July is the hottest month of the year, which means a lot of time in the pool! And knowing how to keep your kiddos safe while they swim is the best way to ensure that this summer is packed with fun. Swim lessons, life jackets, and physical barriers around pools are just a few of the steps you can take to make swimming an exciting and safe adventure for children.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with Melissa Sutton, the Vice President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, about how parents can keep pool time safe. Plus, learn how to communicate to your child the importance of pool safety in a way they’ll understand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona

National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Families United to Prevent Drownings 

Guest: Melissa Sutton

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Are you prepared for a wildfire or house fire? With children in the home, parents should know how to prepare so that everyone can evacuate quickly and safely during an emergency. This episode tells you how to plan ahead to keep your little ones safe in the kitchen, and instructions for planning an at-home fire drill. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with former firefighter Adam Rodriguez, the manager of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at AZDHS. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Fire Safety Fact Sheet

Video: How to Plan and Practice Home Fire Drills 

Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

The environment where our children live, play, and explore can greatly impact their health. Secondhand smoke in the air they breathe can affect a child’s health and wellbeing. But so can thirdhand smoke (yes, that’s a thing!) that lingers in car seats and clothes. Exposure in any form  can make kids sick. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Philip Carpenter, the Executive Director of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, to help you understand the health complications it can cause and how to minimize your child's exposure. Plus, learn about the resources available to parents through the Arizona Smoke Free Living Program.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Smoke-Free Living 

Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, inc.

Poverty and Child Health

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Guest: Philip Carpenter

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Allergy season is here, signaling the return of runny noses, sneezing, and other uncomfortable allergy symptoms. If your child experiences these symptoms, don’t worry! We have tips for you on how to understand, treat, and overcome your child’s stubborn seasonal allergies.

Dr. Dave Stukus is pediatrician who specializes in allergies, and he joins this episode to explain the difference between allergies and a cold, how parents can keep pollen and allergens out of their homes, and debunks the common “eat local honey” myth. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Dr. Dave Stukus, Social Media Medical Editor, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI)

7 tips on how to treat your child’s allergies

Learn more about allergies

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Strong Families AZ

Did you know the health of your baby starts long before conception? Vitamins play a major role in reducing the risks of birth defects. Even if you don’t plan to become pregnant, multivitamins with folic acid have numerous health benefits that can help you, and potentially a future baby, live a healthy life.

Susie Leo MPH, RDN from the Power Me A2Z program at the Arizona Department of Health Services helps us understand the vitamins expecting parents should take to ensure a more healthy pregnancy. She explains folic acid and tells us how it can decrease the risk of birth defects. Whether or not you plan to become pregnant, find out how you can receive a free 3 month supply of multivitamins from the Powerpack program. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

PowerMeA2Z.org

Vitamins | PowerMe A2Z

Take this quiz to test your health IQ | PowerMe A2Z

Health Resource Order Form | PowerMe A2Z

Susie Leo, MPH, RDN

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

A new year brings new goals! But sticking with those goals, especially for busy parents, can be difficult. Between diaper changes and meal prepping, personal time for mom and dad can slip to the backburner. But it doesn’t have to be that way! 

Olivia DeLong, senior health editor at BabyCenter, and a mom herself, joins the podcast with some time management hacks to help you achieve your 2022 goals. Join host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez as you learn how to write an achievable new year resolution!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Meditation App

Olivia’s Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits

Free Planner Downloads

Guest: Olivia DeLong

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Toys and games aren’t just for fun and entertainment. They can also help your little ones grow and develop, turning playtime into a learning experience! With thousands of toys available online, knowing simply what kinds of toys are developmentally appropriate isn’t always easy. 

That’s where this episode can help! Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with pediatric occupational therapist and toy blogger Keri Wilmot, who offers her tips to help you find toys that fit your child’s developmental needs. She also tells us how playtime and education go hand in hand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Top 10 Learning Games for Toddlers

13 Fun Games & Play Ideas When the Babysitter is in Charge

The Genius of Play

Age-by-Age Toy Guide

ToyQueen.com

Guest: Keri Wilmot

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

The gift-giving season is here! For little ones, receiving a new toy is exciting. But it’s up to us parents to make sure that our children are playing with toys that are safe. That involves reviewing age recommendations, keeping small parts out of reach, and storing “big kid” toys safely away from toddlers and infants. 

Emily Samuel of Safe Kids Worldwide joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to walk parents through a toy safety checklist. Find out what to look out for when in the toy aisle, and how to ensure that playtime with toys is both fun and safe. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Parent's Guide to Child Safety (English)

Parent’s Guide to Child Safety (Spanish)

Safe Kids Family Safety Activity Book (English)

Safe Kids Family Safety Activity Book (Spanish)

Button Battery Tip Card

Guest: Emily Samuel

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Holiday foods are often a special treat for adults. But for toddlers, especially picky eaters, convincing them to try new meals can turn the dinner table into a battleground. Do you encourage them to taste new foods? Or do you let them eat their fill of dinner rolls instead?

To answer these questions, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez consults with Alan Brown, the Women, Infants, and Children’s Training Manager in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity at Arizona’s Department of Health Services. He shares his tips for making family holiday meals enjoyable. Plus, how to appease the picky eaters in your family. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

WIC Arizona

Listen Again: Time for Table Foods?

AZ Health Zone

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

The weather is finally perfect for playground visits, neighborhood walks, and bike rides. As we are out and about with our kiddos in tow, there’s a lot to know about staying safe outside! From crossing roads while holding your toddler’s hand to walking through a busy parking lot, traffic safety is key. Plus, it’s a great time to teach safety tips to your little ones traveling with you.

Nadji Kirby of Safe Kids Worldwide joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to discuss helpful safety advice for parents of young children. Learn how to safely enjoy your walks, board public transportation, and cross the street with your kids! 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Parent’s Guide to Child Safety

Safe Kids Worldwide

Guest: Nadji Kirby

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez