Winter 2021/22

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2021/22 WINTER EDITION

Take HEE! o Copy me

Calgarys Child '

We Are Family

Parents' Choice AWARDS

Vote and YOU Could WIN a Hotel Weekend Getaway!

GET OUT &

PLAY! 5 Sports to Try With Your Family

FALL IN LOVE

WITH WINTER

OUR GUIDE TO THE

HOLIDAYS

Winter Walks, Pit Stops, Picnics & Campfire Treats

Winter / Spring

27TH ANNUAL

Education Directory

From Preschool to Post-Secondary

CLASSES & PROGRAMS Choosing Made Easy

For some, holiday stress looks very different Help her find the safety and supports that can change her future.

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2021/22 WINTER EDITION Calgary Cares - Calgary Cares is a free forum designed

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to match those with needs to those willing to help.

Cherry Tree Lane - bringing a little light to kids in need. . . . . 5 Safe Haven Foundation - giving at-risk girls their future back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Using child restraints the proper way saves lives . . . . . . . . . . 34

Guide to the Holidays

Lying or pretending? The when and whys of lying. . . . . . . . . 36

Cover

Stuff you gotta see! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Konstantin Yuganov © Adobe Stock

Calgary’s best walks - holiday walks and pit stops. . . . . . . . . . 7 Budget friendly winter fun ideas to do with the kids in Calgary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Try cross-country skiing without leaving Calgary. . . . . . . . . . . 9 Family holiday traditions with a twist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Holiday gift giving - the frugal way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2021 Our Guide to the Holidays Directory Take the brr out of winter - cure your family’s cabin fever with events, activities, and holiday fun! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Easy, edible Christmas gifts to make with your kids. . . . . . . . 17 Planning the perfect winter picnic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 New versions of hot cocoa and s’mores - amplify your chocolate! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Class & Program Directory Fall in love with winter! Five new sports to try as a family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Physical literacy: what it means for your child . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 2021/22 Class & Program Directory Extracurricular classes and programs for every age and interest! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 How to juggle extracurricular activities in a large family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 The need for nature - outdoor programs build connection, better health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Drawing on the go - the key to introducing art to your child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Making parent friends - you need a village, too!. . . . . . . . . . . 33 Help is close at hand - free breastfeeding resources in Calgary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Contests - Enter to WIN! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Vote for our annual Parents’ Choice Awards! . . . . 39

Parent Connection Recently separated or divorced? Survive and thrive during the holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Is your child scared of Santa? It’s normal! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Education What should you look for in a preschool? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 For the love of literacy! The 10 best beginning chapter books for kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Part one: help your child transition to a new school. . . . . . . 46 2021/22 Education Directory The go-to guide for parents looking for education options in Calgary and area.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 The parenting paradox - when you know better, you do better. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 25 questions to help you choose the right school for your child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Help! My child is falling behind in school. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 “My teacher doesn’t like me!” How to navigate your child’s concerns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Exploring learning-at-home-options: five choices for Albertan parents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Montessori-inspired activities to set your child up for literacy success! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Every issue of Calgary’s Child Magazine includes our family-focused features and departments; plus, each issue also includes comprehensive themed directories – designed to provide busy parents with all the information on local products, support & services – all in one place.

Next Issue 2022 YYC FAMILIES

Ad Booking Deadline: December 15, 2021 Release Date: January 15, 2022 Our annual go-to guide for raising kids in Calgary.

CHINOOK EDITION

Ad Booking Deadline: January 19, 2022 Release Date: February 9, 2022 With the festive season behind us, the days are starting to get a little longer - but the snow is still flying! What is there to do around the city before it starts to warm up again?

We've got tons of great stuff to try! Don't miss our Bump, Baby & Toddler Directory, our Grandparents feature, Early-Bird Camp & Programs and much more! Plus, check out this year's Parents' Choice Awards winners!

4 • Find us on

Contributors Judy Arnall Lori Beattie Klynne Brinas Ashlee Ellerbruch, M.C., R. Psych.

Lindsay Gallimore Marlowe Gelmon, M.Sc. Tamara Hackett Mairin Husak Lisa Kaldenbach, M.A., R. Psych.

Tanya Kaynes Maureen Khallad Shannon King Tanya Koob Sarah Lyons

Jenna Mazzei Alison Pellegrini Jan Pierce, M.Ed. Steacy Pinney Sarah Reader Nicole Sheldon, R. Psych.

Dr. Steve Truch Karen Ung Lara Unsworth Kathleen Wells Dana Wheatley Genevieve Yarn Gwen Randall-Young, R. Psych.

CBE, CSSD, Rocky View Schools & Foothills School Division Parents!

Look for our link on your School’s Website and/or Monthly Newsletters: Connect digitally with Calgary’s Child Magazine for parenting and education support, local resources, programs and activities for kids and families. calgaryschild.com (click on current cover)

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Calgary’s Child Magazine is funded and published solely through the support of our advertisers and sponsors. They support us; please support them. With the support of our advertisers, Calgary’s Child Magazine is committed to sponsoring and supporting a variety of organizations that help families in Calgary.

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ISSN 1198-6069 Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2021

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Distribution Calgary’s Child Magazine is available at over 500 locations around Calgary including elementary schools through the Calgary Catholic District, Calgary Board of Education, Rockyview District, Foothills School Division and Calgary Public Libraries. You can also find Calgary’s Child Magazine in stands at all City of Calgary Parks & Recreation facilities, Safeway, Co-op and Sobeys... just to name a few locations.

