Friday, February 21, 11:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m: Speakers

11:30 a.m: Dedication with 20 adorable youngsters and Potter the Otter

New Exhibition in Partnership with FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Emphasizes Healthy Choices in Early Childhood to Travel Throughout California

 Speakers include:

• Dr. Antonia Charles, Pediatrician and Director of Pediatric Healthy Lifestyle Center
• Susan Ellenberg, Chairperson of FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and Santa Clara County Board Supervisor
• Sylvia Arenas, San Jose Councilwoman, District 8
• Jolene Smith, CEO of FIRST 5 Santa Clara County

WHAT: One in three children in the U.S. is overweight or obese. Children who maintain a healthy weight have a lower risk of developing health issues such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and joint problems as adults. Eating a healthy diet and exercising promotes optimal growth and development among children and reduces their risk of chronic disease. https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/hi/hd/reports/child-health/Documents/status-v2.pdf

Children’s Discovery Museum and FIRST 5 have teamed up once again to support the healthy development of children age 0 to 5 with the museum’s newest STEM-based exhibition, Potter the Otter: A Healthy Adventure. Created and built by the museum and funded by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, the exhibition features the popular otter’s adventures and his discovery that

• eating fruits and veggies,
• drinking plenty of water,
• and staying active helps children become their best selves.

The Potter exhibition is designed with positive messages for parents about the benefits of healthy decisions and accompanying positive, fun activities for children.

The exhibition runs through May 10 before embarking on a tour of museums and libraries across California.

Potter the Otter: A Healthy Adventure is based on the popular book series Potter the Otter, published by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County.

WHY: “This exhibit builds on our strategic commitments of curbing childhood obesity and supporting the development of very young children through our long-standing partnership with FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, said Marilee Jennings, executive director of Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose. “I’m so proud of the work we do together in changing the lives of very young children by helping families and children make positive choices. I’m thrilled to introduce this exhibit to our community and then the rest of California.”

“For almost a decade, Potter the Otter has taught nearly a million children in 3 countries the importance of a healthy lifestyle,” says Jolene Smith, chief executive officer of FIRST 5 Santa Clara County.  “Children’s Discovery Museum is the perfect place to host Potter the Otter’s Healthy Adventure exhibition.  We are deeply appreciative of our partnership with the museum to promote Potter’s healthy lifestyle message to the children and families of Santa Clara County and the state of California.”