The FREE Kit for New Parents is a comprehensive resource for new and expecting parents. The kit is based on scientific knowledge about the importance of the early years. It translates these concepts into practical information you can incorporate into your daily life with your child. Kits are available in English and Spanish.

Funding for the Kit for New Parents comes from the 1998 tobacco tax on cigarettes aimed at improving early childhood development. Kits were developed by the California Children and Families Commission and are available statewide.

The kit includes:

• Celebrity hosted DVD – Covering everything from oral health and child care to safety and discipline, the DVD prepares parents for their child’s early years. VHS tapes are also available upon request.

• Advice for new parents booklet – This comprehensive booklet is divided by “ages and stages” for easy reference, marking key milestones for parents to track how their baby is developing.

• Parents Guide – This easy to navigate reference guide is filled with tips and up-to-date information on local resources and services.

• “What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick” – This easy-to-read book answers questions many parents have regarding their child's health and common illnesses. A great guide for helping parents determine when to treat an illness at home and when to call or see a healthcare professional.

• “Puppy and Friends” (Baby’s First Book) – An interactive reading adventure for parents and babies to enjoy together. Filled with stimulating colors and textures to encourage brain development, babies can touch and feel puppy's fur, nose and toy.

• Obesity prevention guides – Highlighting activities that help prevent obesity in young children, these tri-fold pamphlets demonstrate interactive activities to do with children, both in and out of the home, to
stimulate growth and healthy development.

• Healthy Families leaflet – This flyer provides valuable information, including the latest requirements for parents who may want to take advantage of this program administered by the State of California.

• Poison control magnet – This refrigerator magnet helps parents keep important safety and emergency contact information readily available.

• “Healthy teeth begin at birth” brochure – Along with correlating video segments, this pamphlet gives an overview on oral health and walks parents through a baby’s first visit to the dentist.

Expectant parents and families in California who have children up to five years old can order free by calling:

Parenting Kit in English: 800-KIDS 025 (800-543-7025)
Parenting Kit in Spanish: 800-50 NINOS (800-506-4667)

Be sure to mention that you heard about the kit from Childhood Matters.