Call 911 for Ambulance/Fire/ Police Emergency
Air or Marine Emergency 1-800-567-5111
Animal Emergencies (Nights) 604/879-7343
B.C. Gas Leaks & Odours 1-800-663-9911
BC Nurse Line 604/215-4700, 1-866-215-4700
Puts you in touch with a registered nurse, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
canadiancarseatnetwork. com
Find a technician to verify your child’s car seat is installed correctly.
Earthquake, Flood, Dangerous Spill, Tsunami 1-800-663-3456
Emergency Preparedness www.pep.bc.ca
Help Line for Children (Reporting of child abuse and neglect) throughout the province 310-1234; www.safekidbc. ca
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Newborn Hotline 604/737-3737 open 8:30 am–10 pm, 365 days per year, information about babies to age 2 Poison Control Centre 604/682-5050 1-800-567-8911
Rape Crisis Line – Women Against Violence Against Women 604/255-6344 or toll free 1-877-392-7583 www.wavaw.ca
Rape Relief 604/872-8212
Telecare Crisis Line 604/852-9099, 24 hr crisis line, Christian based
Youth Against Violence Line 1-800-680-4264
The Crisis Centre www.YouthinBC.com 1-800-Suicide, 604/872-3311
The Distress Phone Services provide confidential, nonjudgmental, free emotional
support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. YouthInBC.com is an online resource where youth in distress can: get help through real-time online chat with a trained volunteer, learn more about common issues and concerns (e.g. bullying, depression, etc.), find resources, and be heard by sharing experiences on the blog.
Well, it’s been a crazy two years! The global pandemic, COVID-19, took us for a ride and left us living a new life. On April 5th, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that the pandemic measures have been lifted. We no longer need to wear masks or show vaccine passports to enter businesses or restaurants. I guess this means life is going to get back to normal, whether that’s how things were pre-pandemic is another story. During the pandemic some improvements were made. COVID-19 changed how many people work by eliminating the need to go to an office thus decreasing our dependance on cars. It has adjusted the way we treat our selves, and everyone around us, when we are sick. It has increased our awareness of cleanli ness and keeping our hands clean. It has also shown us the importance of being around others. Many events were missed during the pandemic and we’re excited to have them back. Here are a few events to check out:
Stargazer – An Immersive Universe is presented in partner ship with the HR Macmillan Space Center and in collaboration with the Canadian Space
Agency. The Stargazer immersive experi ence, located at Tswassen Mills, is a complete walkthrough of our complex and wondrous universe, featuring a 270-degree Immersive room, a detailed timeline of the historic space race, and numerous replicas of famous rockets, space stations, and satellites.
Jurassic Quest, North America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit will arrive at the Vancouver Convention Centre for one weekend only May 13–15, and then make their way to TRADEX in Abbots ford May 20–24. Fun for the entire family!
Theatres Under The Stars (TUTS) presents Something Rotten! and We Will Rock You, running alternate evenings July 2–August 27, 2022, at Stanley Park’s scenic Malkin Bowl.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival is returning to its iconic Vancouver waterfront site iin Senákw/Vanier Park with a lineup that includes the all-time audience favourite A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the BMO Mainstage, Harlem Duet, by Djanet Sears, and Romeo and Juliet on the Howard Family Stage. The Festival will run from June 8 to September 24 and include a range of concerts and special events as well as the three plays.
When you take a hike with young kids, you get to experience the magic of discovering nature all over again. It’s a golden opportunity to create beautiful memories, expand their understand ing of the world, and build self-confidence. However, hiking with kids is a very different animal than getting outside with adults. Here are several tips for hitting the trail with kids.
A pre-tween might struggle on a path that a preschooler rockets up. Regardless of age, start with easy hikes on wide trails with minimal elevation gain before trying more challeng ing trips. Choose a trail that appeals to their interests—beavers, horses, suspension bridges, or trains, for example.
Be flexible on the destination
Lower your expectations. You may or may not reach the waterfall at trail’s end. Hiking with young kids really is about the journey, not the destination.
Curious kids will stop to investigate every ditch, snail, or spiderweb. Have a closer look and delight in their discoveries.
Shorter legs require more steps to cover the same distance. If you never had any use for park benches and picnic tables, you’ll appreci ate their value now.
Bring food the kids will eat (and plenty of it)
Prevent the hangry child. Frequent snacking (and drinking) will help keep kids’ energy levels and spirits up. Now’s the time to pull out the chocolate chip cookies. Pack a picnic for lunch. Be sure to carry extra water.
Kids have a propensity to get wet, and a cold kid is an unhappy kid. Bring warm layers and rain gear too. A toque, mittens, and wind breaker are lifesavers on a windy summit. Avoid cotton — just like adults, kids need proper footwear and quick-dry clothing. Don’t forget the wet wipes and, if applicable, extra diapers.
Be prepared to carry everything
While bringing more than sufficient supplies is a good idea—not to mention binoculars and other optional items—you don’t want to overdo it. After all, a tired kid probably won’t want anything heavier than fishy crack ers and a favourite stuffy in their backpack. Keep in mind that circumstances may call on you to carry an exhausted or injured kid out of the woods.
Whether it’s icicles, lakes, puddles, streams, waterfalls, or waves, water is a huge hit with kids. Any trail with plenty of opportunities to see, hear, and splash in water is gold. Keep kids close and be careful around slippery rocks, swift currents, and deep water.
Hold on to young kids in steep terrain and around cliffs. Don’t approach or feed wildlife. Stay together to reduce the likelihood of a bear attack or getting lost. Carry bear spray and use it to repel aggressive wildlife.
Look for the perfect walking stick or magic wand. Search for hollow trees. Try to spot something in each of the primary and second ary colours. Go geocaching. Bring a teddy bear for photo ops along the trail. Make it a scavenger hunt. Have fun!
Ready for a family hike? Here are three Lower Mainland hikes with points of interest for kids. There’s no need to complete these trails to enjoy these outings. Important reminders for every hike: Check trail reports, bring the essentials, leave a trip plan with a responsible person, and leave no trace.
Round trip: 8 km
Trailhead: Cardena Road (via Bowen Island Trunk Road)
Half the fun of hiking on Bowen Island is riding the ferry. This foot-passenger-friendly hike in Crippen Regional Park boasts many attractions, such as big trees, a waterfall, a fish ladder, and a beaver lodge.
• At Horseshoe Bay, catch a B.C. Ferries sailing to Bowen Island. From the Snug Cove dock, walk up Bowen Island Trunk Road and turn right on Cardena Road. Find the Crippen en trance on the left. Set off on the Alder Grove Trail.
• Reach Bridal Veil Falls and drop down a path to see the cascade and ageing fish ladder. At the end of Alder Grove, take the Miller Road crosswalk to begin the Hatchery Trail. Pass a hollow tree worth hiding in.
• Cross a bridge over Terminal Creek and head right on the Meadow Trail. Follow the path by an equestrian ring, through Terminal Creek Meadows, and to a bridge over Killarney Creek, where a beaver dam raises the water level in a marsh.
• Make a left on the Killarney Creek Trail to keep going to Killarney Lake. Fork left at the Cedar Trail junction to begin a clockwise loop. Meet Magee Road, turn left, and recross Killarney Creek. Exit the gravel road to the right on the Killarney Lake Loop Trail.
• Continue on the scenic loop trail, which gets
more rugged on the east side of the lake. Briefly go left on Magee Road. Turn right on the Cedar Trail. Merge with the Killarney Creek Trail and stick with it to Miller Road. Go right to reunite with the Alder Grove Trail. Retrace your steps to Snug Cove.
Round trip: 16 km
Trailhead: Hyannis Drive and Hyannis Point (via Mount Seymour Parkway)
• A rockslide, suspension bridge, and tunnel will intrigue youngsters in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Head into the lovely woods on the Hyannis Trail. Keep left at sev eral junctions to descend the Bridle Trail.
• Meet the Fisherman’s Trail at a rockslide site. Turn right, sticking with Fisherman’s on your way upstream. Cross the Seymour River Suspension Bridge. Keep right at the junc tion at the west end. An interpretive panel prompts you to notice an old water pipeline tunnel. Pass a salmon spawning and rearing habitat area at Coho Creek. See if you can spot some fish.
• Fisherman’s trail rises to meet the Spur 4 road. A connector trail leads to the Mid Val ley lookout. However, turn right and head down to the Spur 4 Bridge. Listen to the river and take in the upstream and downstream views. When you’re ready to head back, retrace your steps to Hyannis Drive.
Round trip: 5 km
Trailhead: Belcarra Picnic Area (via Tum-tumaywhueton Drive)
This beach in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park is an enchanting destination. The shore line hosts barnacles, crabs, limpets, sea stars, and multicoloured rock.
• Find the trailhead next to the picnic shelters. Follow the path to Bedwell Bay Road; cross by the bus stop. Pass the Bedwell Bay Trail and turn right to start the Jug Island Beach Trail. The roadbed rises in the secondgrowth forest and levels out. Pass under a rock wall covered with moss, go up stairs, and scamper over outcrops. Descend the muddy path, with the aid of stone steps.
• Emerge at Jug Island Beach. Comb it for interesting rocks and shells, but remember the fourth principle of Leave No Trace: “Leave what you find.” Return to the trailhead.
Stephen Hui is the author of Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, a new guide to 55 family-friendly trails. His first two books, 105 Hikes and Destination H were #1 B.C. bestsellers. Learn more: 105hikes.com
365 fundays theme park Richmond, 604/370-0093 365fundays.ca
Adventure Zone and Toddler Zone Kids Market, Vancouver 604/608-6699 theadventurezone.ca
Capital City Classic Arcade New West, 604/553-8555 capcityarcade.com
Castle Royale West Van, 604/925-0707 castleroyale.ca
Chuck E. Cheese Langley, 604/534-9966 chuckecheese.com
Circuit Circus Kids Market, Vancouver theadventurezone.ca
Arcade Bliss! All kinds of games for kids of all ages.
