You are your child’s first and best teacher. First 5 Santa Barbara County is committed to helping you with that important job not only through our programs and initiatives, but also by connecting you with valuable resources. Some of your friends and neighbors, who are also parents in Santa Barbara County, will guide you through these pages to help you find answers to your most pressing questions.
These pages are for you. They focus on topics that we know are important to many parents. Check back for new resources and information that we will post on a regular basis.
In addition to the services offered through our funded programs, there are many resources that can help you as a parent, we have included them in these pages. Below are some of the helpful ways to find additional local information:
- Special 0-5 Directory: My Healthy Child SB Services Directory! This directory was especially designed through 2-1-1 to focus on information for parents of children ages 0-5.
2-1-1. This online and telephone resource can help you find information and resources throughout the county - SBParent.com is an online resource for families in Southern Santa Barbara County.
- NorthSBCountyParent.com is an online resource for families in Northern Santa Barbara County
- Text4Baby- To sign up for the service in English, text BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish) mothers who sign up will receive three free SMS text messages each week timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth
- First 5 California Parents' Site- This directory was designed by First 5 California to focus on information for parents of children age 0-5.
September is Nutrition Awareness Month
The Brain-Boosting Power of Healthy Eating
It’s the beginning of a new school year and as young children head to preschool and kindergarten, parents can help their kids shine in the classroom by preparing healthy meals for breakfast – and for the lunchbox. Proper nutrition plays a key role in a child’s ability to learn and do well in school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids who eat a balanced diet and start the day with a nutritious breakfast have more energy and concentrate better in class.
Parents, caregivers and early learning educators play a valuable role in providing healthy food choices to children at an early age. To help kids develop lifelong healthy eating habits, First 5 Santa Barbara County offers the following tips.
Power up on breakfast: After a good night’s sleep, breakfast provides important nutrients that give kids a great start to the day and get them ready to learn. Prepare healthy breakfast choices for your child like oatmeal with low-fat milk, raisins and banana slices; or go berry wild with a low-fat yogurt smoothie made with strawberries and served with scrambled eggs on whole wheat toast.
Make fruits and vegetables a priority: Help your child get the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day by adding lettuce and tomatoes to a sandwich or offering cut-up fruit like apples or oranges with every meal.
Indulge your creative side: Kids love healthy foods that look fun – and taste great! So be creative with meals. Top a cheese quesadilla with a smiley face using green peas for eyes and carrots for a mouth, or cut sandwiches in triangles and other fun shapes.
Offer healthy snacks: Toddlers and young children should eat frequent, small meals throughout the day. Pack nourishing snacks to provide an energy boost, like bite-size fruits and vegetables. Low-salt crackers and cheese slices are also good choices.
Get kids involved: When children help prepare a meal, they’re more likely to eat it and try foods they may not have liked before. Ask your child to pick fruits and vegetables with you at the grocery store or local farmer’s market. When preparing meals, let your child tear lettuce for a salad or add veggie toppings to pizza slices.
To help you prepare nutritious meals, First 5 California offers a free mini cookbook – Yummy for Your Tummy – which has healthy, low-cost recipes for the whole family. To order your copy, call 1-800-KIDS-025.