Dear Editor, We all have such busy schedules that it can be a
challenge to find time to spend together as a family. But quality
time is important because when parents learn and play with their
children every day, it boosts a child’s self-esteem and helps kids
develop positive relationships.
A few thoughts regarding a priceless holiday gift: family time
Dear Editor,
We all have such busy schedules that it can be a challenge to find time to spend together as a family. But quality time is important because when parents learn and play with their children every day, it boosts a child’s self-esteem and helps kids develop positive relationships. Even 10 to 30 minutes of one-on-one time per day is a good start, as long as it’s part of a regular routine. Young children will benefit from the love and attention they receive during these precious moments.
This holiday season, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County encourages parents as well as grandparents and caregivers to give the gift of quality time. By planning educational and nurturing activities everyone can enjoy together, families can set up healthy routines that last through the holidays and into the new year.
- Start a tradition. Plan a family meal at least once a week – more often if you can. Eating together provides a wonderful opportunity to talk with your children about their day and show them that they are your top priority. Get kids involved by giving them age-appropriate tasks like setting the table, tossing the salad and cleaning up.
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Open a book daily. Help your child’s imagination soar by reading favorite stories together. Point out fun things you see in picture books and let your toddler turn the pages.
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Host a weekly family fun night. On cold or rainy days, turn off the TV and computer, and get creative. Set up a row of chairs and role-play as a bus driver or train conductor; enjoy a game of musical chairs; or use everyday items like cardboard boxes, glue and cotton balls to create art.
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Take a field trip. Visit the zoo, local museums and libraries to learn about animals, interesting historical facts and other educational topics.
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Go outside for physical activity. Go for a walk, play catch, ride bikes around the neighborhood or visit the park. It’s a chance to spend time together as well as squeeze in a healthy dose of active play!
Make every moment count. Above all, use every moment together to learn from and listen to your child, even when taking care of everyday errands. Young children love to help – take your kids grocery shopping and let them pick out fruits and vegetables while you ask about favorite foods. When driving, point to colors and shapes, and ask your child to count trees or read simple signs.
Remember, spending quality time with your children this holiday season is a priceless gift – your time and attention cost nothing and mean everything.
Jolene Smith, Executive Director, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
Thanks to everyone for making this year’s Turkey Trot a success
Dear Editor,
We represent the three foundations that are recipients of the Applied Materials Silicon Valley 2010 Turkey Trot and we wish to thank Applied Materials, Inc., the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the many other sponsors, and the friends, families and individuals that walked or ran the 5K or 10K course this year. The race grew by a third this year, from 10,600 participants last year to 14,500 this year.
The race, the dream child of Carl and Leslee Guardino and Mike Splinter, helps three area charities to provide food, housing and health care; the race’s ideal of “Health, Hope and a Home.”
Whether you ran the Perkins Coie CEO/Celebrity Challenge, Fairchild’s Fittest Firm Challenge, Fry’s Electronics’ Quickest cop/Fastest Firefighter, Westinghouse/Solar’s Mayor’s Cup, your kids ran in the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital’s Fun Run, wore a costume for the Virgin America Competition, watched the El Camino Hospital Women Championship, or brought food to the Synaptics “Can Do” Challenge, we hope you had as much fun as we did.
We would also like to thank many of the other sponsors; San Jose Sharks, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, KPMG, the San Jose Mercury News, DLA Piper, Pacific Gas and Electric, KLA Tencor, SVB Financial Group, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, KLIV and KRTY, NBC Bay Area, Safeway, Vantage Point and Bally Total Fitness.
Once again, we want to thank all of you that came out on Thanksgiving Day to help the families in our county realize their dream of “Health, Hope and a Home.”
Kathy Jackson, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties; Kathleen King, mayor of Saratoga and executive director, Santa Clara Family Health Foundation; and Kevin Zwick, executive director, Housing Trust of Santa Clara County