Crash Crawly’s Adventure Fun Centre Coquitlam, 604/526-1551 crash-crawlys.com
Extreme Air Park Richmond, New Westminister, Langley extremeairpark.com Fun4Kidz Richmond fun4kidz.ca
Go Bananas Langley, Richmond, Surrey, North Vancouver, Chilliwack gobananasplaycenter.com
The Hive Climbing hiveclimbing.com
Jungle Jacs
Port Coquitlam, 604/941-2518 junglejacs.com
Planet Lazer Richmond, Langley, New West planetlazer.net
Play Abby Surrey, Abbotsford 604/853-7529 playabby.com
Richmond Olymic Oval Climbing Richmond, 778/296-1400 richmondoval.ca
The World of Kidropolis Richmond 604/285-7529 (PLAY) kidtropolis.ca
TumbleTown Movement Education Centre Vancouver, Richmond tumbletown.ca
VR Funtastic World Kids Market, Vancouver vrfuntasticworld.com
Kids Play Cafe & Cafe Artistico Surrey, 604/593-5437 kidsplaycafe.ca
6pack Indoor Beach & Court Side Cafe Richmond, 604/321-6800 6packbeach.com
Circus Play Cafe Vancouver circusplaycafe.com Under 5 outdoors
Bear Creek Train Surrey, 604/501-1232 bctrains.com
Burnaby Central Railway Burnaby, 604/291-0922 bcsme.org
Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel Burnaby, 604/293-6500 burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Fort Langley National Historic Site pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/langley
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary Ladner, 604/946-6980 reifelbirdsanctuary.com
Greater Vancouver Zoo Aldergrove, 604/856-6825 gvzoo.com
Grouse Mountain North Van, 604/986-6262 grousemountain.com
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site Steveston, 604/664-9009 pc.gc.ca/gulfofgeorgiacannery
Historic Stewart Farm Surrey, 604/592-6956 facebook.com/HeritageSurrey
Honeybee Centre Surrey, 604/575-2337 honeybeecentre.com
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre North Vancouver 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca
Maplewood Farm
North Van, 604/929-5610 maplewoodfarm.bc.ca Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment 2340 River Road, Richmond
UBC Botanical Garden Vancouver, 604/822-5858 botanicalgarden.ubc.ca
VanDusen Botanical Garden Vancouver vandusengarden.org
Vancouver Canadians Baseball Vancouver, 604/872-5232 canadiansbaseball.com
Maple Ridge, 855/595-2251 wildplay.com Ages 5+ Platforms high above your head. Dozens of ziplines streaking through the trees and more suspended ladders, bridges, nets, and obstacle games than you can count. WildPlay Parks in Maple Ridge, Victoria and Nanaimo have thrilling adventure for all ages 5+.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum Vancouver, UBC 604/827-4955 beatymuseum.ubc.ca
Bill Reid Gallery Vancouver, 604/682-3455 billreidgallery.ca
Britannia Mine Museum Squamish britanniaminemuseum.ca Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel Burnaby, 604/293-6500 burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Canadian Museum of Flight Langley, 604/532-0035 canadianflight.org
Evergreen Cultural Centre Coquitlam, 604/927-6555 evergreenculturalcentre.ca The Tri-Cities venue for live arts events, exhibitions, and experiences, steps away from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas Skytrain station. They provide a thrilling season of
live performing arts events, family-friendly programs, and contemporary exhibitions from artists of all mediums in the art gallery.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Vancouver, 604/738-7827 spacecentre.ca
Kids Market Vancouver, 604/689-8447 kidsmarket.ca An established destination for family fun and adventure. With two levels of retail, entertainment, and a children’s only hair salon in the main building. Find pet treats in the 50-year old Canadian Pacific Caboose out front and more retail and food in the two annex buildings at the back.
Museum of Anthorpology Vancouver, UBC moa.ubc.ca/
Museum of Surrey Surrey, 604/592-6956 surrey.ca/culture-recreation/ 2372.aspx
Royal BC Museum Victoria, 888/447-7977 royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Science World at TELUS World of Science Vancouver, 604/443-7443 scienceworld.ca
Steveston Tram Richmond, 604/238-8081 richmond.ca/culture/sites/ tram/abouttram.htm
Urban Safari Rescue Society Surrey, 604/531-1100 urbansafari.ca
Advanced booking required Vancouver Art Gallery Vancouver, 604/662-4719 vanartgallery.bc.ca
Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver, 604/659-FISH visitvanaqua.org
Vancouver Maritime Museum Vancouver, 604/257-8300 vanmaritime.com
Vancouver Police Museum Vancouver, 604/665-3346 vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
Big Splash Waterslide Park Tsawwassen, 778/434-4840 bigsplashwaterpark.ca
Destination Cultus Water and Theme Parks cultus.com
Granville Island Waterpark Vancouver, 604/257-8195
Newton Wave Pool Surrey, 604/501-5540
Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience waterpark Aldergrove, 604/857-4299 tol.ca
Playland at the PNE Vancouver, 604/253-2311 pne.ca
Watermania Richmond, 604/448-5353 richmond.ca/parksrec/pools/ watermania
Girl Guides provides togetherness girls can count on.
Visit girlguides.ca/learnmore to join the fun!
facebook.com/RayWongMagic – Balloon Twister Extraordinaire
Burnaby Village Museum Burnaby, 604/297-4565 burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Castle Royale Park Royal, West Van 604/925-0707 castleroyale.ca
Honeybee Centre Surrey, 604/575-2337 honeybeecentre.com
Jump Gymnastics Yaletown 604/568-9690 North Van 604/971-0513 jumpgymnastics.ca
TumbleTown Movement Education Centre Vancouver, Richmond tumbletown.ca
Lower Mainland, 604/688-3157
Starchild & Company
Lower Mainland, 604/541-0908
West Coast Exotics BC westcoastexoticsbc.com
Richmond, 604/321-6800
Circus Play Cafe Vancouver circusplaycafe.com Under 5
Climb Base 5 Vancouver, North Vancouver climbbase5.com Age 6+
Crash Crawly’s Adventure Fun Centre Coquitlam, 604/526-1551 crash-crawlys.com
Delta Gymnastics Delta, 888/951-4713 deltagymnastics.com Age 6–12
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre North Van, 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca
Momentum Ninja Port Coquitlam, 778/941-9631 momentumninja.com Ages 1yr+
Princess Spa The Hairloft Vancouver Kids Market 604/684-6177 princessspa.ca Ages 3–12
The Hive Climbing North Van, 604/990-4483 Vancouver, 604/683-4483 hiveclimbing.com Ages 6+
Uphoria Yoga Vancouver, 604/326-2995 uphoriayoga.com
Vancouver Canadians Baseball Vancouver, 604/872-5232 canadiansbaseball.com
Vancouver Maritime Museum Vancouver, 604/257-8310 vanmaritime.com
Kids Market, Vancouver
Burnaby Central Railway Burnaby, 604/291-0922
Extreme Air Park Richmond, New Westminister, Langley extremeairpark.com
Fairy Skye Castle Langley, 604/209-5435 fairyskye.com
Birthday Parties at Playland Vancouver, 604/252-3663
BrainSTEM Learning North Van, 604/379-2767
Fort Langley National Historic Site Fort Langley pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/lang ley/activ/activ14
Fun4Kids Playcentre Richmond, 604/279-5439 fun4kidz.ca
Rocky Mountain Flatbread Vancouver, Surrey Ages 5+ rockymountainflatbread.ca SkyZone Surrey, 778/395-5867 skyzone.com
Sprout Concept (Baby Casa) Vancouver sproutconcept.ca
Sun Hang Do – The Complete Martial Art Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford sunhangdo.com
The World of Kidtropolis Richmond, 604/285-7529 kidtropolis.ca
Granville Island Toy Co. Vancouver Kids Market 604/684-0076 toycompany.ca
My Uptown Party Store New West, 778/949-7031 my-uptown-party.business.site Par-T-Perfect Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley par-t-perfect.com
Post-secondary education is pricy. If you’re planning to help your kid pur sue university, an apprenticeship, or a trade school, some early strategizing can help minimize the sticker shock of tuition, books and other costly school supplies.
Even if your child is still young, opening a registered education savings plan (RESP) is a great first step to take. To ensure those savings give your children the head start you intended, familiarize yourself with these RESP benefits so you can make the most of this tax-advantaged account.
1. Start ASAP and open an RESP RESPs are tax-preferred investment accounts that can help save for a child’s higher educa tion. A subscriber opens the account and con tributes money for a beneficiary. Subscribers are often parents of the beneficiary but don’t need to be. Grandparents, family members, friends, and even child-care agencies can also open certain types of RESPs, as long as the child has a social insurance number (SIN).
The earlier you open an RESP and get con tributions and grants working, the more you can take advantage of tax-deferred growth. Simply opening an RESP qualifies you for grants—and you don’t have to contribute any money to receive some of these payments.
There are three types of RESP accounts you can open:
• Individual plans are for a single beneficiary who does not need to be related to the sub scriber.
• Family plans are great for families because more than one child can be named the ben eficiary, but they must be related to the subscriber by blood or adoption.
• Group plans are combined plans that pool together contributions from many subscrib ers. A special promoter manages the funds, and each plan has its own set of rules. You can only contribute for one child in a group plan, but they don’t need to be related to you.
Family plans offer the most flexibility, espe cially if one of your children doesn’t end up attending post-secondary school. You can open a family plan with just one beneficiary to start.
An RESP is a tax-advantaged account, which means you can shave off thousands of dollars worth of taxes from the cost of a child’s postsecondary education. Although subscribers do not earn a tax break on their deposits when making contributions, the investment gains grow tax-free in the account.
RESP funds are only subject to tax when the beneficiary withdraws them to pay for their education. Since students are typically in low-income tax brackets, the tax conse quences are minimal or non-existent.
To qualify for RESP withdrawals, the chil dren must attend a designated school, such as trade schools, colleges, and universities.
4. Fund the RESP with free money
RESPs qualify to receive funds through vari ous government grants that are paid directly into the account and grow tax-deferred.
There are two main types of grants for all Canadians and one for BC families.
• The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) can top off the account with up to $7,200, depending on the primary caregiver’s income. This grant can help you make up for lost time if you’re opening an RESP for an older child.
• The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) pays up to $2,000 per child, including $500 for the first year of eligibility and $100/year for every eligible year until they turn 15.
Simply opening an RESP qualifies you for grants—and you don’t have to contribute any money to receive some of these payments.
Eligibility depends on how the size of the family and the primary caregiver’s income.
• The British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant is a one-time payment of $1,200 available for children born after 2010 and must be applied for while the beneficiary is between six and eight years old.
5.
There’s no limit to how much you can put into an RESP in any given year, but there is a $50,000 lifetime contribution limit that applies to all RESPs for a beneficiary, regard less of the subscribers. If you plan to transfer an RESP to a new beneficiary, make sure this doesn’t create an over-contribution—which would be taxed at 1% per month until the excess is withdrawn.
6. Have a plan if your child doesn’t pursue higher education RESPs can remain open for up to 36 years, so the beneficiary doesn’t need to attend school right away. However, if they decide
not to pursue post-secondary education, you still have options beyond simply closing the account.
• Change beneficiaries (or transfer to another RESP). The process of changing benefi ciaries or moving funds in one RESP to another child’s RESP depends on the type of plan and how the new beneficiary is related to the subscriber or the original beneficiary. Family plans make this easiest since multiple siblings equally share con tributions and most grants.
• Transfer to your RRSP. As the RESP sub scriber, if you have sufficient contribution room in your registered retirement sav ings plan (RRSP), you can transfer up to $50,000 without tax consequences. You need to pay back the grants, but you can keep the funds’ tax-deferred growth.
• Transfer to an RDSP. If the beneficiary quali fies for a registered disability savings plan (RSDP), it may be possible to transfer the RESP (after repaying the grants) to the RDSP without tax consequences.
Closing an RESP outright should be a last resort because of the tax consequences. The account must repay the grants to the govern ment, and the original contributions returned to the subscriber or beneficiary, tax-free.
The rest of the money is disbursed and taxed at the subscriber’s income tax rate, plus 20%. While the extra 20% is presumed to be a way for the government to recapture the tax-deferred growth from the grants, the bite can be significant if the subscriber is in a high tax bracket.
You can prepare for the possibility of having to close an RESP by ensuring you have suf ficient RRSP contribution room to roll over the money without paying tax.
Nora Dunn is a former financial planner, and has been a digi tal nomad since 2006. On her site, TheProfessionalHobo.com, she decodes financially sustainable long-term travel. She’s on FB and IG @theprofessionalhobo. NerdWallet is on a mission to pro vide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions. As a personal finance website and app, NerdWallet provides consumers with personal ized and actionable insights so they can make smart money moves. Learn more at nerdwallet.ca.
Active Baby Vancouver, North Vancouver, Langley activebaby.ca
Baby’s World by Snuggle Bugz Coquitlam, 604/515-0888 snugglebugz.ca
Hip Baby Vancouver, 604/736-8020 hipbaby.com Little Earth Vancouver, 778/737-7004 littleearthvancouver.com
Lusso Baby North Van, 778/340-0648 lussobaby.ca
Monkey Business Kids Boutique Maple Ridge, 604/476-9345 mbkidsboutique.com
Not for Long South Surrey, 778/294-0401 notforlong.ca
Oyaco Products Inc. Canada oyaco.com Westcoast Kids Vancouver, Richmond westcoastkids.ca
Buttercups Children’s Boutique Delta, 604/946-3997 buttercups.ca Beansprouts Vancouver, 604/871-9782 beansprouts.ca
Isola Bella Children’s Clothing and Shoe Boutique Vancouver, 604/266-8808 isolabellakids.com
Little Treasures ‘On the Go’ Vancouver Kids Market 604/677-3792; kidsmarket.ca Rain & snow gear. Swim & sunwear.
MacGillycuddy’s Children’s Consignment Store Vancouver, 604/263 -5313 vankids.ca
Once Upon A Child Coquitlam, Surrey, Abbottsford onceuponachild.com
Peekaboo Beans Flagship Store Tsawwassen, 604/963-0013 peekaboobeans.com
Sweet Monkey Vancouver Kids Market 604/682-3364 sweet-monkey.ca
Hairloft/Princess Spa Vancouver Kids Market 604/684-6177 princessspa.ca
Joy hair Studio
Lonsdale Quay, North Van 604/990-0123 joyhairstudio.com Kid’s Kut Land Port Moody, 604/937-7455
Melonhead Children’s Hair Care Vancouver, 604/568-5646 melonhead.ca
Sparky’s Kutz for Kidz Coquitlam: 604/945-1973 North Van: 604/990-4900 Richmond: 604/270-7333 Langley: 778/277-2288 sparkyshairsalons.com
Black Bond Books Delta, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Ladner blackbondbooks.com
Dilly Dally Toy Store Vancouver, 604/252-9727 dillydallykids.ca
Granville Island Stamps Plus/Canada Post Vancouver Kids Market 604/684-9869
Humpty Dumpty Books and Music Vancouver Kids Market 604/683-7009 humptydumptybooksand music.ca
Kidsbooks Vancouver, North Van, Online kidsbooks.ca Majik Kids, Children’s Publishing Online, 1-250-889-2389
majikkids.com Ages 3–9
Village Books & Coffee House Richmond, 604/272-6601 facebook.com/villagebooks coffee
Dance Co. 604/736-3394 danceco.com Duck Feet North Van duckfeetdancesupplies.ca
Just Imagine… Fun Clothing Kitsilano: 604/222-3523 Vancouver Kids Market: 604/558-0119 dressups.com
A.P Photography 778/814-5340 facebook.com/andrewpratico photography
Bopomo Pictures Vancouver, 604/678-1411 bopomo.ca
Community Photography by Paige Fraser communityphotography.net
JLS Photography Surrey,778/242-8617 jlsphotography.ca Kim Forrester Photography 778/229-9353 kimforresterphotography.com
Kirsten Laufer Photography 604/330-3933 kirstenlauferphotography.com
Sandra D Photography facebook.com/photosby SandraD
Shelly Welch Photography 604/612-9491 shellywelch.ca
TL MacDonald photography tlmacdonald.com
Whimsy and Wonder Photography whimsyandwonder photography.com
Xavi & Co. Photography xaviandcophotography.com
BC Playthings North Vancouver, 604/986-4111 bcplaythings.com
Camelot Kids Vancouver Kids Market 604/688-9766 camelotkids.com
Clownin’ Around Magic Shop Vancouver Kids Market 604/682-0244 clowninaroundmagic.com
Dilly Dally Toy Store Vancouver, 604/252-9727 dillydallykids.ca
Granville Island Toy Company Vancouver, 604/684-0076 toycompany.ca
Kaboodles Toy Store
Vancouver, 604/558-1117 kaboodles.ca
Kids Market
Granville Island, Vancouver 604/689-8447 kidsmarket.ca Find every toy imaginable … whether you are looking for games, magic, books, sports collectables, puzzles, dancewear, party supplies, costumes, children’s clothing, shoes, natural rocks and gems and more. Places include an indoor play area, an arcade and birthday parties, virtual reality rides, bumper cars, kid friendly food, hair salon for kids and more.
Kites and Puppets
Vancouver Kids Market 604/685-9877 kitesandpuppets.ca
Knotty Toys Vancouver Kids Market 604/683-7854 knottytoys.com
Mastermind Toys Canada Coquitlam, Langley, Tsawwassen mastermindtoys.com
Splash Toy Shop Richmond, 604/241-0234 splashtoyshop.ca
Toy Central Ltd. Langley, 604/857-3230 toycentral.ca
Toy Traders Langley, 604/532-9516 toytraders.ca
The Village Toy Shop Port Moody, 604/949-0444 villagetoyshop.ca
At Rothewood Academy we are dedicated to teaching the whole child— head, hands and heart. Our holistic approach to early learning is what makes Rothewood unique. We believe in helping each individual child embrace their inquisitiveness and creativity through play based and natural play learning environments and activities.
HEAD. HANDS. HEART. Our Schools: RICHMOND SOUTH SURREY WHITE ROCK Ages: 0-5 years Contact us to learn more or schedule a tour: ROTHEWOOD.COM
Alexander Academy Vancouver, 604/687-8832 alexanderacademy.ca Co-ed, grades 8–12
Bodwell High School and Bodwell Academy North Van, 604/924-5056 bodwell.edu/highschool Co-ed, grades 8–12
Brockton School North Van, 604/929-9201 brocktonschool.com Co-ed, grades K–11
Choice School Richmond choiceschool.org Co-ed, grades K–7
Collingwood School West Van, 604/925-3331 collingwood.org
Co-ed, grades JK–12
Crofton House Vancouver, 604/263-3255 croftonhouse.ca Girls, grades 1–12
Cousteau, l’Ecole Française Internationale de Vancouver North Van, 604/924-2457 cousteauschool.org
Eaton Arrowsmith Vancouver, White Rock, eatonarrowsmith.com
Fraser Academy Vancouver, 604 736 5575 fraseracademy.ca Co-ed, grades 1–12
Fraser Valley Elementary School Langley, 604/533-5469 fves.bc.ca Co-ed, grades K–3
Kenneth Gordon
Maplewood School
North Van, 604/985-5224 kgms.ca Co-ed, grades 1–12
Madrona School Society Vancouver, 604/499-7303 madronaschool.com Co-ed, grades 4–7
Marpole Bilingual Montessori School Vancouver, 604/266-1091 marpolebilingualmontessori. com
Meadow Montessori Elementary & Preschool Maple Ridge, 604/465-3492 meadowmontessori.ca
Co-ed, grades PS–7
Meadowridge School Maple Ridge, 604/467-4444 meadowridge.bc.ca Co-ed, grades 4–7
Mulgrave School West Van, 604/922-3223 mulgrave.com Co-ed, grades Pre-K–12
North Star Montessori North Van, 604/980-1205 northstarmontessori.ca Co-ed, grades PS–7
North Star offers an authentic Montessori program for children ages 6–12. Committed to meeting the developmental needs of each child, we foster a love of learning, independence, and respect. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire an intrinsic motivation to ‘learn’ and ‘do’ that students carry with them throughout their lives.
Pacific Spirit School Vancouver, 604/222-1900 pacificspiritschool.org Co-ed, grades K–8
Pattison High School Vancouver, 604/608-8788 pattisonhighschool.ca Co-ed, grades 8–12
Pear Tree School Vancouver, 604/355-2155 peartree.school Co-ed, grades K-9
At Pear Tree School, we teach children to connect and apply education to real life. We strive to provide the skills and resources students need to develop into strong learners, able thinkers, and contributing members of their community and world.
Pythagoras Academy Richmond, 604/370-0199 pythagorasacademy.ca Co-ed, grades JK–7
Richmond Jewish Day School Richmond, 604/275-3393 rjds.ca Co-ed, grades K–7
St. George’s School Vancouver, 604/221-3890 stgeorges.bc.ca Boys, grades 1–12
St. John’s School Vancouver, 604/629-2458 stjohns.bc.ca Co-ed, grades K–12
St. John’s International School Vancouver, 604/683-4572 stjohnsis.com Co-ed, grades 10–12
SelfDesign Learning Community Vancouver, 877/353-3374 selfdesign.org Co-ed, grades K–12
Southpointe Academy Tsawwassen, 604/948-8826 southpointe.ca Co-ed, grades PS–12
Stratford Hall Vancouver, 604/436-0608 stratfordhall.ca Co-ed, grades K–12
Traditional Learning Academy Coquitlam, 604/931-7265 traditionallearning.com Co-ed, grades K–12
Urban Academy New West, 604/524-2211 urbanacademy.ca Co-ed, grades JK–12 Vancouver College Vancouver, 604/261-4285 vc.bc.ca Boys, grades K–12
Vancouver Montessori School Vancouver, 604/261-0315 vancouvermontessorischool.com Co-ed, grades PS–7
Vancouver Hebrew Academy Vancouver, 604/266-1245 vhebrewacademy.com Co-ed, grades PS–7
Vancouver Waldorf School North Van, 604/985-7435 vws.ca Co-ed, grades PS–12
Westside Montessori Academy Vancouver, 604/434-9611 westsidemontessoriacademy.ca
West Point Grey Academy Vancouver, 604/222-8750 wpga.ca Co-ed, grades JK–12
York House School Vancouver, 604/736-6551 yorkhouse.ca Girls, grades JK–12
Alderwood House Richmond, 604/272-5023 alderwoodhouse.com
Birchland Treehouse Preschool
Port Coquitlam, 604/945-0002 birchlandtreehouse.com
Brainbridge Bilingual Education and Fine Arts Centre Vancouver, 604/322-6830 brainbridge.ca
Brentwood Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten Burnaby, 604/294-2671 brentwoodmontessori.ca
BrightPath Kids Lower Mainland 1-888/808-2252 brightpathkids.com
Burnaby French Language Playschool Burnaby, 604/432-1323 bflp.org
Canyon Heights Preschool North Van, 604/986-5597 canyonheightspreschool.com
Children’s House Montessori Coquitlam, 604/931-1311 montessoribc.com
CEFA Early Learning
Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, North Vancouver, Pitt
Meadows, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Victoria cefa.ca
Cornerstone Christian Academy Richmond, 604/303-9181 cornerstonechristianacademy.ca
Council of Parent
Participation Preschools 604/435-4430, 800/488-0660 cpppreschools.bc.ca
Cousteau, l’Ecole française internationale de Vancouver North Van, 604/924-2457 Cousteauschool.org
Creative Edge School of Arts Abbotsford, 604/855-3343 creativeedgebc.com
Discovery Montessori Richmond, 604/807-9796 discoverymontessorischool.ca
Discovery Quest Montessori Surrey, 604/581-1620
Dunbar Memorial Preschool Vancouver, 604/222-6065 dunbarmemorialpreschool.ca
Elite Montessori Academy Vancouver, 604/655-2045 elitemontessori.ca
Gatehouse Montessori West Van, 604/925-1437 gatehousemontessori.com
Hazelwood Early Learning Port Coquitlam, 604/377-8385 hazelwoodearlylearning.com
Highlands PreSchool North Van, 604/980-1740 highlandspreschool.ca
Kids Care Preschool Vancouver, 604/325-2222 southvancouverfamilyplace.org/ kidscare_preschool
Kiddies Korner Preschool Port Coquitlam, 604/941-4919 kkp.ca
La Calypso Vancouver, 778/373-4000 lacalypso.org
Little People Parent Participation Preschool Vancouver, 604/261-2219 littlepeople.ca
Little Pythagoras Academy Richmond, 604/370-0199 pythagorasacademy.ca
Little Neighbours Preschool 604/521-5158 littleneighbours.com
Marpole Bilingual Montessori School Vancouver, 604/266-1091 marpolebilingualmontessori.com Co-ed, grades PS–K
Meadow Montessori Elementary & Preschool Maple Ridge, 604/465-3492 meadowmontessori.ca
North Star Montessori Co-ed, grades PS–7 North Van, 604/980-1205 northstarmontessori.ca
An authentic Montessori program for children ages 6–12. Committed to meeting the developmental needs of each child and foster a love of learning, independence, and respect. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire an intrinsic motivation to ‘learn’ and ‘do’ that students carry with them throughout their lives.
PJ Kids West Van, 604/926-5972 pjkidsclub.com
A play-based childcare program for children 2-1/2 to 5 years old, with a French enriched curriculum, offering half-day and full-day sessions, based on the BC Early Learning Framework. PJ Kids has a great teacher-children ratio, small class sizes, a wonderful playground, and music and French lessons. Located in the heart of Dundarave, they are a short walk from the community center and the library. Their qualified and dedicated ECE teachers have a passion for working with young children.
Finearts Preschool Richmond, 604/221-0141 theartsconnection.ca
Pomme d’Api Preschool Vancouver, 604/877-1122 pommedapi.org
Reach for the Stars
Montessori 5 programs in Vancouver and Burnaby 604/688-7827 montessoristar.com
Rothewood Academy Richmond, South Surrey, White Rock 604/279-1818 rothewood.com
The Rothewood Educational Method is dedicated to teaching the whole child –head, hands, and heart. Our holistic approach to early learning is what makes
Rothewood unique. Visit us today at rothewood.com for more information.
Sandcastle Park Children’s Centre Richmond, 604/274-8380 sandcastlepark.ca
Stepping Stone Preschool Vancouver, 604/261-5315 steppingstonepreschool.org
Sunshine Cove Preschool North Van, 604/770-2683 sunshinecovepreschool.ca
The Centre for Child Development – Childcare and Preschools Surrey 604/584-1361 Delta 604/594-0488 the-centre.org/child-carepreschool
Vancouver Hebrew Academy Co-ed, grades PS–7 Vancouver, 604/264-1245 vhebrewacademy.com
Vancouver Montessori School Co-ed, grades PS–7 Vancouver, 604/261-0315 vancouvermontessorischool.com
Vancouver Waldorf School Co-ed, grades PS–12 North Van, 604/985-7435 vws.ca
Wesbrook Parent Participation Preschool Vancouver, 604/224-3112 wesbrookpreschool.com
West Point Grey Preschool Vancouver, 604/257-8140 westpointgrey.org/programs/ licensed-preschool West Point Grey licensed preschool at Aberthau offers care for children 30 months to 5 years old in a learning through play environment. Uniquely located in a mansion with large outdoor space this preschool is a hidden gem on the west side of Vancouver.
Westside Montessori Academy Preschool to Grade 7 Vancouver, 604/434-9611 westsidemontessoriacademy.ca
Westside Montessori School Vancouver, 604/731-6594 westsidemontessori.ca
Wind and Tide Preschool Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Chilliwack, Cloverdale, Coquitlam, Delta, Ladner, Langley, Maple Ridge, South Surrey, Surrey, Vancouver, White Rock 877/541-5459 windandtide.com
Xplor Fine Arts Preschool Abbotsford, 604/825-0905 xtremetalent.ca/pre-school
Above Grade Level
Lower Mainland, 778/832-1007 abovegradelevel.ca
After 3 Tutoring at Fraser Academy Kitsilano, 604/736-5575 fraseracademy.ca
Aspire Learning Academy 2428 Haywood Avenue West Van, 604/281-0507 www.aspirelearningacademy.com JK–Gr 12
Aspire Learning Academy is an Educational Learning Centre and Consulting firm specializing in the exceptional Singapore Math Curriculum. They excel at providing students with flexible mathematical thinking and reasoning needed to master curriculum concepts. Aspire Learning Academy also provides superior Summer Learning Camps and Front Loading Programs for all students.
Edify Learning Spaces Lower Mainland edifylearningspaces.com
Eye Level Learning Centers Port Moody, North Van, Rich mond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, White Rock myeyelevel.com
KEY Admissions Vancouver, West Vancouver keyadmissions.com Kumon 800/222-6284 kumon.com
Learning Disabilities Society 604/873-8139 ldsociety.ca
MPM Math 604/266-6762 mpmmath.com Ages 3–6
Oxford Learning oxfordlearning.com
PD Plus Tutoring 604/421-6101 pdplustutors.com
Pear Tree Education Vancouver, 604/355-2155 pear-tree.ca Ages 5–14
Pear Tree offers after-school enrichment classes and group tutoring for SSAT and Mini School exams.
The Reading Foundation 604/549-5034 readingfoundation.com
School Is Easy Tutoring 604/439-1790 or 1-877-ITS EASY schooliseasy.com In-home and online tutoring that provides carefully screened, qualified tutors in all subjects: Grades 1–12, ESL (all levels), Special Ed (Autism/ ADHD), Study Skills, Gifted programs, Math, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Socials, History, English and French immersion. Call for a free consultation. They will create a learning plan and set goals for each student.
Sealy Tutoring Vancouver 604/900-9808 sealytutoring.com
Special Learning Skills 604/613-0787 simplifiedlearningskills.com
Spirit of Math
West Vancouver, Vancouver, Richmond, South Surrey 1-866/767-6284 spiritofmath.com
Sylvan Learning 1-888/338-2283 SylvanLearning.ca Symbols Multisensory Learning Centres Vancouver, Coquitlam, Richmond, 604/696-2030 symbolslearning.com Teachers to Go 800/428-8164 TeachersToGo.ca
Teachers’ Tutoring Service Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley 604/730-3410 tutor.bc.ca
TutorBright, Vancouver Vancouver, 778/300-5000 tutorbright.com
Tutor Doctor Multiple locations in Richmond & Delta tutordoctor.com UCMAS ucmas.ca
Voilà Learning Online and at home tutoring across Canada, 866/900-0658 VoilaLearning.com West Coast Centre for Learning Surrey, 778/839-5515 westcoastcentreforlearning.com
This summer, my partner Jordan and I taught a magic camp that will always stand out in my memory. By sheer force of coincidence, every child but one had intellectual, learning, or physical disabilities. Between them, these kids had diagnoses for severe behavioural, attention, and motor chal lenges. Even in a small camp, it was challeng ing to give every child a taste of success. For us, success was predefined. Each child had to perform independently on stage at the end of the week. Astoundingly, every single child walked out on that stage in front of a crowd of family and friends and performed their magic tricks to successful completion (and enthusiastic applause). As the parents thanked us, the strong connection between magic and education finally clicked.
These were kids who struggled in the school system with one-on-one support, which we couldn’t provide. Why were they able to fol low along with our long-winded explanations of how an effect worked, motivate themselves to practice, and actually fool their family and friends?
It was because we captured that elusive resource, their attention.
Jordan always asks, “You want to see some thing cool?” And they always do.
Maybe the kids don’t see us as teachers, but they learn anyway. Maybe they view us as entertainers who reward them with “cool tricks” if they follow along with the theory, practice and attempt what we teach. Does it matter? We consistently hear from par ents that our students are excited to show
off what they’ve learned. Any course can get that “magic” reaction.
I firmly believe what Teller (of Penn and Teller fame) so eloquently proclaims—educa tion is a performance art. Magic in education al contexts is incredibly powerful. In North America, children’s magic developed from an educational tradition. Our first known reference of children’s magic is from 1910, in the form of a book that taught ministers to illustrate moral lessons with magic tricks. Churches understood the excitement and engagement that magic could invoke in link ing lessons to memory. Today, schools bring in magicians (like us) to theme performances around topics like bullying, environmental protection, diversity and inclusion, and more. The themes may have changed, but magic was then and still is a compelling teaching tool. It inspires wonder and amazement, and those are not soon forgotten.
Here is a “mathemagic” trick that you can adjust for difficulty by telling them to select a number from 1–10, 20, 100 or even 1000! They will need to keep a running total in their head (or write it down):
Step 1: Choose a number, write it down, but don’t show me!
Step 2: Take your number and subtract 1.
Step 3: You have a new number? Multiply the total by 3.
Step 4: Now add 12 to your new total.
Step 5: Now divide that by 3.
Step 6: Now add 5.
Step 7: Finally, subtract the original number. (Don’t remember it? Check the paper in your pocket!)
Step 8: Dramatically reveal your prediction for the total: It will be 8.
More “math tricks” can be found online, some easier and others more challenging.
Kids can achieve things that we adults believe are far beyond their reach when they are engaged and interested in the material. And if the material is boring (yes, that hap pens even in magic—let’s face it, they want to know how a trick works, not how to deal cards properly) then the teachers themselves must become the entertainment.
Before I was a magician, I taught writing to everyone from elementary school students to doctoral candidates and business professionals. My pattern was simple and always the same, first engage, then introduce the concepts, and entertain throughout to anchor
the theory in long-term memory and get them excited to see me again.
Consider this, which teacher do you remember the most and why? Was it a teacher you hated—or one you loved? Either way, it’s probably rooted to a strong emotional memory. Are details copied off an overhead a bit hazy? Emotional memories are hard to conjure up without a teacher who captured your attention. One of my favourite teachers in high school had moonlighted as a standup comedian before settling into teaching. Mr. F. fully embraced his role as classroom entertainer. He drew comics and wrote lyr ics to help us memorize the vocabulary. It worked. We would walk up and down the hall singing. His classes were not easy. He had high expectations, but he was still a favourite. There are many ways to entertain and engage attention in educational contexts.
Magic is highly interactive and invites inquiry—there is a natural curiosity to examine objects closely, ask questions, and try to figure out how it works! (As magi cians, it is our job to be skilled and clever
enough to never reveal the secrets and keep the mystery alive).
My question is this—if you start thinking about your class as an audience, what would you change? The argument is consistently made that we are competing for kids’ atten tion. It can be a great boon for a teacher to
calculations! They will be begging you to teach them how you did it. And they will be practicing math for fun. But what makes these tricks, and not puzzles, is the theatrical ity that YOU bring to the audience. Here are some suggestions.
have a few simple tricks up their sleeve (espe cially ones that can be tied to a specific les son)! If you seem like a wizard, you’ll capture more attention as the children won’t want to miss something “something cool”.
Many students struggle with math—if you want kids to improve their ability to calculate, fool them with a trick that requires mental
For any number trick where the end result is predetermined, write a prediction at the start of class, put it in an envelope with a big question mark and hang it on the board. You’ll have their curiosity. Make them wait. Introduce your “prediction”, (or “guess” for younger children), read a child’s mind, and reveal your prediction! Then, teach them the trick and have them practice their calculations themselves using different numbers and let your classroom try to read each other’s minds. TIP: It’s a good idea to get your helper to write their number down and show it to the whole class when you start so that they don’t forget it, and everyone else can follow along and try it with them!
Care Elise is an award-winning magician, educator, and writ er living in the Vancouver area. Feel free to reach out to her at care.dyck@gmail.com.
Kids can achieve things that we adults believe are far beyond their reach when they are engaged and interested in the material.
Music & Movement 0–6 years Choir 5.5–12 years
music • dance • theatre visual arts • creative writing
ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS placedesarts.ca
Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy
Vancouver and Burnaby 604/671-9182 mozaicoflamenco.com
The Arts Connection –Dance School Richmond, 604/241-0141 theartsconnection.org Ages infant to 16 yrs
Arts Umbrella Vancouver / Surrey 604/681-5268 / 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com Ages 2–22
AUUC School of Dance Vancouver, 604/254-3436 auucvancouver.ca Ages 3 to adult
Boogaloo Academy Vancouver, 604/805-0558 boogalooacademy.com Ages 5 months+
Bright Stars Vancouver, 604/725-1607 brightstars.ca Age 2+
Creative Edge School of Arts Abbotsford, 604/855-3343 creativeedgebc.com Age 2+
Dance Co Vancouver, Arbutus & East Van, 604/736-3394 danceco.com Ages 3+
E.J.S. School of Fine Arts – Dance Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com Ages 5+
Gabriela’s Movement Studio Richmond, 604/272-0607 movementstudio.ca Ages 1–9
Goh Ballet Academy Vancouver, 604/872-4014 gohballet.com Ages 4–17
hz Ballet Classique Burnaby, 604/299-9698 balletclassique.com Ages 18 months+
Just for Kicks School of Dance Surrey, 604/596-4161 justforkicksschoolofdance.com Ages 3+
North Shore Academy of Dance North Van, 604/987-3814 nsad.ca Ages 3–18
North Shore Celtic Ensemble North Van, 604/987-4063 nsce.ca Ages 8–18
Pacific Dance Arts Vancouver, 604/738-8575 pacificdancearts.ca Ages 3+
Perform Art Studios North Van, 604/988-4420 performartstudios.com
Ages 3–18
Pink Petal Ballet North Vancouver pinkpetal.ca Ages 2+
Place des Arts Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca Ages 3+ Place des Arts offers dance classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap and yoga dance for children, teens and adults, from recreational to competition levels.
Pulse Dance Centre Port Coquitlam, 604/474-3466 onthepulse.ca Age 2+
Rain City Dance School Vancouver, 604/369-4440 raincitydance.com Age 4+
Reflection Dance Studio White Rock, 604/355-4199 reflectiondancestudio.com Age 5+
School of Music and Dance Langley, Surrey and White Rock musicanddance.org Ages 2+
The Landing Dance Centre South Van, 604/325-8653 TheLandingDance.com Ages 8 to adult
Tri-City Dance Centre Coquitlam, 604/523-6868
tricitydance.com Ages 3+
Vancouver Phoenix International Academy of Dance Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey 778/885-3456; 604/600-8066 vpdance.ca Ages 4+
Vancouver Tap Dance Society East Vancouver, 604/253-0293 vantapdance.com Ages 3+
Vancouver Academy of Dance Vancouver and Richmond 604/231-8293 vancouverdance.com Ages 3+
Wee Dance Vancouver, New Westminster, Surrey, White Rock 604/720-0544 weedance.com
World Dance Co Burnaby, 604/517-4644 worlddanceco.com Age 3+
Arbutus Music Academy Vancouver arbutusmusicacademy.com Ages 3+
The Arts Connection –Music School Richmond, 604/241-0141
theartsconnection.org Ages 4+
BC Conservatory of Music Burnaby, 604/299-2984 bccmusic.ca Ages 4+
BC Registered Music Teachers Assoc. 604/733-5531 bcrmta.bc.ca All ages
Campos Music Vancouver, 604/325-0480 camposmusic.ca Ages 4+
Carillon Music Surrey 604/591-1161 carillonmusicacademy.com Ages 2.5+
Conservatory of Music 129 East 8th Ave, Vancouver colourstrings.ca Music & Movement Group Classes (3 months–6 yrs)
In age-specific groupings children enjoy fun songs and games that develop a solid musical foundation. The more advanced classes introduce music reading and writing. Instrumental Lessons 5-1/2 yrs+ in Violin, Viola, Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Cello, Vocals, Choir, Guitar, Ukulele.
Delta Community Music School
Delta, 604/946-1280 dcms.ca Ages 5+
E.J.S. School of Fine Arts – Music Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com Ages 4+
Jean Lyons School of Music Vancouver, 604/734-4019 jeanlyonsmusic.com All ages
Jumpstart Music & Movement
Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Ridge Meadows facebook.com/jumpstartmusic andmovement/ Newborn to 5 years
Kindermusik with Miss Audrey 778/838/9595 kindermusikwithmissaudrey. kindermusik.com Newborn to 7 years
Langley Community Music School 604/534-2848 langleymusic.com Ages 3 months+
Long & McQuade Music
Lesson Centres long-mcquade.com/lessons All ages Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Courtenay, Kamloops, Langley, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, White Rock
We offer private one-on-one lessons custom-tailored to the needs and goals of the individual student as well as a variety of group lessons. Our students range from children just beginning their journey in music, to those prepping for university, from young adults who just like to sing to seniors who enjoy music and the social aspect. We offer affordable rates and a wide variety of lessons but more importantly, we are a home for anyone who loves music and wants to explore it. Our music lessons are available online and in person.
Music for Young Children 800/828-4334 myc.com Ages 3 to 9 years
MusicQube Education Ltd. Richmond, 604/370-5678 Ages 2+
North Shore Celtic Ensemble North Van, 604/987-4063 nsce.ca Ages 8–18
North Shore Music Academy North Van, 604/925-3403 nsma.ca Ages 3+
North Shore Music Together Multiple locations in North Vancouver 778/899-5004 northshoremusictogether.com Ages 0–5 yrs
Oakridge Music Studio Vancouver, 604/321-1551 omusicstudios.com
Place des Arts Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca Ages 2+ Place des Arts has an abundance of exceptional teachers on our music faculty who offer group classes and private lessons for all ages during the day, after school, in the evening and on weekends. Our welcoming facility boasts well–equipped studios and performance spaces that enhance learning and encourage music making.
Richmond Community Music School 604/272-5227 richmondmusicschool.ca Ages 4+
School of Music and Dance Langley, Surrey and White Rock musicanddance.org Ages 3+
Staccato Music Studios Burnaby, 604/421-3753 staccatostudios.com Ages 4+
Tom Lee Music Academy Lower Mainland, 604/688-8929 tomleemusic.ca
Vancouver Academy of Music Vancouver, 604/734-2301 vam.bc.ca Ages 3.5–18
Vancouver Central School of Music Vancouver, 605-565-8999 vcsom.com Ages 5+
Vancouver Children’s Choir 604/682-6363 vancouverchildrenschoir.ca Girls 8–16, Boys 8–12
VSO School of Music 604/915-9300 vsoschoolofmusic.ca Ages 0+
Vancouver Suzuki Centre Vancouver, 778/819-2812 vancouversuzukicentre.com Violin, Viola & Cello, ages 4+
Western Conservatory of Music Langley, 604/530-0317 westernconservatoryofmusic.ca Ages 3+
Westside Music Together Vancouver, 778/829-6651 westsidemusictogether.ca Ages 0+
Wonder of Learning Vancouver, 604/829-1346 wonderoflearning.ca Age 2.5+
Arts Umbrella –Theatre and Music Vancouver / Surrey 604/681-5268 / 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com Ages 2–22
Carousel Theatre for Young People Vancouver, 604/669-3410 carouseltheatre.ca Ages 3–18
CircusWest East Vancouver 604/252-3679 circuswest.com Ages 8–16
E.J.S. School of Fine Arts – Musical Theatre Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com Ages 7+
Gateway Academy for Performing Arts Acting, Musical Theatre, Speech, Singing Richmond, 604/247-4975 gatewaytheatre.com/academy Ages 6–18
Inspire Arts Academy Surrey, 604/818-3731 inspirearts.ca Age 5–12
JCC Performing Arts School Vancouver, 604/257-5111 jccgv.com Ages 6+
Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools Locations throughout the Lower Mainland. 1-888/502-5253 lightsuptheatre.ca Ages 3–18
Place des Arts – Theatre Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca
Ages 4+
Place des Arts offers progressive theatre and musical theatre programs for children, youth and adults. Our program allows kids to start young in our Junior Coquitlam Youth Theatre Company (ages 9–12) and progress to our Coquitlam Youth Theatre Company, a by-audition performancebased program for ages 13–17.
Vancouver Performing Stars Vancouver, 604/671-3775 performingstars.ca
4 Cats Arts Studios North Van, Richmond, South Surrey, Vancouver, West Van 4cats.com
The Arts Connection Richmond 604/241-0141 theartsconnection.org Ages 4+
Arts Umbrella – Visual, Media, and Applied Arts, Vancouver / Surrey 604/681-5268 / 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com Ages 2–22
Creative Edge School of Arts Abbotsford, 604/855-3343 creativeedgebc.com Age 6+
Place des Arts – Visual Arts Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca Ages 3+ Place des Arts offers visual Arts classes for all ages in a wide variety of mediums, including drawing and painting as well as fibre arts and ceramic arts. We provide a friendly, non-competitive environment where creativity and innovation can flourish for students. Take classes in fall, winter and spring to develop a deep appreciation for the arts.
Surrey Art Gallery 604/501-5566 surrey.ca/artgallery Ages 3+
Arts Umbrella – Media Arts Vancouver, 604/681-5268 artsumbrella.com Ages 6–19
BrainSTEM Learning North Van, 604/379-2767 brainstemlearning.ca Ages 4–14
Bricks 4 Kidz Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby 778/872-STEM (7836) bricks4kidz.com/vancouver Ages 5–12
Build a Biz Kids Port Moody, 604/313-9996 buildabizkids.com
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC Lower Mainland, 604/408-9484 bccerebralpalsy.com
Chi Kids – Happiness Tools for Life Vancouver, Burnaby chischool.ca
Chorus and Clouds Vancouver, 604/873-0091 chorusandclouds.ca
Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art Vancouver, 604/733-1356 christianneslyceum.com Ages 1–8
Dolphin Kids™ Achievement programs 778/939-6440 dolphinkids.ca
Girl Guides of Canada Canada wide info@girlguides.ca, girlguides.ca Girl Guides is a place where girls can be themselves and make life-long friendships. She will find joy as she takes on activities designed just for her in a safe space where who she is and what she loves are celebrated.
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre North Vancouver 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca Mindful Changes West Van, 778/999-6457 mindful-changes.com
Nature Kids BC Province Wide, 604/985-3057 naturekidsbc.ca
On The Mic Training –Voice-over Training Vancouver, 604/669-0654 onthemictraining.com Ages 10–17
RoboCamps by Daedalos Enrichment Programs Vancouver, 604/345-8603 info@daedalos.ca robocamps.ca
Sea Smart – After School Program Vancouver, 604/358-3001 seasmartschool.com Ages 6–9
Sewing with Frances Burnaby, 604/433-1030
The C.O.D.E. (Creating Opportunities Defining Education) Initiative Vancouver (UBC) 778/875-0548 thecodeinitiative.ca Helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) find a passion and an interest in coding.
