HELLO!

Thanks for taking the time to read the first Street Beets Blog.

Assembling words to connect with children age, 3 to 9 is my main goal. In fact, connections occur much earlier than the “Early Childhood Development” years of 3 to 9. For instance, reports show when in utero, babies who hear voices from outside the womb can comprehend and perhaps recall words. Research also notes that a baby might tell the difference in the language being spoken. Both events can lead to increased development in speech and language skills.

The quality of air, water, food, and even human interaction affects human development from infancy to adolescence. You may already know these facts. And a fact is, I’m not a clinician. So perhaps you are wondering how my opinion is any different from countless other writings you may come across each day?

I visually approached the topic.

Look around you as I did. Children in their early childhood development years are engaged and manipulating apps on mobile devices. I applaud the intellectuality of the young age group. It’s this specific element of intellect that empowers my writing.

But how will the app content influence the captivated young audience? An exciting game placed into a child’s hand will prevent boredom, especially in clothing stores, grocery store lines and the back seat of a vehicle. Do you believe that learning essential information via a fun app may benefit children? Perhaps info regarding the body and how the body works? If a child between the ages of 3-9 is masterfully navigating an online application, why not playfully introduce terms describing the vascular system? The brain and the heart? How insulin can stay healthy?

I am not questioning a parent’s decision to provide games designed for entertainment. Conversely, when a child plays and achieves at the last level of a gaming application, he or she is exhibiting an incredible ability of comprehension as no other generation before. Credit those superior engineers creating dynamics of current tech. Celebrate!

Agree or Disagree?

Biochemistry once believed too advanced for young children may not be now. Maybe in today’s world, a child will comprehend some basics. It’s mostly memorization, just like mastering a gaming app where muscle memory is in play. Can you imagine the benefits of early biological processes awareness? Perhaps a life absent of diabetes, strokes and heart attacks! Obesity! Kidney failure! Depression! If my brothers and I, or our elementary school classmates, received an earlier exposure to diabetes prevention, our generation may not be suffering the ravaging consequences of metabolic syndrome.

Nursery rhymes and songs have entertained past children for centuries. But what’s truly being conveyed to children in the lyrical content? Does the line “Jack jumped over the candlestick” hint of playing with fire? Are you aware of the poetic content behind Ring a Ring o' Roses? Perhaps I’m reaching deep into simple nursery rhymes. Even if that’s the case, music for the age group is typically so simplistic that parents often wish for a song's end. I strive to offer exciting songs with lyrical content to educate, stimulate, and maybe even pique interest in music studies. Evidence shows children taking part in music lessons from a young age results in a higher IQ during young adulthood. This leads to better grade performance. Imagine children of early nutritional insight and a bright mind. Any advantage in life preventing diabetes and related complications such as blindness and amputations are best. Right?

A young audience embracing pirates, princesses, and dragons is magnificent! In fact, I have in my possession a beloved childhood book. The Golden Treasury of Children’s Literature, published in 1969. So many cool memories of mumsy reading to my brothers and I. My children enjoyed listening to the ageless stories. I hope to create similar memories for other children with my authoring. I launched Little Bea and The Good Health Ship to share words such as insulin, islet cells, and glucose as storybook characters. The simple bio terms bring to life Captain Insulin, the First Mate, Mr. Glucose, and Islet the ship’s dog. I use the vocabulary so children may embrace the importance of an effective insulin is the reward of a healthy pancreas. I strive for more than just assembling words. Saving lives! Diabetes is absent from prejudices and world boundaries. It’s one of the four “silent killers.”

Sammie the Support Shepherd launched on September 4, 2021. Through rolling rhymes and playful watercolor illustrations, Sammie shares words of encouragement for children, and adults alike experiencing social isolation and low-self esteem phobias. I wholeheartedly believe early childhood education is prevention.

Through broader vocabulary and health awareness, children may achieve an advantage. It’s obvious how important these subjects are to the project. Truth is, all diseases are unfortunate. Next month I’ll share how diabetes has dramatically influenced my lineage. Hopefully, I have connected with you today, so we may connect again soon.

Until we meet on the next beet, my friends!

- D.R. Gallardo