FYI BEAUMONT
| September 2016
www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss
Main Feature
Routines: Why They Matter and How to Get Started One of the most important things that you can do to make your young child feel safe is to establish as much routine in their life as possible. Children (and adults) feel the most secure when their lives are predictable. When adults provide environments that feel safe, children learn that they can trust others to take care of them and meet their needs, so they become free to relax and explore their world.
Young children do not yet fully understand the concept of time, so they do not order their lives by hours and minutes, but rather by the events that happen. When events happen in the same order every day, children have a better understanding of their world, and therefore feel more secure. A regular schedule gives children a way to order and organize their lives. When young children know what to
in both themselves and the world
expect, they become more confident
routine helps kids practice making
around them. They know they will not be confronted with unfamiliar tasks that they are for which they are unprepared. A young child’s brain is still undergoing major development, especially the part of the brain that is able to plan ahead and make predictions about the future. A
CALENDAR LOCAL EVENT Movie in the Park “Sure Shot Dombrowski, the Early Years” – See included poster!
SEPTEMBER September 8 International Literacy Day September 9 International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day; Internal; FASD Awareness Day September 10 World Suicide Prevention Day; International Association for Suicide Prevention
September 11 National Grandparents’ Day Terry Fox Run; Terry Fox Foundation September 21 World Alzheimer’s Day; Alzheimer Society
OCTOBER National Autism Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Child Abuse Awareness Month; National; Canadian Red Cross
Healthy Workplace Month; National; Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month First Week Mental Illness Awareness Week; National; Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health First Week National Family Week; National; Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada) Second Week Fire Prevention Week; National; Fire Prevention Canada
Third Week Foster Family Week; National; Canadian Foster Family Association October 1 International Day for Older Persons; International; UN October 10 World Mental Health Day; International; World Health Organization October 18 Persons Day; National; Status of Women Canada
FYI BEAUMONT
| September 2016
www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss
Continued:
Routines: Why They Matter and How to Get Started these simple predictions, as well as
1. Plan at least one meal per day that
orientation, and language skills, but
understand concepts such as “before
you have together as a family. This
it also shows them that you care
and after.” Routines also help children
meal does not have to be dinner;
about what they did that day.
develop self-control because they
even a 15-minute breakfast where
know they have to wait until a certain
everyone gets to share their plans
time to do a particular activity. A
for the day can be effective. Turn off
regular schedule fosters responsibility
the television and do not answer
and independence because children
the phone during your family
will be able to perform more activities
time. This is a great way to start a
on their own if they have done the
routine that allows children to take
same activities many times before in
responsibility, even for something
the same environment.
small, such as carrying the
silverware to the table.
A routine is especially important during particularly difficult times
2. Have a bedtime ritual, which will
of day, such as bedtime or getting
help children slowly calm down,
dressed in the morning. When
and allow them to associate
there is a routine in place, there
certain activities with getting
can be little argument because the
sleepy. Think about what calms
expectations for behavior are taken
your child. Is it taking a bath?
for granted. Therefore, a major benefit
Reading a story? Listening to
of establishing routines is that you
soft music? Always do the bedtime
will cut down on stress for yourself.
preparation in the same order,
Keeping to a routine may sound
and ask your child questions such
like an impossible task when you
as, “What do we do after we put on
are overwhelmed with balancing a
our pajamas?” A great item to
constantly changing schedule for
include in the bedtime ritual is that
multiple members of your household.
of talking about your day. Let your
However, even implementing the
child tell you what he did that day,
smallest routine can make a big
and prompt him if he forgets.
difference. Here are 5 ideas for starting
This part of the routine not only
a routine in your home:
helps children with memory, time
FYI Beaumont | September 2016
3. Include preparation for transitions
in the routine. For example, say, “We
have 10 minutes left before we start
getting ready for bed. When the big
hand gets to the 12, it will be time to
put on your pajamas.”
4. Work together to make pictures
that indicate each step of the
routine, put the pictures in order
on a colorful sheet of paper,
and hang the finished product in
your child’s room. You will not only
be helping build creativity in your
child, but you will also promote
self-sufficiency, as your child will be
able to look at the pictures to
identify what step comes next.