Under the GUI –Coding for kids
Kitsilano, Vancouver South, North Vancouver, Coquitlam 604/700-9931 underthegui.com Ages 7–15+
Young Entrepreneur Learning Labs South Surrey/White Rock, Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, and Richmond 1-800/243-0335
Aquaventures Swim Centre Vancouver, 604/736-SWIM aquaventuresswim.com Ages 6 months+
Burnaby New West Ringette New Westminster cometryringette.ca; bnwr.ca Ages 4–14
Club Aviva Coquitlam, 604/526-4464 clubaviva.ca Ages 6 months+
Come Try Ringette Burnaby, New West, Vancouver, Poco, Coquitlam, Fraser Valley, West/North Van, Richmond, Surrey, Chilliwack cometryringette.ca Ages 4–14
Dynamo Swim Club Burnaby, Surrey 778/866-6604
Jump! Gymnastics
North Van: 604/971-0513 Yaletown: 604/568-9690 jumpgymnastics.ca Ages 6 months–7 years
Langley Gymnastics Foundation 604/455-8845 langleygymnastics.ca Ages 11 months+
Marina’s Swim School Richmond, Whiterock 604/818-4650 marinaswimschool.com
Momentum Ninja Port Coquitlam, 778/941-9631 momentumninja.com Ages 1yr+
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center Surrey, Maple Ridge, Langley, Richmond; mygym.com Ages 6 weeks–10 years Pedalheads Bike Camps
Phoenix Gymnastics Vancouver, 604/737-7693 phoenixgymnastics.com
RBL Basketball Vancouver, 604/269-0221 RBLBasketball.com Ages 5–15
Richmond Gymnastics Association 604/278-3614 richmondgymnastics.com Ages 18 months+
Soccer Shots
Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Coquitlam, Delta, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Langley soccershots.org
Ski Wee & Wee Riders
Grouse Mountain, North Van 604/980-9311 grousemountain.com Ages 3–6
Sportball 604/688-3157 sportball.ca Ages 16 months–12 years
Tri-Cities Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® Port Moody 866/936-1252 tricitiesgjj.com
TumbleTown Movement Education Centre Vancouver, Richmond
tumbletown.ca Ages 4 months–8 years
UBC Active Kids Gymnastics 604/822-2027 outreach.kin.educ.ubc.ca/ active-kids 18 months–18 years
Uphoria Yoga Vancouver, 604/326-2995 uphoriayoga.com Ages 3+
Wayland Sports
Maple Ridge, 604/465-9293 waylandsports.com Walking–10yrs+
White Rock Gymnastics 604/542-0386 whiterockgym.org Walking –11yrs+
YogaButtons Studio Vancouver, 604/739-9642 yogabuttons.com Ages newborn–12 years
Zone Camps – Ski/Ride Grouse Mountain, North Van 604/980-9311 grousemountain.com Ages 5–18
For many of us, a simple math equa tion can trigger an unpleasant visceral reaction. If calculating a restaurant tip or even just seeing a simple math equation makes you feel like running away, you’re probably suffering from math anxiety. Math anxiety is a debilitating emotional reaction to mathematics that interferes with the manipu lation and computation of numbers and solv ing math problems in both ordinary life and academic situations. Scary, huh? The good news is you’re not alone. The bad news is that you’re probably passing this on to your kids.
Dr. Sian Beilock a psychology professor at the University of Chicago and her fellow researchers confirmed that math anxiety hin dered math performance and that parental math anxiety can be passed on to children. How many times have you heard someone say “I’m just not good at math” or “I just don’t have a numbers brain”. It seems like everyone around us, except for a select few, feel inad equate when it comes to doing math. While this may make us feel better about ourselves, what it really does is tell our kids that math is hard and people are simply “born” with
being successful in math. We are setting our kids up to fail by surrounding the subject of math with anxiety and avoidance.
learned life skill that only gets better with time and practice. Anyone can be good at math, they just need to work at it.
2. Do math everyday With any fear, the best way to overcome it is to face it and the truth is, you’re already doing math everyday! Seemingly mundane tasks like paying in cash or measuring out baking ingredients involve important mathemati cal concepts. The more frequently you do math, even if it’s just half an hour every day—mundane tasks included, the more comfortable you will become with math and the less power it will hold over you.
Luckily, there are many ways for you and your child to combat math anxiety:
1. Change the way you think about math. There is an enormous misconception that we are either born knowing how to do math or we are not. We never hear anyone say “I’m just not a driving person” or “I just don’t have a driving brain”. People fail their drivers tests over and over again and still persevere because it is considered a life skill. Math, much like driving, is a
3. Present math as a creative subject. You may be thinking that there is no way math can be creative, but just like music or art, the basic facts are true and what you do with the rest is up to you. Much like musical notes or painting techniques, numbers and number sense are learned and memorized, but the way we solve problems can be creative—there is never just one way to do it.
4. Make math fun. Showing kids how math can be used in their everyday tasks, with
When kids have been told that math is hard and an unachievable feat, they enter the classroom with a negative, “I can’t do it” mindset.
time and money in particular, makes them understand why developing a mathematical mind is important. Playing math games can help them do this without even knowing it—we tend to absorb the most when we’re having fun!
5. Change your attitude. This may seem like the most obvious one but it is by far the most important. When kids have been told that math is hard and an unachievable feat, they enter the classroom with a negative, “I can’t do it” mindset. Changing the language and thinking around math can make an enormous difference in your child’s attitude towards math. Coming in with a “can do” or even a “will try” attitude can make a world of difference in combating math anxiety and performing well. There are lots of fun games you and your child can play at home to implement these anti-math anxiety methods! If you have a deck of cards, take all the face cards out and split the rest into two piles. Flip over the first two cards and add, subtract or multiply depend ing on your child’s level. You get a point for every question you get right and it’s double the fun if you play against a friend. If you’re in a pinch, try skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s in the car on the way to school! Quick math games like these, if practiced everyday, make math part of a student’s every day routine and make math less intimidating while working on essential mental math strategies.
Alaina Chun is a teacher at Aspire Learning Academy which specializes in teaching Singapore Mathematical Strategies and Concepts in ways where students don’t even realize they’re learning. Aspire Learning Academy is passionate about eliminating math anxiety and promoting the love of Math! Contact them at info@aspirelearningacademy.com or at 604-281-0507 for more information.
British Columbia Family French Camp (BCFFC) Shuswap Lake, Gwillim Lake and Nanaimo bcffc.com
Camp Qwanoes
Vancouver Island, 250/246-3014 qwanoes.ca Ages 8–18
Qwanoes is a Christian camp built from the ground up for kids to experience an unforgettable life-changing week. Qwanoes is wild action and pure fun, sun-soaked days, new friendships, tasty food, great music, over 75 activities, and all in a spectacular setting with amazing staff from around the world... all who love kids. Life like no other awaits!
Camp Artaban Gambier Island, 604/980-0391 campartaban.com Ages 8–18
Camp Fircom Gambier, 604/662-7756 fircom.ca Ages 6–16 plus family programs
Camp Imadene Mesachie Lake, 250/749-6606 imadene.com Ages 7–18, plus family camps
Camp Jubilee Indian Arm, 604/937-7388 campjubilee.ca Age 8–16
Camp Pringle Shawnigan Lake, 250/472-6877 camppringle.com Ages 6–17
Camp Suzuki: Howe Sound Howe Sound – Camp Fircom 604/732-4228 campsuzuki.org Ages 7–13
Children’s Horse Camp Webbs Holiday Acres Aldergrove, 604/857-1712 webbsholidayacres.ca Ages 6–14
Debate Camp Canada Vancouver, Victoria 888/512-8154 debatecamp.com
Evans Lake Camp North of Squamish 604/294-2267 evanslake.com Ages 8–16
Green Bay Bible Camp West Kelowna, 250/768-5884 greenbay.bc.ca Ages 6–14
Kawkawa Camp & Retreat Hope, 604/869-9637 kawkawa.com Age 7–18
Keats Camp Keats Island, 604/925-6799 keatscamps.com Age 7–18
Outward Bound National locations 604/901-0013 (ext 221) outwardbound.ca Ages 14+
Pioneer Pacific Camp Thetis Island, 250/246-9613 pioneerpacific.ca Ages 7–18
Sasamat Outdoor Centre Belcarra, 604/939-2268 sasamat.org Age 4–17
Stillwood Camp Cultus Lake, 1-800/507-8455 stillwood.ca Ages 5–16
Timberline Ranch Maple Ridge, 604/463-9278 timberlineranch.com Ages 9–16
Wyld Summer Camps WYLD Expeditions Strathcona Park, 250/286-3122 gowyld.ca Ages 12–18
YMCA Camp Elphinstone 604/939-9622 gv.ymca.ca Age 7–15
Adaptive Multi-Sport Camp Cloverdale, 604/333-3520 bcwheelchairsports.com Ages 11+
Camp Alohi Lani Port Moody alsbc.ca/programs-services/ camp-alohi-lani
For youth who have a parent or grandparent in a significant role living with ALS.
Camp Goodtimes and Teen Program campgoodtimes.org For children ages 7–15 and teens 15–18 with cancer and their families.
Camp Kodiak Parry Sound, Ontario campkodiak.com Ages 6–18
For children and teens with and without Learning Disabilities, ADHD and highfunctioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
DYT Summer Camps fndc.ca
Focussing on language enhancement (ASL) and social opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children ages 5–18.
Easter Seals Camps 604/873-1865 or 1-800/818-4483 eastersealscamps.ca Ages 6–18
For children and teens with physical and/or mental dis abilities.
Empowering Steps Club Aviva, Coquitlam 604/526-4464
empoweringsteps.ca Camps for students with developmental challenges Eureka Camp 604/520-1155 eurekacamp.ca For children and adolescents with invisible disabilities.
Young Burn Survivors Camp burnfund.org/camp-foryoung-burn-survivors For young burn survivors ages 6–18
Arts Umbrella Summer Camps Vancouver / Surrey 604/681-5268/ 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com/summercamp Ages 3–19
Bard on the Beach: Young Shakespeareans Vancouver, 604/737-0625 bardonthebeach.org Ages 8–18
Boogaloo Academy 604/805-0558, Vancouver boogalooacademy.com
Camp Monarch, Music, Art & Dance North Vancouver, 604/723-8151 monarcharts.com Ages 5–12
Colourstrings Conservatory Musical Summer Camps 129 East 8th Ave, Vancouver colourstrings.ca
Music & Movement Classes: Fun interactive classes for children aged 3 months to 4 years, grouped by age, music, instruments, songs & play. Exciting Music Camps for children 4 to 10 years old. Let your inner musician out in our selection of themed camps. Each class will have singing, music, instruments, artwork and movement. Everything from “Meet the Strings” to interactive pirate camps, we have you covered!
Evergreen Cultural Centre
Coquitlam, 604/927-6555 evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Seasonal arts camps, a curated art gallery, and free family arts programs, just steps away from the Lafarge Lake – Douglas Skytrain station!
Gateway Academy –Acting, Improvisation, Speech, Musical Theatre Richmond, 604/247-4975 gatewaytheatre.com/academy Ages 8–18
Goh Ballet Academy Canada Vancouver, 604/872-4014 gohballet.com Ages 4–7
Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools
Throughout Lower Mainland 888/502-5253 lightsuptheatre.ca Ages 4–13
Place des Arts Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca Ages 5–14
Place des Arts’ Summer Fun! programs runs for six weeks, offering many exciting weeklong options for creative young people. Camps include a wide variety of visual and performing arts classes designed to inspire the artist in every child who attends.
