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Health and Wellbeing   |   Early Care and Education   |   Family Support   |   Improved Systems
Parents & Caregivers Start Here


Link to water safety information
Let’s join Potter for a Glass of Water! Printer-friendly version

First 5 wants kids to grow up healthy and strong, and we know that habits form early. We developed Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water to assist parents and childcare providers in talking with young children about making healthier drink choices. Healthy choices lead to healthy kids who grow up to be healthy adults!


Did you know? The average 4-5 year old child consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day- which amounts to 65 pounds of added sugar a year. The majority of a child’s added sugar intake comes from fruit drinks, high fat desserts, soft drinks and candy.

Check the label and remember the number 4!
Figuring out how much sugar is in a drink or food can be tricky.

Here’s a tip: Grams of sugar ÷ 4= Teaspoons of sugar For example: for a 20 ounce soda: 69g of sugar ÷ 4= 17 teaspoons of sugar.

 Join us in making a change for a healthier lifestyle!
Be a role model:

Potter is Free for a Visit!

Potter the Otter at www.potterloveswater.com

Receive your own copy of the Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water storybook FREE! Click here to submit your request for your own copy! Early Care Providers and Organizations can contact LuCretia at ldowdy@cfc.sbcounty.gov for larger quantities.
  • Drink water
  • Participating exercise/ physical education time
  • Serving water and low-fat milk at meal and snack time
  • Rewarding kids with non-food items

Commit to drinking water! Pledge Now! Visit www.potterloveswater.com for more ideas and activities.


Resources: Teaching Children to be Sugar Savvy Curriculum
Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water storybook
Official Potter the Otter website
Evaluation of Potter Book Campaign (for organizations participating in the Potter Book Giveaway)
www.sodafreesummer.org - Fun site to learn more about Rethinking Your Drink!
www.colormehealthy.com - tips for parents of preschoolers
www.cdc.gov - Rethink Your Drink booklet from the Centers for Disease Control
www.banpac.org- great resources for teachers, parents and professionals
 
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