You try to be healthy by eating right and going for regular doctor check-ups and immunizations. There are also many factors in the environment that affect human health. The City of Chicago focuses on health and wellness of Chicagoans and the goal is to make Chicago “The Healthiest City in the U.S.” The City works with community partners and internal departments to promote health, prevent disease, reduce environmental hazards, and insure access to health care for all.

What about our homes? What can we do as parents to make our homes healthy for our families? Children spend a good part of each day at home where they eat, sleep, and play. Home is where they feel secure and comfortable. Yet, there can be some things in our homes that are harmful to children. Here are a few healthy home ideas for you:

Preventing the Spread of GermsWashing your hands often and well is an easy way to help prevent the spread of many infections. Parents and children should wash their hands as soon as they arrive at home, before handling food, after using or helping a child use the toilet, and anytime hands look or feel unclean.

Keeping Immunizations UpdatedAll children should be immunized against diseases at appropriate ages as recommended by your doctor

unless exempted by state law for religious or medical reasons. The Chicago Vaccines for Children Program allows physicians to provide free vaccines to children 18 years old and younger who are: Medicaid eligible, uninsured, American Indian or Alaska Native, and underinsured children who have health insurance that does not cover immuniza-tions.

Air Pollution InsideIndoor air pollution is caused by a buildup of gas or other chemicals inside a building. Some examples include: tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, radon, molds, asbestos, and household products. Reducing these pollutants can be as simple as not allowing people to smoke tobacco in your house, having a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home, or using and storing hazardous household products safely. Other concerns must be addressed by specific testing. For example, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) offers free radon testing kits and also provides free radon inspections. Lead PoisoningThe main sources of exposure to lead are lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust. Other sources can include soil, water, and certain kinds of candies, jewelry, toys, cookware, cosmetics, and traditional home remedies. Speak to your health care provider if you have any lead poisoning concerns for your child. The CDPH also provides educational informa-tion on lead and you can call the CDPH Lead Hotline at (312) 747-5323 with any questions.

We can work together to improve the health and well-being of our families by creating safer and healthier homes. Sources: www.cityofchicago.org www.aap.org www.illinoisearlylearning.org

Healthy Home Vol. 14 No. 2, Winter 2012Stepping Into the Future

page 2 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 Winter 2012

A Message from the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services

Parental News: Stepping into the Futureis published by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, in partnership with the UIC Center for Literacy. Funding for this publication is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Head Start.

UIC Center for Literacy(312) 413-1914

Evelyn J. Diaz, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services

Barbara O’Laughlin, Executive Editor Parental News UIC Chicago Center for Early Educationemail bjolaugh@uic.edu(312) 733-3134

Dear Parents,

We all recognize that children are better able to attend school regularly and have enough energy to be productive through the daywhen they are healthy and receive proper nourishment. That healthy start each and every day takes time and effort on your part but, you are not alone. There are many resources that support families locally with nutrition and health programs such as the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County/CEDA and the WIC benefits or the Department of Public Health with their mobile Care Van that provides free immunizations to all children from birth through 18 years of age. There are also resources on the Internet that can teach us about how to make better food choices, help us to find free health clinics in our City, or improve the environments we live in.

This edition of Parental News is also dedicated to how we can support this healthy start with children in our programs. You can read about the ChooseMyPlate nutritional information from the USDA, learn about the One Seed Chicago project that encourages gardening and healthy eating habits, and discover new activities that will teach your children about good dental care.

I look forward to supporting you and your family in 2012.

Sincerely,

Evelyn J. DiazCommissioner

Winter 2012 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 page 3

My MyPlate: Nutrition Education for You

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed a new initiative in 2010 to helpconsumers make better food choices. The new MyPlate icon is designed to remind everyone to eathealthy and shows the five food groups using a familiar mealtime place setting design. It helps toremind us to make half of our plate fruits and vegetables and shows us the other important foodgroups for a well-balanced meal: whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy. The USDA Web site has a wide variety of resource tips and nutritional information on daily food plans. Some helpful tips for families with preschoolers include:

• Offering different foods from day to day and encouraging your child to choose from a variety of foods. Be creative by adding fruit to a lettuce salad or cucumbers to a sandwich.

• Developing healthy eating habits by setting a good example and practicing positive habits such as eating together or having your child help prepare the meal with you.

• Serving foods in small portions at meals and snacks to make eating easy and more enjoyable. Use smaller bowls or plates to eat with.

• Playing actively every day. Add physical activity into your preschooler’s day including playing catch, family walks, or games such as duck-duck-goose.

• Making smart beverage choices by offering water and fat-free or low-fat milk to drink at meals.