211 Community Connection (24 hours) Dial 211 to get connected to the community services you need ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������211 AADAC Help Line (24 hours) Phone ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1-866-33AADAC (2-2322) Adult Counselling and Prevention Services �������������������������������� 403-297-3071 Youth Services ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 403-297-4664 Alberta Children’s Hospital Child Abuse and Mental Health Program Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-5959 Alberta Health Services – HEALTHLink Alberta 24-hour line providing health information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811

calgary cares Calgary Cares is a free forum designed to match those with needs to those willing to help. If you work for, volunteer for, or know of a charity that needs some support, please let us know so we can tell our readers.

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse 24-Hour Crisis Line and support for people who have been sexually abused/assaulted and their families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-237-5888 CCIS Parent Link Family Resource Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-6686 Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery 24-hour child care for parents in crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-233-2273 Child Abuse Hotline Report child abuse-24 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-387-KIDS Community Resource Team 24-hour mobile crisis team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-299-9699

Bring a Little Light to Kids in Need this Holiday Season

Safe Haven Foundation of Canada:

Families Matter Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-205-5178

Cherry Tree Lane Partners with Women in Need Society (WINS)

Helping to Give At-Risk Girls Their Future Back!

Hospice Calgary Grief Counselling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-263-4525

Provided by Cherry Tree Lane

Provided by Safe Haven Foundation

Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary Offers a number of respite options for families with a child with a disability 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, voice message after hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-240-3111 Distress Centre Calgary 24-hour crisis line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-HELP (4357) ConnecTeen – 24-hour youth support line . . . . . . . . . . 403-264-TEEN (8336) Early Start Support for Families with New Babies Seven days a week, 24-hours a day support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-244-8351

Kids Help Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-668-6868 La Leche League Breastfeeding Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-242-0277 Mental Health Help Line 24 Hour Help Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-303-2642 Mental Health Crisis Line (Mobile Response Team) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-1605 Canadian Mental Health Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-297-1700 Suicide Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-297-1744 Missing Children Society of Canada Organization dedicated to the search for abducted and runaway children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-661-6160 Parent Support Association 24-hour self help for parents of children nine and up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-270-1819 Poison Centre Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-1414 Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-332-1414 Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta A home away from home for out of town families with seriously ill children in the Calgary Hospitals – 9 am to 9 pm . . . . . . . . . 403-240-3000 Shelters (all 24 hour access) Calgary Drop-In Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-3600 Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-233-2273 Women’s Emergency Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-234-SAFE (7233) Sheriff King Family Support Centre Crisis Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-0707 Awo-taan Native Women’s Shelter Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-531-1972 Wheatland Communities Crisis Society Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-934-6634 SIDS Calgary Offers support to families who have lost a child to crib death403-265-7437 West Central Communities Resource Centre One-stop approach for family services in the SW communities in regards to early intervention . . . . . . . . . . 403-543-0555 Women’s Health Resources Women’s Health Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-2270 YWCA Sheriff King Family Support Centre Non-crisis information - 8 am to 4 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-4111

Hospital Alberta Children’s Hospital 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-7211 Foothills Medical Centre 1403, 29 Street NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-1110 Peter Lougheed Centre 3500, 26 Avenue NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-4555 Rockyview General Hospital 7007, 14 Street SW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-3000 Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre - Urgent Care 1213, 4 Street SW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-6200 South Calgary Health Centre - Urgent Care 31 Sunpark Plaza SE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-9300

Cherry Tree Lane is a Calgary-based toy shop, partnering with WINS this Christmas for their annual toy drive. The process is simple: When shopping for loved ones, add a toy to your order for the WINS toy drive, and Cherry Tree Lane will take care of the rest!

They are hoping to donate at least 50 toys to the WINS Gift of Hope toy program this year. This will be supported by Cherry Tree Lane donating an extra toy for every 10 donated! They want to make the biggest impact possible, so they will be taking the profits from the donated toys and matching it to ensure their little shop can give back as much as possible to the community.

The Women in Need Society (WINS) and the Gift of Hope program Every year, Women in Need Society (WINS) helps over 7,000 women and their families access programs and services. In 2021, in WINS’s Community Resource Hubs alone, 1,515 children accessed services.

It’s a win-win!

Christmas is approaching quickly, and WINS is getting ready to welcome families accessing their Gift of Hope program by registering kids in need to receive a toy to unwrap on Christmas day.

Cherry Tree Lane is witnessing an increase in the number of children and families accessing these programs each year and as Christmas toys are always in high need during the holiday season, WINS has partnered with Cherry Tree Lane for donations of toys and books!

When donating a Christmas toy to a child in need, you are not only putting a smile on their face and giving them the gift of hope, but you are also removing some of the stress their parents/guardians feel when they have to choose between putting food on the table or buying a gift for their kids. So get online and get shopping for a great cause! Visit cherrytreelane.ca today. They offer contact delivery seven days a week to Calgary and the surrounding area.

Cherry Tree Lane is an online toy shop in Calgary with a passion for play! For more information, visit cherrytreelane.ca. Feeling Social?

Follow on Facebook and Instagram @cherrytreelanetoys. CCM

The Safe Haven Foundation of Canada was born out of a couple’s mission to develop a program dedicated to keeping homeless and at-risk girls safe, off the streets, and in school. It is their vision that the cycle of poverty, abuse, and homelessness is broken for young women, allowing them to blossom into healthy, contributing citizens capable of realizing their greatest dreams.

Haven’s Way™ One of the programs is Haven’s Way™. This program duplicates a healthy, loving, and supportive family environment for homeless and at-risk girls between the ages of 14 and 24. By focusing on choices and building individual capacity, the girls receive a wide range of direct support services, such as education, healthcare, counseling in mental health, trauma, and addictions, financial and career planning, life skills, and individual development. This strength-based approach continually results in successes, such as housing stability, connection to the community, school attendance and graduations, increased job stability and performance, an ability to set and meet personal goals, and a successful transition at program exit.

Haven’s Way™ wish list ​​Haven’s Way™ long-term homes program provides support for six girls, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Direct Youth Expenses for one girl for one month are $3,500. This includes a safe place to live, a warm bed, food, healthcare, clothing, school supplies, individualized support, recreation and therapeutic activities, transportation, personal incidentals and gifts. Hence, the foundation is always in need of donations. Wish list items include household items, gift cards, personal items, food, electronics, and computers. To view the wish list, visit safehavenfoundation.ca.

For more information about the Safe Haven Foundation of Canada and how you can make a difference by donating, volunteering, hosting an event, and more, visit safehavenfoundation.ca. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @SafeHavenFoundationCanada and Instagram @safehavencanada. CCM

South Health Campus - Emergency Department 4448 Front Street SE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-956-1111

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 5

calgary cares

Help is Just a Phone Call Away!

Guide to the Holidays

8 Budget Friendly Fun

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17 Easy, Edible Gifts

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20 Winter Picks & Picnics

guide to the holidays

holiday walks and pit stops Calgary’s best walks

By Lori Beattie; Photos: Courtesy of Lori Beattie A winter urban walkabout is the perfect family outing because there is something for everyone: Christmas lights, sunrises, chickadees, wild Christmas trees, and hot chocolate endings. Let’s walk!

Christmas lights, Northern Lights, and public art Crescent Heights, Kensington, and downtown, NW/ SW In December, the colorful light displays on the houses throughout Crescent Heights make this area the perfect spot for a Christmas lights walk! The combination of downtown skyscrapers with the bright, compact, towering, elaborate light displays on Crescent Heights homes is dramatic and impressive. Continue your walk to the hillside trails or stairs and descend McHugh Bluffs to Sunnyside or walk farther east along the escarpment to Centre Street and continue across the Bow River to Chinatown. Keep walking along Centre Street to see the impressive Wonderland Sculpture at The Bow, followed by the TELUS Sky Northern Lights display. This 160,000 square foot, dynamic LED-based art installation is a spectacular, ever-changing explosion of color, telussky.com/publicart. Continue to City Hall and walk along 8 Avenue for more light displays or bring your skates and test the ice at Olympic Plaza. Make your way back to the Bow River Pathway and cross the tubular Peace Bridge before returning along Sunnyside side streets to a café pit stop.

Climb the escarpment back to big city views.

Starting point: Crescent Road, NW. Park in Crescent Heights or at the Sunnyside LRT. Tasty pit stop: Vendome Café on 2 Avenue in Sunnyside or walk along Kensington Road to find the Higher Ground Café or Deville Coffee. Build a picnic lunch on Kensington Road, starting with an amazing Italian sandwich at Peppino Gourmet Foods, followed by a cupcake from Crave. Or walk along 10 Street to The Roasterie and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery.

Christmas Trees, chickadees, and views Britannia Slopes and Sandy Beach, SW Connecting neighborhoods on foot is my favorite way to get to know a city. Begin your walkabout in Britannia Plaza and walk west toward the Britannia slopes. Take the pathway downhill to the river trails along the north side of the Elbow River. Add your decoration to the

40+1 YEARS OF FUN !

wild Christmas Trees that get lots of holiday love throughout December. Bring seeds for the friendly chickadees that enjoy landing on your hands. Walk along the Elbow River before crossing the Sandy Beach Bridge and climbing to River Park, an offleash park with stunning views of the river valley and downtown.

Loop back through River Park to Sandy Beach or continue to Sifton Boulevard and return via the pedestrian bridge at Elbow Park School. Turn off at 10 Street and follow the cut-through trail uphill to Britannia Drive. Walk along the escarpment soaking up views of the Rockies before stopping to warm up with a hot drink and tasty treat in Britannia.

Starting point: Britannia Plaza, SW. Elbow Drive and 50 Avenue SW. Tasty pit stop: Lina’s Italian Mercato on Elbow Drive for pizza and hot drinks, Monogram Coffee, or Village Ice Cream when warm winds are blowing during a Chinook.

River Park

Folk art, free libraries, and an art gallery Inglewood, Ramsay, and Riverwalk, SE Eclectic neighborhoods make for the best urban hikes. Inglewood is home to old-fashioned corner stores, historic homes, buildings from the early 1900s, and surprises like folk art and Little Free libraries along with many cafés to warm up and enjoy a hot drink and some lunch. Walk along the Bow River through St. Patrick’s Island and stop at the playground or bring a crazy carpet and try the sliding hill. Or begin your walk with a climb to the top of Scotsman’s Hill, soaking up views of the Rockies and downtown before descending the staircase to the Riverwalk near Stampede Park. Loop back to the East Village, stop for a hot drink or tasty treat, or continue

along 9th Avenue and head indoors to check out the Esker Art Gallery.

This private, non-commercial gallery is impressive, and is free to all. Tour the latest exhibition (there are three shows each year) or register for and take part in one of the gallery’s many educational events. Free contemporary art programming, designed to make art accessible to all ages, is offered to anyone interested.

Tour the birds nest boardroom or settle into the comfy couch sitting area where you can relax and enjoy the views.

Starting point: Street parking on 8th Street and 8th Avenue SE or at the Bridgeland LRT. Tasty pit stop: Sidewalk Citizen at the Simmons Building on Riverwalk, Gravity Café in the Esker Building, Rosso Coffee or Good News Coffee; farther east along 9th Avenue.

Lori’s guidebook, Calgary’s Best Walks Expanded, has 45 walks with maps and 40 suggested detours (all perfect for families!). She leads walks, hikes, and snowshoe days with her company, Fit Frog. Connect with her and get a signed copy of her book on Instagram and Facebook @lorifitfrog and at fitfrog.ca. CCM

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WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 7

guide to the holidays

budget friendly winter fun ideas with the kids in Calgary!

A dozen ways to embrace the cold

By Dana Wheatley Read on for my list of free and budget friendly Calgary winter fun that you can do with the kids to get out of the house (stop hibernating!) and enjoy time as a family.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 1. Tobogganing. Tobogganing is tons of fun, great exercise, and doesn’t cost a penny. The City of Calgary has 22 official toboggan hills, which are maintained and have a long clear area at the bottom of each hill.

Popular tobogganing hills include Prairie Winds Park, Confederation Park, and Stanley Park. And remember, safety first! Helmets on heads while sledding.

2. Outdoor skating. Calgary has many free options for outdoor skating, including two (Bowness Park and Olympic Plaza) where you can also rent skates. Many communities also create their own rinks each winter.

Outdoor rinks in Calgary typically start opening mid to late December, depending on the weather. Olympic Plaza has a refrigerated ice surface, so it opens earlier than other rinks (late November) and closes later (mid-March).

3. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Although you need to have skis or snowshoes, there are groomed and ungroomed cross-country skiing paths that are free to access. Popular locations include South Glenmore Park, Shaganappi Point Golf Course, and Bowness Park.

4. Geocaching. Geocaching (using GPS to find hidden boxes) is a popular summer activity, but many caches are winter friendly (think ones hidden higher up, for example). Look for geocaches that people have previously been able to find during the winter months to improve your success. Happy hunting!

5. Outdoor Christmas light displays. The Lions Festival of Lights can be found along 14 Street on the west side of Confederation Park from November 27, 2021, to January 8, 2022. This year, the light display will include three teepees built by Indigenous people.

And Spruce Meadows will once again be hosting a drive-thru Christmas light display on weekends from December 10, 2021, to January 2, 2022. Enjoy a huge display of giant lit Christmas trees from the comfort of your car!

8 • Find us on

THE WARM INDOORS 6. Calgary Public Library. Library cards at the Calgary Public Library are free for everyone. They also offer many free programs and activities. Calgary Libraries have play areas called Early Learning Centres - some are small, but many, such as Fish Creek Library, have larger areas with games and toys for kids.

7. YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre. The Calgary Police Interpretive Centre is located at Westwinds Drive in the northeast and is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays with no admission charge. It is an excellent museum (in my opinion, one of Calgary’s hidden gems!).

8. Devonian Gardens. Located in The CORE Shopping Centre downtown, along the CTrain line, the Devonian Gardens is a little oasis of green to enjoy year-round, but a great oasis to escape to with the kids during the white winter. In addition to the gardens, there is a playground (best for kids ages five and up) and koi fish.

9. Chinese Cultural Centre Museum. On the lower level of the Chinese Cultural Centre, you will find the Chinese Artifacts Museum.

Learn about the history of the Chinese community in Calgary, as well as historical Chinese artifacts and replicas. Admission is free.

10. Indoor skating. Indoor skating is also inexpensive. Most rinks have a family rate. Skating at The City of Calgary rinks is $11.45 for a family.

Vivo (formally Cardel Place) has a special skating-only price of $15.

The Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary hosts Toonie skates on

Monday nights from 6 to 8pm (some Monday exclusions apply; check the Olympic Oval’s website for the schedule). Skate on an indoor long track speed skating ice rink, also known as the fastest ice in the world! Even other public skating times are surprisingly affordable - a family can go for only $18.50!

11. Indoor swimming. Swimming is awesome in the winter as it can almost make you forget how cold it is outside. Calgary has a ton of different options for swimming, and they are all budget friendly. Admission to City of Calgary pools is $16.30 for a family.

Leisure centres, rec centres, and YMCAs in the city also have drop-in admission for families that fall around $30. In addition to swimming, many of the rec and leisure centres also have other activities included with admission, like climbing walls and gymnasiums.

12. Check out a museum. The Lougheed House is a historical site and museum. Effort has been made to restore the building back to its original turn of the 20th century state when the Lougheed family lived there.

Family admission to the Lougheed House is $25.

The Military Museums is dedicated to educating the public about Canada’s navy, army, and air force and is $30 for a family.

Bow Habitat Station has freshwater aquariums, as well as beautiful interactive exhibits that explore different ecosystems. Visiting the Bow Habitat Station’s Discovery Centre is $30 for a family (does not include a visit to the fish hatchery).

If one or more of these activities becomes a favorite winter activity, why not invite along some family friends next time? The more the merrier this time of year!

Dana searches out the best places to play, eat, and learn with her kids in Calgary, across Alberta, and beyond. Her three kids also contribute their unfiltered opinions to her reviews. To explore more, visit calgaryplaygroundreview.com and follow on Instagram @yycdana. CCM

guide to the holidays

try cross-country skiing this winter without leaving Calgary!

Do something new this year

By Tanya Koob; Photo: Courtesy of Tanya Koob Cross-country skiing is an affordable winter sport that is relatively easy to learn for the whole family.

It’s free to ski on most groomed trails and once you invest in the equipment, you’re good to go! I recommend starting off with second-hand skis and boots while the kids are still growing, or you can rent skis for the occasional day if you aren’t ready to commit to the sport.

Shaganappi Point Golf Course. Here you’ll find 7 kilometres of easy trails for both skate and classic skiing with grooming done by the Shaganappi Nordic Operations Club. This has always been one of my family’s favorite places to ski in the city because of the variety of loops, allowing you to ‘choose your own adventure’ every time without having to ski laps around the same circle. There is also a large parking lot off Bow Trail and 26 Street SW. For more information on trail conditions, where to rent skis, where to take lessons, and for a map of the trails, visit Shaganappi Point Golf Course shaganappinordic.ca. place for families in south Calgary to get out for an Confederation Park Golf Course and Canmore Park. afternoon close to home. Traditionally, it has been trackConfederation Park has approximately 6 kilometres of set on Tuesdays. grooming for classic and skate skiing, maintained by the South Glenmore Park. The City of Calgary also grooms Foothills Nordic Ski Club. My family has always enjoyed trails in this park located off 24 Street and 90 Avenue SW. skiing around the easy loops here, and you can extend Traditionally, it has been track-set on Wednesdays, and your outing by crossing over to Canmore Park where families will enjoy the playground in the park. there is another loop with 2 kilometres of additional Cross-country skiing in a City park is more relaxed than grooming. The golf course parking lot is located off skiing on one of the City golf courses. Dogs are welcome Collingwood Drive NW and when it’s not open to the in the park if they are on-leash and snowshoeing is also public, you can park along 19 Street or at Canmore Park possible for members of the family who might not want (19 Street and Chicoutimi Drive NW). to ski but would rather hike beside the ski trails.

Often, Confederation Park has the best skiing in the Bowness Park. While you’ll only find 2.5 kilometres city, and volunteers put in hours of work ‘snow farming’ of trails here, The City of Calgary does a fantastic job to create skiable paths, even in dry periods between of creating a nice flat loop that you can repeat several snow falls. For more information on trail conditions times for a longer ski. My family also enjoys bringing our and for a map of the trails, visit foothillsnordic.ca. skates for a mixed outing of skiing and ice skating on the Alternatively, in south Calgary, Foothills Nordic also lagoon, and there is an iceway skating path in the park, grooms trails at the Lakeview Golf Course near North too! There is no set schedule for grooming, so plan to Glenmore Park. skate if there are no recent ski tracks.

Maple Ridge Golf Course. The City of Calgary For more information on skiing in City parks, maintains trails for cross-country skiing on this golf visit calgary.ca/csps/parks/locations/cross-countrycourse located off Mapleglade Drive SE. This is a great skiing.html.

NEW PLACES TO CROSS-COUNTRY SKI IN CALGARY North Glenmore Park. Relatively new, The City of Calgary will be creating groomed ski tracks in this park. There is also the new iceway skating path that opened last winter, so bring your skates.

The East Village Nordic Loop. As of last winter, the Shaganappi Nordic Operations Club began grooming a 1-kilometre cross-country ski track, in partnership with Fort Calgary and the Foothills Nordic Ski Club in downtown Calgary. The track is beginner-friendly and starts near Fort Calgary.

Know before you go: • The Foothills Nordic Club and Shaganappi Nordic Operations Club both rely on volunteers if you have time to help. They also rely on donations since skiing is free at the golf courses and the parks they groom in winter. For more information, visit their websites.

• Most golf courses and parks allow snowshoeing, but never snowshoe or walk on the ski tracks or on corduroy grooming. You should snowshoe in the soft ungroomed snow to the side.

Confederation Park and Maple Ridge are popular • areas for family sledding. Watch where you’re sledding and only start down a hill if there is nobody below you. Avoid sliding over ski tracks.

• Dogs are not allowed on City golf courses; they are generally allowed on-leash in City parks.

• You’ll need a headlamp if you want to ski in the evening as the trails in Calgary are not lit.

• You’ll generally find a porta-potty on-site at most golf courses and in City parks, but it’s best to use the bathroom before you leave the house.

Cross-country skiing is free, unless you visit a • private golf course, which may have additional fees or be closed to members only.

Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain related. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. Follow on Instagram @MountainMomYYC. CCM

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guide to the holidays

holiday traditions with a twist Classic family activities

By Tamara Hackett In 2015, I wrote an article for Calgary’s Child entitled “Traditions with a Twist.” Now, with another six years of parenting, life experience, and time to observe friends and communities around the holidays under my belt, I want to share more ideas with you. I believe holiday traditions are more important than ever as we all navigate an ever-changing world. Now is the perfect time to lean on some classic holiday family activities and evolve them in order to enjoy and embrace life to the fullest. Read on for a few of my twists on traditions to consider adding to your family’s holiday season.

‘Pass the torch’ in the kitchen. Lately (as my 12-year-old son physically towers over me) I am aware that Christmas mornings look different than they used to. The 6am wake-up calls on Christmas mornings from my young kids bouncing on my bed now look more like slow rolls to the living room where everyone settles into their spot on the couch to open gifts. This new stage of life with my kids has allowed us to spend more quality time together in the kitchen during the holidays. I teach them how to cook and bake special recipes that have been passed down to me from previous generations. We are creating a tradition of walking down memory lane while also creating new recipes and memories together. Hopefully one day, my kids will pass on our special holiday recipes to their kids, carrying on the holiday tradition.

10 • Find us on

One-of-a-kind art. Every year, my kids create seasonal artistic creations at school and at home, and I save a few select pieces to use as holiday décor. I often use frames I have on-hand and place the kids’ art over my everyday images to make the house festive, sentimental, and comical. (I have a zombie snowman that makes an appearance every year and it always makes me laugh!)

Holiday walk through the neighborhood. One of my favorite things to do on Christmas night is to gather the family and venture out for a neighborhood walk.

Everyone has wiled Christmas day away playing with their new gifts, taking naps, or snacking on leftover turkey, so an evening stroll is often needed to reenergize the mind and body. At first, your family may resist going for a holiday walk but in my experience, I’ve never had a Christmas Day walk where my family didn’t benefit from it. The stroll costs nothing and serves to settle into the events of the day and turn them into precious family memories. Admire your neighborhood’s Christmas light displays and trees covered with sparkly white snow along the way. Don’t forget to bring Fido! Dogs love frolicking through fresh snow.

Make the holidays magical with LEGO. Never heard of playing with LEGO as a classic holiday tradition? It’s not as universal a tradition as putting up and decorating a Christmas Tree, but this is where the twist comes in!

I am always on the lookout for fun holiday activities my family can enjoy together. When my kids were small and needed constant supervision, I introduced them to ‘Christmas LEGO.’ My littlest would divide the LEGO pieces up by color or stick her hands in a bowl of the little blocks to create noise; it has now evolved into a family Christmas tradition. Every year, we put together a unique LEGO set, agreed upon by the family. LEGO can be an expensive purchase (depending on the set), so I suggest you split the cost with close family or friends and share the set or purchase as part of the kids’ Christmas gifts. You may want to put the set away after Christmas and reassemble next year, creating an easy LEGO holiday tradition.

No matter what you do during the holidays, what you believe in (or don’t), the holidays can represent a time when you and the family interrupt your normal day-today doings to sprinkle in a little bit of magic by creating new experiences every year, keeping traditions as they have always been, or adding a twist. My best wishes go out to each one of you this year - and next.

Tamara is an author, illustrator, and business owner. She is the author of bestselling children’s books and journals for families to create and document mindful moments (available to purchase on Amazon). For more information, visit tamarahackett.com. Feeling Social? Follow on Instagram @sweet_clover_studios. CCM

guide to the holidays

holiday gift giving - the frugal way Thoughtful gifts don’t need to be expensive

By Klynne Brinas Living a frugal lifestyle does not hinder you from giving great gifts to your friends and family. Just roll up your sleeves, do the math, and flex your creativity muscle!

Read on for my family’s process when it comes to holiday gift giving.

Make a spending plan. Aka, a budget (but I don’t like calling it a budget because it sounds limiting)! A spending plan is the first step to any frugal endeavor.

Ideally, the spending plan you set should be based on the money you have saved throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, my family comes up with an amount for our holiday gift giving. That way, we have almost a full year to save up. If you do not have money saved up this year for holiday gift giving, don’t panic!

Create a spending plan now and do not spend over your set limit (now’s also a great time to create a holiday spending plan for next year).

TIP: I recommend saving 5 to 10 percent of your spending amount for ‘forgotten gifts’ because there is always someone you have forgotten to make a gift basket for, even if you made a list and checked it twice! This way, you never overspend, either.

Pick a theme. Every year, my family gives our friends gift baskets based on a theme we have chosen and then tweak based on individual or family dynamics. We choose a theme that provides the gift of experience, the gift of creating fun memories together. With gifts of experience, it’s the thought that counts!

Last year, we gave our friends gift baskets that contained cute mugs, hot chocolate mix, popcorn, and chocolate. We designed and included a homemade card (using canva.com), explaining that our family loves creating memories with movie nights, complete with hot chocolate and popcorn, and would love for their family to create memories with movie nights and snacks, too!

TIP: If you choose to make DIY STEAM kits, make two or three extras for (you guessed it!) the kids you have forgotten on your list - worst-case scenario, your kids can play with the extra STEAM kits after Christmas.

This year, my family will be gifting homemade charcuterie boards (and, of course, STEAM kits for the kids).

If you would like to gift a basket with a charcuterie board theme, foods should include cured meats, cheese, crackers, fruits, pickles, honey, jam, etc. A nice-to-have item could include a bottle of wine or a bottle of sparkling apple juice for the family to ring in the New Year with.

“Our friends told us their kids got more excitement and entertainment out of the [homemade STEAM kits] than the expensive storebought toys from Santa.”

Flex that creativity muscle with math. Once your family has chosen a theme, list the materials you will need for each gift basket. Start with necessary items and end with ‘nice-to-have’ items. Now get creative and do the math to figure out how all the necessary items will fit into your spending plan with room for nice-to-have items, too.

TIP: For non-consumable nice-to-have items, check out thrift/goodwill stores, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace. I’ve been having fun tracking down vintage charcuterie boards selling for less than $5 each! Yes, I’m one of those people who starts their holiday shopping in September!

It’s all about presentation. Making elaborate gift wrapping and gift baskets gives me joy, so I take my time creating an ‘expensive’ presentation for the gifts my family gives others. I believe that the gift-receiver can feel the time and love you’ve put into their gift when they open it. At home, I always have ribbons, baskets, and gift-wrapping accessories on-hand, which I’ve collected over the years. If you don’t, include this expense in your spending plan. And for each gift my family gives, we include a card that explains our thought process on why we gave the gift and how it can help them create memories to enjoy for a lifetime.

TIP: You can score gift-wrapping items for free from Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace.

For our friends with kids, we gifted the kids homemade STEAM kits (Science, Technology, Art, and Math), and they loved them! Our friends told us their kids got more excitement and entertainment out of the kits than the expensive store-bought toys from Santa. STEAM kit ideas include, but are not limited to, a slime-making kit, crystal Christmas ornament making kit, build your own snowman kit, etc.

The last and most important step is to make sure you enjoy the process! Make memories with your family while creating the gifts for your friends and family. My family makes a weekend out of decorating our home for the holidays and wrapping the gift baskets. Enjoy!

Find more tips for frugal living on Klynne’s blog, thisfamilylifewelive. com. Chat with Klynne @thisfamilylifewelive. CCM

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lessons for the

ENTIRE FAMILY Start your winter mountain getaway at WinSport

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FAMILY FUN IN DECEMBER Opening in December; WinSport Tube Park. The tube park is one of the largest in Western Canada and is the perfect activity to spend time outdoors with your family!

Must purchase advance tickets online: winsport.ca December 2, 7pm; How to Have Devices, Not Be Divisive for Our Family and Classrooms, with Simplicity Parenting’s Kim John Payne. Presented by Calgary Waldorf School. calgarywaldorf.org December 2 to 11; Calgary Young People’s Theatre Presents, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Beatrice and Benedick don’t love each other. But when a villainous scheme threatens to tear apart the relationship of their best friends, these two frenemies will have to get over their mutual distaste of one another to ask the scariest question of all about being in love: would it be so bad if they were? cypt.ca December 3 to 4 & 9 to 11; Enjoy a Parents Night Out at the Banff Craft Beer Festival! As the only craft beer festival featuring exclusively Alberta craft brewers, treat your taste buds to delicious samples of craft beer from over 30 vendors, share stories with local brewmasters, and discover Banff's amazing food and craft drink scene! banfflakelouise.com/banff-craft-beer-festival December 5; NORTHWESTIVAL Phone: 403-910-1101 Email: info@wcdt.ca Website: northwestival.ca Join for Northwestival, an annual outdoor winter festival!

Embrace the spirit of the season with a lineup of live music, food trucks, winter workshops, entertainment, and more. For more details, check out the website!

December 4 & 18, 11am to 3pm; The City of Calgary’s Mobile Adventure Playground. An adventure playground where kids can explore, create, imagine,

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and learn in their own way using a variety of loose parts materials! December 4: McKenna Park - 27 McKenna Way SE. December 18: Beacham Close Playground - 15 Beacham Close NW. calgary.ca/free

December 3 to 5 & 10 to 12, 9am to 5pm; Christmas Market at The Saskatoon Farm. Meet over 240 local makers, bakers, growers, and small business shakers.

Tickets: saskatoonfarm.com

Until December 19, 2 & 7:30pm; Vertigo Theatre Presents, Murder in the Studio. A collection of three original Agatha Christie radio mysteries will be performed live on the Vertigo stage! The first tells the tale of a man haunted by his late wife, the second features the indomitable Hercule Poirot, and the third, the case of a serial killer. Tickets: vertigotheatre.com

December 3 to 5, 10am to 6pm; Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market. With over 200 local businesses, the market prides itself on a unique shopping experience. Begin the festive season with a day out with family and friends, shop exquisite gift ideas, purchase artisan food, and wander through the winter wonderland of Spruce Meadows! sprucemeadows.com/ christmasmarket

Weekends, until December 31, 10am to 5pm; Free Admission to Studio Bell - Home of the National Music Centre! Admission is free on weekends, courtesy of ATB, until the end of 2021. To download a free admission coupon: studiobell.ca/general-admission

December 4, 10am to 4pm; Cochrane MADE Christmas Market. Shop local at over 50 indoor boutiques! Lions Club Event Centre: 109, Fifth Avenue, Cochrane.

December 4, 10am to 4pm; Merry & Bright Christmas Market. Shop local, keep the kids busy with crafts, photos with Santa, and more! clacalgary.com/events/merrybright-christmas-market/2021-12-04

December 31; Zoo Year’s Eve. You'll be able to enjoy all the fun of ZOOLIGHTS with extra special activities added to help you ring in the New Year including numerous countdowns so your little ones don’t have to stay up too late to partake in the fun! calgaryzoo.com Mondays (some exclusions apply), until March 2022, 6 to 8pm; Servus Monday Toonie Night Skates. Skate on the fastest ice in the world! Members get in for free when they show their Servus Member Card® or Mastercard®.

Not a member? Only pay a toonie! oval.ucalgary.ca

December 4, 10am to 4pm; North Haven Christmas Makers Market. Shop ‘til you drop for hand-crafted items at this holiday market! northhavenyyc.ca/communityevents/2021/wintermarket

HOLIDAY MARKETS, CRAFT FAIRS & ART SALES

December 4, 10am to 4pm; SCA Community Association Christmas Craft Fair. There will be 50 vendors offering unique, handmade gifts, a Kids Fun Zone, a balloon artist, a chance to meet Santa, games and prizes, and more! scacalgary.ca/2021/10/29/christmascraft-fair-saturday-december-4-10-am-4-pm December 4, 11am to 4pm; New Horizon Christmas Craft Market. Shop over 40 vendors and over 100 unique stores for all your holiday shopping needs. There will be a free kids’ holiday station with glitter tattoos, face painting, and a craft table! newhorizonmall.com/events

December 2 to 5, 5 to 10pm & December 9 to 12, 11am to 7pm; Under $100 Art Show. This show not only helps artists show and sell their work but makes original art and goods available to those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. What better way to spend your hard-earned dollars over the holiday season than to support your local arts community? under100artshow.com

Our Guide to the Holidays – Continued on next page

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guide to the holidays

Our Guide to the Holidays

guide to the holidays

Our Guide to the Holidays – Continued from previous page

December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 20 to 23, 10am to 4pm; Christmas Market at Heritage Park (during Once Upon a Christmas). Experience the holiday magic of the Park’s market! heritagepark.ca December 5, 10am to 4pm; 11th Annual Wildflower Salon & Art Sale. Acquire your own original piece of artwork created by the professionally-trained and practicing local artists of Wildflower Arts Centre!

