WestCoast Families Feb-Mar 2022 by Island Parent Group

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Celebrating the modern family lifestyle on the West Coast

FEB/MAR 2022

Write It Down! Journaling & Family Storytelling

Steppin’ Out for Spring Break WESTCOASTFAMILIES.COM

Types of Private Schools

A VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY With celebrity guest Chef Bruno Feldeisen

Saturday, April 9, 5-6:30pm Family Tickets $100 famjamkitchen.ca Meal kits provided by

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Create with us

Made on Vancouver Island Over 25 kits to select from All supplies included Available for all ages How to Videos

What is McTavish Academy Of Art? In 2016 our families began repurposing a decommissioned elementary school in North Saanich, as well as the adjacent agricultural land, into a vibrant and inclusive community arts centre. We had a vision to create a place where our community could connect and explore their own creativity, expand on talents, discover new ones and bring cross generational collaboration and learning to life through the arts. We created a place where community could experience art of all kinds such as music, dance, painting and many other performing and visual art forms. We have been growing and evolving ever since we opened our doors and it's been an incredible adventure. As a result of the pandemic, our community lost the ability to visit us in person and so over the past two years we discovered a new avenue to create and connect with everyone through our art kits. These ready to assemble art kits include all the supplies needed to create your own custom work of art. Each kit starts as a drawing, is then digitally formatted, laser cut from premium wood and packaged in-house. From 3D Whales, Monsters and Lighthouses, to Treehouses, Unicorns and many more. We now have over 25 kits to inspire your creativity! To learn more about McTavish Academy Of Art and view all the art kits please visit our website: mctavishacademy.ca

Superhero Art Kit

Howling Wolves Art Kit

Log House Art Kit

mctavishacademy.ca create@mctavishacademy.ca 778-351-0088 1720 McTavish Rd, North Saanich, BC

Feb/Mar 2022

IN THIS ISSUE

FEB/MAR 2022

WHAT’S NEW? Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@westcoastfamilies.com Sue Fast Editor editor@westcoastfamilies.com

FRESH FINDS

Jodi Iverson Account Manager jodi@westcoastfamilies.com

6 WAYS TO HELP NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN

Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@islandparent.ca

For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@westcoastfamilies.com

20 THINGS FOR PARENTS OF KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

WRITE IT DOWN!

SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES

WestCoast Families, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a bimonthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for west coast families. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

Mailing Address 518 Caselton Place Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 250 388 6905 A proud member of

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BEST BABY ACTIVITIES

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PLANNING HEALTHY MEALS

FAMILY OUTINGS

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FROM OUR TO YOURS

“Are we there yet?” This refrain, usually heard coming from the back seat of the family car, pretty much sums up how most of us are feeling at this point in the pandemic, like we’re along for the ride on a never-ending road trip. But there’s light—and hopefully an exit ramp—at the end of the tunnel. By mid-March, when the clocks spring ahead, we’ll have already gained more than five hours of daylight since the winter solstice in December. Longer, warmer days means more time outside. And more time outside means being able to get together more with family and friends. For ideas on what to do, check out Steppin’ Out for Spring Break where you’ll find the Top 10 to-do’s around the Lower Mainland. Don’t miss the Special Needs feature that includes articles on ways to help neurodivergent children along with

20 things parents of kids with special needs should hear. Check out this issue’s Fresh Finds and make sure to find out the latest tips and trends in What’s New. Looking for new ways to learn as a family? Look no further than Write It Down! where you’ll discover fun ways to engage young and old in journaling and storytelling. Make time to enjoy each other and the start of spring. Sunshine and summer are just around the corner. From our family to yours.

50th Anniversary

Providing an experiential, age-appropriate approach to education. Join us at an upcoming information session to learn more about Waldorf education and our school. info@vws.ca

Feb/Mar 2022

WHAT’S NEW?

Paper Bag Princess Day & Week Paper Bag Princess Day is on Saturday, March 5, and Paper Bag Princess Week—for educators or booksellers and librarians who want to participate on a weekday—is February 28–March 4. This year’s theme is “I am a paper bag princess!” Because being a “paper bag princess” is a term we can all embrace. Empowerment is for everyone! Sign up online for your Event Kit and special Read Aloud permission for your Paper Bag Princess celebrations. Please note that quantities of mailed kits are limited to 300 (first come, first served), however the fantastic digital event kit will never run out. annickpress.com

Recreation & Travel Passes for People with Disabilities Three organizations that offer discounts for the individuals with disabilities and/or their attendant. BC FERRIES DISABILITY CARD Discount fares are available for the person with a disability and their escort. bcferries.com/accessibility?redir=301 THE ACCESS2 CARD Easter Seals Canada helps those with disabilities who require assistance to access entertainment, recreation and cultural venues across Canada including the Vancouver Aquarium, Pacific National Exhibition, and Museum of Anthropology at UBC, along with hundreds of movie theatres across Canada. access2card.ca BC CAMPING BC Parks provides financial support for children and adults with disabilities to access camping for free. No card is required but a letter of eligibility issued by The Ministry of Children and Family Development or Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Social Development must be presented. bcparks.ca/fees/disability.html

Live 5-2-1-0 Advice on proper nutrition and physical activity can be confusing, and at times overwhelming. Live 5-2-1-0 simplifies this information into four simple guidelines that are easy to remember. live5210.ca

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Total Mom Pitch Total Mom Pitch is recognizing, highlighting, and fostering mom entrepreneurs. To support mom-owned businesses, the Total Mom Pitch team, is awarding the Top 5 mom entrepreneurs a chance to get national press and professional support to build their pitch, and for the founder who wins the Total Mom Pitch, $10,000 in cash and $20,000 in business services. Apply online by March 31 at totalmompitch.ca.

Mamas for Mamas Mamas for Mamas is a national charitable organization that supports mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles. Mamas for Mamas is there for families in any situation of the financial crisis, whether you are facing episodic poverty to it to a job loss, chronic poverty due to situations beyond your control or losing everything in the blink of an eye due to a natural disaster, come to Mamas. Need help or want to get involved? Visit mamasformamas.org.

Feb/Mar 2022

SHOP

Fresh Finds

Being a new mom can be overwhelming. With so many products available it’s often hard to know who to listen to, where to look and what to get. For new moms looking for Canadian-made healthy and natural choices for their wee ones, here is a list of mom-tested, mom-designed and mom-approved must-haves to make life healthier and the world a better place.

Tiny Teethers Every babe should have access to safe soothers, which is why Tiny Teethers offers its products at affordable prices. The product line started with teethers and pacifiers but it now includes silicone tableware, swaddle blankets made from sustainable bamboo and rubber toys for toddlers. Oh, and because Mamas need a treat too, they’re adding a line of rose gold plated necklaces and scrunchies.

Smoking Lily Baby Hats These cute little noggin toppers are perfect for the first few months of a baby’s life. They are soft, warm and Lily-cute (designs include canoes, frogs or anatomical hearts rather than teddy bears). smokinglily.com

Parade Organics Like fluffy clouds in a bright blue summer sky, Parade’s clothing is luxuriously soft and comforting. With bold colours, eco-inspired designs and a cast of curious characters, Parade Organics celebrates beginnings, new adventures and the colourful world around us. Family owned, with two flagship shops in Gastown and Granville Island. parade.ca

Satya Organic Skincare Satya Organic Skincare is made with only five ingredients selected using traditional knowledge and scientific research to soothe and relieve dry, irritated skin. Indigenous woman-owned and operated, Patrice Mousseau developed Satya when her daughter Esme developed eczema and needed help. Satya is ideal for eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, rashes, burns, scars, bug bites, chapped lips and more. All packaging uses sustainable and eco-conscious reusable containers, glass that is both recyclable and inert, compostable refill pouches, paper made from recycled materials and is printed with veggie and soy-based inks. satya.com

Prenatal Ease Carefully formulated for moms, Prenatal Ease leverages traditional medicines and integrates them into western medicine expertise to produce supplements optimized for each stage of pregnancy: from preconception through each specific stage of pregnancy and beyond. Prenatal Ease also offers a line of skincare therapy made with a proprietary botanical blend to rejuvenate skin. All products are gluten free, not tested on animals, contain no artificial colours or flavours and are suitable for vegetarians. prenatalease.com

Dimpleskins Naturals Dimpleskins Naturals provides skincare with new moms in mind and are formulated with natural ingredients to be extra gentle for your new baby. This natural, cruelty-free, hand-made baby skin care line is designed and produced in BC. Dimpleskins uses 100% pure or organic raw ingredients derived from vegetable and plant oils. Founder Jen Casey, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Holistic Nutritionist and mama, started the company in her kitchen in 2001 following the birth of her first child. Dimplekins line includes: Bum Bum Balm Diapering Salve, Sweet Cheeks Body Balm, Boo Boo Goo Soothing Salve and more. dimpleskinsnaturals.com Feb/Mar 2022

6 Ways to Help Neurodivergent Children 1. Let Go of Expectations

When you found out your child was neurodivergent, did your thoughts of the future change? Did the diagnosis shake you and your expectations? Maybe it did, and that’s OK. However, to quickly get into the best position for your child, let go of your expectations. Expectations rob us from joy by taking our focus away from the present and into an expected future—a future that is rigid. We need to stay flexible and curious! When you’re free of your expectations, you can find new experiences filled with more moments of happiness. Life can be so enjoyable if you celebrate small and unique wins with your children and family and see where life’s road takes you!

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2. Reframe the Pathology

It’s a radical idea! There is so much negativity that surrounds neurodivergent diagnoses, but it doesn’t need to be this way. For example, you might feel concerned that your child is “obsessed” with trains. Reframe and focus on the positives. Instead of thinking about it as pathology—they are “obsessed”—consider that this hyper-focus can quickly make them an expert. Experts are highly valued for their knowledge and experiences. If you can reframe pathology and look at your child’s aspects in positive ways, you can help them gain confidence and awareness of their unique abilities and strengths.

3. See Behaviour as a Way to Communicate Feelings

Many of us get caught up in expert reports on how many words our child should speak or what behaviours they should have mastered. When they don’t meet these markers, we may feel they—or we—are failing. Remember that our child’s behaviour is also a communication tool. Their body language lets us know

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they are not feeling safe, heard, respected, and are frustrated, angry, bored, tired or just not feeling it. It’s okay to physically express all of the different feelings, and we can create safe spaces for them to do this. For example, if my child throws when they are frustrated, I can find them a soft object to throw. Of if they push and need that pressure, I can push the wall with them. By recognizing our child’s behaviour as communication, we can learn about and help them through their feelings.

4. Build a Community

Our children have given us an opportunity to create community! My community includes parent groups, friends, family and people in the Autistic community. I have learned so much about resources from local parent groups on social media. They are a great way to figure out funding, respite and other helpful programs. I also have a wonderful group of friends and family who are non-judgemental, hopeful and offer support. I’ve made a point of finding out more about what Autistics feel too so that I can have a better sense of what might work for my kids. So get out there and connect!

Priya Tronsgard is a Vancouver mom of two, founder of Edify Learning Spaces—Tutoring Agency, and author of Radically Reframe: Three Guiding Principles for a Happier Neurodivergent Family. edifylearningspaces.com

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5.Take Time for Yourself

How many times have you snapped at your child for their behaviour? Were you pushed to your limit at that moment? Did you need a snack, more water, rest, or someone to support you? How many times have I felt like I was running on empty? Too many to count. I’m guessing you have felt this way too, especially during the pandemic. When I was always just coming up for air, my children felt it. I was less patient, and frustration came quickly. When I decided to finally take some time for myself, all of our lives improved. Parents often feel guilty for focusing on their needs, but I can show my kids that self-love is a priority by taking care of myself. Try to find small windows of time for yourself and enjoy whatever you choose to do—sing in the shower, savour a food you love, go for a mindful walk. Go ahead—you deserve a break!

6. Gratitude

Neurodivergent families have many challenges and generally, they don’t have enough emotional support. Gratitude helps to give us a break from feeling burnt out. It gives us space to breathe, observe and even savour joyful moments. Physiologically, gratitude leads to lower blood pressure, helps with mild to moderate depression, and has some excellent effects on our everyday life. However, I’ve learned that it is a muscle that needs to be flexed— daily! Start by thinking of what you are thankful for once a day, even just one thing. Write it down. In time, you will feel a shift toward the positive. If you find ways to build these concepts into your life, you will find it makes a positive difference. I now look for the good. It’s brought us so much joy—more laughs, happiness, love shared and positive memories. We know there will be challenges along the way, but we savour the good together.

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Feb/Mar 2022

20 Things Parents of Kids with Special Needs Should Hear 1. YOU ARE NOT ALONE

There may not be anyone else with the same constellation of symptoms as your child but there are people with similar challenges. Find those people. I have never met anyone with all of these same challenges as my kid but I have a strong network within each separate diagnosis. We have made wonderful friends and have found—and I hope provided—a great deal of support within each of these. I just have to pop onto one of my Facebook groups and I’m immediately reminded, I’m not alone.

2. YOU TOO DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR

We are placed in a position of caring for others nearly constantly. However, you still need and deserve to be cared for. That entails asking friends or family to bring a meal by every now and then, or going for a pedicure, or a date night, or whatever else you enjoy doing. Whatever makes you feel special and taken care of, take the time to enjoy it, you are worth it!

3. YOU AREN’T PERFECT—AND THAT’S OK!

No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We can wallow in our goof-ups or move on! Try to shift your thinking, maybe there was a good reason you missed that appointment, that you were sure was on Tuesday but apparently was on Monday. Maybe your kiddo had a tough day at school and just needed the night off. Who knows? But beating yourself up isn’t going to change the situation, so try to move on.

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4. YOU ARE A SUPERHERO

You may not leap buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding bullet but you are a superhero none the less. Everyday, you manage situations that a regular parent would think are impossible. You stretch tight muscles, remember pills, inject and infuse medicine. You hold hysterical children during horrendous medical procedures. You deal with tantrums and melt downs. And most often manage not to have a tantrum or melt down yourself. You encourage your child to do things doctors told you they would never do but you never gave up hope. You are a therapist, nurse, doctor, friend and confidante. You are no regular parent.

5. THERAPY IS PLAY

Having sat in on several therapy sessions, I have been frustrated by what I thought was premature discharge from therapy on more than one occasion. Since then, I have grown, I have learned and I have come to understand. For children, therapy is play and play is therapy. What I mean is that the best therapists find ways to make my son engage in challenging activities that he otherwise would have balked at, by making it a game that he wanted to play. We took a page from their book and did the same at home.

6. PLAY IS THERAPY

Yes this is different from number five. After discharge from therapy, we sought extra curricular activities for my son that would offer therapeutic benefits. He played sled hockey, runs on a track team, learned to shoot archery and takes swim lessons. All of this is therapy. He’s learning, having fun and getting stronger. Win, win and win!

7. MAKE TIME TO ENJOY YOUR KIDS

We super parents tend to be fairly busy and often over scheduled. However, while everything on your calendar is important, it’s also important to make time to play, laugh, be silly and just enjoy your kids. Read to them, snuggle with them, engage with them with what’s important in their worlds. Make memories outside of hospital walls.

8. YOU WILL BE OBLIGATED TO MAKE HEART WRENCHING DECISIONS

You will have to make painful decisions that hurt your heart and leave you questioning everything you thought you knew or understood. Know that you are doing your best, remember number three. I am guilty of agonizing over these types of decisions, they can become really overwhelming to me. Talk about your conundrum with others who get it and trust yourself to make the best decision. Make it move on and once it’s made don’t rethink it. Easier said than done, but worth a try.

LEARN THE THE BASICS. LEARN BASICS. DEVELOP YOUR YOUR SKILLS. DEVELOP SKILLS. PERFORM AT YOUR PERFORM YOURBEST. BEST.

9. YOU WON’T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT

Many of the choices you are forced to make have no right answer, just the lesser of the hard and painful wrong choices. You will do your best but you won’t always get it right no matter how many sleepless nights you spend agonizing over how to handle a situation.

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10. FORGIVE YOURSELF

Yes, you will screw things up sometimes despite the very best of intentions. No amount of torturing yourself will make you feel better, nor will it help you to make better choices. Remember many of the toughest decisions have no right answer.

11. BEING A PARENT IS HARD. BEING A PARENT TO A CHILD WITH EXTRA NEEDS IS EXTRA HARD It can also be extra rewarding. Make us extra passionate. And will almost always make life extra interesting. With the challenges come the rewards. Sometimes you have to search your heart for the rewards but they are there if you look for them.

12. PARENTING A CHILD WITH EXTRA NEEDS IS LIKE A MARATHON

For those folks who are trying to win a marathon, there are no breaks. If you want to stay in the race, you eat, drink and even pee while running. But our marathon will go on for the foreseeable future and beyond. So remember, you don’t need to win, just make it to the end. The guy who comes in last place in the marathon, he took breaks, he stood and drank some water, grabbed a quick bite and used the porta-john for his business, then got back on the road. Give yourself those moments—however brief—that are for yourself. You might even get to pee in peace every now and then.

13. DON’T LOSE YOURSELF

Don’t let being the parent of a special needs child create or reshape your identity. We are many things, being the parent to a child with special needs is part of our identity. But it shouldn’t be all of our iden-

Feb/Mar 2022

tity. When you focus all of your life, all of your contacts, all of yourself around your child and their needs, who you are can get lost. Find things in your life you enjoy doing, a glass of wine, a hobby, shopping for yourself.

14. KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR

Certain things get under my skin, we all have our buzz issues. But if you’re not careful, you can become overly sensitive to so many things that people start to avoid your company. Try to remember that people are not making these comments to offend or upset you.

15. CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS!

Brag about those accomplishments that might seem small to others but are huge for our kids. Our kids develop on their own clock, they learn many skills late and some they never master. A wiggled toe that couldn’t wiggle before, a word, a sentence, a smile, a hug, whatever that milestone may be, share it with those who love you and your child.

16. DON’T LET TYPICAL PARENTS GET YOU DOWN

I know how hard it is to hear from parents that their child six months younger than yours is walking and yours isn’t. Or dealing with the well meaning stranger who asks why your 2-year-old is scooting around on their butt rather than being up on their feet. Try to remember that these people lack the context that we are constantly embedded in. Explain, teach, be patient, raise awareness among those who just don’t get it. And remember, typical parents deserve the right to brag, too, and their pride at their child’s accomplishments is not meant as a knock to your amazing kiddo.

17. DON’T COMPARE

This is another challenging one folks, but worth the work. All kids are different, typical, or with extra challenges and they will grow and develop at their own pace. If a developmental milestone isn’t met as

you think it should be, certainly talk to your child’s doctor. Comparing, siblings, cousins, kids in the daycare class, or even comparing kids within the same disability type rarely serves to make you feel better. Your child is unique, and will have their own individual strengths and challenges.

18. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE “THAT” PARENT

You know the one who clearly spent 10 hours creating the amazing snack shaped like an animal with licorice whiskers. The one who sends adorable treat bags for every holiday. The one who finds the coolest gifts for the teachers every year. And whose child is always dressed in the cutest outfits that somehow never get dirty. If that’s the mom you are led to be, more power to you! However, I have found that there are always enough of those moms in my kid’s classes to keep them in cute snacks and treat bags. Since I have bigger fish to fry, I let them have all the glory!

19. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR MARRIAGE

Marriage is hard work, period. Parenting is hard work, period. Parenting a child with special needs, is especially hard work, period. For those of you who are married or in a relationship, make time for that relationship away from your children.

20. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

You know your children best. Doctors, teachers, therapists are all fantastic resources but if you don’t feel like you’re being heard, or your child’s needs are being met, it’s reasonable to get a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to fight for your child and their needs. While the professionals are experts in their areas, you are the expert on your child.

Dr. Darla Clayton, PsyD, The Mobility Resource, writes from the perspective of a mom in the midst of raising a child with a disability and one without. For more information, visit abilities.com/community.

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Feb/Mar 2022

Steppin’ Out for Spring Break 10 PLACES TO SEE THE SIGHTS 1. Fort Langley’s rough-hewn timber buildings recreate the rugged 1800s. See where Hudson’s Bay Company fur traders mingled with California gold prospectors and hear First Nations interpreters tell century-old tales. Feel the blast of the musket fire, pan for gold dust dreams and dress up to play a historic trading boss. pc.gc.ca 2. Greater Vancouver Zoo in Langley is dedicated to education and conservation, and is home to many rescued, donated and orphaned animals. From DIY Field Trips to Behind-the-Scene tours, the Greater Vancouver Zoo will inspire appreciation of our ecosystems and support conservation efforts by engaging the community. gvzoo.com 3. Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site showcases the rise of the West Coast fishing industry in Steveston village. Learn about the workers who kept the salmon canning lines and a herring reduction plant moving. Take a selfguided tour of the historic cannery, hear fascinating fish tales revealed through photographs, recordings and fun interactive displays. pc.gc.ca 4. Van Dusen Botanical Gardens will a-maze kids with 55 acres to explore, including the Elizabethan hedge maze made up of over 3,000 pyramidal cedars. Explore the nearby

veggie garden and honeybee hive and climb on the vintage tractor. Spot and photograph local wildlife: hummingbirds, hawks, owls, eagles, butterflies, and turtles. vandusengarden.org 5. Science World and Omnimax Theatre at Telus World of Science never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been there. Explore the latest feature exhibits, hands-on interactive displays and take part in special events. Something big is coming! Get ready to uncover the untold story of an age-old wonder and come face-to-face with a sensation that scientists have marvelled at for years. Stay tuned at scienceworld.ca/exhibitions. 6. Lonsdale Quay is a welcoming and versatile gathering place that promotes social connection. The Quay is the place to bring the community and visitors together to interact and share experiences; to explore, enjoy and learn about locally made food, drink and products in a fun, vibrant setting. There’s lots to see and do and plenty of room to roam around—indoors and out. lonsdalequay.com 7. Translink Public Transit System puts the “half the fun” in getting there. Going to Lonsdale Quay from Downtown? Hop aboard the Seabus and enjoy the 12-minute crossing is spectacular. Heading out to Richmond? Welcome aboard

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lots to see and do—from guided underground tours to selfled exploration of the social history of Britannia Beach. The 10-acre site provides unique access to an important piece of Canadian history. britanniaminemuseum.ca 10. Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours aren’t just for tourists. Offering a variety of stops, live commentary and the knowledge of driver-guides, the tours create unforgettable memories. Choose from eight different tours aboard a spacious minicoach or downtown Vancouver’s only double-decker bus. The 4-hour Vancouver City Highlights Tour, departing at 10am, includes Granville Island, Stanley Park, Gastown and English Bay. vancouvertours.com

Skytrain’s Canada Line, traveling below ground and, here and there, above. translink.ca 8. PEAK 2 PEAK 360 Experience is open again. Stunning 360-degree views of Whistler Village, mountain peaks, lakes, glaciers and forests. Includes access to both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains with 50+ km of spring hiking trails. Ride the special glass-bottom gondola for a bird’s-eye view of the forest. whistler.com 9. Britannia Mine Museum’s BOOM! is a live-action, multisensory special effects story-telling experience that brings the historic Mill building roaring back to life, offering visitors

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Write It Down!

Journaling and storytelling for families C ould writing be your family’s next shared activity? Making writing part of your household routine can benefit children and parents alike. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to write, or worse yet, feel you have nothing to say. You do! Writing doesn’t have to feel like work. By making writing a daily low-pressure activity that the whole family can enjoy, you will be setting up your children for success.

Journaling: turning off the inner critic

Starting a journal-writing practice is as simple as picking out a new notebook. Pair that with 10 minutes a day of putting pen to paper, and you’re off. A notes file on your

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phone or Word document on your computer would also suffice. In journaling there is no wrong approach or wasted word. If you start with free-writing the only goal is to keep the words and ideas flowing. Anything goes. The most important aspect of this practice is that the words are for the author alone. A reassurance that you will not be reading each other’s writing unless the writer chooses to share, can go a long way towards helping to turn off our inner critics. It is easy to feel bottled up and self-conscious when we start a writing practice but knowing you don’t have to share what you write can be a welcome relief. Before long you’ll probably find that you can’t wait to share what you’ve written with

each other and the initial 10 minutes is stretching into many more.

Family Stories: understanding perspective

To give your writing practice some direction, focus on turning experience into written reflection in the form of memoir, biography, or even narrative non-fiction. Even the most reluctant writers can enjoy the process of turning their own experiences and family folklore into short memoirs or graphic novels. Memory is a rich and welcoming resource. Choose any family story or shared experience and encourage each family member to write down, in their own way, what stands out to them. It is a valuable exercise to see what

resonated with different family members and what details hold significance in everyone’s memories. This exercise can help connect younger generations to their elders. What better way to gain valuable knowledge of different times and places than to turn the story of how Grandma and Grandpa met into a short narrative? Without it feeling like homework, your writers will be exploring setting and perspective before they know it.

Spring into the arts! music • dance • theatre • visual arts • creative writing

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Social Media: contemporary communication

Connecting your family’s writing practice to your kids’ real everyday world can often be tough. One possible real-life solution: Work on social media posts together as a family. It can be as simple as choosing a photo (old or new) and assigning a family member to write a few short sentences to accompany it. These posts might find themselves in a private account for just close friends and family to see or as a beautiful form of photojournalism for a larger audience. Add an unlisted YouTube account and you might be writing vlogging scripts with your children for the next family holiday! Instead of fighting about the time spent on social media, you’ll be harnessing the power of communication to offer your family a valuable tool.

First Steps

Written communication is a part of our daily lives and also of our children’s future. These are inclusive activities to begin building the skills needed to feel successful in writing practices as a family. With very little preparation you’ll find yourselves exploring how we communicate and experience the world around us, gaining valuable experience along the way. Finding a passion for writing can happen at any age, why not let the youngest family members lead the way? If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a prompt. Describe a journey. You only need your notebook or laptop and 10 minutes. You might be surprised where your writing takes you! Justine Backlund is an educator with nearly a decade of experience teaching English Language Arts across a wide range of age groups. She currently lives in the Cowichan Valley and has a Master’s in Creative Writing.

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VISIT THE GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE IN STEVESTON

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10 Types of Private Schools T

is a highly personal choice for a child and his or her family. Some kids thrive at boarding school, while others are much better suited for day school.

DAY SCHOOLS

In single-gender schools, the student body is all boys or all girls. Some believe that boys and girls experience less peer pressure, focus better on learning and operate differently in school without the distraction of the opposite sex. Some studies point to better grades and a higher rate of admission to four-year university programs. Singlegender schools may help break down gender stereotypes—leading to more girls taking maths and sciences, for example.

here is no such thing as a homogenous private school system.” In reality, the private school world is defined by choice. There are many types of private and independent schools, and they come in many different configurations. Some schools educate children from kindergarten all the way to grade 12, while some start at grades six or eight. Others are high school only. It all depends on what you’re looking for in your child’s education. This is the traditional model of schooling: a school that students attend from morning until mid-afternoon, returning home afterward and staying home on the weekends. Parents largely take on helping kids develop good schoolwork habits, such as studying for upcoming tests and completing homework thoroughly, especially with younger students.

BOARDING SCHOOLS

At a boarding school, students live at school during the week within the school year calendar. At some schools—and depending how far away students’ family homes are from school—they may live at school on weekends, too. Students go home for breaks, such as the Christmas–New Year break and spring break, and for the summer. Boarding school can start in middle school (grades six through eight) or in high school (grades nine through 12). Boarding school is highly structured, with set times for study after school and during examination periods, set “free times” during the week, as well as curfews. Supervision and support are provided by staff such as peer counsellors, residential dons and academic staff, including teachers. Boarding school students are deeply involved in academics and extracurricular activities. This

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SINGLE-GENDER SCHOOL

CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL

Often referred to as “co-ed,” this is a school in which the student body is made up of boys and girls attending classes together. It mirrors the real world, where boys and girls, men and women interact and work together all the time. Some believe that going to school together helps girls and boys benefit from the other gender’s learning style, promoting cooperation.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Depending where you live in the country, schools based on world religions can be found: Bahá’í Faith, Christian (specific denominations or non-denominational), Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh. Faith-based schools offer full academic curricula that adhere to or exceed required provincial standards, but also religious instruction. The faith’s general worldview is reflected in teaching and is part of the life of the school. Parents should learn about a school’s curriculum to ensure that, while

it gives students a deeper knowledge of their faith, it also promotes respect for other faiths and worldviews—important for interacting in Canada’s diverse society.

UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY

Also known as a “prep school.” Prep schools focus on preparing students for university and getting them into the programs they want. Academic studies are intense, with courses more advanced than in a typical high school curriculum. Some courses offered later in high school are considered university-level and can be applied as university credits. Some schools offer international curricula, such as IB (International Baccalaureate) and/or Round Square. University preparation schools tend to have very high rates of university acceptance. While tuition is often expensive, facilities and resources are usually outstanding.

MONTESSORI

Steiner created a school for the workers’ children in 1919. Steiner insisted on a 12-year school available to all children of both genders, and in which teachers would have great control. Waldorf schools are independently run, but they must be accredited as embodying Waldorf principles and teaching practices. The philosophy emphasizes experiential learning for the whole child (heart, hands and head). Schools provide a calm, homelike setting.

REGGIO EMILIA

An early childhood educational approach founded by Italian teacher Loris Malaguzzi in the city of Emilia Romagna after World War II. It is a complex approach that includes emphasizing independent thinking, cooperation, special layout of schools to encourage learning and discovery, and documenting children’s daily experiences. In this child-led approach, teachers guide students to develop their ideas and express their learning through a wide range of materials and experiences.

A student-centred, individualized educational approach. The method is named after its founder, Dr. Maria Montessori, in the early 1900s. Montessori became more popular in North America in the 1960s. It is based on Dr. Montessori’s observations of young children around the world. Classes comprise children of different ages. Students learn at their own pace and choose whether to work alone or in groups. Teachers observe the children and introduce new tasks and opportunities accordingly.

SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

WALDORF

Tracy Cooper is a freelance writer and author at Parents Canada. Reprinted with permission from Parents Canada at parentscanada.com.

Waldorf education was founded by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist and philosopher. It is named after a German factory at which

Some schools specialize in meeting unique needs, including programs for children with special needs—such as therapeutic programs. Some schools may specialize in specific interests, such as schools for arts education, nature or sports development. These schools specialize, but still offer full academic curricula.

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Camps for Every Budget

any families have become more mindful of their budgets during these challenging economic times and you may be among those wondering whether you can afford camp for your kids this year. But did you know that there’s a camp for virtually every budget, with plenty of financial assistance available? Here are some money-saving tips to help make camp more affordable.

1. Consider your options

Not all kids summer camps are created equal, at least not when it comes to price. While a week at an overnight camp can cost from around $300–$1,000, a week of day camp can cost $35–$200. Conversely, a longer-term stay at an overnight camp will cost less per week.

2. Look at the extras

Some camps charge extra for activities, while others include them in the cost. Additional charges for supplies should

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Discover the beauty & history of british columbia’s Parliament builDings also be considered. Check in with your camps of choice to find out what is included in their costs and what isn’t.

3. Ask camps about financial help and incentives While camps may not widely advertise discounts available, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Ask about early registration discounts and subsidies. Some camps offer sibling discounts to assist multi-child families. And those with one child can sometimes get discounts for referring other children to camp. If a parent once attended the same camp, their child may be eligible for an alma mater discount. Several camps offer individual payment plans for families, while others accept year-round payments. It never hurts to ask!

4. Find out about government assistance

Parents can claim about $500 per year per child for the fees paid for some sports or physical activities. It’s all part of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. For more information, visit canada.ca.

5. Research subsidy information

Free, family-friendly tours are offered all year. Visit www.leg.bc.ca for: • Tour schedules; • Online Tours; • Virtual Classrooms for school groups; • Educational resources & activities; • Information about programs & special events; • And much more!

Visit our website!

Visit camp association websites such as the BC Camps Association to find out what subsidies are available to help bring camp within your reach. Many charitable organizations like Amici Charity, Kiwanis Club and other organizations such as Tim Horton’s Camp Fund, Reach for the Rainbow and the YMCA, recognize how valuable a camp experience is and provide financial assistance. Our Kids (ourkids.net) lists camp financial aid. Camps.ca also supplies a similar list of information on camp financial aid including bursaries, subsidies, charitable organizations, businesses and service clubs, churches, government and other avenues that can help.

6. Start a family camp fund

Start a bank account early in the year dedicated to building a camp fund (now is a perfect time!) and deposit money regularly. Encourage older kids to contribute to the fund through their part-time job earnings.

7. Ask relatives to chip in

When Grandma asks for birthday or holiday gift ideas, why not suggest camp? Have your children contribute birthday money or cash earned from chores towards their camp fund. Remember, camp isn’t just fun and games. It’s a valuable educational experience for your child and a worthwhile investment. Julie Greco is a writer at Our Kids Media, an Affiliate Member of Canadian Camping Association. Both organizations help parents find the perfect summer camp for their children. Find top camps for kids and teens at ourkids.net/camp.

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Feb/Mar 2022

The Best Baby Activities …are not really activities A

s Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are being lifted, you might be wondering what activities to do with your baby. In our part of the world it is now possible to go to the public pool, library, indoor playgrounds and parent-and-baby classes and socializing groups. Why do we want to take our babies to these activities and places? I would guess that for most parents the answer is, “to help my baby learn and socialize.” (Especially if baby was born during the pandemic.) Another answer might be, “to prepare my baby for preschool.” And that makes sense. But let’s take a closer look.

A “PREPARED” CHILDHOOD

The way society sees babies and children is changing. Only a few decades ago many parents believed that responding to babies quickly and holding them a lot would make them grow into ungrateful, manipulative, spoiled children. Fortunately, we now know enough about child development to be confident that our attention absolutely does not “spoil” babies. Babies never manipulate us, but communicate their needs and feelings. Our sensitive responses are vital for our babies’ development: they strengthen attachment, help develop trust, allow babies to learn and help them regulate emotions—during babyhood and beyond. This could have surprised your grandparents back in the day, but I bet it doesn’t surprise you or most young parents you know—and that’s really great! But now another narrative is emerging: that we must take advantage of the early windows of opportunity and enhance our babies’ development before it’s too late. This “be prepared” vision has inspired a multitude of educational toys and baby activities and enrichment classes: electronic toys

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and apps immerse babies in music and foreign languages, flashcards provide stimulation, baby toy subscription boxes are gaining popularity, lessons such as “multi-sport class for babies as young as four months” and “infant aquatics” are readily available. Do these baby activities and toys truly prepare our littles for a better future?

months, protecting is preparing. Protecting babies from overtiredness, too much stimulation and too fast of a pace allows for the natural, gradual development of their identity, well-being, creativity and strength. And it has to do with how babies learn.

HELPING BABIES LEARN

The good news is, five “ingredients” babies need most for learning—sound sleep, avoiding over-stimulation, stable environments, inter-

Looking closely at the science of infant development makes it clear: during the early

FIVE “INGREDIENTS” THAT HELP BABIES LEARN BEST

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acting with supportive adults and exploring safely and freely on their own—can be easily found in your home, backyard or local park! In fact, all of them may be easier for you to create—and for your baby to experience—in and around your home. Here are five great “baby activities” to support your baby’s learning: 1. Help your baby sleep soundly. 2. Make your home a calmer, more predictable, more natural space (for example, consider reducing screen time including background TV). 3. Slow down and be sensitive and mindminded during daily care routines such as diapering, bathing and feeding. 4. Play with your baby: respond to babyinitiated “conversations” and curiosity, sing, play games such as peekaboo, pat-a-cake, rolling a ball, blowing bubbles, puppet shows and building block towers; follow your baby’s interests and his or her lead in choosing play objects and activities. 5. Create a 100% safe play area where your baby can explore freely on their own. Sure an outing to the pool or a busy playground can be fun for you and your baby, but if you are not able to do these activities or not comfortable doing them right now, for any reason, your baby will still find plenty of opportunities to learn, connect and grow in your loving home.

Anya Dunhamis a research scientist with a PhD in Biology, a mom of three young children and the author of a parenting book, Baby Ecology (Encradled Press, January 2022). Visit Anya at kidecology.com.

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Feb/Mar 2022

EAT

Planning Healthy Meals

ou can use Canada’s Food Guide to plan meals for yourself, your family or friends. Here, from BC Children’s Hospital, are some ideas:

Planning meals helps you:

• Eat well by varying your food choices throughout the day and week • Save time by planning and shopping ahead and reducing trips to the grocery store; and • Get meals on the table faster with less stress Meal planning doesn’t have to take a lot of time! Do it once or twice a week when you write out your shopping list. The more you plan the easier it gets. A little planning goes a long way in helping you have healthy eating habits.

keep extras to make chicken salad, enchiladas, chili or spaghetti sauce the next day. • Cook up a big batch of soups, stews, casseroles, pasta dishes, cooked ground beef and pizza dough to keep in the freezer.

prepare meals and snacks that satisfy everyone’s needs in your family. You can use the tips in Canada’s Food Guide to help you make healthy choices.

