletter or First5LA.org, contact Denise Nix, writer/editor, at [email protected] or 213-482-7831.
Calendar

Click events below to view full listings.

Why Toddlers Do What They Do
Wed., Oct. 27, 2010
10 a.m. - Noon

School Readiness Initiative Conference
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Best Start Community Discussion - Central Long Beach Educators an Non-Profit, Business and Community Leaders
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Support Preschool: Dream Big Online Auction
Ongoing
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2010

Best Start Community Discussion - East L.A. Community-based Organizations and Civic Leaders
Wed., Nov. 3, 2010
2:30 - 4 p.m.

Best Start Community Discussion - Central Long Beach Parents and Community Leaders
Wed., Nov. 3, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Best Start Community Discussion - El Monte Non-Profits, Faith-Based Leaders and Educators
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010
9:30 - 11 a.m.

CoroCrossTalk on Childhood Obesity: A Big Problem for Little Kids
Monday, Nov. 8, 2010
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Best Start Community Discussion - East L.A. Businesses
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010
9 - 10:30 a.m.

Beyond the Bill: Achieving Change with Administrative Advocacy
Wed., Nov. 10, 2010
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Effective Observations of Infants and Toddlers
Monday, Nov. 15, 2010
9 a.m. - Noon

Got Milk? Hot Topics, Cool Answers
Wed., Nov. 17, 2010
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Free Health Screenings
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010
9:30 a.m. - Noon

Oct. 25, 2010
Champion Profile 
Brownley
Assemblywoman Julia Brownley
A Southern childhood before the civil rights era and a political grandfather combine to make a profound impact on Julia Brownley's political career. More �
Brownleyside
Assemblywoman Julia Brownley's Agenda: Children, Education, Environment
Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, our Monday Morning Report Champion Profilee, pushes for measures that she believes in. More �
News and Announcements 
Grandparents
Becoming Parents a Second Time Around
In increasing numbers, grandparents are finding that they are caring for their offspring's offspring. In Los Angeles County, most those children are between the age of 0 and 5. More �
Grant Opportunities
Grant
Other Grant Opportunities
First 5 LA has developed a clearinghouse of grant opportunities provided by grantmakers other than First 5 LA, which is intended to assist organizations serving young children in the Los Angeles area to diversify funding. More �

Budget Update
Perez
State Budget Update: Legislators Seek Solutions To CalWORKs Stage 3 Child Care Shutdown On Nov. 1
Assembly Speaker requesting First 5 funds to keep program afloat through the end of the year. More �

Evie's Desk 
Evelyn V. Martinez Chief Executive Officer
The Link Between Childhood Obesity and Baby's Sleep

There are a lot of reasons why young children are obese: poor nutrition, lack of exercise, genetics. Recently, though, I learned of a new culprit - not enough sleep in their first years. According to a study published in the September Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, children 0 to 4 who did not sleep enough at night were 80 percent more likely to be obese five years later, compared to children with normal sleep patterns.

Childhood obesity is preventable, as long as parents, teachers and caregivers make smart choices. Offer a banana instead of a cookie for snack. Turn off the television and go outside and kick a ball.  And, as the latest research shows, make sure kids get enough sleep.


Here are a few tips on how to ensure children get enough sleep:

  • Establish an appropriate bedtime, and stick to it. Generally, children younger than 5 should be in bed by 8 or 8:30 p.m.
  • Signal bedtime with a nightly routine. A bath, some reading and cuddles are always fun and easy ways to wind down.
  • Try to keep stimulation before and during the bedtime routine to a minimum. Try using soft, soothing music instead of having the television or video games on - even in the background, these can be distracting.
  • While babies may still be awake during the night to eat, try to keep the lights and noise level low.
  • It may be hard, but sometimes, the experts say, you've got to let babies fuss a little bit to learn how to soothe themselves to sleep.

I'm sure those attending Coro Crosstalk on Childhood Obesity: A Big Problem for Little Kids, co- sponsored by First 5 LA, will learn a lot more about combating this epidemic. Topics for the Nov. 8 discussion include trends, causes and solutions, benefits of breastfeeding and the connection between fitness and academic achievement. There are still spots available, and I encourage you to register and attend this informative and free event.


Evelyn V. Martinez

Chief Executive Officer
First 5 LA


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"Evie's Desk" is a regular feature of our weekly newsletter, "Monday Morning Report". Subscribe now or view past issues.



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