Building Early Habits
A child’s daily habits in their earliest years can shape their health for a lifetime. From nutrition and oral health to regular well-child visits, habits formed between birth and age five play a critical role in a child’s development. To help families navigate these important early years, First 5 San Bernardino and our partners San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s Nutritional and Wellness Services and Smile SBC have partnered to launch the ‘Little Me, Big Responsibility’ initiative. The campaign highlights the everyday choices that can be made to support healthy childhood development from first bites and first teeth.
“The little years come with big responsibilities. Parents have so much on their plates, so we want to help them stay on top of the basics,” said First 5 San Bernardino Assistant Director Cindy Faulkner. “By making time for dentist visits, well-child checkups and developmental screenings, parents can give their children a strong foundation for a lifetime of health.”
Early Intervention and Developmental Milestones
When it comes to nutrition, healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Small swaps like choosing water with fruit instead of juice or opting for brown over white rice can make a big difference. Oral health is just as important. Baby teeth play a vital role in helping children chew, speak clearly and smile with confidence. Experts recommend that a child’s first dental visit occur by their first tooth or first birthday, while brushing teeth two times per day.
Starting early helps children build a strong foundation for lifelong health. Becoming comfortable with medical and dental visits, learning about nutritious foods and monitoring developmental milestones all support a child’s growth and long-term well-being.
Supportive Resources for Family
Families looking for guidance don’t have to navigate these steps alone. Visit First5SanBernardino.org/child-health-campaign to get early childhood wellness resources, activities and to find out more about free or low-cost dental providers, well-child visits and developmental screenings for:
For more information, head over to our blogs on cognitive, social-emotional, speech and language, and physical development in the early years.