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It's All About the Kids

It's All About the Kids
At First 5 Yolo, "It’s All About the Kids." Our Mission Statement best describes us: First 5 Yolo will assist our community to raise children who are healthy and ready to learn. We will assure that our resources are effectively used and all community voices heard.
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First5Yolo - > It's All About the Kids -> Nurturing the “Grand” In Grandchildren
Nurturing the “Grand” In Grandchildren
First 5 Yolo’s Tips on How Grandparents
Can Help Children Reach Their Full Potential
 
A grandparent’s love and support has a positive impact on children, particularly in the early years of a child’s life. According to the Foundation for Grandparenting, when kids develop a strong bond with their grandparents, they feel more stable and even do better in school. Researchers also have found relationships between older and younger generations have long-term benefits for both grandparents and grandchildren.
 
“I know that a grandparent’s wisdom, experiences and life perspectives can play an important role in the lives of young children,” said Helen Thomson, Chair of the First 5 Yolo Children and Families Commission, and a grandmother of three grandchildren. “First 5 Yolo celebrates and honors the strong bond between grandparents and their grandchildren.”
 
There are at least 56 million grandparents in the U.S. where more than 4.5 million children live with their grandparents according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In honor of National Grandparents Day on September 13, First 5 Yolo offers the following helpful tips on how grandparents can support their grandchildren in their early years.
 
PASS ON TRADITIONS
Sharing stories helps develop a child’s mental, verbal and communication skills.
  • Share family stories with grandchildren. Remember, children love to hear what their parents were like as kids!
  • Provide kids with wisdom and guidance – grandma and grandpa can be great role models.
  • Describe the “good old days” in ways that help kids understand their own life and the world around them.
MOVE, GROOVE AND EAT RIGHT
Healthy eating and exercise are important. A grandparent can help a child develop a healthy lifestyle even at a very young age.  
  • Keep physically fit together – indoors and outdoors – by stretching, playing hide-and-go-seek, dancing or walking around the neighborhood. A trip to the nearest playground is always fun!
  • Limit a child’s time with television, the computer and videogames and encourage a more active lifestyle.
  • Pass the peas – or oranges, apples and broccoli! Help your grandchildren develop healthy eating habits by encouraging them to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. 
CREATE TEACHABLE MOMENTS
Reading to children and playing creative games at an early age help prepare them for success in school.
  • Play games like “peek-a-boo” when they are babies and word games when they are in preschool. Games help kids learn colors, shapes, numbers and letters in a fun way.
  • Read rhymes and stories or sing songs together. Choose books that encourage kids to touch and point to pictures. 
  • Show kids how to play well with others. Teach cooperation and sharing by taking turns and working together to finish a project, solve a puzzle or put away toys.
First 5 Yolo encourages all grandparents and other caregivers to learn about local resources that can help young children. For more information, please visit www.first5yolo.org or www.first5california.com/parents.   
Topics: children, kids, grandparents, love, learning
posted by First5Yolo on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 10:29 AM
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