Monday Morning Report | First 5 LA - Champions for Our Children
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Calendar

Click events below to view full listings.

First 5 LA Commission Meeting
Thurs., July 14, 2011
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Trauma Series: "Bottom Up" and "Top Down" Perspectives on Trauma in Infancy and Early Childhood
Mon., July 18 -
Tues., July 19, 2011

The Social Innovation Fast Pitch
Application Deadline: Mon., July 18, 2011

Identifying & Supporting Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Mon., July 18, 2011
9 a.m. - Noon

DIR/Floortime Orientation for Parents
Tues., July 26, 2011
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Pediatric Feeding: Assessment and Treatment
Fri., July 29 -
Sat., July 30, 2011

California Children's Services Demystified
Thurs., Aug. 4, 2011
8 - 10 a.m.

Creating an Inclusive Program for Young Children
Thurs., Aug. 11, 2011
9 a.m. - Noon

African Art, Music and Food Festival
Sat., Sept. 3 -
Mon., Sept. 5, 2011

Infant Development Association Conference: Wonder and Resilience of Young Children
Fri., Sept. 3 -
Sat., Sept. 24, 2011

DIR/Floortime: A State-of-the-Art Approach for People with Special Needs
Sat., Oct. 15, 2011
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Best Start
Meetings Are Being Held in All 14 Best Start Communities

 

July 11, 2011
News and Announcements 
Social Enterprise Academy Showcase
Nonprofit agencies aim for earned income at the First 5 LA Social Enterprise Academy. More �
Policy Pick
Advancement Project Helps Bring Preschool to Southeast L.A. County
LAUSD Approves $10 Million for new early education center in highest need community in District. More �
Rethink Your Drink
Rethink Your Drink: Why Now?
Early childhood is a critical time to get children used to drinking healthy beverages, like low-fat and skim milk or water. More �

"He likes it!"
Study finds low-sugar cereals help children eat a healthy breakfast. More �

Evie's Desk 
Rethink Your Drink

Sometimes, simple changes can make a big difference.

 

Take, for instance, the impact that can be made on a child's health by replacing the juice and soda he drinks with water or low-fat or skim milk. When you consider that the average preschooler eats more than her own weight in added sugar each year, and that the single largest source of added sugar in a child's diet is from sugar-sweetened drinks, the swap can have a dramatic, long-term effect on a child's weight and overall health.

 

Our children are our community's most valuable resource, and their healthy development should be our highest priority. When youngsters regularly choose beverages with added sugar, such as soda pop instead of water, they are putting themselves at risk for obesity and cavities. This summer, First 5 LA is supporting early childhood obesity prevention with our Rethink Your Drink campaign.

 

We are partnering with a number of agencies and nonprofit organizations in our advocacy and public outreach efforts, and hope that you join us at our family-friendly events or in our online activities. Leading the way is "Potter the Otter," the star of a free, bilingual children's book who teaches his animal buddies to choose water. We will be giving away the book, along with metal, BPA-free and reusable water bottles, at events all summer.

 

There's plenty on tap to fill your cup:

  • Visit the Rethink Your Drink page at Ready. Set. Grow! for event listings, water-switching tips for parents, scary sugar facts, information on sugar substitutes, kid-friendly activities and a pledge to drink more water.
  • Potter the Otter will visit some local libraries during story times. Children in attendance will hear "Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water," get their own copy of the book, a water bottle and a photo with Potter.

And remember to spread the word that water is best!

 

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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