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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 share information, and do not necessarily reflect First 5 Kern's areas of support, opinions 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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Los Angeles area pediatricians call for schools to 'immediately reopen,' despite state COVID guidelines |
A group of pediatricians in Southern California have called for the immediate reopening of Los Angeles County schools, in a move that goes at odds with current coronavirus state guidelines.
A Wednesday statement from the Southern California Chapter 2 of the American Academy of Pediatrics (a chapter which includes Kern County) encouraged school campuses to reopen after nearly a year of lockdown orders and school closures.
"Schools should open immediately," Dr. Alice Kuo, Executive Board member of the Southern California Chapter and Professor of Pediatrics at UCLA said. "We are causing undue harm to millions of children by keeping schools closed for this long," she added. (Newsweek)
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They've nurtured our babies through COVID, but child care workers aren't sure when they'll get vaccinated |
For the hundreds of thousands of low-income parents who rely on subsidized preschool services, those programs do much more than care for and educate their children. They provide nutritious meals and health screenings, resources to support housing stability and financial security.
That, advocates argue, attests to the crucial role such programs play in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout – and why early-childhood workers should be given priority for the shots. (USA Today)
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What has the COVID-19 pandemic really done to toddler development? |
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, my toddler had a pretty bustling social life. He went to an in-home daycare center. They had daily dance parties. They celebrated each other’s birthdays. The other kids hugged my son when we dropped him off in the morning.
When that daycare abruptly closed last March, my toddler was almost 2. Now, he’s been home with us all day, every day for more than a third of his life. On the homefront, he’s often (sorry, kid!) pretty ignored while his dad and I try and cram in work. He’s become really shy around strangers. His sleep is ... bad.
Are these pandemic related? Or just toddler-ness? (HuffPost)
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How to build stronger family relationships during a pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected us. It has increased our worries and concerns about physical health. COVID-19 has added to the existing challenges parents face, and has also created greater awareness surrounding the fragility of mental health.
Yet, the second wave has also paved the way for a larger discussion on ways to promote mental well-being. (The Conversation)
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Why does my toddler make me so mad? Here's what a child psychologist says.
My face is red, my heart is racing, my ears are practically blowing steam. "Take a deep breath, it's going to be OK," I tell myself. "He's just 3 years old." I give myself a version of this pep talk daily because sometimes my kids make me so. Freaking. Mad. Is that OK to admit?
Why is it that the tiniest humans know how to push my buttons? Surely they don't fully grasp how angry they can make their mom, but sometimes it seems like they are doing it on purpose. (Yahoo!)
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Congress could finally make life better for parents - if it doesn't blow it |
The pandemic relief bill Congress is now trying to pass would include billions for child care centers and paid family leave, as well as new cash benefits for the majority of parents in the U.S. The policy could revolutionize the American safety net and slash child poverty.
Also in the bill is a proposed hike in the minimum wage, to $15 an hour, which would be life-changing for many parents. There’s even talk about universal pre-kindergarten, although that would likely come under separate legislation.
It’s one thing to propose these things, quite another to enact them. (HuffPost)
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Leading baby food manufacturers knowingly sold products with high levels of toxic metals |
"Dangerous levels of toxic metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury exist in baby foods at levels that exceed what experts and governing bodies say are permissible," said Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, chair of the House Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, which conducted the investigation.
All of these heavy metals have been linked to cancer, chronic disease and neurotoxic effects, but it's the devastating damage that can be done to a developing baby's brain that makes baby food toxicity so critical. (CNN)
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These 10 vaccines have saved 36 million kids' lives
Vaccine programs in low- and middle-income countries have prevented 37 million deaths in the last 20 years – 36 million of which have been in children under age five.
“At a time when the whole world is captivated by the development of COVID-19 vaccines, this work is a powerful reminder of the enormous impact that vaccines have had on improving human health,” said a co-author on the paper. (PSU)
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Race can play a role in childhood food allergies
Black American children have higher rates of shellfish and fish allergies than white children, a new study finds.
The research confirms the important role that race plays in children's food allergies, the study authors said.
"Food allergy is a common condition in the U.S., and there is so much we need to know to be able to help our patients," said the study's co-author. (WebMD)
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As COVID rises in adults, inflammatory syndrome rises among children
The recent surge in COVID-19 cases among adults has resulted in an increase of an inflammatory syndrome among children, according to a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Since April 2020, Dr. Adriana Tremoulet has seen 44 cases of the rare Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) at Rady Children's but the hospital is "really seeing a peak recently." (NBC-SD)
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Study: Touchscreens makes toddlers more easily distracted
Toddlers spending too much time using touchscreens are more easily distracted and have shorter attention spans, warn British researchers.
The study, recently published in Scientific Reports, showed that infants aged between 12 months and 3.5 years using touchscreens regularly were quick to react to what was happening in the screen but were less able to resist distractions and struggled to focus on tasks. (European Scientist)
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Must-read children's books for Black History Month
Jelani Memory’s “A Kids Book About Racism” was only ever intended for an audience of his six children, who were growing up in a mixed race family. But when friends and other parents started asking for a copy, he figured there was something there. (The Hill)
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Top 10 Best Musical Toys of 2021
From musical dance mats to pint-sized versions of real instruments - and even eco-friendly options - this all-encompassing list is sure to include something for every family. (BestGamingPro)
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High blood pressure after childbirth may lead to postpartum hypertension
Women who develop high blood pressure during pregnancy that continues into postpartum have been found to be at an increased risk of developing chronic hypertension.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh unveiled this new study that suggests pregnant women who develop high blood pressure should take action as soon as possible to get it under control or be faced with consequences later in life. (Bel Marra Health)
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Mom's autoimmune disease linked to
child's ADHD
Sometimes, the health conditions of a parent can make an impact on the child. This is the case with autoimmune disorders in mothers, and ADHD in their children.
Typically, when we think of parents passing things down, it is because of genetics, like blood type, where the child's blood type is a combination of the parents'. That’s not what researchers think is going on with the autoimmunity/ADHD connection. Genetics does play a role, but new research points to the time a fetus spends inside its mother as a contributing factor. (Medical Daily)
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Special thanks to Vecteezy for assistance on graphics
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