Dear <<First Name>>:

  As we continue to celebrate mothers this week, we recognize all of our mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers and aunts who plan to be or are parenting young children. We applaud you for the sacrifices you make for your families, typically 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays, and ask for so little in return except for the success of your children.  As we try to help you ensure your babies are born healthy and grow up to be successful in life, we hope you will not only find our newsletters helpful, but that you will schedule at least 30 minutes each day to do at least 1 personal thing for yourself that you enjoy.  This is not a luxury, but an essential part of being a mom.
 

This edition of our newsletter answers 3 questions on many parent’s minds at this time:  How can I continue to ensure that my children get the best possible start in life in these challenging times? Should my baby wear a mask? How can I go back to work with no child care?
 
 Stay safe and be well.
                

If you’re like most parents-to-be, you may feel eager for your baby to arrive and anxious about all the changes ahead, particularly during these challenging times. Fortunately, these 9 months from conception to birth are a perfect time to emotionally prepare yourself and get to know your child-to-be in easy, fun ways that do not take a lot of time. Some parents start a baby diary to write down their thoughts and feelings during pregnancy. When your child gets older, you can share the thoughts you had as you were waiting for him/her to arrive. Some parents make time to communicate with their babies every day.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s silly to talk, read, and sing to your baby before he’s born. It’s not. Between 18 and 22 weeks, your baby’s ears are developing and by 30 weeks, your baby may be able to hear and recognize voices. This means your little one is taking in the sounds around him—including your voice! Enjoy some quiet moments during your pregnancy to get to know your baby. The time you share now helps you bond and connect as parent, child, and brand-new family.

After birth, talking, singing, and reading to your baby are great ways to connect and give you a chance to start some of the fun parts of being a parent. Say hi in the morning and good-night before you go to sleep, and chat about your day in between.

You can share music as well—lullabies and classical music are most relaxing. Babies seem to prefer music that matches the beating of their mom’s heart.

 
Why Babies Shouldn't Wear Facemasks, But Older Children Should 

 
  
 
Over the last several months, we’ve all learned how important it is to wash our hands frequently, and now we should be using a face covering or mask whenever we leave the safety of our home to help protect you and the people around you from COVID-19.  But many parents are wondering do my children need to wear a face mask too? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both recommend that face masks and cloth coverings should not be placed on anyone younger than two years. Although these recommendations may change over time, and among different counties and local governments, we will do our best to present up to date information to reduce the confusion among different organizations.
 
If your young child is unable to understand how to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or is unable to keep from touching and exploring their surroundings while you are out, it’s probably best to keep them at home.  If you are unable to leave them at home, and they are over two years old, wearing a face mask may help protect them.
 
Here are some things to remember:

• Infants and children under the age of two should not be wearing any type of face covering or mask.  A baby’s airway is very small and wearing a mask could cause difficulty breathing or even suffocation.
• Children under two are best protected by staying inside, in their own environment.
• Older children who wear a mask may still touch their faces and everything around them.  Try to explain the purpose of the mask and help them remember not to touch their face or mask. 
• Once a mask is removed, it is time to wash hands again!
• Help make hand washing more fun – and last the recommended 20 seconds – by singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat or the Happy Birthday song twice. 
• If your young child has specific health care needs, please speak to your pediatrician about how you might best protect them from Covid-19.

Some children may find face masks scary. While at home, put on your face mask, then help your child put on their mask.  Practice helps them know how they will feel wearing a mask.  Try making an activity of drawing masks on favorite characters, or make a paper mask together for their toy, doll or stuffed animal.  Teach children that wearing a mask and frequently washing our hands helps protect us from germs we don’t want. 

For more information, click here.  

To make your own face covering, Click here.




Source: The Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade County

This year an important film was released entitled Brain Matters.  It is an eye-opening film about the science of the early years and what it takes for all children to get the best possible start in life. See a short clip of the film:



Click here.

 

Our friends at Brain Matters also are leading a campaign. Click here.  This focuses on early childhood development to help raise awareness and change. Their goal is to have 500,000 signatures and 1 million views of the film to ask leaders around the world to keep their promises and help all children get the best start in life, regardless of race, culture or socioeconomic status.
 

You can help in two ways:
 
  1.  Watch, like, comment and share the one-hour documentary: 


 Click here.

  2.  Sign and share their petition, click  here. 

 

 
Source:  The Children’s Movement of Florida

With a target date of May 18 to reopen many businesses in Miami-Dade, you may be wondering where you will be able to leave your children in safe and educational care as many child care centers are closed or struggling to stay alive. More than 60% of licensed early education and care providers across the United States have already shut down because of the crisis according to a survey by the Bipartisan Policy Center. Some centers are still open, taking in the children of essential workers. However, those centers are also struggling as they’re seeing fewer kids coming in, and are grappling with confusing (and expensive) guidance on how to keep them safe. Without safe and secure early education and care options, many parents may not be able to get back to work.
 
The Children’s Movement of Florida has launched a statewide survey to understand parents’ use and feelings towards child care through the COVID-19 pandemic. We would appreciate it if you shared your thoughts by completing this survey at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C9WZDG6 in English
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YB6SSHK in Spanish
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YBSNR6Z in Haitian Creole

If you complete the survey (in 1 of the 3 languages), you will be eligible to win a $50 Public gift card. 


We hope the results from this survey will help inform state leaders’ decisions now and in the months to come, and that it might prove useful for child care providers, as well. We will provide a summary of results when the survey ends. Thank you!
 
Source: Huffpost and The Children’s Movement of Florida

The Florida Grade Level Reading Campaign is very excited to welcome you to the EduCare program and support you with early childhood education and development! EduCare sends you 1–4 care messages/week per child via text until your child is 4 years old. You may opt out at any time. Your information is kept private and will not be shared or used for any other purpose. Go to https://fglrc.gomoeducare.com to enroll.

The information in these newsletters is brought to you by members of the Planning Committee of The World’s Greatest Baby Shower in Miami-Dade 2020 which has since evolved into The World’s Greatest Babies in Miami-Dade.  The Planning Committee is comprised of the following organizations making a difference in the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County. Click on the logos below to go to each organization’s websites to find ways they can provide resources for you and your family. 

                  


                 


        


              


                  
 

Copyright © 2020 Kiwanis Northeast Miami-Dade, All rights reserved.


Contact us at wgreatestbabies@gmail.com

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.