The Web site also includes sample menus, recipes, food safety, and much more. You are animportant factor in helping your child eat healthy. Let’s start today!

Source: www.choosemyplate.gov

page 4 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 Winter 2012

Green Monster Wrap

Ingredients: 1 tomato1 cucumber2 cups spinach1 15 oz. can kidney beans4 spinach tortillas4 teaspoons low fat ranch dressing

Directions: 1. Wash tomato, cucumber and spinach under cold water.2. Cut tomato and cucumber into bite sized pieces. Tear spinach into strips.3. Drain and rinse kidney beans with cold water in colander.4. Place one tortilla on each serving plate.5. Measure 1⁄4 cup tomato, cucumber and beans into each tortilla.6. Add 1⁄2 cup spinach to each tortilla.7. Top with ranch dressing.8. Wrap and enjoy!

Makes 4 Servings

Source: www.playnormous.com

Homemade Toothpaste

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil • 3 tablespoons baking soda • 25 drops peppermint essential oil • 4 tablespoons waterPut the coconut oil and baking soda in a bowl and mash up with a fork until blended. Add the peppermint essential oil and water. Continue to mash and stir until you’ve reached toothpaste consistency.

Fruit and Vegetable Bingo

A fun and exciting way to introduce fruits and vegetables to your children is by working together and creating your own bingo cards. Consider having fruits and vegetables as a snack during the game.

Materials:construction paper gluescissors crayons or markers old magazines or newspapers ruler

Take the construction paper and draw 5 columns, with 6 rows. Cut out fruits and vegetables from old magazines or newspapers and paste them in each of the squares. Leave the first row empty. Have crayons or markers available so your chil-dren can decorate the cards. Let the fun begin!

Healthy You and Me

page Parental News Vol. 13 No. 1 Fall 2010

To find these or other books to read together, visit the Chicago Center for Early Education,

call (312) 733-3134 or go to www.uic.edu/educ/ccee.

From the Book Corner

Winter 2012 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 page 5

Healthy You and Me

My wobbly tooth must not ever never fall out by Lauren Child

Lola has her first ever wobbly tooth but she doesn’t want it to fall out because she needs it. Lola learns that when baby teeth fall out, adult teeth grow in their place. She also discov-ers that every time a tooth falls out, you placeit under your pillow for

the tooth fairy to pick up at night and a coin is left in its place. A fun and exciting story every child can relate to.

Todo sobre los dientes/All About Teeth by Mari Schuh

If you open your mouth, what do you see? Teeth! They come in all shapes and sizes. Some teeth you use to bite and others you use to mash food into small pieces. Children will be fascinated to learn that there is more to teeth than just a white smile.

Keeping You Healthy: A Book About Doctors by Ann Owen

Kids need to stay healthy and a visit to the doctor’s office can do just that. Doctors look in your ears,eyes, and throat and every visit is different. Make a visit to the doctor a field trip that everyone canenjoy!

Look after Yourself: Get Some Rest by Angela Royston

It’s difficult for children to explain why they feel crabby and tired, or why they cry when someonewakes them up from a nap. The body needs to rest and this book will help you to help your child understand more about what they can do so their body can feel better.

page 6 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 Winter 2012

“Grow Together” with One Seed ChicagoAre you thinking about eating healthy this year? Have you thought about growing your own vegetables or plants? Sometimes we want to try to do a new activity with our family like gardening, but the hardest part is starting something new and staying with it. The One Seed Chicago project maybe just what you need to encourage that gardener in you!

The goal of NeighborSpace’s One Seed Chicago project is to introduce more Chicagoans to the joys and benefits of gardening. As One Book, One Chicago is to reading, One Seed Chicago is to urban greening. For the last five years, the project engages people across Chicago to vote for their favorite seed from three possible candidates then distributes the seed for free to encourage urban farming, healthy eating habits, and sitting down for meals with family and friends.

This year’s candidates are the herb seeds of basil, chamomile, and cilantro. The online voting startedJanuary 1 and ends April 1. The winner, as decided by your votes, will be unveiled at GreenNet’s annual Green and Growing Fair at the Garfield Park Conservatory. To vote, simply log onto www.oneseedchicago.com. The winning seed will be mailed to all voters for free. Encourage your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to vote and be part of One Seed Chicago. The Web site will have informa-tion on the history of the plant, how to grow the seed in the garden, and yummy recipes. Teachers can also request a classroom size packet with an educators guide.

Don’t miss out on this season-long celebration with One Seed Chicago and start gardening with yourfamily today!

