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May 2010
Teach Your Children Well
It is well established that providing children with quality early learning is essential in developing the language, cognitive, and social skills they need to succeed in school and in life. This is why early learning teachers play a significant role in nurturing young children’s growth and fostering a love of learning.
In honor of California Day of the Teacher on May 12, First 5 San Diego County offers parents the following tips to help support teachers and providers in their goal to support healthy development and help kids build a solid foundation for success.
Get Involved
Teachers and providers always appreciate when parents are actively involved in their kids’ education.
• Talk to your children every day about their day at school and what they learned.
• Attend open houses, PTA meetings, and parent-teacher conferences to build a strong relationship with your child’s teacher.
Communicate Often
It can be challenging for busy parents to speak with teachers often, but there are other ways to maintain regular contact.
• Introduce yourself at least once in person and check in when you can through e-mail, written notes, or phone calls, depending on the teacher’s preferences.
• Keep track of your children’s progress, even if they are performing well. Teachers like to hear from parents and know they are engaged in their child’s education.
Read Daily
Reading aloud to your children every day helps them develop skills for school success.
• Encourage your children’s interest in books by talking about stories that they like and providing books they will enjoy.
• Take time to enjoy a book yourself. Kids learn by example, so if they see you reading, they will want to read, too!
April 2010
First 5 San Diego partnered with Radio Latina to sponsor San Diego County’s largest Easter Egg Hunt in Oceanside. Radio Latina listeners were invited to attend the event and participate in the hunt of 50,000 Easter Eggs. They received First 5 San Diego informational materials and numerous prizes. Event organizers estimate that more than 1,000 families attended. Photos
March 2010
Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) will unveil a new Pediatric Developmental Services facility to meet the critical need for the identification and treatment of developmental delays in children. The new facility, funded by the First 5 Commission of San Diego and supported by the Rest Haven Children’s Health Fund, nearly doubles the space previously available for treatment, allowing for the addition of several more treatment providers, including physical therapists, speech pathologists and developmental “early interventionists.”
Between 35% and 40% of children screened at FHCSD’s Health and Developmental Services programs exhibit developmental delays, mostly related to speech and fine and gross motor skills. If not addressed early, the delays can lead to low academic performance and behavior problems, impeding their school readiness.
Tours of the new facility will be available on the day of the event.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 10, 10:15 a.m.
WHERE: Logan Heights Family Health Center, 1809 National Ave, San Diego
January 2010
Serra Mesa - Kearny Mesa Branch Library Grand Opening Celebration for the New Educational Space for Children
Mayor Jerry Sanders was on hand at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Branch Library to cut the ribbon at San Diego's Newest learning and education space. Young students from Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School were among the first to run, jump, play...and learn at "FairyTail Mesa," an innovative education space created especially for children 5 and younger and their families.
The First 5 Commission of San Diego provided the funding for this worthwhile project. "This preschool areas will have a lasting benefit for the young children of San Diego County," stated Nick Macchione, First 5 San Diego Commissioner. (pdf)
December 2009
First 5 San Diego Spreads Healthy Information at ABC 10's Jingle Bell Kroc Christmas Festival
San Diego County residents were invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Joan Kroc center on December 16 for free admission to ABC 10's Jingle Bell Kroc Christmas Festival. Families enjoyed an evening with Santa and food, entertainment and free ice skating. First 5 San Diego contributed to the event by giving parents with small children the new pocket guide "What Can You Expect from Your Little One?", which provides tips for healthy development for children from newborn through age five.
Robert Santos, Allison Horn and Antonio Sanchez
December 2009
First 5 San Diego Hits the Books
First 5 San Diego has awarded a $4-million capital grant for Preschooler's Door to Learning Centers in four city branch locations: Logan Heights, Serra Mesa, College/Rolando and Skyline. The centers are designed to promote school readiness from infancy, providing services to encourage children to discover the pleasures of reading and learning. The centers are a designated portion of a library designed exclusively for children younger than five years, their parents and caregivers.
The first center is inside the new Logan Heights Branch Library. It was introduced to the public at a celebration and ribbon-cutting event on December 11, 2009. The Logan Heights Branch Library is located at 567 28th Street in San Diego. Logan Heights
September 2009
Barbara Jimenez has accepted the appointment as the Executive Director of First 5 San Diego, effective September 14, 2009. Ms. Jimenez has held management positions with the
June 2009
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob has appointed Sandra McBrayer, chief executive officer of the Children's Initiative, as the newest member of the First 5 Commission of San Diego County.
March 2009
First 5 San Diego Wants to Know About You and Your Young Children. The First 5 Commission of San Diego is developing a new five-year strategic plan and asking parents in the community for input. First 5 San Diego is conducting a Web survey, available in English and Spanish, to give parents the opportunity to voice their opinions about what is most important to their children and families. (pdf)
February 2009
First 5 San Diego and UC San Diego Medical Center's Regional Perinatal System's Welcome Baby Program announced the avilability of the popular First 5 Kit for New Parents in four Asian languages - Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Korean. Coverage (pdf)
First 5 San Diego celebrates National Children's Dental Health Month and the Oral Health Initiative. Coverage
January 2009
First 5 San Diego awarded a Capital Grant of approximately $2.4 million to renovate and expand the North Park Family Health Centers. Family Health Centers of San Diego’s new North Park Pediatric Clinic & Development Center provides comprehensive pediatric services for all children, including those who are uninsured, medically underserved, or have Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. Coverage
November 2008
First 5 San Diego partners with Reach Out and Read to provide books to children. The goal of the project is to get low-income children exposed to books offered by Reach Out and Read in order to improve language development, a critical component of school readiness. Building on the unique relation ship between parents and medical providers Reach Out and Read helps families and communites encourage ealy literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. Coverage
October 2008
First 5 San Diego offers countywide services that promote the healthy development of San Diego County’s children from the prenatal stage through 5 years of age. Children grow and develop at different rates. It is important for parents to know how their children are growing and reaching important milestones. First 5 San Diego’s Healthy Development Services provide free developmental checkups for children from birth through 5 years of age, and connect children and families to needed services. Coverage
September 2008
First 5 San Diego provides critical support for 211, the county's community information center. Anyone can call for free information and receive referrals to health and social services, including public assistance, drug treatment, physical and mental health services, and parenting programs. Coverage
August 2008
First 5 San Diego and Rady’s Children’s Hospital Channel 10 News Mobile are joining forces to promote healthy eating. This fall, the team will be offering information of healthy lifestyles at the City Heights Farmers Market, the only farmers market in San Diego County that accepts WIC vouchers and Food Stamps/EBT. First 5 contractor Jennifer Chandler, a Teen Options counselor, and Casey Anderson of the California Farm Bureau were interviewed by 10 News reporter Bill Griffin on the important link between First 5 partners and the City Heights Farmers Market. Coverage