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THIS WEEK'S
HEADLINES
NEWS IMPACTING CHILDREN 0-5 AND THEIR FAMILIES
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Here is a quick look at some headlines from this week impacting the lives of kids 0-5 and their families. The purpose of these stories is simply to inform, and they do not necessarily reflect First 5 Kern's areas of support or efforts towards these issues.
Follow First 5 Kern on social media (@First5Kern) for more kids news, as well as information about our funded programs and initiatives.
Now for the headlines........
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EARLY CHILDCARE & EDUCATION
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Parents of kindergartners consider keeping kids in pre-K during distance learning |
The reality of distance learning has many parents questioning whether they should enroll their kids in school this year. Specifically, parents of rising kindergartners are wondering if it's smarter to keep their kids in pre-k for another year.
For kindergartners, so much of what they learn happens when they're around other kids - sharing, listening, taking turns, and other social activities.
That's what has so many parents worried and wondering if their kids can really learn these important skills through a screen. (KATU Portland)
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New state rule says homeless/special needs kids can return to class
At one school in Sacramento, many of the students live in shelters, cars, motels or tents. Before the pandemic, they showed up at the classroom for daily instruction, as well as showers, meals and other services.
When school campuses closed due to COVID-19 and districts began distributing laptops to students for distance learning, they realized that wasn’t a workable option. (Capital Public Radio)
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Trauma on top of trauma: students under stress face wildfire risks
Students in the Bonny Doon school district had been back in class - virtually - for two days before the wildfires forced them to evacuate, many fleeing for their lives in the middle of the night Wednesday.
Teachers and students lost homes to the powerful wildfires raging through the charming, wooded town in the Santa Cruz Mountains. (SF Chronicle)
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As California wildfire seasons worsen, what's the long-term impact on children's health |
If California children growing up breathing in wildfire smoke end up showing the same patterns as kids raised inhaling bad air pollution, experts say they could wind up with reduced lung function and other health conditions several decades from now.
Scientists are also looking into whether children’s immune systems are negatively affected by the chemicals in wildfire smoke, and whether fetuses that develop during wildfires are at higher risk for neuro-developmental disorders.
Dr. Mary Prunicki says young children, zero to four, are more susceptible. “They are the more vulnerable population.” (Capital Public Radio)
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One pandemic silver lining: fewer severe asthma attacks for kids
After stay-at-home orders were issued this spring because of COVID-19, doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia noticed a dramatic drop in the number of patients who were being admitted for asthma emergencies or seeing their doctors for outpatient visits.
In a new study, doctors there noted the drops were significant: a 60% decrease in daily asthma health care visits and an 83% decrease in steroid prescriptions. (US News & World Report)
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LA County reports COVID cases in newborns for the first time
Los Angeles County officials on Wednesday reported the first cases of COVID-19 among newborns.
Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer reported that 1,200 pregnant women and girls between the ages of 14 and 52 have tested positive for the virus and two have died of complications. Of the 193 babies who were tested at birth, eight were positive.
The county has routinely updated COVID-19 numbers as it relates to pregnancies, but has never announced a positive case among an infant until now. (LA Times)
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Building early literacy skills with your infant |
The more we read with young children, the more prepared they become to enjoy reading and to do well in school.
Inspired by the fact that 80% of brain growth happens in the first three years of life, Guilford Basics offer simple ways to turn everyday interactions between children, their parents, and other caregivers into opportunities to provide children from every background a more equal start in life. (WFMY)
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Toothbrushing essentials to trick your toddler into thinking it's fun
Whether your kiddo is a baby, a toddler, or heading off to college, there are some things that will make toothbrushing seem like the most fun thing ever. Seriously.
And since dentist’s visits aren’t exactly a priority in Covid times, you can take your toddlers oral hygiene habits into your own hands to make sure they don’t wind up with a bunch of cavities once they do finally make it back into the dentists chair. (SheKnows)
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How to handle separation anxiety meltdowns in kids
Separation anxiety is normal and happens as children begin to differentiate between things that are safe and familiar and things that are new and different.
Classic symptoms include clinginess when a parent or caregiver is present, and crying or short tantrums right after the person leaves the room or home.
For most kids, separation anxiety sets in between 8 and 12 months of age and fizzles out around age 3. But for kids who have a condition called separation anxiety disorder, those meltdowns can persist. (NY TImes)
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Study argues that there are no safe caffeine levels during pregnancy |
Pregnant women are often confused about caffeine consumption. Is a cup of tea OK? What about an espresso? A diet soda? A new meta-analysis published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine finds a correlation between caffeine consumption and adverse pregnancy outcomes. But experts say women shouldn’t toss their reusable coffee mug and shun all caffeine just yet.
“People should not be panicked by this information. They should not feel guilty, like ‘I am four weeks pregnant and I had coffee. It is a conversation you should have with your obstetrician or midwife who oversees your care." (Today)
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Placenta can indicate how the body responds to opioids
Scientists at the University of Missouri have discovered possible biological markers that they hope could one day help identify the presence of an opioid use disorder during human pregnancy.
Cheryl S. Rosenfeld, an author on the study, said women often take opioids for pain regulation during pregnancy, including oxycodone, so it's important to understand the effects of these drugs on the fetal placenta, a temporary organ that is essential in providing nutrients from a mother to her unborn child. (Science Daily)
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Study shows how hospital car seat screenings could be safer
Before leaving the hospital, pre-
mature or smaller babies have to pass a car seat tolerance screening, basically making sure they can lie in a car seat without experiencing problems breathing or a lowered heart rate.
A recent study in the journal Pediatrics finds there’s a lot of variety in how hospitals conduct such screenings.
“Each hospital is kind of on their own to come up with the appropriate vital signs,” said the paper. “We are looking … to move forward with an understand of what the appropriate criteria are.” (Today)
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First 5 Kern was established in 1998 when California voters passed Proposition 10, which levied a 50-cent tax on tobacco products. Revenues generated from the tobacco tax are used to fund local programs in the areas of health and wellness, early childcare and education, and parent education and support services that promote early childhood development for children ages zero to five.
For more information on First 5 Kern and the agencies we support, please visit www.First5Kern.org and follow us on social media.
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Special thanks to Vecteezy for assistance on graphics
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