Archive Nut, Prune and Olive Programs

Routines are good for children. A regular routine lets children know what to expect so they feel safe and secure. Keep a daily routine for bedtime, waking up, eating, shopping, bathing, playing and other things you do. An erratic meal schedule, for example, can confuse children.

If your children misbehave, it may be just to get attention, because they are hungry or because they are tired. But there are ways parents can prevent misbehavior before it happens. Children learn faster when they are praised for good behavior, than when they are punished for poor behavior.

Children who spend more time with the parents tend to be happier and learn better. A good way to spend time together is eating together as a family. During family mealtime, children can practice conversational skills, learn good table manners and learn how to make healthy food choices.

Children learn to eat new foods by seeing, smelling, touching and sampling them. They are more likely to try new foods that they have helped prepare themselves.

By playing, children can explore their world while stimulating their brains and bodies to develop. Parents can help their children learn by participating in active play along with them.

Every parent longs for a happy, healthy family. You are your child's first and most important teacher. A lot of what your young children learn comes from watching what you do.

Join me for an informal discussion! Tomorrow, Friday 12/21, 9-10 am Call in by phone or computer to the information below. For the past 2 summers, I have been conducting field trials at UC Davis evaluating grafting rootstocks with heirloom tomatoes.

You may still have some from the past year that are over-wintering. Learn how easy they are to grow! Just watch out for the slugs! Would you like to get updates from the Orange County Master Gardeners? Hear about what we are doing in the community Receive the "Garden Beet".

[The original letter from President Napolitano in pdf is attached below.

The UC California Naturalist program just successfully completed our first UC Agriculture & Natural Resources five-year statewide program review.