Healthy Kids Are Ready Kids

MECC supports families in our community in raising healthy children. We’re implementing the national Let’s Go 5-2-1-0 campaign, which has great resources for families. Look for tent cards in your favorite local restaurants and preschools as our way of emphasizing the importance of this message: 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day; 2 hours or less recreational screen time a day; 1 hour or more of physical activity a day; 0 sugary drinks, more water and milk each day.

Our Health Integration Coordinator, Katrina Lindus, is developing a Health Navigation Guide for parents, that will include developmental, health, wellness, and nutrition resources from pregnancy through eight years of age. Check back for updates.

We implement Cavity Free at Three with the Montezuma County Public Health, providing oral health information and dental varnish at the first tooth. The Montezuma County and Dolores Public Health departments provide a variety of maternal and child health services including the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, immunizations, low-cost car seats and bike helmets, and a dental clinic for eligible kids. Visit LiveWell Montezuma Healthy Living for practical inspiration to live a healthy lifestyle, and look for all the ways they are helping our schools and community be healthier. The Pinon Project offers a Health Care Access program to help you find health care.

Always ask your health care provider any health and safety questions you have.  Your licensed childcare provider is another good resource, because centers and homes have to meet strict standards in this area.

Below are some online resources you’ll find helpful.

Safety: Nearly 9 million kids, ages birth to 19, are seen in emergency rooms for injuries every year, and more than 9,000 die from those injuries, 1 child every hour. Injuries are the leading cause of death in children 19 years and younger.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has tips and fact sheets to help you prevent the major causes of injuries among children, especially information on car seats and suffocation (safe sleep).

Healthy Children has articles, podcasts, and short videos on safety and disease prevention, everything from burns, fire safety, gun safety, poison prevention, safety with pets, disaster preparedness, medication safety, bullying, playground and travel safety.

Immunizations: The CDC’s immunization schedules are the most current. They also have information for parents on immunization safety and other topics.

Healthy Living: We’ve already highlighted the Let’s Go 5-2-1-0 website. Other good websites for information about healthy living include:

Healthy Children’s Healthy Living – Nutrition section uses the beloved children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to get kids excited about becoming healthy and strong. It includes a free growth chart, a reading guide, and other activities based on the book.

Colorado Public News has a series of short videos in English and Spanish on active play and healthy eating.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Team Nutrition website has great resources for parents including MyPlate games and activities.

Zero to Three has a good podcast on healthy feeding, as well as articles on picky eaters, and other feeding challenges.

Eliminate your kids’ exposure to second-hand smoke and model a tobacco-free lifestyle for them. Visit these online resources to learn more and find support.