Alexandra Neighbourhood House 604/535-0015; alexhouse.net Ages 5–12
Clubhouse Kids Vancouver, 778/939-2389 clubhousekids.ca Ages 5–12
False Creek C.C. Daycamps Vancouver, 604/257-8195 falsecreekcc.ca Age 3–14
Pear Tree Education Vancouver, East Van, Burnaby, North Van, White Rock 604/355-2155 pear-tree.ca Ages 5–14
Pear Tree Education offers a wide range of popular educational summer camps at five locations! Led by experienced Vancouver school teachers, our summer camps offer exceptional levels of safety, enjoyment and education!
SFU Summer Camps 778/782-4965 sfu.ca/camps Ages 5–19
Spare Time Child Care Society Vancouver sparetimesociety.org Ages 5–12
Sunset Community Centre Vancouver, 604/718-6505 mysunset.net Ages 6–16
West Point Grey Community Centre Summer Day Camp Vancouver, 604/257-8140 westpointgrey.org/programs/ day-camps Ages 3–13 years
Westside Montessori Academy Vancouver, 604/434-9611 wmasummercamp.com YMCA 604/324-9622 gv.ymca.ca Age 5–12
Adventure Day Camps Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, 604/980-9311 grousemountain.com/camps Ages 3–14
BrainSTEM Learning North Van, 604/379-2767 brainstemlearning.ca Ages 4–14
Brain Booster Summer Camps Surrey, 778/839-5515 westcoastcentreforlearning.com Age 6–12
Cousteau Multi Specialty Camps North Van, 604/924-2457 cousteauschool.org Ages 3–5and 6–9
Bricks 4 Kidz® Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby 778/872-STEM (7836) bricks4kidz.com/vancouver
Dive into Summer Camp at the Vancouver Aquarium 604/659-3552 vanaqua.org Ages 4–16
Dolphin Kids™ Achievement programs 778/939-6440 dolphinkids.ca
Eaton Arrowsmith Camp Surrey, Vancouver 604/264-8327 eatonarrowsmith.com
FarmWonders Camp UBC Farm, 604/827-4048 farmwonders.ca Ages 6–14
Fraser Academy Summer Boost Camp Vancouver, 604/736-5575 fraseracademy.ca Ages 7–13
Jump Gymnastics Yaletown and North Vancouver 604/568-9690 info@jumpgymnastics.ca jumpgymnastics.ca
Langara Summer Camps Vancouver, 604/677-0198 langara.ca/summer-camps For teens 13–17 years
LEGO® Robotics Summer Camps with Daedalos Enrichment Programs Vancouver, 604/345-8603 robocamps.ca
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre Mini Camps North Van, 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca Ages 5–12
Richmond Nature Park Camps Richmond, 604/276-4300 richmond.ca/register Ages 4–12
Sea Smart – Beach Camp Vancouver, Richmond 604/358-3001 seasmartschool.com Ages 6–13
Sprout the Chef Cooking Camp Vancouver, Burnaby 604/505-0074 sproutingchefs.com Ages 7–13
TWU Summer Camps Langley BC 604/513-2121 ext. 3441 twu.ca/camps Ages 4–15
sports Atlantis Swim Programs Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam 604/874-6464 pedalheads.com 4 months+
Diving Locker Vancouver Vancouver, 1-800/DIVE-398 divinglocker.ca Ages 10+
Heroheads Multisport Camp Vancouver, Burnaby, North Van 604/874-6464 pedalheads.com Ages 4–8
The Hive Climbing North Van, PoCo, Surrey, Vancouver hiveclimbing.com Ages 6–12
Learn to Sail Deep Cove Yacht Club, North Vancouver, 604/929-1009 deepcoveyc.com Ages 4–16
Oval Summer Sport Camps Richmond Olympic Oval 778/296-1400 richmondoval.ca Ages 4–18
Pedalheads Bike Camps Locations all over Greater Vancouver, 604/874-6464 pedalheads.com Ages 2–12
Pedalheads Mountain Biking (PHMB)
Point Grey, Burnaby, North Vancouver 604/874-6464 pedalheads.com Ages 4–15
Phoenix Gymnastics Vancouver, 604/737-7693 phoenixgymnastics.com Ages 3+
RBL Basketball 604/269-0221 or 604/253-5295 RBLBasketball.com Ages 5–15
Royal Soccer
Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley 800/427-0536 royalsoccer.com Ages 5–13
Royal City is the #1 grassroots summer soccer day camp in BC. Host to children ages 5–13 across 19 locations in the Lower Mainland, we operate during July and August. For more info call 1-800/427-0536 or visit royalsoccerclub.com
Sportball
Mulitiple locations 604/688-3157 sportball.ca Ages 16 months to 12 years Timberline Ranch Maple Ridge, 604/463-9278 timberlineranch.com Ages 7–8
Total Athlete Training –Athletes in Action Langley, 604/514-2079 athletesinaction.com Ages 14–18
TumbleTown Movement Education Centre –Gym-venture Days Vancouver, Richmond tumbletown.ca Ages 3–8 years
Twin Rivers Equestrian Centre Cloverdale, 604/574-5481 twinriversequestrian.com
UBC Sport Camps Vancouver, 604/822-6121 ubccamps.ca
Uphoria Yoga Vancouver, 604/326-2995 uphoriayoga.com
Yoga Kiddo Buttons Camp YogaButtons Studio Vancouver, 604/739-9642 yogabuttons.com Ages 3–7
Have you seen the Disney movie Luca (2021)? If not, I highly recommend it…for all ages!
It’s a coming-of-age story with lots of important themes. The part of the film that I’m finding really helpful in my work with kids and teens, is its wonderful example of externalizing thoughts.
Externalizing worries is one of the best ways to help kids and teens realize that worry or anxiety is not part of their identity. It comes and goes and they can talk back to it!
In the movie, Luca has an inner negative voice that gives him self-doubting thoughts.
On the other hand, his new best friend, Alberto, is very positive and encouraging.
When he’s cheering on Luca to ride a homemade Vespa off a cliff—metaphori cally symbolizing to push out of his comfort zone—he tells Luca that the negative doubt ing voice is Bruno.
He teaches Luca the wonderful mantra of “Silenzio Bruno!”
Luca then uses this wonderful mantra whenever he needs to quiet his negative selftalk and give himself confidence.
For many years I’ve been helping kids and teens visualize and name their own “Bruno” but thanks to Disney, I now have a great way of helping them relate to this idea of external izing worries through a concrete example.
I’ve heard from other parents, that they’ve adopted this mantra in their homes, and “Silenzio Bruno!” has become a fun way of talking back to the negative worry voice!
I highly recommend watching this film with your kids and teens and discussing how we all get negative self-talk but we can also talk back to it!
Especially for teens, who are trying to figure out their path and who they are, it’s important that they externalize their anxiety and not think of it as part of their identity.
• It helps them gain perspective, and look at a situation from outside of themselves.
• By calling it a name, it helps them see the thought(s) as being outside of themselves.
• Not all thoughts are true, so it creates space to then question their thoughts.
• They can imagine themselves as being more powerful than their thoughts.
• They can have a competition with this worry character or negative thoughts, which motivates them to be brave.
If you’re looking for a family movie for the weekend, then this is a great opportunity to hang out together and have fun creating names for each family member’s negative thoughts.
If you like the idea of Bruno, then use Bruno. Silenzio Bruno has a great rhythm to it!
And remember… our thoughts are just thoughts. We don’t have to believe them. We are not our thoughts. We have the power to choose our thoughts.
Sharon Selby, MA, is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, with over 20 years’ experience counseling children and families. She is the author of the children’s book, Surfing the Worry Imp’s Wave, where you can find more information about the strategies recom mended in this article. To receive her free ebook: 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Your Child is Anxious, go to www.
SharonSelby.com/free
In Touch Chiropractic Vancouver, 604/879-5566 intouchchiropractic.ca
Jassal Chiropractic Vancouver, 604/731-3006 jassalchiropractic.com
Pathways Family Chiropractor Surrey, 604/372-4558 pathwayschiro.ca
The Powerhouse Chiropractic Vancouver, 604/662-3304 thepowerhousevancouver.com
Family Wellness Chiropractor Vancouver, 604/566-9088 FamilyWellnessChiro.ca community
Autism Society of BC 604/434-0880 autismbc.ca
BC Epilepsy Society 604/875-6704 bcepilepsy.com
Children’s Centre for Ability bc-cfa.org
Children’s Hearing & Speech Centre of BC Vancouver, 604/437-0255 childrenshearing.ca Co-ed, grades K–3 Developmental Disabilities Association develop.bc.ca
Family Services of the North Shore 604/988-5281 familyservices.bc.ca
Learning Disabilities Society of Greater Vancouver (LDS) 604/873-8139 ldsociety.ca
Matthew’s House
Located in Abbotsford, serving families in BC 604/850-6608 mattshouse.ca
Marpole Oakridge Family Place Vancouver, 604/263-1405 mofp.org
Vancouver Resource Society for the Physically Disabled 604/731-1020 vrs.org
Becker Burrows and Associates Vancouver, 778/995-6450 beckerburrows.com
Harbourside Counseling Centre Vancouver, 604/689-9116 michelekambolis.com
Moving Forward Family Services All Care Site Surrey, 778/321-3054 movingforward.help
Sharon Selby sharonselby.com
Seedlings Child and Youth Counselling and Consulting Vancouver, 604/785 4846 seedlingscounselling.com
The Compassionate Parent Coach 604/329-0865 thecompassionateparentcoach. com
The Wishing Star: Lapointe Developmental Clinic Surrey, 778/294-8732 lapointepsychology.com
BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre 604/875-2084 Toll Free 1-800-665-1822 keltymentalhealth.ca
BC’s Information Source for Children, Youth & Families
Foundry BC 1-800/784-2433 foundrybc.ca
Kids Help Phone 1-800/668-6868 kidshelpphone.ca
Parents Support Services Society 877/345-9777 parentsupportbc.ca
Sophie’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre Surrey, 604/588-0727 the-centre.org/sophies-place A child and youth advocacy centre dedicated to support ing victims of physical and/ or sexual abuse up to 15 years old, living in Surrey.
Olive Fertility Centre Vancouver, 604/559-9950 olivefertility.com
Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine Surrey, 604/422-7276 pacificfertility.ca
Thuja Wellness Vancouver, 778/985-4970 thujawellness.com
Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society 604/216-7447 vacfss.com
Bloom Community Midwives Vancouver, 604/609-3550 bloomcommunitymidwives.com
Doula Services Association of BC 604/515-5588 bcdoulas.org
MamaBear Holistic Care Coquitlam, 778/229-6415 mamabearholisticcare.com
Pacific Post Partum Support Society Burnaby, 855/255-7999 postpartum.org
Pomegranate Community Midwives Vancouver, 604/255-5556 pomegranate-midwives.com
Surrey Community Birth Program Surrey, 604/575-7275 communitybirth.ca
The Midwiferey Group Vancouver, 604/877-7766 midwiferygroup.ca
Westside Midwives Vancouver, 604/224-0686 westsidemidwives.com
Kids First Pediatric Therapy Burnaby, 778/379-5862 kidsfirstot.ca
Monarch House Burnaby, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford 778/887-3573 monarchhouse.ca
Play 2 Learn 4 Life Children’s Therapy Services Inc. Vancouver, 604/568-1986 play2learn4life.com
The practice focuses on the value that families come first, and that in order for therapy to be effective, it has to work within the family framework.
Skilled Kids Occupational Therapy 778/322-1242 skilledkids.com
Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy Surrey, 778/395-8752 symbiosispediatrictherapy.com
We Play Kids Gym Surrey, 604/385-2883 weplaykids.com
WonderKids OT Burnaby, 604/291-0078 wonderkidsot.com
Della Optique Optometry & Eyewear Vancouver, 604/742-3937 dellaoptique.com
Hollyburn Eye Clinic West Van: 604/913-0135 North Van: 604/984-2020 hollyburneyeclinic.com
InSight Developmental Learning Langley, 604/455-4077 insightlearning.ca
Lynn Valley Optometry North Van, 604/987-9191 lynnvalleyoptometry.com
Maple Ridge Optometry Maple Ridge, 604/463-4469 mapleridgeeyecare.ca
Mount Pleasant Optometry Centre Vancouver, 604/874-7302 aokvancouver.com/
Optomeyes West Van, 604/922-0413 optomeyes.ca
Perspective Optometry Vancouver, 604/435-3931 visiontherapy.ca
BC Orthodontic Group bcorthodonticsgroup.com
Clear Advantage Orthodontics
Oakridge Centre, Downtown Vancouver, 604/266-8277 clearadvantageortho.com
Coquitlam Family Orthodontics 604/229-4460 coquitlamfamilyorthodontics. com
Langley Orthodontics 604/229-4460 langleyorthodontics.com
Monarch Pediatric Dental Centre & Orthodontic Centre
Burnaby: 604/434-9060 Port Moody: 604/461-9160
Surrey: 604/589-9160 Vancouver: 604/876-9060 MonarchDentalCentre.com Our aspiration is to provide the best quality of care and service to our patients and their families. Our commitment is simple—to provide a friendly environment throughout orthodontic treatment so that our patients will enjoy the long-term benefits of this rewarding experience.
PDG Pediatric Dental Group Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam 604/PDG-1000 (604/734-1000) pdgdental.com
Ridge Meadows Family Orthodontics
Maple Ridge, 604/229-4460 ridgemeadowsorthodontics.com
Smile Town Dentistry Burnaby, 604/482-9633 smiletownburnaby.com
Viva Orthodontics
New West: 604/522-9871 S. Surrey: 604/385-0850 Surrey: 778/574-8484
Port Coquitlam: 604/552-3899 vivaortho.com
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver 604/876-2447
Big Sisters of BC 604/873-4525
Canuck Place –A Children’s Hospice 604/731-4847 canuckplace.org
Family Support Institute of BC Society New Westminster 604/540-8374
Toll free: 1-800/441-5403 familysupportbc.com
Inclusion BC 604/777-9100 inclusionbc.org
Parent Support Services Society of BC 604/669-1616 parentsupportbc.ca
Fraser Valley Multiple Miracle Association surreytwinclub.com
Pacific Post Partum Support Society Vancouver, 604/255-7999 postpartum.org
The Centre for Child Development Surrey: 604/584-1361 Langley: 604/533-3088 the-centre.org Helping to overcome societal barriers for those with disabili ties and empower vulnerable children and families through out the South Fraser region.
Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society Toll free: 1-877/982-2377 vacfss.com
Just4Kids Pediatric Dentistry Surrey, 604/575-7785 j4kdentistry.com
Kits Family Dental 604/738-1816 kitsfamilydental.com
Lolo Pediatric Dentistry North Van, 604/770-0890 lolosmiles.ca
Monarch Pediatric Dental Centre & Orthodontic Centre Burnaby: 604/430-4980 Port Moody: 604/461-4980 Surrey: 604/585-4980 Vancouver: 604/419-4980 MonarchPediatricDental.com Monarch has been providing the best quality dental care for infants, children, and adolescents across the Lower Mainland since 1997. Our goal is to help your family achieve optimum oral health. Building Healthy Happy Smiles that Last a Lifetime.
Pacific Pediatric Dental Centre North Van, 604/983-2253 pacificpdc.com
PDG Pediatric Dental Group Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam 604/PDG-1000 (734-1000) pdgdental.com
Smile Town Dentistry Burnaby, 604/482-9633 smiletownburnaby.com
Tot 2 Teen Dental Vancouver, 604/569-3669 tot2teendental.com
Kids Physio Group Vancouver, North Van, Surrey kidsphysio.ca
Kinectiv Sport + Health Maple Ridge, 604/ 465-4263 kinectiv.ca
PlayWorks Physio Port Moody, 604/492-3888 playworksphysio.com
Cedar Cottage 4065 Victoria Dr. 604/874-4231
Collingwood 5288 Joyce St. 604/435-0323
Gordon 1019 Broughton St. 604/683-2554
Kitsilano 2325 W. 7th Ave. 604/736-3588
Kiwassa 2425 Oxford St. 604/254-5401
Little Mountain 3981 Main St. 604/879-7104
Mount Pleasant 800 E. Broadway 604/879-8208
North Shore 225 E. 2nd St., North Van 604/987-8138
South Vancouver 6470 Victoria Dr. 604/324-6212
The Centre for Child Development – Early Years Hub Newton, 604/619-9488 the-centre.org/early-yearsprogram Free family-focused, playbased early childhood educa tion experience in an inclusive and welcoming setting where children (0–6 years old) and caregivers can play, read, and make friends.
Psychoeducational Assessment Centre of BC Metro Vancouver, New West, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Delta, Ladner, Tsawwassen, Outlying BC school districts 10 or more. 604/312-0400 lovelearningpacbc.com
Psychoeducational Assessments & Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, 8 sessions (12 students) to improve focus & attention and reduce
school-related stress. 30 years of experience as a school psychologist in public schools. Booking new clients now.
On the Go First Aid Lower Mainland OnTheGoFirstAid.com
Safe Beginnings First Aid
Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Sea to Sky 604/340-3790 safebeginnings.ca
Survivormate: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Province-wide, 855/781-7878 survivormate.com
Dawn Whittaker Consulting 604/897-2997 dawnwhittaker.com
Good Night Sleep Site Coquitlam, 778/686-8717 goodnightsleepsite.com/ coquitlam
Pediatric Sleep Consulting Serving all of British Columbia 250/571-5586 sayyestotherest.com Helping exhausted families with 1:1 support, get their children sleeping soundly, so they can start to feel more like themselves again! Private consultations locally and remotely, working with children ages 0–12. Complimentary Child Sleep Evaluation Calls.
Sleepdreams Professional Sleep Consultants North Van, 604/985-2991 sleepdreams.ca
The Peaceful Sleeper Vancouver, 604/908-1548 thepeacefulsleeper.com
Discovery 3D Ultrasounds Surrey, 778/395-8558
discovery3dultrasound.com
UC Baby 3D Ultrasound Abbotsord, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Victoria ucbaby.ca
I’ve been an avid reader since I was young.
I loved that I could explore emotions and experiences through characters, feel and learn things and there were no repercussions because it was just a story. Books are still a comforting place for me to test boundaries and uncover consequences all from within the safety of the pages.
When I was first pregnant, I read to decide how I would feel about being a mother. I read fiction about motherhood, I leaned into the maternal characters of books I had read before. I read plenty of non-fiction and fig ured I’d have a better handle on it than some of the writers (spoiler: I was wrong.) I allowed myself to explore different angles of mother hood through stories to see what felt right. We began reading to my son before he could even open his eyes. Books helped us teach him to count, teach him about ani mals and introduce him to characters from all walks of life. We read books about naughty monkeys, grumpy bears, body parts, and acts of kindness. Eventually, we read books about potty training, moving homes, and then about the joy and challenge of becom ing a big brother. Parenting is hard. Finding books that allow kids to explore their emo tions through the eyes of others makes it a fraction easier. Reading books that explore tough concepts like grief and loss can ease the burden of finding the right words and can
allow you to experience the emotion alongside your kids. Books are a tool I’ve used through many parenting milestones.
When my second baby was about three months old, I developed postpartum anxiety. I was irritable, constantly organizing, and then worrying plans would fall apart. I cried a lot. I refused help and then lay awake at night while my baby slept, stressed about all
although physically I was “back to normal” since having his baby sister, I was still recover ing. I found clinical books about depression, and I found lots of books about sadness but I struggled to find books that named anxiety within a story.
As I began treatment and my condition improved, a pandemic hit, and I felt helpless again. I could sense the anxiety in my son as well. Repeated sanitization, masks, and the fear of hurting loved ones by proximity affect us at any age. As the pandemic intensified and mental health became a more mainstream topic, I wrote a story for my son about an anxious girl named Josie. Organizing and scheduling were a source of a lot of my anxi ety, so I let my character work through her own calendar overwhelm. As I read the story aloud I wondered if other kids and parents would find it useful as well.
I hadn’t gotten done. I worried incessantly about natural disasters and catastrophes hurt ing my family. My son, then almost three, sensed my distress. He kissed my tears away and then stared at me with wide eyes when I cried because his toys were left out. I Googled books about anxiety and looked for the play book to help him understand what I was going through. I wanted him to know that
I’ve always been a writer, but it hadn’t crossed my mind to author a kid’s book. I began spending my sleepless nights emailing publishers and crafting pitches. I found a publisher who aligned with my values and was a busy mom herself. I learned a lot through the process and at times the road felt long but my desire to normalize mental health conversations kept me going. I was passionate about a book that discussed anxiety man agement but dreamed of one that kids (and parents) would want to read. I re-read the
Reading books that explore tough concepts like grief and loss can ease the burden of finding the right words and can allow you to experience the emotion alongside your kids.
potty books my son chose night after night and realized it was the characters and their relatable challenges he loved; their bathroom business wasn’t the hook.
‘Josie’s Busy Calendar’ is about anxiety and self-care as kids experience it. The book explores the cause and relief of tummy knots. Josie learns that cancelling her plans and taking time alone makes her a better friend to her playmates and herself.
I hope this story empow ers young kids to listen to their feelings and have the confidence to put their needs first when something feels wrong. Taking time for yourself, even if it means disappointing others is ok, at any age. It’s important, as parents, that we listen to our kids when they feel overwhelmed. As a high functioning, type A, overachieving, people pleaser, this has been a huge challenge for me. I hear from parents that their kids enjoyed the book and that they also took the message to heart. Advocating
for your own self-care is a healthy practice to instill early.
Writing about Josie didn’t cure my anxiety, but it started a lot of conversations and nor malized the struggles I was feeling. Some of the best conversations my book has started have been with my kids. My son feels no shame in taking his “Josie time” when he needs a break. I urge him and my daugh ter to be gentle with them selves and never judge their feelings. I encourage them to get curious about what their feelings are telling their body to do.
I am not an anxi ety expert. I am an anxiety sufferer and a storyteller. I am also a mom, look ing to find tools for my parenting kit that will help facilitate the conversations I can’t find the words for.
Josie’s Busy Calendar by Jenn Wint is for ages 3–100. The book is available on Amazon or through your local retailer. Follow Jenn @jenn_wint for book and chocolate chip cookie reviews.
Writing didn’t cure my anxiety, but it started a lot of conversations and normalized the struggles I was feeling.Jenn Wint and her book, Josie’s Busy Calendar
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