National Family Month

The United States Department of Mental Health has declared June as National Family Month. According to KidsPeace, a charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, families and communities, National Family Month is an important step toward building a nation of confident kids as well as stronger and healthier families. Strong families share qualities like trust, communication, affection and enjoying their time together. For tips on building strong family bonds, visit these websites:

• http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/supporting/celebrate.cfm
• http://www.kidspeace.org/nationalfamilymonth.aspx

14th Annual Golf Invitational

Child & Family Center's 14th Annual Tee It Up Fore the Kids Golf Invitational will be held on Monday, June 4 at Robinson Ranch Golf Course. Sponsorships and player spots are still available at our website. Let's make this year a hole in one towards building healthy minds and families!

The Santa Clarita Century Ride & Expo

Child & Family Center is partnering with the Santa Clarita Velo Club in presenting the 4th annual Santa Clarita Century Ride & Expo on Saturday, April 7th, 2012. Come join us for the Family Fun Bike Ride. The ride begins at Westfield Valencia Town Center, in the parking lot on Citrus and Magic Mountain Pkwy. Registration for the leisurely 6-mile ride through Valencia Paseos begins at 9:30 am and the ride starts at 10:30. $10 per family includes snacks at rest stops and giveaways. Plus exhibitors, calypso band, bounce house, Easter Bunny and more!! Proceeds benefit Child & Family Center.


If you’re up to a more challenging ride, join the 25, 50 or 100 mile ride sponsored by the Santa Clarita Velo Club. For more information, visit http://santaclaritacentury.com/. It's a "Great Ride For a Great Cause!"

National Family Fit Lifestyle Month

Get the whole family up and active! Here are some ideas on how to get started:

• Make physical activity a part of your family's daily routine.
• Take family walks/hikes/bike rides.
• Limit the amount of time spent watching television or using other electronic devices.
• Go grocery shopping together and make sure to choose a wide variety of foods from each of the food groups.
• Cook together rather than eating out.
• Eat meals as a family.

Links:

• USDA Celebrates January with National Family Fit Lifestyle Month
• Make 2012 Your Healthiest Year Yet with the President's Council

Toy Safety for the Holidays

Toy safety for each age group taken from About.com

Under 3 Years Old

· Children under 3 tend to put everything in their mouths. Avoid buying toys intended for older children which may have small parts that pose a choking danger. Specifically, you should avoid toys with small parts that can fit inside a choke test cylinder or no-choke testing tube, which measures 1 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches long and simulates the size and shape of a young child's throat.
· Never let children under age 8 years play with uninflated or broken balloons because of the choking danger.
· Avoid marbles, balls, and games with balls that have balls with a diameter of 1.75 inches or less. These products also pose a choking hazard to young children.
· Avoid toys with small magnets, magnetic pieces, or loose magnets, as they can be swallowed. Unfortunately, if two magnets connect together after they are swallowed, they can cause an intestinal blockage or more serious problems.
· Children at this age pull, prod and twist toys. Look for toys that are well-made with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.

Ages 3 Through 5

· Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

· Avoid toys that are constructed with thin, brittle plastic that might easily break into small pieces or leave jagged edges.

· Look for household art materials including crayons and paint sets, marked with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.

· You should continue to avoid toys with magnets, including building or play sets, at this age.

Ages 6 Through 12

· Teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters.

· If buying a toy gun, be sure the barrel or the entire gun is brightly colored so that it's not mistaken for a real gun.

Routine Toy Safety Tips

In addition to buying safe toys, to keep your kids safe, it is important to:

· check toys regularly for small parts, breakage and potential hazards, including chipped or peeling paint. Damaged or dangerous toys should be repaired or thrown away.

· watch for toy recalls and quickly remove recalled toys

· encourage your kids to not put their toys in their mouth (although it is harder for infants and younger toddlers)

· when buying a bicycle, scooter, skates, or other sporting goods, buy a helmet and appropriate safety pads too, and make sure the child wears them.

· teach them to put toys away when they're finished playing so they don't trip over or fall on them and so that younger siblings can't get to inappropriate toys.

· report injuries, complaints, and unsafe toys to the Consumer Product Safety Commission

· only let adults use battery chargers

  General toy safety tips: http://pediatrics.about.com/od/safety/a/toy_safety.htm

Resources:

• http://www.preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist
• http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=667&e=expertadvice&content=36126
• http://www.brighthub.com/education/early-childhood/articles/72626.aspx