5. Although routine is very important
for young children, do not be
too rigid. Children do need to learn
how be flexible and deal with
minor changes. If there is an
interruption to the routine, tell
your child, “I know we usually do
x, but today we are going to do y
because (reason). Tomorrow we
will go back to our usual schedule.”
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FYI BEAUMONT
| September 2016
www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss
Continued:
Routines: Why They Matter and How to Get Started
If most of their day is predictable,
try something new. Here is our new
The earlier that you begin to order
young children will be able to deal
schedule.” While you should definitely
your child’s life, the easier it will be.
with small changes, especially if
be open to the fact that the schedule
When you stick to a routine, you teach
they are prepared for the changes
may need some adjustment, you also
your child how to arrange her time in
and see you modeling calm
need to be firm in sticking to the new
a manner that is efficient, productive,
behavior as you deal with problems
routine. At first, your child will try
and cuts down on stress. This sense of
that occur.
to get you to break the routine, but
order is not only important for making
do not give in to old habits. Young
your young child feel secure at this
children need both consistency and
moment, but it will also allow your
limits. Know ahead of time that your
child to internalize an automatic sense
child will have difficulty adjusting, and
of how to organize her own life as she
be prepared with how you will handle
grows up.
It is never too late to start a routine. You set a good example for your child when you tell her, “The way that we have been doing things has not been working. We are going to
this resistance.
Senior’s Corner Often the idea of transitioning from your
1. The need to significantly downsize,
your new residence can ease the tense
home to a senior’s complex or assisted
often from a home to a more
of walking past ‘strangers’ in your
living can be a little daunting for seniors
moderately sized apartment.
own building; also adding a sense of
as well as their loved ones; but it can be helpful to focus on this change in their lives as a new beginning rather than an ending. Seniors will best adjust to their new home with some encouragement and support from family members during the senior’s first days and weeks at the assisted living community. The key, Dr. Stote says, is that seniors who are relocating: “Need positive reassurance that they are moving into a new chapter of their lives, rather than ending the life they have always known.” There are a few aspects that come up when people are thinking about this transition:
FYI Beaumont | September 2016
2. Having to adjust into a new routine. 3. Resentment about having to live
with others.
4. Feelings of abandonment. 5. Frustration surrounding a perceived
loss of independence.
Some of these concerns can be alleviated with simple gestures or actions. By bringing personal items from home into the senior’s complex you can duplicate aspects of your old home in your new living space.
belonging to this new community. Deepening that sense of community can help to create a smooth transition; volunteers that take on roles at the community such as answering phones, managing the library or sponsoring a club. When residents feel useful and as though they have a purpose, it can improve their outlook and help immensely with the transition. And lastly reach out; let your family and friends know that you need some support, more phone calls, or visits; and stay connected by reaching out to your community supports.
Participation in activities put on in
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FYI BEAUMONT
| September 2016
www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss
Monthly Seniors Calendar:
Monthly Seniors Calendar
FYI Beaumont | September 2016
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FYI BEAUMONT
| September 2016
www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss
Youth Centre
FYI Beaumont | September 2016
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FYI BEAUMONT
| September 2016
www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss
Youth Centre
CONTACT FCSS Kim Williston FCSS Director 780-929-1006
The Beaumont Asset Building Committee Presents…
MOVIE IN THE PARK
featuring the world premiere of the filmed in Beaumont movie
Brodie Stenhouse Community Development Coordinator 780-929-1006 Kaylene McKinney Community Development Coordinator 780-929-1006
LOCATION: Four Season’s Park, Diamond #2 TIME: Friday, September 9th from 5-11PM 5-8 PM: Food trucks, red carpet photos, activities and games for the whole family 8 PM: Chantal Bérubé Memorial Fund Youth of the Year Award 8:10 PM: Movie introduction Sunset: Sure Shot Dombrowski: The Early Years
Please join us for food, games, activities and the ‘come as you are’ red carpet event For event information and updates please like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/beaumontab
Carey Cameron Community Development Coordinator 780-929-1006 Linda Mix-Kondratski Youth Outreach Coordinator 780-504-5969 Sarah Fodchuk Youth Centre Supervisor Chantal Bérubé Youth Centre (CBYC) 780-929-5155 Margaret Munchrath Administrative Support 780-929-1006
FYI Beaumont | September 2016
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