Purchase items that we can use for our lending library, donation closet, workshops, and programs from our Amazon Wishlist.
Visit Amazon Wishlist, here.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Other Ways to Give : Goodshop
Help support us through Goodshop. When you shop online, a percentage of virtually every purchase at Walmart, Kohls, Home Depot, Travelocity, Staples and more go to Solano Family & Children's Services.
Visit Goodshop, here.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Being Still and Quiet
Sometimes, self-care can be as simple as being still and quiet. Taking a few minutes to relax, focus, and listen can have a very positive impact on your health and happiness. Watch the video to learn more.
Monday, March 13, 2023
Four Toddler Snacking Mistakes
Toddlers are notorious nibblers. Their small bellies mean they can't eat a lot at one time, and their go-go-go nature means they don't want to sit at the table too long. Snacking can help add needed nourishment into a toddler's day — as long as it's done right. Here are four strategies to be smarter about snacks.
Strategy 1: Snacking on the Go
Carry one or two small and easy snacks — such as a banana or small container of whole-grain crackers —
in case hunger strikes while you're out. Try other distractions first (such as a book or small toy) when you
need to buy time.
Strategy 2: Timing Is Everything
Space meals and snacks two to three hours apart. If your toddler's hunger doesn't seem to match up with
your mealtimes, consider moving meals earlier or serving your child a portion of the meal, such as the
veggies, while you finish prepping.
Strategy 3: Make Snacks Nutritious
During most snack times, serve the same kinds of foods you serve at mealtime, such as fresh fruits and
vegetables, whole grains including whole-wheat tortillas and bread, sources of protein such as hard-boiled
eggs and hummus and dairy products such as yogurt and cheese.
Strategy 4: Establish a Snack Schedule
Establish scheduled snack times. Most toddlers can go two hours between meals and snacks, so a midmorning, mid-afternoon and evening snack may work well. Asking your toddler to wait may be tricky at first if munching on demand is the norm. By sticking to dependable meal and snack times, your child will feel reassured that there are plenty of opportunities to eat.
From eatright.org
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Friday, March 10, 2023
March is National Nutrition Month
To spread awareness and nutrition education, the entire month of March is National Nutrition Month, and the week of March 12-18 is Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week.
National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign held in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the campaign, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. The theme of this year's National Nutrition Month is Fuel for the Future. Eating with sustainability in mind is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment.
Ideas to get involved
1. In your family childcare, commit to trying a new fruit or vegetable each week during National
Nutrition Month®.
2. Give children a role in meal planning and let them pick out different recipes to try.
3. Try more meatless meals — choices like beans, peas and lentils are versatile plant-based
protein sources that work in a variety of dishes.
4. Let everyone help with food preparation — for the kids, there are age-appropriate tasks they may enjoy learning how to do.
5. Bring out the flavors of food by trying new herbs, spices, or citrus fruit like lemon or lime.
6. Create a "nutrition question of the day" contest. Draw the name of a daily prize winner from those who provided the correct answer.
7. Vote for your favorite fruits and vegetables: Show various photos of produce and ask children to vote for their favorite vegetable and fruit. Post a tally board to record votes.
8. Ask children to carefully save food product labels from empty boxes. Spend some time reading labels and comparing information in the Nutrition Facts panels. Expand into a menu-planning opportunity, using MyPlate as the guide to a healthy meal.
9. Start a vegetable garden by planting seeds indoors or in the ground. If that's not feasible, consider showing videos on how to plant a garden.
10. Develop a lesson plan that explains the science behind ingredients needed for baking.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Daily Movement
Getting just a little bit of exercise can go a long way. Regular movement every day can be a fun family activity.
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Breathe, Balance, and Bend: The 3 B’s of Calm Bodies
Our bodies need exercise, but they need downtime, too. Breathing, balancing, and bending give children (and adults!) a chance to rest their bodies and relax their minds.
Breathe
Breathing deeply and slowly is a calming strategy for anytime, anywhere.
Ask children to place their hands over their mouths and feel their breath. Together, breathe quickly, then slowly, and ask children to compare how each breath feels in their hands.
Then ask children to pretend their bellies are balloons. Encourage them to take long and deep breaths to fill the balloons with air, then breathe out through their mouths to let the air out.
Balance
Balancing helps kids focus and relax while building strength and coordination.
Lay down a piece of string or tape on the ground for a “balance beam”! You can make the beam wide for an easier version of the game and narrower for a challenge.
Use your imagination. For instance, you might pretend that the beam is high up in the air or over a rocky river—be careful not to fall!
Bend
Bending and stretching helps children become more flexible…and it feels great!
Ask kids to bend and stretch their whole bodies—from their head to their toes.
Give clear directions, starting with the head. (Nod it “yes” and shake it “no.” Next, roll the shoulders, twist the stomach, bend at the hips, and so on.) Get creative, and do more of the things that feel good!
Read more, here.
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