The holiday season can make it challenging to ensure young children are getting the nutrients they need amid festive treats and indulgent meals. CHOC is sharing 7 tips for encouraging positive and balanced holiday eating habits in kids. bit.ly/4fpGsPd

Play is essential! In the words of Diane Ackerman, “Play is the brain’s favorite way of learning,” Here's to celebrating the power of play every day 🎉

Kid Builders is coming to Costa Mesa on February 1! Don’t miss a morning of fun, learning, and community with First 5 OC, the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, and @PNCbank. To learn more about Kid Builders, visit first5oc.org/kid-builders.

Speech & Language Milestones: 7-9 Months. They babble, recognize names, seek familiar faces, and might raise their arms for cuddles. Each child develops uniquely, these milestones are not a screening or diagnostic tool. For information and resources, visit bit.ly/4eZq341

Nightly check-ins with children are a good way to explore the day’s emotions. (Read this post for 10 more #SocialEmotional supports for young children: ecs.page.link/frM3M) #EarlyChildhood #EarlyYears #SEL

Visual schedules can make bedtime routines more predictable. Use these cards to help children create their own unique way to wind down for the day: m.sesame.org/goodnighttw #Resources

Love this graphic from Parenting Focus! #Playmatters for so many reasons!

“For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play.” ~ Penelope Leach

Check the story of ASQ!

Speech & Language Milestones: 2-3 years. Is your child starting to use word combos like "I want juice"? Foster their language development through interactive play and storytelling! Each child develops uniquely, these milestones are not a diagnostic tool. first5oc.org/resources/pare…

It’s #ReadAcrossAmerica Week 📚 Reading with young children ages 0-5 builds language skills, sparks imagination, and lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Celebrate the joy of reading with your family by trying these reading Kid Builders activities. first5oc.org/kid-builders.

Our new website is full of resources and activities to help caregivers, educators, policymakers, and more support early childhood development and lifelong health! 👉 Check it out here: bit.ly/2ThMLNg #earlychildhooddevelopment

Our organization is distributing this information in collaboration with our partners as part of the #OCECESystemsCollaborative and highlights important information about #EarlyCareandEducation #First5OC For more translations, visit first5oc.org/childrens-home…

"Let them play! The more they play, the more resilient and socially adept they will become." -Jessica Joelle Alexander

Play is an essential part of early childhood development. Check out these resources from our friends at the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers as they celebrate “May All Babies Thrive Month,” with today’s theme on the importance of play: ncit.org/may-all-babies…

“Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills.” -Winnie Wathu

By encouraging play, caregivers can help build foundational skills that support early childhood development & lifelong learning. Discover other ways to support foundational skills in this Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) Usable Knowledge article: bit.ly/43IU85a #earlychildhooddevelopment

"A child’s imaginative and creative play is essential for the development of their social, emotional and cognitive skills, in addition to being a way to explore and discover the world." - Donna Housman, Ed.D. #SimplyFun #Games #Play #Learn #BoardGames

"Childhood is about playing, discovering, and believing in dreams; the imagination and possibilities are endless." -Unknown

🎉 June is Child Awareness Month! 🎉 Let’s celebrate our little learners with easy + fun activities that help their minds grow! 🧠🌈 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Here are some simple learning ideas to try at home: