Useful Links and Information
Family Hubs
​The Family Hub website provides a huge range of information and advice on Children and Family Support, Early Years Education and Start for Life. Information such as finding your local children's centre, pregnancy advice, feeding, emotional health, keeping children safe, special needs and disabilities, play and learning, healthy lifestyle choices, managing money, support for domestic abuse, language barriers, positive parent relationships and so much more. Please click on the link to find our more.
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Children's Oral Health
February is Children's National Dental Health Month! Scan the QR code or click on the link below to help find your child an NHS Dentist in your area.
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Good oral health for children is crucial for several reasons:
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Healthy Development: Children’s baby teeth play a significant role in their development. These teeth help them bite, chew, and speak, and contribute to their overall confidence when they smile. Additionally, baby teeth create space for and guide the growth of permanent adult teeth1.
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Avoiding Pain and Infection: Maintaining good oral health keeps children free from toothache, infection, and swollen gums. These issues can cause discomfort and hinder daily activities1.
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Academic and Social Impact: Proper oral hygiene in children has far-reaching effects. It not only reduces dental pain and expenses but also positively impacts academic and social development. Children with healthy teeth can chew better, eat nutritious foods, and avoid pain and tooth loss, leading to better overall well-being23.
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Early Habits Matter: Establishing a regular teeth-cleaning routine early on is essential. Here are some tips for maintaining good oral health in children.
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Healthy Eating and Exercise
Experts have warned that some snacks aimed at children and marketed as healthy are high in sugar.
A report by Public Health England criticised baby and infant food manufacturers for loading their products with unacceptably large amounts of sugar and promoting them as good for health.
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NHS advice states that any product with more than 22.5g of sugar per 100g has a high level of sugar. There is no recommended sugar intake for children under the age of four, but it is advised they avoid all foods and drinks with added sugar. For those aged 4-6, it’s 19g of free sugar a day, which refers to any added sugar and sugars found naturally in honey, syrups, and unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies and purees.
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Change4Life is a public health programme in England which began in January 2009, run by Public Health England.
The website provides a range of information, advice and support about activity ideas, games and fun exercises to encourage children to be active, healthy food swops/snacks, sugar calculator, lunch box inspiration as well as mental well-being tips for parents.
For more information about Change4Life, click the link below.
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