Our Reggio-inspired centre provides a stimulating learning environment where each child receives a unique educational experience to build their strong character and mind. Our exceptional teachers carefully select activities and materials that enhance learning, critical thinking, creativity and discovery.
- Programs for children ages 2 to 5 y.o.
- Full Day and Pre-School programs
- Innovative Reggio-inspired environment
- Caring and well-trained staff
- Small class size and child-to-teacher ratio
- Comprehensive and effective curriculum
- Engaging activities and natural materials
- Healthy and nutritious lunch
Childhood only happens once. Make it full of smiles at Smilestones!
Burnaby
Norland Ave.
Surrey - South
King George Blvd.
Langley
201 Street
Surrey - North
160 Street (Opening Soon)
Coquitlam
Shaughnessy Street (Opening Soon)
Education
Education
Education Mind
Education Reconnecting Using the village to reconnect with kids
from our family to yours
this issue of WestCoast Families is dedicated to all that is new and exciting in our schools. The education issue is always an important one for us here at WCF because, like you, we have all put a great amount of care into making decisions about how and where our kids are taught. Among our team, we have kids in public schools, district programs, fine arts programs and Montessori schools and preschools. Although we’ve made different decisions, the common thread that binds our families and yours is that we all did our best to educate ourselves about the options before us and our kids.
When my daughter was just over two years old, my partner and I found ourselves with very little knowledge about what our options actually were, and even when we should start to think about Clementine’s education. Was it as simple as putting our name down at our catchment school? And what about preshcool?
As we started to gather information and began to have the first of many conversations about what the future might hold, we quickly realized that neither of us had a clear preference for what kind of education Clementine would receive. Having attended a public school myself in the 1980s, I found myself leaning toward that option for my daughter, although I wasn’t heart-set on it. My partner had received his education in French immersion, and he found himself leaning in that direction, but also wasn’t opposed to other options.
We stayed in this awkward limbo state for several months, secure in the fact that since Clementine was only 2, we still had time on our side.
As we were taking a walk one day, we noticed that the church across the street from our home contained a Montessori preschool, so on a whim, we phoned the number and arranged a tour of the school. The classroom was nothing like we’d ever seen before, and the instructor was exhaustive in demonstrating the funtion of each of the beautiful wooden materials that children use in the Montessori method. We were immediately sold on the respectful and self-directed approach that the school could offer, and were surprised to learn that Clementine could start at the school for half days within just a few months.
The more we learned about the Montessori method, the more we became committed to offering our child the benefits of this style of education. We were inspired to further educate ourselves by attending information sessions at the school and at UBC, and soon found that we were diehard Montessori people.
The feeling of having complete confidence in the education that my child is receiving is one that I couldn’t have anticipated. I liken it to the feeling you get after you’ve cooked a really great (and healthy) meal—everyone is satisfied and has what they need.
Although my story and the path of my child’s schooling is about Montessori, the lesson is one that has been learned by parents with children in all kinds of schools. What I’ve learned and what I always tell parents who are at that frustrating crossroads where decisions need to be made about school, is that it doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as you’re waving the flag. We are definitely waving the Montessori flag, and what that tells Clementine is that her parents are stoked on her school. Whether it’s public, private, Montessori, Fine Arts, Waldorf, French immersion or homeschool, showing your children that you’re passionate about their education is more valuable than anything.
I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!
Art Director
Managing Editor Andrea Vance editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Art Director & Layout Krysta Furioso studio@westcoastfamilies.com
Administration Jennifer Bruyns admin@westcoastfamilies.com
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Published by National Families Network Publisher: Andrea Vance publisher@westcoastfamilies.com
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Contributors
Natalia Angheli-Zaicenco, Kelly Thompson, Steve Cairns, Racquel Foran, Krysta Furioso, Peg Keenleyside, Marlane Press, Teresa de La Boursodiere, Keri Pringle, Stephanie MacDonald, Andrea Vance, Jennifer Bruyns
Don’t tell them, but while your kids are having so much fun playing uKloo they are actually building their reading skills! Hidden clue cards are the basis for a treasure hunt that is so engaging that the kids will be reading without even realizing it. Now, If we could only figure out how to use the uKloo magic to convince your little geniuses that cleaning their room is just as fun…
$17 at Granville Island Toy Company, Kaboodles, No Pirates Allowed and www.chapters.com
ThermaCELL Heated Insoles
Even the most winter-averse will be out frolicking in the snow, skating and hiking with these footy miracles. ThermaCELL Heated Insoles are rechargeable foot warmers that keep your feet comfortably warm by maintaining a steady normal body temperature inside your shoes or boots, however nasty the outside conditions may be. They even have a remote control to turn up the heat when the mercury drops.
$135 at www.thermacell.com
The Cascadian Crusaders: The Great Plastic Round Up
The Cascadian Crusaders, the subject of this new series of books from the organization of the same name, are modern environmental superheroes on a quest to serve the ocean. The first of these books is about heroes who make their way to the Garbage Patch through extraordinary methods. All proceeds for this book will go towards further books, publications, programs and outreach.
$22.50 on www.cascadiancrusaders.com
Little JOTS Notepads
Nufoot Indoor Footwear for Kids
If your kid is a pre-school slipper-kicker-offer or a sweaty-foot complainer, Nufoot shoes are the perfect solution. Made from comfy but sturdy neoprene, they are water and germ resistant to protect little ones’ feet from yucky floors. Light-weight and skid resistant soles help stabilize little feet as they learn to walk, and the 4-way stretch neoprene fabric accommodates growing feet, staying comfortably snug at all times. Comes in multiple styles and colors for boys and girls.
$13-15 on www.nufoot.com
Sometimes you just need to write a little mummy-love note for your kids to find in their lunch along with those healthy things they are not going to eat. Little JOTS makes it easy to grab a heartfelt pre-written lunch note or simply write your own special message on one of our blank lunchbox note cards. Even if you’re short on time, these little cards let your kids know you love them (and you can always include a pointed reminder to eat their carrots as well).
$15 at Hip Baby and London Drugs locations
Educating the Heart
Inspiring Social and Emotional Learning
By Stephanie MacDonald and Natalia Angheli-Zaicenco
w education
e all want our children to flourish. We want them to have friends, enjoy school, and embrace new experiences with confidence and curiosity. There is a growing body of research that shows that children are more successful in school and in life when they have strong social competencies and emotional maturity. What we now know is that there are specific strategies we can all use to foster positive social and emotional development of children - in families, schools and communities. The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, a secular organization created to promote kindness, compassion, and interconnectedness, calls it “educating the heart” – creating a balance between educating the mind, and educating the heart.
Centuries ago, Aristotle said “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”. The idea of educating the heart has been around for centuries. However, over the past 10 years a growing body of scientific research has shown that educating the heart – promoting the development of skills such as empathy, compassion, self awareness, social awarenessnot only helps children be successful in school but also successful in life.
We now know you can teach these skills by creating conditions in homes, schools and community where children are surrounded by positive relationships with adults and other children, where they see positive role models, and where they have opportunities to learn and practice important skills that promote the development of these positive human qualities. The Centre uses the most up-to-date scientific research in social and emotional learning to inform, inspire and engage parents, teachers and others who care for and about children – to educate the hearts of children.
The educators at the The Centre are inspired by the Dalai Lama’s belief in the importance of heart-mind education, and all of their programs aim to create supports and environments to enable positive human qualities in children and youth.
The Centre’s Heart-Mind Index is the first of its kind – a tool to shine a light on the social and emotional development of young children throughout BC. As such, it is a catalyst for change – a powerful means to inform strategies, services, programs and policies that address areas of strength and concern in the Heart-Mind development of children. A Heart-Mind resource hub is being developed as an online tool for teachers, parents and all those who care for and about children.
Over the years, the Center has organized scores of events for everyone who cares for and about children. They’ve hosted internationally acclaimed leaders in science and education – Sir Ken Robinson, Daniel Siegel, Mary Gordon, Adele Diamond, Kim Schonert Reichl – to name but a few.
Speaker presentations are available for free on-demand viewing at www. dalailamacenter.org, with over 200,000 views to date.
This year’s speakers’ program gets a kick-start with “Heart Matters: Cultivating Caring Children”, featuring Gabor Mate and Gordon Neufeld, two leaders in childhood development. This event, held in Vancouver in partnership with Hollyhock on February 26-27, includes an evening public talk and two workshops. Participants will be able to explore the challenging topic of emotion, in both their children and themselves.
On May 8-10, the DLC is hosting its annual “Heart-Mind Conference,” which brings together educators, parents, thought leaders, and communitybased practitioners, who care for and about children. Heart-Mind 2014 will explore the science of kindness, including empathy, compassion, altruism, and generosity.
Parents and educators can visit www.dalailamacenter.org or connect with them through social media.
education
Self-Regulation
Self-Regulation in West Vancouver Classrooms
by Kelly S. Thompson
if you have a child in the education system in Ontario or British Columbia, odds are you’ve heard of self-regulation. Self-regulation is designed to help children and adults recognize their needs and assume control of their behaviour, resulting in an enhanced ability to focus and engage. In the lower mainland this new educational method is championed by Sandra-Lynn Shortall, District Principal of Early Learning for the West Vancouver School District. Shortall defines self-regulation as “looking at how we as humans, adults, and children, are able to match our energy levels to the demands of tasks or situations that we are placed in.” Since implementing this method in her school district, resulting outcomes have been nothing short of impressive.
Shortall became interested in self-regulation after hearing Stuart Shanker, author of “Calm, Alert and Learning: Classroom Strategies for Self-Regulation,” speak at a provincial superintendent conference. Shortall and her district leadership team asked Shanker to serve as guest speaker at their district opening day and since that time, she has been on the forefront of promoting and implementing self-regulation in the classroom. West Vancouver is in its third year as part of the “first wave” district program in a national Canadian Self-Regulation Initiative. First wave schools are provided close access to lead researchers in the field to help implement appropriate and cuttingedge strategies.
This new education philosophy is popular with students, parents, and teachers alike, since the benefits extend beyond the classroom. Shortall notes, “Self-regulation is a way of thinking, and it’s a way for our teachers to reframe how they’re teaching and how they’re presenting learning opportunities.” In short, self-regulation allows teachers to respond to their students in a way that is adapted for each child, reducing conflict and boosting productivity for children and teachers. “When we can give children and adults the language to be able to express their needs,” said Shortall, “it changes the conversation in regards to how we interact with each other.” Self-regulation aims for the teacher to recognize the needs of their students while simultaneously showing children how to define what stands in the way of their own learning and focusing abilities.
When asked about how self-regulation has benefitted the children within her district, Shortall excitedly discussed a kindergarten class “makeover,” initiated with a local teacher. This particular class was comprised of several students with behavioural issues, language barriers and other potential limitations to interaction, social development, and learning. The makeover resulted in several changes. Instead of individual desks, students were encouraged to sit at a community table where they could interact and explore social opportunities. The classroom saw less visual stimulation such as primary colours, posters, mobiles and other distractions. The school also ensured snacks were on hand to fulfill basic biological needs. The kindergarten class
was afforded the opportunity to express their needs and other impediments to focusing. “[We’re] helping children and adults think about their thinking, about how they interact with each other,” Shortall said. Teachers are trained to ask questions such as: Did the child get enough sleep? Does the child need to move around? Does the child need a snack? Removing these barriers to learning results in a more focused and happy child.
After changes were made to the classroom, teachers noticed children interacting with one another, engaging in play, honing their leadership skills and developing an ability to focus on learning. “For most students, it [learning] happens as they engage in social interactions. It happens as they have opportunities to delve into their curiosities through inquiry and other different personalized options for them to learn and think.”
The effect of self-regulation is that children are happier in the classroom and parents are noticing benefits at home. Shortall notes that “students who are happy and engaged in activities will get their brains ready for peak performance.” Furthermore, in older grades where self-regulation techniques have been implemented, bullying has decreased significantly as students develop an ownership of their own behaviour.
Shortall insists that self-regulation is a lifelong process. She feels confident that this new technique has widened the boundaries of education and created further potential for students and adults to learn, focus and accept one another and their needs. Shortall says that in her educational district, self-regulation is “empowering students and adults in the system to be able to articulate their needs and for those needs to be accepted as norms.”
In a world where each child’s needs are as individual as the person, selfregulation is a turn towards embracing our differences and eliminating barriers to our own learning and productivity.
For more information, go to www.self-regulation.ca
Mind Up
Bringing Mindfulness Into the Classroom
a education
recent University of British Columbia study on the MindUp program developed by the Hawn institute found some stunning results, including: 82% of students who participated in a MindUp program became more optimistic and thought more positively, 81% had learned how to make themselves more happy, 87% were more accepting of other people’s perspectives, 58% tried to help others more often, and 88% felt that they could use at least one thing they learned in the program at home and at school. So just what is the basis of this new approach to learning in the classroom?
In 2005, inspired by 9/11 events and statistical jumps in stress, depression and violence in children, Goldie Hawn started the Hawn Foundation with a mission to “equip children with the social and emotional skills they need to navigate the challenges of the contemporary world in order to lead smarter, healthier, and happier lives”. Connecting this vision with people like Kim Schonert-Riechl, an Applied Developmental Psychologist at UBC, and educators in Vancouver, the MindUp program was brought to life. MindUp is a simple-to-implement program, based on neuroscience, positive psychology, and social-emotional learning techniques. There is a short daily practice and, when repeated several times each day, can help children learn strategies to calm down and focus. Students learn to self-regulate their behaviour and through mindful engagement they’re able to focus their concentration. There are four main goals of MindUp:
• to teach mindful focused awareness
• to increase positive human qualities, such as empathy, perspective-taking, helpfulness and kindness
• to increase optimism and well-being and
• to foster a cohesive, caring classroom climate that enhances learning.
Results have been consistent and significant. Calmer happier classrooms ensue where both teachers and students look forward to “brain breaks”. Everyone in the classroom settles more quickly after different activities or outdoor play, and is now able to focus their direction on learning.
Although social emotional learning is not a new concept, the focus on schools has been on test scores and grades. Now educators are again realizing that schools play a significant role in the social development of children and in helping them become good citizens. If we focus more on children developing their social and emotional skills such as self-awareness and self-regulation, they will be more prepared for engaged learning.
Social Emotional Learning is now backed by more than 10 years of research and studies that are proving its effectiveness without a doubt. The MindUp program introduced in one or two classrooms within a school quickly multiplies as teachers and parents see the success of the program on the students and educators alike. There is no need for a school- or district-wide policy decision. MindUp Program training is offered in most school districts in the Lower Mainland on a regular basis for individual teachers.
In its early days, the MindUp program was introduced in 13 classrooms with much testing and rigorous studies. As of a year ago, more than 3000 teachers in BC had now completed the MindUp training, helping make this province a leader in social and emotional education.
If you’re a parent or educator and want to learn more about how you can encourage the MindUp program in your school, go to their website below for more information or check with your local school board.
MindUp will soon be available as a program for parents too. If you just can’t wait, start by reading “10 mindful minutes” at home, and exploring local workshops and speaker series in the Lower Mainland. www.thehawnfoundation.org/mindup
Reconnecting
Using the Village to Reconnect with Our Children
by Steve Cairns
i education
n the otherwise empty classroom, an 11-year-old girl, curled up in the fetal position, sobbed while the teacher talked quietly and rubbed her back. The crying was the result of a social incident in which this child was unable to manage her feelings and reactions to what should have been a normal peer social interaction. Due to the severity of the girl’s distress, the teacher was hoping for relief for the child with the arrival of her mother. However, rather than replacing the teacher in the role of comforting the child, she stood back and looked at her daughter from a distance with vacant eyes as the girl continued to sob curled up on the floor. The teacher’s first thoughts admittedly were of confusion and judgment; “How is this mother not running to comfort her child? How could this mother be so cold, uncaring and unable to provide what her daughter needed?” Following a short series of tactful questions and answers, it became clear that this mother was unable to provide what her child needed as she was in her own deep state of distress. Her marriage was in a shambles, she could not afford to miss another day of work, stress and depression ruled her life and she had no one to turn to.
These kinds of stories are repeated all too frequently in all schools and in every classroom. What can be done to support the child, the parent, the family and staff? We have growing evidence that the answer lies in the creation of safe, caring and nurturing relationships.
Over the past five years we have been successfully cultivating a model that was originally captured in the African proverb: “It takes the whole village to raise the child”. We brought new life to this proverb by addressing the need to first reconnect “the whole village”.
The School-Centred Process
As the administrator of an elementary school I discovered that the education system was the perfect place from which to build the networks. Schools can quite easily act as the centre of a community, and as such, already have the connections necessary to create safe and nurturing relationships. We began our work with the premise that the school system must meet the child’s needs rather than expect the child to meet the system’s needs.
Step 1: Create a safe and nurturing school culture. The cultivation of relationships becomes the priority of the school culture. There is ample evidence that if a school culture first attends to the emotional needs of children, then the social, intellectual and physical needs of the child will follow in manner that is harmonious with that foundation.
With the school focused on the child’s needs we were able to connect with the family for additional support and gain a better understand the family’s needs. From there we reached out to significant adults within the community to create the connections that were typified in the African proverb but came to exist within our local community.
Step 2: Create a supportive, nurturing network of adults. Begin with those closest to the child and family then invite an ever-expanding list of significant adults (relatives, teachers, neighbours, community services including faith, business, rec centres, non-profit and governmental agencies) to work collaboratively as a safety net.
Step 3.: Create sustainability within the school and the adult network. Offer regular opportunities for staff to explore and become familiar with the supporting research. Staff will need time to share their experiences, challenges and successes. Integrate the language, values and beliefs of the new school culture into all activities, assemblies, events and parent communications. Each
community. Safe and nurturing relationships are the foundation of adult networks working with children and families, and as such, they have endured beyond personnel changes within the school.
The Family-Centred Process
Perhaps one day all schools will accept the role of “connecting children” but for now it is important to know that “connecting” and “significant relationships” can also begin with the family. Now retired, I have had the opportunity to initiate the process of connecting my grandchild with his school; guided the process of connecting his single-parent family (my daughter) with his school, and then invited significant adults in the larger community into the support network.
Step 1: Begin with the classroom teacher, day care provider or preschool staff. Explain that your child (grandchild) is struggling with… (anxiety, depression, stress, bullying…) and that you want to work with staff to best meet his/her needs. Be totally honest about your child’s life. There can be no shame or fear of judgement. Whether it is talk of suicide or poor self-image, our children must have our unconditional support.
Step 2.: Connect your child with at least one significant adult in the building (principal, teacher, secretary…). Have the adult develop a relationship with your child through a personal, “Hi Justin. Great to see you!” followed by a high-five. This can open the door for further sharing between an adult and an at-risk child. It is amazing where these simple starts can take us.
Step 3: Be absolutely clear with the school that your primary concern is for your child’s emotional health. Completing assignments and getting a good report card is not the priority. Social, academic and physical skills will follow good emotional health.
Step 4: Establish a schedule for the significant adults to connect, evaluate and share challenges and successes. Flexibility, receptivity and respect are essential. A phone call, a group email and a monthly face to face are essential to keeping the attention on your child’s needs.
For more information on mental health in our schools, go to www.keltymentalhealth.ca
One School Does Not Fit All
Finding the Right Fit for Your Highschool Student
By Stephanie MacDonald
iWe’re fortunate in the Lower Mainland that our public high schools are notable for their diversity, inclusivity and wide range of programs to give students the best start, whatever they want to do with their lives. Yet not every learner fits neatly into even this accommodating system. From highly creative unconventional learners, to kids with life situations that makes the standard school day unworkable, to adventure seekers and motivated selfstarters, some students need different things from a school for them to reach their potential.
Fortunately, there are many alternative high school programs that are striving to meet the needs of unconventional learners, and many of these programs are actually pushing the boundaries and evolving the face of our educational system for all students, moving learning from a structured step-by-step experience to one that is more and more determined by the individual learner. Who knows what our schools may look like in 20 years? There’s a good possibility that these following programs may be the future of our secondary school system.
Most Vancouver high schools have mini-schools with accelerated academics, but here we’re investigating some less-mainstream options. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are just a few of the interesting alternative programs available in the Lower Mainland.
Vancouver
John Oliver Secondary’s Digital Immersion mini school: Focused on computer technology, this program is designed for students who are highly motivated, and offers accelerated learning that includes the integration of computer technology into core academic courses. A computer technology program is also offered at King George Secondary.
Windermere Athena Arts: An academic mini school program for students with a passion in the arts. The program offers arts enrichment, and promotes responsibility, community and media awareness. Creative self-expression is integrated into the core academic courses, and students will have the ability to work with visiting artists and professionals.
Ideal School is a small, academic alternative school within the Vancouver School Board system. Offering a complete grade 8 to grade 12 academic program in an enriched, small group-learning environment, emphasizing personal responsibility and the development of independence and selfconfidence.
is a publicly funded democratic, parent-participation school for learners aged 5 to 18. The school is located in North Vancouver and is administered by the Gulf Islands School District. Students here have many opportunities where they can independently choose how to spend their time and choose what they will learn from the classes and activities offered by staff. “Open Space” meetings take place at the beginning of the year, in which students can sign up for classes offered by staff or request classes and activities not on offer.
Streetfront is an active alternative program for at-risk youth, located on the Britannia Secondary School site. Students at risk of dropping out devote 40 per cent of their school day to vigorous physical activity, including hiking, snowboarding and long-distance running. The other time is devoted to core academics. Since 2002, students have completed more than 100 marathons, this year, nine of the program’s 22 students completed the BMO Vancouver marathon, and two more ran the half-marathon.
The Take a Hike program is a unique program made possible by a partnership between the Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation and the Vancouver Board of Education. The program is based at John Oliver Secondary School and focuses on at-risk youth aged 15-19, grades 10-12. It is a three year program drawing on the principles of experiential learning – that students learn and grow best through first hand experience, and that there is a need for balance between academic requirements and adventure-based activities.
Magee Sports Program: Here, students are high-performance athletes who devote half of their day to academic studies in school and half to rigorous training. To be eligible, students must be training under the supervision of a qualified provincial or national coach or teacher for at least 25 hours a week as well as having a B average in school.
Flex Humanities, Vancouver Technical: Students focus on the humanities, fine arts and modern languages. This program is intended for self-motivated learners who enjoy working in groups and being involved in a variety of school activities. It’s designed for students who want to develop academically and emotionally to become members of an altruistic society.
Outside the City
Thomas Haney Secondary, Maple Ridge: For the last 21 years, this school’s self-directed program allows students to work independently and at their own pace. Beginning in grade 8 with a normal timetable, students then gradually work in more independent time, until by grade 10 students attend traditional classes for just an hour a week per subject. The school stresses unstructured study time for students to work with their advisor teacher to pursue personal educational goals.
Kwantlen Park Secondary, Surrey: Students at this school’s Law Enforcement Preparatory Program (Canadian Criminal Justice System) are given a headstart to the Law Enforcement Preparatory Program (LEPP), and focuses on the requirements needed to pass various entrance requirements for law enforcement (such as the RCMP aptitude test), and explores other law enforcement opportunities.
Johnson Heights Secondary, Surrey: This is Surrey’s first International Baccalaureate program for students in Grades 8, 9 and 10. This program emphasizes intellectual challenges, inspiring students to make connections between their studies and the real world.
Coquitlam Inquiry Hub: A division of Coquitlam Open Learning, this unstructured program gives students an innovative, technology driven, fulltime program that allows them to pursue their own learning questions by shaping their educational experience around their interests.
Suwa’lkh Learning Centre, Coquitlam: Designed to help students in danger of leaving school, this program also provides an opportunity for former students to return and resume their education. Self-paced courses encourage student engagement, and the school also has an outdoor education component.
Young Entrepreneurship and Leadership Launchpad, West Vancouver: This is a new Grade 12 course, where students partner with business and community leaders to design a business, while earning graduation credits. All West Vancouver schools are able to participate.
Fun, Safe, and Inspiring! playgrounds natural
By Racquel Foran
Childhood obesity, kids with attention issues and the inability to entertain themselves without technology (AKA the dreaded “I’m SO bored!” syndrome), these are all things on the minds of modern parents and educators. In recent years there has been a push to get children away from screens and outside engaged in more physical activities. Because of this, many schools and municipalities are looking at replacing their current old, unsafe, and less than-inspiring playground equipment and replacing them with spaces that will encourage children to play actively and explore freely while at the same time meeting safety, accessibility and budget standards. This can be a challenge, and requires some creativity and forward thinking on the part of designers and administrators. Natural playgrounds are becoming a more popular choice that can ensure a great time for kids and address all the other concerns as well.
Jennifer Hood, owner and Director of Jump Gymnastics, believes the best playgrounds are ones that reflect the communities they are in and use a unique blend of natural, manmade, and artistic components. These types of things can include sculptures, carvings, and musical instruments such as pipes, drums, and symbols, with traditional playground equipment like slides, climbing bars, balance beams, and zip lines that allow children to play and explore more creatively. These following playgrounds all did a good job of using available resources to design innovative, fun spaces.
Garden City Community Park
Richmond, BC
The playground at Garden City Community Park in Richmond has done an excellent job of introducing natural elements while using more traditional equipment in different ways. Children can jump from tree stump to tree stump, or run zigzag through a maze of stones. They can splash in a small stream or climb on the wooden log sculptures. A winding slide built into the side of slope and another tube slide used to escape from the “crows nest” structure at the centre of the park provide for lots of opportunity to climb up hills, stairs and rope ladders. This park does a good job offering something fun for kids of all ages and abilities.
The Bishop Strachan School
Toronto, Ontario
Ottawa, ON
This playground practically screams “climb on me.” A winding pathway connects different areas of play. Three wooden tee-pees at the centre of it all invite kids to play under the structures or climb up the ladders, “rock” walls and ropes that make up their sides. A log trough with water spouts and sand allow kids to get creatively wet and dirty. A lookout tower, outdoor learning space, and seating in shady areas all allow for quiet play. But perhaps coolest of all, kids can talk to their friends who are at other stations by using talking tubes in the playground.
The playground at this private school provides an excellent example of how simple things can offer big entertainment. The feature of this park is a section of a toppled tree with limbs sticking out in all directions; it is the most perfect natural climbing structure. A hillside with a double slide and some outdoor seating under a tree all combine to provide a wonderful retreat for the kids.
Ottawa Montessori School
Kensington Road Elementary
Glens Falls, NY
Natural Playgrounds Company worked with the school principal, teachers and a committee of involved parents to transform the flat terrain of the school grounds to an area with two 10-foot high hills that include slides built into the sides, boulders and an eight-foot wall for climbing, shallow caves, and upper body and fitness challenge elements. All trees on the grounds were incorporated into the design with one being used to build a tree deck with several climbing and observation areas. The playground is also accessible and accommodates children of all ages and abilities.
DIY Natural Playgrounds
One of the great things about natural playgrounds is that anyone can create something for any space, even with a small budget. Natural elements can be collected for free from the property where you plan to build. Renew, Reuse, and Recycle is also a good philosophy to employ when creating a play place. A board with old pots and pans, hubcaps, and washboards screwed to it makes a wonderful “instrumental wall.” Colour your natural elements with glow-in-the-dark paint for a different kind of fun on long hot summer nights. Tree stump ends can also be painted with a checkerboard or snakes and ladders board for some quiet play opportunities. And water is always dynamic. Pipes, pans, hoses and hand pumps can all be used to create streams and liquid mazes. Mix in a little sand and dirt for some muddy good times. Just remember where there is nature, there are endless possibilities for fun.
Elements of a Natural Playground
Earthscape, a natural playground design and build company operating out of Elmira, Ontario lists on their website elements that should be included in a natural playground.
• Plants (trees, bushes, flowers, vines and grass)
• Sand
• Access to water
• Topographical features like mounds, steps and slopes
• Features to sit in, on, under, or lean against
• Shelter and shade (trees, shade sails, structures)
• Places for privacy, as well as places to be seen
• Hideouts, caves, tunnels
• Structures
• Movement (swinging, balancing, spinning and climbing)
Eat for Life
Making the Connection between Food & Learning
By Peg Keenleyside
c education
all it the ‘new math’ of nutrition learning for kids. Call it a brand new approach to teaching healthy eating life-style skills and fostering cognitive development. However we look at it, innovative new school food programs are changing the way we teach our kids about the connection between food, learning and their long-term health.
From raised-bed garden growing programs, to food-preparation classes that are linked with grade-specific curriculum learning objectives, to healthy food-making programs involving community volunteers, there’s a wide range of programs available in the Lower Mainland that parents, teachers and school administrators are drawing upon to support student learning in that most basic of subjects, the food we eat.
Kids + gardening = learning by doing
As parents we know that kids, especially young children, learn a lot through tactile physical interaction with the world around them. With new education studies showing the huge potential for ‘learning by doing’ or experiential learning, food gardening programs in the “outdoor classroom” have been taking root in schools all over the Metro Vancouver map.
When our Delta elementary school wanted to start a seed-to-table gardening program that would incorporate our grades K-4 plant science and health learning objectives as well as foster better independent healthy eating habits, we asked school garden expert Ian Lai of the Richmond Schoolyard Society’s Kids in the Garden program to come in and mentor our teachers, parents and administrators. With his irrepressible passion for sustainable food systems and global food security, Ian founded his teaching garden and commercial kitchen at the Terra Nova Public Farm & Gardens in Richmond in 2006. Working with community volunteers, The Kids in the Garden on-site teaching program involves some 1500 elementary students from nine local Richmond and Vancouver area schools with in-school outreach programs into 11 other Metro schools in the works for 2014.
“Learning about the full cycle of food from seed to table makes kids more appreciative about whats it actually takes to grow food, take social responsibility for caring for farm land and what food security means for their community, so that they eventually become the choice-makers of the future”, he says about one of the long-term goals of his program.
Kids + food preparation = learning life-skills
At Project CHEF, teacher and chef Barb Finley has designed a hugely successful hands-on meal-preparation food program that teaches kids about nutrition and local food systems while empowering them to be able to make healthy meals on their own. “I think the key to the success of Project CHEF is that it teaches food education in an integrated, experiential way”, she says about her programs that incorporate BC Ministry of Education learning outcomes in science, math, reading and social studies.
Project CHEF offers one week programs for two classrooms or a Residency program that engages all students from K-7 in a school for a sustained period of time. “The children are engaged in the process of cooking from start to finish (preparing, cooking, cleaning, dining, composting), while learning
about nutrition, food systems, sustainable agriculture, food and kitchen safety, cooking skills, healthy eating, and the importance of sharing food with others”, says Barb.
As with many innovative new not-for-profit education programs like Kids in the Garden and Project CHEF, fundraising to deliver the programs into schools on their waiting-list can be a challenge. “We raise funds and in-kind support from charities, companies and private donors” says Finley, noting that “Schools, if they are able, pay a portion of the weekly cost to run the program to help us extend the funds we raise”.
Kids + fresh fruit, veggies and milk = learning about the Canada Food Guide
The BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program delivers BC fruits and vegetables to some 1400 schools in BC from grades K-12 on a twice a month basis to raise awareness in the classroom about the Canada Food Guide’s recommended daily servings of 4-6 fruits and vegetables for children under 13. And for teens, the Guide’s recommended number of daily servings of fruit and veggies jumps to a whopping 7-8!
The BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC), which has run the fruit and veggie program since 2005, recently teamed up with the BC Diary Association to deliver a new pilot milk program for grades K-2 in elementary schools around the province as well.
Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) have been raising funds for school projects and programming through catered “special lunch” programs for a long time. After years of just a few not-so-nutritious choices like pizza on the menu, innovators in the school lunch delivery field, like Foodies Inc. of North Vancouver, are offering new nutrition-packed and culturally diverse menu options.
Currently working with 14 schools, Foodies Inc.’s chef-prepared diverse culinary traditions menu choices include Greek, East Indian and Asian foods.
“We believe that eating is one of the great ways to learn about different cultures and the world”, says mom-entrepreneur Michele Tang about the company she’s founded; “ therefore, we also have a lot of ethnic-inspired menu items like Vietnamese spring rolls and Filipino chicken soup to choose from”.
Kids + breakfast = better classroom learning
The link between nutrition and cognitive development in children is well established. Stats Canada figures, sadly, show that some 18% of BC children, or some 153,000 kids, are living below the poverty line in our communities. This commonly translates into food depravation and the need for breakfast and lunch programs to help kids to sustain their development and their ability to learn.
Meeting the challenge of feeding thousands of vulnerable kids in Lower mainland school districts are two national notfor-profit organizations,The Breakfast Club of Canada and Breakfast for Learning. Both rely on community volunteers and donations of funds, kitchen equipment, training and food to prepare in-school meals for kids from grades K-12.
The Breakfast Club of Canada tells West Coast Families magazine there’s a waiting list to join the other 41 clubs already up and running in Lower Mainland schools. Spokesperson Kathy Mullen says, “With thousands of kids starting the day without food, we look at our program as a social movement to give all kids the basic opportunity –good nutrition – to start their school day”.
Resources
Seeing a need for a breakfast or lunch program in your school? School administrators in BC, together with parents and teachers, can apply to start a Breakfast Club by visiting their website at www.breakfastclubscanada.org.
Learn more about Project CHEF and get ideas for developing a food-preparation program at your kids school by visiting their information packed website at www. projectchef.ca. (Due to funding, Project CHEF programs are only available in the Vancouver School Board District at this time).
Want to bring Ian Lai into your school to help germinate a school-wide food growing program or a classroom project? Contact the not-for-profit Richmond School Yard Society at www.kidsinthegarden.org
The BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program and the BC Diary Association pilot milk program is for grades K-2. Contact program administrators at the non-profit foundation website at www.aitc.ca/bc. To learn more about the resources offered, go to www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca
>> Grammy Nominee Sings to Support the Hearing and Speech Centre of BC
Grammy nominee Jennifer Gasoi is a Vancouverite based in Montreal, whose children’s album Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well was nominated in the Best Children’s Album category this year. Jennifer will be attending the 56th annual Grammy awards on January 26, 2014 but Lower Mainland families can catch her live at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre on April 12, 2014 as part of Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC’s annual family concert. Tickets can be purchased at www.childrenshearing.ca
The Hearing and Speech Centre’s Preschool and Language Acceleration Programs provide group and one-to-one sessions addressing each child’s specific learning needs. Small, individually focused, on-site classes begin at age three and continue, if recommended, through the primary grades. During this complex educational effort children receive on-site audiological services which ensure constant access to listening through well monitored hearing evaluations and appropriate hearing devices. The centre strongly believes that finances should not restrict a hearing impaired child from a listening and spoken language education. With the generous support of private donors they are able to offer scholarships and bursaries to their students. www.childrenshearing.ca
>> Earth Day Canada’s Hometown Heroes Award Program 2014 has launched!
They are looking for everyday eco-heroes who are doing extraordinary work to create greener communities across Canada. This program, made possible through a committed partnership with Mill Street Brewery and the RBC Foundation, recognizes and celebrates environmental leaders, groups and small businesses who foster meaningful, long-term community awareness and action. These are the prizes that can be won:
Individual Hometown Heroes Award - a $10,000 cash–prize to donate to a local environmental group/cause of their choice
Group Hometown Heroes Award - a $10,000 cash–prize to support their work
Small Business Hometown Heroes Award - a $5,000 cash-prize, and permission from Earth Day Canada (EDC) to use the award and the EDC logo for one year (to help market and promote the business and/or an approved product) The nomination deadline for the Hometown Heroes Award Program 2014 is March 31, 2014. For more information, or to nominate yourself, a neighbour, a group, or a small business from your community, please visit www.earthday.ca/ hometown
>> This January is Alzheimer Awareness Month –Help Spread The Word
The Alzheimer Society of Canada is launching a nationwide campaign with the theme “Early diagnosis keeps your life from unraveling.” The goal of the campaign is to highlight the importance of getting an early diagnosis, and at the same time, reduce the stigma that is still so pervasive with dementia.
To convey this message, the society is using a creative device known as “knit bombing.” The knitted images that appear in the ads help communicate that there is still a positive thread that everyone can hold on to after diagnosis. This idea is further reinforced in the tagline, “There’s so much to hold on to.” While January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, this campaign runs throughout 2014 so the Alzheimer Society encourages you to print out and post these public service announcements in and around your workplace at any time during the year.
The ad is available in a couple of common sizes and in both English and French at: http://yousend.it/SjCLQP. They would be pleased to adjust the ad to your specifications. Through education and awareness, Canadian people like you can make a real difference in the lives of those living with dementia – perhaps even someone you know. www.alzheimer.ca
>> Mike Schneider and Project Pickle Introduce Agriculture to Delta Students
Project Pickle is an offshoot of the Backyard Cooperative. Project Pickle and its related programs afford a chance for K-12 students in the Delta School District to become more involved with food and gain a better understanding of its complexities through a multi-faceted and independently directed unit studies program, which will dovetail with an already successful curriculum.
Last May, 700 primary students each planted a pickling cucumber seed in a seed tray. The trays were lovingly cared for in a local greenhouse until mid-June when 1400 more students working as “buddies” transplanted the seedlings to 15 school gardens in the district. Hundreds of other kids planted a variety of other goodies including spinach, beets, peppers, pumpkins, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, squash and a wide variety of pickling spices including Russian Red garlic, Portuguese hot peppers, dill, coriander, mustard, rosemary, shallots and onions. High school students were then hired to maintain the crops over the summer, culminating in an August harvest of 35 dozen cucumbers. Last fall, Chef Michael Boyle and his culinary students at Seaquam Secondary School used the bumper crop to develop a pickling lesson and invited members of the Cougar Canyon Elementary gardening club to observe and partake. www.edibleschoolyard.org
>> ePACT
Launch Answers Need for Online Emergency Network
B.C. based ePACT Network recently announced the launch of its online emergency system, better connecting and protecting families, organizations and communities through any crisis. Over 50% of North American families are not prepared for a crisis and 70% of Canadian businesses do not have disaster plans in place. On top of this, organizations families rely on are using antiquated emergency management processes.
Communities are now recognizing these emergency management issues and demanding improvements. ePACT answers this need as an innovative online replacement to dated systems, acting as the “LinkedIn for emergencies”, providing anytime, anywhere access to critical emergency information and communications.
ePACT directly addresses existing gaps by:
• Replacing paper-based emergency processes with a secure online system;
• Acting as the single emergency record for families to store and share their information (contact details, allergies, medications, special needs);
• Providing redundant communications via web and mobile;
• Ensuring understanding of roles across organizations, families and support networks of emergency contacts.
Co-founders, Christine Sommers and Kirsten Koppang Telford, were inspired to build ePACT by survivors of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Stories of separation, lack of information and broken communications hit home to the founders, who are based in B.C. – a high risk area for natural disasters. This motivated them to research emergency management and identify gaps in current systems. The North Vancouver School District trialled ePACT in early 2012, followed by sports associations, daycares and community programs. It is now open to all organizations and families. For more details on the ePACT network, to register yourself, your family or your organization or obtain important safety tips and information on emergency preparedness, visit www.ePACTnetwork.com
m moms westcoast
Taz Ismail & Julia Clark
By Marlane Press
Striking the balance between mom-at-school and teacher-at-home...
ost parents would like to believe they are, until a certain age, their child’s best educator. But what happens in a family where both parents are instructors, and one parent in fact teaches at the same elementary school as her own son? Well, for one thing, an infinite number of teachable moments occur almost non-stop.
For Taz Ismail, Julia Clark, and their eight-year-old son Ziyan, the navigating and setting of boundaries surrounding parenting and educating have been tricky at times. But also immensely rewarding and even motivating.
“Seeing Ziyan in school inspires me,”Taz says, taking a sip of her morning coffee in her Design Sponge-worthy East Vancouver home on a recent Saturday morning. Her son – politely, eagerly waiting to add his own opinion – sits at the table absorbing every word his mom says, enjoying a piece of peanut butter toast. “But I had to make a commitment that I wasn’t going to be his mom at school in order to give him his independence. Some days it’s hard as he gets older, but he has his own life and that’s the only way it works right now,” Taz added before Ziyan chimed in: “Everybody calls her Miss I at Tyee [Montessori Elementary School] so I thought I should also call her Miss I, too.”
While not juggling a similar balance between being a mom and a teacher at her son’s school, Julia, who recently completed a two-year Faculty Associate contract in education at Simon Fraser University, said there are other boundaries that need demarcating when one is an educator and a mother. A turningthe-teacher-off conversation has been discussed more than a few times in the household. Both parents made a decision to place limits on how much teaching was taking place after the final school bell had sounded and the family was back at home, enjoying time away from the classroom and work. “We’re always in a bit of teaching mode,” said Julia, who teaches multiple primary grades at Charles Dickens Elementary School. “I think we’ve had to say, ‘let’s just be a parent,’ but it’s hard. We do have to remind ourselves that teacher-mode has turned off.”
The best teachers have an innate ability to understand and motivate children. They also possess sharp problem-solving and people-management skills. And once you’ve got those under your belt and have been a teacher for 15 years, as both Taz and Julia can claim, what does being a mom do for your career in education, if anything?
Together they agree that it’s been eye-opening and altering in terms of how they have adjusted their teaching styles since Ziyan was born. Taz, who admitted that she struggled as a girl in school and didn’t enjoy school until late high school when she was encouraged by a positive and compassionate P.E. teacher,
said Ziyan’s need to move and be active as a young boy made her more accommodating in the classroom. “I see it right in front of me what activity my own child needs. To be sitting at a desk in a chair doesn’t work.” The “rough-and-tumbleness” behaviour, as Julia describes it, of some boys was something she was not so accepting of in the classroom before Ziyan was born. “Having a boy has made a big impact and a big shift for me in teaching. When I was at SFU and saw my student-teachers in primary classrooms I reminded them to consider looking at gender shifts in the classroom. I wouldn’t have done that before Ziyan was born.”
The New Year brings another shift for the teacher/moms – this one in priorities. As a mom and a role model and educator for almost 30 children each day, one can overlook the taking care of herself. Taz and Julia have decided to carve out some focuson-ourselves time. For Taz, a past competitor in recreational triathlons, it’s a priority to get back into a more active lifestyle. For Julia, who in December celebrated a milestone birthday, it’s trying 40 new activities during 2014.
“It’s time to be creative,” she explained. “I’m most at my peak when I’m motivated and challenged and attempting new things. We put so much into teaching that the personal side gets compromised, but there has to be a balance. I tell my studentteachers, ‘you have personal lives and you’re a happier, healthier teacher if you can foster that side of yourselves.’”
We can all learn from that.
Do You Have a Scatterbrained Kid?
Advice from a neuroscience therapist
By Teresa de La Boursodiere
there is a range of therapeutic, activity-based and educational approaches that can improve behaviour, reduce medical symptoms, as well as achieve better focus, awareness and learning capacity. Some of these include every day activities such as relaxation, guided imagery, spiritual practices, martial arts, art, biofeedback, and Brain Gym educational kinesiology. The simple act of slowing down, calming the environment, and creating a still place where you can focus on your breath, slow your respiration down to one breath every ten seconds, focus intently on an intention, and chanting (such as Gregorian chants), or even reciting prayers. Research has shown that there are many activities and ways of being that induce a calm mental clarity in addition to reduce inattention, distractibility, anxiety, and mental chatter.
Biofeedback: Is a method where the person’s brain and/or body is linked to a medical monitoring device such as attaching an electroencephalogram (EEG) to the brain, electromyogram (EMG) to the heart, blood volume pressure (BVP) to the finger, electrocardiogram (EKG) to the muscles, temperature monitor to the skin, respiration around the abdominal or thoracic chest region, and/or skin conductance (galvanic skin response) to the fingers. Each of these recording devices can be linked to a real time physiological feedback loop that shows the person what is happening within their body and they can learn how to best control or regulate it using a variety of methods. This allows them to become consciously aware of how to calm their mind, reduce obsessive or negative thoughts, improve their focus and concentration when studying or working, and to prevent distractibility or hyperactivity.
Brain Gym Educational Kinesiology is another approach used within the education and kinesiology industry. It incorporates movement with sounds and activities that children and adolescents can remember and act out. It is a fun way of activating the mind, brain, and body with simple activities and movements, in and outside of the home or classroom. It is said to aid in improving learning, reading, writing, thinking, and organization. Brain Gym principals are based on conducting movements across the midline of the body to enhance “whole-body” coordination. These activities are another manner to use the body’s movement to drive communication between both brain hemispheres. Many of these movements mirror Chinese medicine and shiatsu points as well as behavioural optometry to increase brain-body coordination.
Martial Arts such as Tai Chi, yoga, or any other martial art that involves movement in a focused state with intention and awareness. In the process of executing the movement, a specific area of the brain called the sensory motor cortex is activated. This is the same area and activity and state that is trained in biofeedback to teach people how to address a range of symptoms.
Ultimately, a wholistic approach to working with, teaching and managing your child’s learning, activities, behaviour and teaching mindfulness will empower them for success to better respond to daily demands & distractions.
Teresa de La Boursodiere, BSc, Neurosciences Thesis, MBA Health Care Management is a neuroscientist with ADNC Neurofeedback Centre of BC who has practiced internationally and completed a thesis in neuroplasticity.
Resources
Brain Gym Educational Kinesiology www.braingym.com lists local trainers. Alternatively, their books can be ordered on-line. Biofeedback or Applied Psychophysiology can be sourced at www.aapb.org, www.isnr.org, and through ADNC Neurofeedback Centre of BC at www.neurofeedbackclinic.ca or (604)730-9600.
Marital Arts There are many local martial arts programs available at community centres & private teachers. Check online listings like www.dojos.ca
Adult Events for the Hip Mom Around Town! momevents
PuSh: International Performing Arts Festival
Various Venues throughout Vancouver
January 14-February 2
This festival is Vancouver’s mid-winter festival representing acclaimed local, national & international artists festival featuring adventurous programs of theatre, dance, music & multimedia at venues in & around Vancouver. 604.605.8284 | www.pushfestival.ca
Driving Miss Daisy
Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre, Surrey
January 16-25
Be charmed by this comedy about an unlikely friendship. Tickets start at $37 with discount.
604.501.5566 | www.surrey.ca
Divers’ Weekend
Vancouver Aquarium
January 18-19
Featuring compelling diving demonstrations, exhibits and conversations, its sure to inspire visitors to further explore the oceans, exchange ideas and expand their horizons. Certified divers receive 50% off admission.
604.659.3526 | www.vanaqua.org
Introduction to Instagram
Parkgate Branch Library, North Vancouver
January 23, 2:30-3:30pm
Learn how to download the free app to your mobile device, how to take and post pictures, search for and follow other users, and how to make your profile private. All you need is a mobile device which includes iPhones, iPads or Android Smartphones. Please pre-register.
604.929.3727
Just for Mommies and Kids Cloverdale Fairgrounds
January 25, 9am-12:30pm
Everything for baby, teens and mommy’s including baby equipment, toys, books, brand name clothing all for kids plus clothing for moms.
604.533.1970
Dragon Taming: Helping Kids Manage Anxiety
January 30, 7–8pm
Capilano Branch Library, North Vancouver
Join Valerie Ostara to learn how to recognize the many faces of children’s anxiety, and discover some simple anxiety relieving techniques. Free; Registration required.
604.987.4471 Ext. 8175
Rodgers & Hammerstein: Out of a Dream York Theatre, Vancouver
February 5-16
Full of whimsy and nostalgia, the new & enchanting musical revue takes you on a romantic journey through the beloved Broadway songbook. www.thecultch.com
PEP Talks, A speaker series to inspire great parents
Vancouver Playhouse
February 5, 7:30-9pm
The 2014 PEP Talks Series brings an exciting mix of worldclass speakers to Vancouver, featuring some of the top thinkers on the issues every parent faces today. Tickets start at $39. All proceeds go to support the ongoing programs of the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. www.peptalkseries.com
Children in the Heart of the Matter Conference Bell Performing Arts Centre, Surrey
February 7 & 8
For anyone who works with young children and families in child care settings, family resource programs, primary school grades and other community programs. The goal is to raise awareness of child care and early childhood development services through professional development, networking, and information sharing. Full 2 day program $100.
After-dark snowboard & ski contests, sunrise snowshoe treks, the torch parade, shopping, dining & everyone’s favourite junior pond hockey tournament. Complimentary with Grouse Mountain General Admission, Membership or Ski Pass.
604.980.9311 | www.grousemountain.com/events
Gala Committee for the Odlum Brown FWE Gala: Where Magic Happens
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver
February 11
Silent Auction & Reception and Dinner, Live Auction, Magic & More! Featuring Maxine Clark, Founder of BuildA-Bear Workshop®. Benefitting the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. Tickets $279 www.fwe.ca/where-magic-happens-2014
XL Leadership Summit
February 13, 8:30am–5:30pm
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver
An exceptional line-up of speakers from business and sport who are coming together to inspire you to raise your game and help your business excel. This day-long session includes continental breakfast and a networking lunch. www.twentytengroup.com
Introductory Workshop on Imaginative and Ecological Education
Alcuin College, 1044 St. Georges Ave, North Vancouver February 19, 7-8:30pm
Part of the Alcuin College speaker series, featuring Dr. Gillian Judson. Tickets $15. Register online. www.alcuin.ca | (604) 360-8656
Heart Matters: Cultivating Caring Children
SFU Woodwards, 149 West Hastings St, Vancouver February 26 & 27
Empathy and compassion can’t be taught formally, but develop in a child whose need for connection and contact are properly met. Explore the challenging topic of emotion, in both our children and ourselves with two leaders in childhood development, Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté. $40 for public talk on Weds, $275 for the whole program. www.hollyhock.ca | 1-800-933-6339
Vancouver International Wine Festival
Various Locations throughout Vancouver February - March 2
One of the world’s premiere wine festivals, this event is a unique opportunity to learn about & enjoy some of the world’s finest wines. The event features wine tastings & pairings, gourmet dinners & luncheons, educational seminars & culinary competitions. 604.873.3311 | www.playhousewinefest.com
Whistler Blackcomb’s Fire & Ice Show
Skier’s Plaza in Whistler Village (base of Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas)
Until March 30, 6:30pm
A free, all-ages night of entertainment. Whistler’s best skiers and riders jump and flip through a blazing ring of fire accompanied by fire spinners, a DJ and fireworks display. www.whistler.com/events/fire-and-ice
Luminescence
Vancouver Aquarium
Until January 22
Gaze at a display of 100-plus origami jellyfish, marvel at an electric eel-powered holiday tree & learn how sea creatures create & reflect light. Take a virtual tour through the depths of the ocean with a deepdive. Admission is $25 for adults, $14 for children (ages 4 to 12).
604.659.3474 | www.vanaqua.org
Robson Square Ice Rink
Robson Square, Vancouver
Ongoing until February 28, Sunday –Thursday 9am-9pm; Friday & Saturday 9am-11pm
Right in the heart of Vancouver, enjoy this outdoor skating rink! Skate rentals are available for $4. www.robsonsquare.com
Sound Play
ArtStarts Gallery, Vancouver
Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm, Sat, 10am-4pm
This is an interactive exhibition exploring music, acoustics, composition and sound-making, including pedal sound-making bikes, listen to original songs, experiment with a cymatium, play with musical instruments from around the world, and more. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. www.artstarts.com/gallery
The Sun Peaks Family Cup Sun Peaks Resort
January 1-15
The two weeks of celebration consists of a variety of family focused activities, events, and all-ability competitions including signature races such as the Sun Peaks Family Cup and the Sun Peaks Kookaburra Cup Nordic Loppet with something for all ages and levels of ability in either skiing or boarding. 800.807.3257 | www.sunpeaksresort.com
Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery
Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver
January 12
The VSO presents concerts for children four to eleven years of age and their families. The Kids’ Koncerts series features the full orchestra, and the very best in children’s musical entertainers. www.vancouversymphony.ca
community
Shrek the Musical
The Chilliwack School of Performing Arts
January 15-26, various times
Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre to dazzling new life on the stage. Tickets start at $9.75. www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca/event/shrek/
Will Stroet and the Backyard Band
Tsawwassen Arts Centre
January 18, 10:30am-11:15am
Children’s entertainers Will Stroet and the Backyard Band are true family favourites. They are coming to Delta to celebrate the release of their new album.
Cost is $10.
604.952.3000 | www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Vancouver International Boat Show
BC Place and Granville Island Maritime Market & Marina
January 22-26
Western Canada’s premier boating showcase! Featuring Dawn Wells, “Mary Ann Summers” from Gilligan’s Island, Robin Sather, LEGO Certified Professional Builder. Visit the Nautical Play Centre in the Kids Zone, Discover Boating Centre, the Cascadian Crusaders, and free boat rides too. Adults $12, kids free.
www.vancouverboatshow.ca
Family Fun Fair
River Market, New Westminster
January 25
30 tables will provide parents with information, resources, products and services. Kids of all ages will be entertained by music, face painting, balloon art crafts, and a special guest appearance. This is a free event.
604.374.8843
Vive les Voyageurs -
French Canadian Winter Festival
The Fort at Fort Langley
January 25-26
Experience the rich French-Canadian culture that made Fort Langley so vibrant. Taste French-Canadian food, try finger-weaving, sing a voyageur song & participate in other cultural activities. Regular admission applies; free for annual pass holders
604.513.4777 | www.pc.gc.ca/fortlangley
iGirl Empowerment Workshop
Croatian Cultural Centre
January 25-26
This lighthearted, two day workshop prepares 9-12 year old girls for the multimedia pressure-cooker they’ll soon encounter. Saleema Noon and her team tackle topics including puberty, safety on the internet, healthy body image, and how to be assertive in even the toughest situations. $169. 604.418.9417
Sonic Playground – youth-focused sound workshop
Vancouver Academy of Music
Saturday, January 26; 10 AM - 2 PM
This interactive, improvisational and educational music program is open to children 8 - 12 years old. Music experience is not required; some instruments will be available at the workshop, however participants are welcome to bring an instrument if they have one. Space is limited, and reservations are recommended. Free.
www.newmusic.org
Family Day at PdA!
Place des Arts, Coquitlam
January 26, 1:30-3:30pm
Gather up the family and tour four diverse exhibitions. Then participate in a variety of all-ages, drop-in style workshops based on the content and media of the artworks. Drop in by donation. 604.664.1636
Family Literacy Day
Multiple locations
January 27
Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held annually on January 27 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. For great ways to have 15 minutes of fun together, visit the HSBC Learning Activity Centre online.
www.familyliteracyday.ca
Celtic Jam with Nigel Tucker
The ACT Arts Centre & Theatre, Maple Ridge
January 28, 7- 9pm
Come join Nigel and his band of merry musicians in the spirit of Celtic muse. Bring your instruments, voice or even just your ears as no experience is necessary and only the love of music required. This is a free event.
www.theactmapleridge.org/lobbynights#celticjam
Visit www.westcoastfamilies.com/events_calendar for more family friendly events in November & December! To have your event included in the WestCoast Families community calendar, please email your details to admin@westcoastfamilies.com. Go to www.westcoastfamilies.com to see more local and community family events in your area.
calendar
Charades and Pictionary
Capilano Branch Library, North Vancouver
January 29, 4:30-5:30pm
If you love playing board games, drawing or just having a raucous time, then this is for you. Get ready for some zany fun! Perfect for children ages 8 and up. Free!
604.987.4471 Ext. 8175
The Fraser Valley TeenFest
Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Fair Grounds
February 1, 11am-5:30pm
This free festival gives teens and their parents the opportunity to connect with each other, their peers and their community. The venue will be divided into 4 primary areas: Health and Wellness, Fashion and Beauty, Life and Education, and Cool Stuff. There will be a teen talent show as well as special guests at these events.
www.teenfest.ca
Shrek the Musical
Michael J Fox Theatre, Burnaby
February 7- 22
The show is based on the Oscar-Award winning Dreamworks movie, and follows the hilarious story of Shrek and Donkey as they embark on an unexpected journey to rescue a beautiful princess with an ugly secret. Becoming an unlikely champion, Shrek is enlisted to petition the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad.
778.888.8444 | www.ticketmaster.ca
TechTrek Saturday Workshop
EA Campus, Burnaby
February 8, 10am-12:30pm
This workshop program brings high-school students and parents to campus for a half-day of computerscience activities, including programming, learning to design programs and games, and listening to real industry professionals and university experts talk about the cutting edge of technology-- all in a fun, friendly environment!
www.techtrek.ca
Wacky, Wacky World of Aquatic Science
Vancouver Aquarium
February 9
Join in for some wacky and fun oceanic themed experiments, and discover answers to some aquatic science questions. Then set up camp in the underwater view gallery and sleep overnight with the Beluga Whales. Cost per participant (age 6+) $110 or $88 for members.
www.vanaqua.org
Tap
Dance
The Roundhouse Community Centre
February 9, 2pm
Celebrating Black History Month with a look back to the growth of jazz, Broadway styles and tap dance through a dancers journey to freedom. Pre-sale tickets are available online through www.newworks. ca $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Pay what you can at the door.
604.713.1800 | www.roundhouse.ca
Family Day Fun
Cambie Community Centre, Richmond
February 10, 10am-12noon
Celebrate with activities, games, bouncy castles and face painting. Everyone welcome. Parent participation and registration required. $2 per person.
www.richmond.ca/cambie
Children’s Arts Festival
Richmond Cultural Centre
February 10, 10am-4pm
A full day of interactive art and literacy activities for children (12 and under). Register for a Creativity Class and work side by side inspiring professional artists for just $5 more. Your wristband also gives you free admission for families to skate at Minoru Arenas and swim at Minoru Aquatics Centre. www.childrensartsfestival.ca
The Harlem Globetrotters
Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Vancouver
February 13, 7pm
Create lasting family memories with the Harlem Globetrotters. Hilarious antics & amazing basketball skills will entertain the whole family. Tickets start at $34.
www.ticketmaster.ca
Kids Helping Kids Swap Meet and Craft Fair
Gleneagle Secondary School, Coquitlam
February 22, 9am-3pm
Shop this swap meet and craft fair and all profits will go to raise funds to build a water well in Ecuador, one of the students Me2We Team projects this year. There will be a kids’ area, so bring your children! Admission is free.
www.gleneagle.org
Coldest Night of the Year Walk 2014 Pacific Community Church, 5337-180th St, Cloverdale
February 22
The Coldest Night of the Year is a fantastically fun, family-friendly walking fundraiser that raises money for the hungry, homeless and hurting in 65 communities across Canada. Pacific Community Church is hosting a walk to raise operational funds for the Cloverdale Community Kitchen. 604.574.4001 x102
The Backyardigans : Sea Deep In Adventure Tickets
Orpheum Theatre
February 22
With non-stop excitement and surprises, this watery tale will mesmerize, entertain and delight audiences of all ages!
Eco-friendly, healthy, active solutions for the whole family, presented by Whole Foods Market. Featuring 65 exhibitors, healthy food & beverage sampling, workshops and classes, Kid Zone with bouncy castles, face painting, eco-crafts, Gymboree & Leap Therapy play space, and Cinderella meet & greet, and over $10,000 in New Mom & Baby and Whole Family Wellness grand prizes. Adults $8 (online), $10 (cash at the door). Children under 12 free. www.modernfamilyexpo.com/tickets
CKNW Orphans’ Fund Pink Shirt Day
February 26, 2014
Wear PINK to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere, anytime. Get your school or workplace involved, and share your experiences with others. Purchase your pink shirt or make a donation online. Proceeds directly beneft many local organizations helping our youth. www.pinkshirtday.ca
Kids Camp Expo
Heritage Hall, Vancouver
March 2, 11am-4pm
Providing busy parents information about the camps and activities available for their children throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond. Choose from day and overnight programs in sports, education, empowerment & leadership, arts, outdoors, and special needs, for children in preschool up to 18 years old. Meet camp directors and former attendees, see informational videos, and experience camp activities. Free www.kidscampexpo.com
We can deliver WestCoast Families magazine free to your event! Email us at admin@westcoastfamilies.com or call 604-249-2866
last look
Simple Science
Fun Rainbow Experiments for Kids
By Keri Zingle, Craft Caravan
A rainbow in the sky can usually put a smile on anyone’s face, but how is that rainbow made? Here are two fun science experiments to do with the kids so that they can learn more about these fascinating arcs of colour in the sky!
Simple Rainbow CD Prism
materials
• an old CD
• white paper
• flashlight or a sunny day
do it!
In a dim room, shine the flashlight onto the blank surface of the CD at an angle. This creates a rainbow effect which can be reflected onto the paper (a light surface). Outside, tilt the blank surface of the CD towards the sun, moving it to make changing rainbow patterns.
what’s happening?
CDs look really smooth, but they’re actually an uneven reflective surface. It’s hard for the human eye to notice the uneven surface, but it makes a difference to light hitting the CD. The colours of light that make up white light are all different wavelengths, so they hit the uneven surface of the CD differently, making the white light break apart into a rainbow.
did you know?
The white light we are familiar with is really made up of coloured waves of light that come together to create white. Rainbows form in the sky when sunlight bends (or ‘refracts’) as it passes through raindrops. Each colour of light bends in a slightly different way, so the white light separates into the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Rainbow Bubbles
materials
• bubble solution:
- 2.5 C water,
- 1/8 C corn syrup/glycerin
- 1/4 C liquid dish soap
• mixing bowl
• cookie sheet/pan
• straw
• sunshine or bright light
do it!
Pour all of the bubble solution into the cookie sheet or baking pan. Put the straw into the bubble solution and blow into it to make small bubbles. Once you have a small bubble, pull the straw up a little bit, but not out of the bubble, and keep blowing to make your bubble bigger. Can you see a rainbow in the bubble? Shine a flashlight onto your bubble at a 45 degree angle, or if you’re outside, the sun will be your light source. How many colours of the rainbow can you see?
Tip: if you can’t make a big bubble with your straw, you can look at all of your little bubbles and find little glimmers of different colours of light.
what’s happening?
The colors in the bubble are formed when light reflects off the inner and outer surface of the bubble and then interferes with itself. It’s like throwing two pebbles into a pond and watching their ripples interact. The light waves behave in the same way, creating patterns on the bubble’s surface and allowing us to see the colors.
For more craft ideas and kids activities, please visit www.craftcaravan.com
