Parents As Teachers Newsletter January/February 2014 -1-

Parents as Teachers Serving Families Since 1998

January/February 2014 Leander I.S.D.

Let’s Be Well ! Introduce healthy eating habits and rituals at home.

Breakfast-eaters have better attention and memory than breakfast-skippers.

- Quick breakfast ideas include: cut-up fruit, whole-grain cereals (with less than 5 grams of sugar) with

milk, boiled eggs, yogurt topped with fruit, and baked goods made with whole-grain flour and added

fruits and veggies.

Children may need to try a food more than 10 times before they learn to like it. They may need to be offered a

food up to 40 times before they are even willing to try it. Don’t give up hope!

Children are likely to sit and eat longer at a child-size table and chair where their feet touch the ground.

Offer your child foods that pack lots of nutrition into small doses, like: avocados, pasta, broccoli, peanut butter,

brown rice and other grains, potatoes, cheese, poultry, eggs, squash, fish, sweet potatoes, kidney beans, tofu,

and yogurt.

If treats such as candy or cookies are a big issue for your child, try a treat jar. Put the treats allowed for that

day in a jar and tell them they may have the treat any time of the day, but that’s all they get. You might find

that once the battle of the treat is no longer an issue, they may not think about it so much.

Cook together!! A child is so much more likely to eat a meal that they helped make.

Take your child to the Farmer’s Market or grocery store with you. Let them pick out the vegetables for dinner.

The more ownership over a meal they have, the more likely they are to eat it.

Plan your meals based on what is in season. You will save money this way and also get the most flavors from

your food.

Don’t use dessert as a reward for eating other foods. This is so tempting to do as a parent, but it teaches kids

that the healthy food is a chore they must get through to earn a dessert reward.

Grow a garden together as a family! Children may be more willing to try foods they were responsible for

growing themselves. Not to mention, caring for a garden encourages children to be outside and active.

Check out this website for recipes, book recommendations, nutrition-planning guides, printable resources, and

topics— via the blog—like, “picky eaters”, “toddlers”, and “pregnancy snacks”. www.superhealthykids.com

L i f e i s n o t m e r e l y t o b e a l i v e , b u t t o b e w e l l . - M a r c u s V a l e r i u s M a r t i a l

Parents As Teachers Newsletter January/February 2014 -2-

* Hint: Have children help you plan their lunches for school (or home). Require that they include 2 fruits or vegetables and a protein; but other than that give them some freedom in designing the menu.

Cucumber and hummus on flat bread, snap peas, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, carrots, Granny Smith apple, tea cookie

Broccoli, carrots, orange slices, animal crackers, and a cheese and lettuce sandwich

Macaroni and cheese, tomato soup, cauliflower, new potatoes

Whole wheat noodles with tomato sauce, broccoli and cheese, apples, blueberries

Salad with tuna on top and dressing on the side, whole wheat bread, sliced kiwi

Spiral noodle pasta salad, broccoli, yogurt with blackberries, edamame, red pepper, yellow pepper

Bean and cheese wrap with whole wheat tortilla, broccoli, raisins, cucumber, orange slices

Lentil veggie stew, mangoes and grapes, olives and red bell peppers, oatmeal cookies

Quiche, potatoes, sour cream (for potatoes), peas, orange

Ham wraps, mangoes, pears, tomatoes and avocados

Bagel sandwich, nuts, apples, carrots, hummus, blueberries, oatmeal cookie

Spinach salad with olives and chicken, oranges and cucumbers

Parents As Teachers Newsletter January/February 2014 -3-

Group Connections (formerly known as Parent Workshops)… A New Look

With every new year comes the opportunity for change, and change can be a good thing! That’s our attitude when looking at how we

offer Group Connections. Until this year, we have reserved one Tuesday and Wednesday a month as a time for parents to come

together and learn, share, and discuss issues/topics that are meaningful in their lives. Our workshops are going to continue to happen,

but may have a more focused look to them such as a playgroup for one-year olds, a toilet learning group, a sensory group, etc.

The other change is that families must sign up to attend each class. This will help us keep your little ones safe

by having the appropriate number of childcare providers on hand.

So cheers to a new year and fresh ideas! Speaking of ideas… please share with your Parent Educator or Emily

any ideas for groups that you would like to see.

P a r e n t s a s T e a c h e r s S t a f f

Erin Garner, Coordinator 570-0320 Elaine Scott 570-0323 Neshmayda Rojas, Bilingual 570-0324

Malissa Wheeler 570-0360 Emily Buratti 570-0322 Sarah Dickson 570-2261

Cindy Kawejsza, Bilingual 570-0326 Bonnie Hahn 570-0338 Rebekah Love, RN 570-0321

Apples Protects Your Heart Prevents Constipation Blocks Diarrhea Improves Lung Capacity Cushions Joints

Apricots Combats Cancer Controls Blood Pressure Saves Your Eyesight Shields Against Alzheimer's Slows Aging Process

Artichokes Aids Digestion Lowers Cholesterol Protects Your Heart Stabilizes Blood Sugar Guards Against Liver Disease

Avocados Battles Diabetes Lowers Cholesterol Helps Stops Strokes Controls Blood Pressure Smoothes Skin

Bananas Protects Your Heart Quiets A Cough Strengthens Bones Controls Blood Pressure Blocks Diarrhea

Beans Prevents Constipation Helps Hemorrhoids Lowers Cholesterol Combats Cancer Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Beets Controls Blood Pressure Combats Cancer Strengthens Bones Protects Your Heart Aids Weight Loss

Blueberries Combats Cancer Protects Your Heart Stabilizes Blood Sugar Boosts Memory Prevents Constipation

