Parents as Teachers, Reading, PA

06/19/2026

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and have a chance to enjoy one of the many community events taking place today.

06/18/2026

Every baby deserves a safe place to sleep, every sleep, every time. Talk with grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and anyone else who may put your baby down to sleep so everyone can follow a safe sleep routine:

Always place baby alone, on their back, in a crib for every sleep.
Remove blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and bumper pads from the crib.
Use a firm, flat mattress with a tightly fitted sheet only.
Avoid bed-sharing or allowing baby to sleep on couches or adult beds.

06/16/2026

A huge thank you to Inside Out Church and Pretzel City Parish, Reading PA for their generous donation of luggage to CHOR Youth & Family Services!

For many of the youth we serve, having their own suitcase or bag may seem like a small thing, but it can make a meaningful difference during times of transition. Your kindness helps provide dignity, comfort, and a sense of belonging to the children and families we support.

We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and commitment to making a positive impact in our community. Thank you for helping us ensure that every young person has a safe place to carry their belongings and a reminder that they are cared for. ❤️

06/13/2026

When used as directed, sunscreen can:
Decrease your risk of skin cancers and skin precancers.
Help prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots.

06/10/2026

A new study from Brown University has found that babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least three months develop unique chemical fingerprints in their bodies. Researchers analyzed DNA from 173 healthy infants and discovered distinct methylation patterns in the cheek cells and intestinal cells of breastfed babies that were not present in formula fed infants.

The study looked at methylation, a process where small chemical tags attach to DNA and influence whether genes are turned on or off without altering the underlying code itself. More than 450 genes showed different methylation patterns in breastfed babies, many of which are involved in metabolism, digestion, and immune function . The study accounted for other factors like maternal weight, age, income, and education to isolate the specific effect of breastfeeding.

The research suggests a potential mechanism for why breastfeeding is linked to lower rates of asthma, obesity, allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders later in life . The differences in DNA methylation were most pronounced in the cells of the intestines, which are the first point of contact for breast milk . The epigenetic changes were not permanent. The study tested all children again at age four and found the methylation patterns had largely faded, though it remains unclear if that erasure has any lasting health impact.

06/09/2026

A routine newborn shot that has protected babies for decades is being rejected by a growing number of parents — and doctors say the consequences can be deadly.

A new investigation found that more families are declining the vitamin K injection given shortly after birth, a simple treatment that helps newborns’ blood clot properly. Without it, babies face a rare but potentially fatal condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which can cause catastrophic internal bleeding, brain damage, and death.

Research shows babies who don’t receive the shot are 81 times more likely to develop late vitamin K deficiency bleeding, and about 1 in 5 affected infants die. Yet refusal rates have been climbing, with one national study finding that more than 5 percent of U.S. newborns did not receive the injection in 2024 — a 77 percent increase from 2017.

Doctors say much of the trend is being driven by misinformation on social media, where the vitamin K shot is often incorrectly grouped with vaccines despite serving a completely different purpose.

06/06/2026

Do you love your parent educator? Has your partnership with Parents as Teachers impacted your family? We'd love to hear about it.

Share your story at the link below, so that we can celebrate with you and recognize the home visiting champions leaving a legacy around the world 😊

https://parentsasteachers.org/story-submission-form/

06/06/2026

Check out Berks County’s Parks!
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/01c8bcae75894dcaa58237ecc47437c1

06/01/2026