Source: www.oneseedchicago.com

The Financial Literacy for Parents (FLIP) program will be providing workshops for parents that are fun, interactive presentations designed to help you understand basic money management skills. FLIP will be hosting FREE workshops during Money Smart Week: April 22 – 28, 2012 at the Chicago Center for Early Education located at 1900 West Van Buren, Room 2611. The facilitators use the All My Money curriculum, devel-oped by the UIC Extension Program. Workshop topics include Making Spending Choices, Understanding and Handling Credit, and Envelope Budgeting. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Diana Ibarra at (312) 996-4511.

Winter 2012 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 page 7

In today’s busy world, we are constantly looking for good, reliable information on nutrition and health is-sues. Here is a selection of local resources that may be useful to you:

Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion This organization provides high-quality nutrition education, health promotion, and disease prevention services through partnerships directed at eligible families in Chicago.www.uic-cphp.org

Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA)CEDA operates the largest WIC program in Illinois, now serving over 46,000 clients. Clients are eligible for all WIC benefits, including vouchers for WIC foods, personalized counseling with a nutritionist, and individual and group education.www.cedaorg.net/www2/HNS.html

Greater Chicago Food Depository The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community.www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer?pagename=prog_children

City of Chicago Department of Public HealthThe mission of the Department is to promote health, prevent disease, reduce environmental hazards, and ensure access to health care for all Chicagoans. www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdph.html

Heartland Alliance Heartland Alliance specializes in providing and advocating for accessible, affordable health care services.www.heartlandalliance.org/whatwedo/our-programs/health-care

State of Illinois All KidsThe All Kids program offers many Illinois children comprehensive healthcare that includes doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. www.allkidscovered.com

Parents as Advocates

Come by the Chicago Center for Early Education with this coupon to pick-up a packet of items and

information on health for you and your child.

Chicago Center for Early Education1900 West Van Buren, Room 2611

Chicago, IL 60612(312) 733-3134

Supplies are limited. One coupon per adult.

page 8 Parental News Vol. 14 No. 2 Winter 2012

Chicago Green MarketsEvery Saturday through April 288:00 – 1:00 p.m. Peggy Notebaert Museum2430 N. Cannon Drivewww.greenmarket.org

Wilderness WalkPermanent ExhibitPeggy Notebaert Museum2430 N. Cannon Drivewww.naturemuseum.org Gym ShowcaseVarious dates and park locationsThrough March 2012www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 17, NoonBalbo and Columbus Drivewww.cityofchicago.org

Maple Syrup FestivalMarch 24 – 25 North Park Village Nature Center5801 N. Pulaski Roadwww.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Easter Egg Hunt at AvalonMarch 31, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.1215 East 83rd Streetwww.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Eggstravaganza at ChaseApril 14, Noon – 2:00 p.m.4701 North Ashlandwww.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Kids and Kites FestivalMay 5, 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.Montrose Harbor Lincoln Parkwww.cityofchicago.org

Tour of Lurie GardenMay 6, 11, and 13Millennium Parkwww.explorechicago.org

Chicago Memorial Day ParadeMay 26, NoonState and Lake Streetswww.cityofchicago.org

FAST Learning Centers offer family literacy programs and services, which include GED, English as a second language, computer literacy and family literacy programs for Head Start or child care parents.

Family Start Learning Centers (FAST)FAST at Garfield Human Services Center10 South Kedzie Avenue(312) 746-5416

FAST at King Human Services Center4314 South Cottage Grove Avenue(312) 747-2354

FAST ESL Central1640 West Roosevelt Road, Room 611(312) 996-9361

FAST ESL North1650 West Foster Avenue, Room 1652(773) 561-5667

FAST Family Literacy Outreach Office (FLO)1640 West Roosevelt Road, Room 619(312) 413-3252

Project SOAR Supports the development of literacy among preschool children in Head Start programs, as well as supports employed parents and teens as they develop their own literacy, leadership, and employ-ability skills. 1640 West Roosevelt Road, Room 618 (312) 413-2654

AmeriCorps ProgramsFAST is always interested in talking with parents who want to serve their communities while earning a living allowance and a $5,550 education award. (312) 355-4227

Chicago Center for Early Education: resources for parents and professionalsProvides resources and training materials based on current research and best practices to promote high-quality education of young children.1900 West Van Buren, Room 2611uic.edu/educ/ccee(312) 733-3134

Resource Center for Autism and Developmental DelaysProvides resources, referral information, education and training for parents and teachers of children with developmental delays.10 South Kedzie Avenue, Room 202(312) 746-5447

Finding Child Careearlychildhoodchicago.org

Action for Childrenactforchildren.org(312) 823-1100

Links:

Chicago Department of Family and Support Servicescityofchicago.org/fss

United States Department of Agriculturechoosemyplate.gov

Resources, Education and Training for Parents

Family EvEnts in ChiCago

Start good dental habits early. Help your child learn how to brush and floss regularly.