Broccoli Strengthens Bones Saves Eyesight Combats Cancer Protects Your Heart Controls Blood Pressure

Cabbage Combats Cancer Prevents Constipation Promotes Weight Loss Protects Your Heart Helps Hemorrhoids

Cantaloupe Saves Eyesight Controls Blood Pressure Lowers Cholesterol Combats Cancer Supports Immune System

Carrots Saves Eyesight Protects Your Heart Prevents Constipation Combats Cancer Promotes Weight Loss

Cauliflower Protects Against Prostate Cancer Combats Breast Cancer Strengthens Bones Banishes Bruises Guards Against Heart Disease

Cherries Protects Your Heart Combats Cancer Ends Insomnia Slows Aging Process Shields Against Alzheimer's

Figs Promotes Weight Loss Helps Stops Strokes Lowers Cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls Blood Pressure

Grapefruit Protects Against Heart Attacks Promotes Weight Loss Helps Stops Strokes Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers Cholesterol

Grapes Saves Eyesight Conquers Kidney Stones Combats Cancer Enhances Blood Flow Protects Your Heart

Lemons/Limes Combats Cancer Protects Your Heart Controls Blood Pressure Smoothes Skin Stops Scurvy

Mangoes Combats Cancer Boosts Memory Regulates Thyroid Aids Digestion Shields Against Alzheimer's

Mushrooms Controls Blood Pressure Lowers Cholesterol Kills Bacteria Combats Cancer Strengthens Bones

Onions Reduce Risk Of Heart Attack Combats Cancer Kills Bacteria Lowers Cholesterol Fights Fungus

Oranges Supports Immune Systems Combats Cancer Protects Your Heart Straightens Respiration

Peaches Prevents Constipation Combats Cancer Helps Stops Strokes Aids Digestion Helps Hemorrhoids

Pineapple Strengthens Bones Relieves Colds Aids Digestion Dissolves Warts Blocks Diarrhea

Prunes Slows Aging Process Prevents Constipation Boosts Memory Lowers Cholesterol Protects Against Heart Disease

Rice Protects Your Heart Battles Diabetes Conquers Kidney Stones Combats Cancer Helps Stops Strokes

Strawberries Combats Cancer Protects Your Heart Boosts Memory Calms Stress

Sweet Potatoes Saves Your Eyesight Lifts Mood Combats Cancer Strengthens Bones

Tomatoes Protects Prostate Combats Cancer Lowers Cholesterol Protects Your Heart

Watermelon Protects Prostate Promotes Weight Loss Lowers Cholesterol Helps Stops Strokes Controls Blood Pressure

Yogurt Guards Against Ulcers Strengthens Bones Lowers Cholesterol Supports Immune Systems Aids Digestion

(More extensive lists are available online! Google “ABC Food Benefits Chart”)

Outdoor Classroom: Good News and Not So Good News

Good News: We have created a space where you and your child of any age can play freely and safely! We are thrilled that our Stay and Play outdoor classroom is getting more and more visitors! People are discovering some of the benefits that research (Fjortoft 2004); (Burdette & Whitaker 2005) has shown for children who spend time in outdoor play. It is known that children who play outdoors play more creatively, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment.

Not so Good News: We are experiencing some growing pains…There are days when our outdoor classroom looks very chaotic after a morning of play. The materials are not consistently being put back and some things are even getting broken and lost. Thanks for your help in this area!

Parents As Teachers Newsletter January/February 2014 -4-

New Arrivals

Max Warner Hargrove was born on September 29, 2013.

Samantha Brooke Morales was born on

October 4, 2013.

January Birthdays Stephanie Delgado 1/15 Estrella Mireles 1/2

Jimena Quijada 1/11 Isabelle Brake 1/2

Brooklyn Hampton 1/13 Dylan Shaghafi 1/28

Hunter Worley 1/31 Nicholas Aase 1/10

Ethan Bailiff 1/6 Olivia Feldman 1/29

Archer Hutchison 1/20 Yajaira Mendiola 1/17

Delaney Parker 1/6 Cali Phillips 1/4

Kagen Schwartz 1/26 Alejandra Valdez 1/24

Michael Valdez 1/24 Isaac Lopez 1/27

Jax Dear 1/17 Johnny Schey 1/5

Kaila Schey 1/11 Camille Glatt 1/21

February Birthdays

Fernando Mendoza 2/4 Alexa Resendiz 2/6

Lucy Anderson 2/23 Sofia Brooks 2/17

Kambrie Corzine 2/19 Emma Doepke 2/13

Alexis Gaslin 2/6 Norah Stone 2/7

Anthony Chea 2/27 Henry Foster 2/17

Usbaldo Garcia 2/1 Dylan Govea 2/20

Eliza Henrie 2/2 Sebastian Hernandez 2/10

Zofie Johnson 2/24 Clarence LeChien 2/16

Marissa Martinez 2/5 Jeziah King 2/14

Thomas Serrano 2/26 Levi Allman 2/24

Sam Dyer 2/16 Sassy Shafer 2/1

Ember Stone 2/7 Mila Wafford 2/8

Leilani Wolf 2/18 Cecilia Villatoro 2/9

Jacqueline Brake 2/17 Aurora Delacruz 2/24

Nataly Melendez 2/23

New Friends

Nicholas Aase

Trevor Aase

Caleb Jalufka

Cecelia Clements

Hanna Cook

Adelaide Cottom

Sullivan Earthman

Diana Gonzalez

Henry Kennedy

Ivey Moore

Kayden Pennock

Connor Pennock

Kenna Pennock

Jada Garris

Emma Garris

Nathan Madison

Matilda Honea

Tabitha Honea

Brian Garcia