Planning Tips

The types of food your family needs are basically the same for everyone and should be based on the tips found in Canada’s Food Guide. With the large variety of foods in the four food groups it is easy to plan meals everyone will enjoy.

Involve children in planning and preparing meals. They’ll appreciate the meal more and learn important life skills. You may even end up with a capable cook by your side. Getting started: 1. Menu plan. Jot down your meal ideas on paper,a calendar or menu planner. 2. Grocery list. Write down the foods you need for the next few days or week. 3. Go shopping. Buy the foods you need on your grocery list. 4. Start cooking. Post your meal plan on the fridge so whoever gets home first can start the meal.

Meal Planning Checklist:

Fast and Easy Meal Ideas

3 Eat at least one dark green and one orange vegetable each day. 3 Choose vegetables and fruit with little or no added fat, sugar or salt. 3 Have vegetables and fruit more often than juice. 3 Make at least half of your grain products whole grain each day. 3 Choose grain products that are lower in fat, sugar or salt. 3 Drink skim, 1 percent or 2 percent milk each day. Drink fortified soy beverages if you do not drink milk. 3 Select lower fat milk alternatives. 3 Have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often. 3 Choose at least two Food Guide Servings of fish each week. 3 Select lean meat and alternatives prepared with little or no added fat or salt. 3 Include a small amount of unsaturated fat each day. Satisfy your thirst with water. 3 Limit foods and beverages high in calories, fat, sugar or salt.

What types of foods?

How much food?

The amount of food you serve varies for different family members. For example, preschooler’s need fewer Food Guide Servings from some food groups than older children and teens. What’s important is knowing that everyone has consumed their recommended number of Food Guide Servings from each of the four food groups by the end of the day. It’s okay to have more or less than one Food Guide Serving. You may serve yourself the same amount as one Food Guide Serving while other family members may want more or less than one Food Guide Serving. For example: A two-year-old boy may only eat half a Food Guide Serving of meat at dinner while a 30-year-old male may serve himself two Food Guide Servings of meat at dinner. A preschooler may drink only 125 mL (1/2 cup) of milk, which equals half a Food Guide Serving while a teenage boy may drink 500 mL (2 cups) of milk, which equals two Food Guide Servings. You can spread your Food Guide Servings throughout the day. For example: You could have 25 g (about 1 oz.) of meat in a salad at lunch and 50 g (about 2 oz.) of meat or poultry at supper. That adds up to 75 g (21/2 oz.)/125 mL , (1/2 cup) of meat which equals to one Food Guide Serving of meat and alternatives. You could have one egg plus 15 mL (1 Tbsp) of peanut butter which adds up to one Food Guide Serving of meat and alternatives.

Getting healthy meals on the table in a hurry takes less time than you might think. It’s all about being prepared. Plan your meals and do your shopping ahead of time: • Stock up on basics such as vegetables and fruit, whole grain bread, whole grain pasta and brown rice, milk, yogurt, cheese, lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds. • Use frozen or canned products to help speed up preparation time. For example, canned or bottled tomato based pasta sauces, How to Make a Plan frozen or canned vegetables, frozen or canned It may seem difficult to plan, shop and fruit, bagged salad greens, canned tuna or salmon, canned beans or lentils. • Prepare foods in advance. Cook double the From BC Children’s Hospital. For examples of meals for different families, visit bcchildrens. rice and freeze leftovers for another meal. Cook ca/Shapedown-BC-Site/Documents/PlanningMeals1.pdf. For Canada’s Food Guide, visit twice the chicken or ground beef you need and food-guide.canada.ca. 28

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Feb/Mar 2022

PLAY With longer days and time to play, there’s no shortage of things to see and do this spring. So gather the gang and get going! Here are a few not-to-be-missed family outings.

Monster Jam March 18–20 After a three-year hiatus, Monster Jam is BACK! Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable! Monster Jam®, the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world, returns to tear through BC with a new level of highflying, four-wheel excitement, featuring another weekend of larger-than-life events with high-octane racing and freestyle stunts from March 18–20 in the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE!

FANEXPO Vancouver February 19–21 | fanexpohq.com For three days of unlimited fandom, the whole family can experience the ultimate playground for comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming. Citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await you, all weekend long. Join tens of thousands of fans to meet your favourite superheroes, princesses, voice actors or maybe even enter the costume contest as a family. Check out your favourite comic artists as they go “pen to pen” and be entered to win the original art they produce once they’re done.

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Reggio Emilia inspired high quality Licensed Child Care and Preschool Programs that support your child’s early learning through arts and crafts, music, indoor and outdoor activities, science, dramatic play and story telling. 5288 Joyce St, Vancouver

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Childcare Learning Centre for ages 2–12

Our learning centre is Reggio-Emilia inspired and incorporates best practices in education while highly valuing the arts. Our School of Arts includes educational development in the areas of music, art, character and psychological development. We specialize in providing fun, engaging, and educational piano lessons for all ages.

Wonder of Learning Organization 1346 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

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