Wildflower Arts Centre: 3363 Spruce Drive SW. December 10 to 12 & 17 to 19 (Fridays, 4 to 9pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 10am to 6pm); Market Collective’s Holiday Series. Enjoy live music, interactive workshops, galleries, over 150 local vendors, and special surprises! marketcollective.ca December 11 & 12, 10am to 4pm; Cochrane Christmas Farmers’ Market. Find unique gifts and fill your pantry with a wide range of holiday items from the food and beverage vendors! cochranefarmersmarket.ca/christmasmarket-2 December 11 & 12, 10am to 5pm; Authentically Indigenous Holiday Craft Market. This craft market will feature Indigenous handmade crafts, art, jewelry, and more! authenticallyindig.com December 11 & 18, 9:30am to 3:30pm; Little Modern Market. Shop ‘til you drop for unique local items, just in time for the holidays! littlemodernmarket.com December 16 to 19, 11am to 1pm; Crafty Cane Lane at Calgary Farmers’ Market. Join this holiday season for an afternoon with crafternoon! Get all your holiday shopping done at the Christmas Market and leave the kiddos at Crafty Lane for a holiday-inspired workshop where they get to build their own personalized felt wreaths. calgaryfarmersmarket.ca Weekends, until December 19, 11am to 4pm; The Pop-Up Holiday Market in Cochrane. Support local this holiday season by buying unique, handmade gifts! Find the Pop-Up Market at The Social Spot. cochranetourism.ca Weekends, until December 20, 9am to 5pm; Granary Road Christmas Market. Get a festive alpaca photo, oneof-a-kind gifts made by local artisans, chocolate, honey, and more! Kids can visit Santa, too! granaryroad.com Until December 22 (Tuesdays to Sundays), 10am to 4pm; Christmas in the Country Art Sale at Leighton Art Centre. Beautiful decorations, gorgeous art, and the home’s historic ambiance combine to make visiting a memorable part of your family’s holiday season.

Discover over 100 talented artists and find unique gifts. leightoncentre.org/event/christmas-in-the-country-2021

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES December 4 & 5, 7:30pm; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents, Handel’s Messiah. A glorious holiday tradition returns! George Frideric Handel’s beautiful oratorio combines music and drama in one of the greatest stories ever told. Tickets: calgaryphil.com December 5, 6 to 8pm; ATCO Presents, Holly Jolly House Party with Youth Singers of Calgary. This Christmas, 200 performers take the stage as Youth Singers of Calgary host the party of the season. This holiday house party will be rockin! youthsingers.org/tickets December 10 to 24; Alberta Ballet Presents, The Nutcracker. It’s Christmas Eve and Klara has received a magical gift from her eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer: a handsome nutcracker doll. Little does she know as she falls asleep that her new toy is about to spark her imagination and take her on a dreamy adventure to the Land of the Sweets! albertaballet.com

14 • Find us on

December 18, 2 to 3pm; Do You Hear What I Hear? A Caroling Quarter at the Library. Celebrate the holidays with a Christmas caroling quarter from the Youth Singers of Calgary! Perfect for a family outing, you’ll be delighted to hear your favorite holiday tunes at Memorial Park Library. Takes place outdoors; weather-dependent. calgarylibrary.ca December 18, 7:30pm; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents, Holidays at Home. Join online for a festive evening of holiday music conducted by Karl Hirzer.

Enjoy seasonal favorites, plus sing along to popular Christmas carols, sure to put you in a merry mood! To register: calgaryphil.com Until December 19, check website for performance times; StoryBook Theatre Presents, The Sound of Music in Concert. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. Presented in concert format, with a full cast and live orchestra, the show is planned to be presented at 50 percent capacity in the Beddington Theatre Arts Centre space. Should provincial restrictions be lifted, more seats may be made available.

403-216-0808; storybooktheatre.org Until December 24; Stage West For Kids Presents, 12 Days of Christmas. Join Stage West for a children’s version of dinner theatre! For starters, Stage West will display an incredible kid-friendly buffet: hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, and more! Siblings Brittany and Jonathan are getting ready for Christmas morning, and each believes they can get the other the perfect gift. Once competition enters the equation, the stakes are raised to out-gift each other. Tickets: stagewestcalgary.com Until December 24; Theatre Calgary Presents, A Christmas Carol. Holiday spirit lives on! Theatre Calgary will perform this three-person cast production live on stage. Your family also has the opportunity to choose Stafford Arima’s extended director’s cut of the online filmed version you can watch from the comfort of your own home. theatrecalgary.com Until December 26; Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP) Presents, In Wonderland. In this ambitious and contemporary retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic novels, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, three actors fantastically portray the story’s iconic characters, transforming right before the audience’s eyes. Follow Alice through the rabbit hole, and be swept away through theatre magic as the stage spectacularly metamorphosizes into a stunning visual realm. Visit the website for dates, times, and to purchase tickets.

For ages 6+. 403-294-7402; tickets@atplive.com; albertatheatreprojects.com Until January 8; Jubilations Junior Presents, Beauty & The Grinch. Glooville is set for Christmas to ring. The town is filled with holiday cheer, but not everyone is happy that Christmas is here. Outside of town, there’s one who’s not happy. He thinks singing and dancing are boring and sappy. He stays far from town in his own neighborhood. His name is the Grinch and he’s up to no good! jubilations.ca

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN! Weekends, Until December 19 and Daily, December 20 to 30; Banff Gondola Moutaintop Christmas. Load up in your mountaintop sleigh and soar to where Christmas delights and visit Santa’s workshop at the summit! banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banffgondola/events

Until December 24; Santa’s Wonderland. Experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s and get your free photo taken with Santa, too! Advanced reservations required for photos. To reserve: basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland Until December 24; Santa’s Back at CF Market Mall!

Enjoy a magical, safe visit with Santa and capture the moment with a professional photo package from Cherry Hill. Visits with Santa are by reservation only and a $5 fee will apply to each booking. All booking fees will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alberta and CF is matching donations! To reserve: shops.cadillacfairview.com/ property/cf-market-mall/news-events/e/santa-2021

TWINKLING LIGHTS Ongoing; Lighten UP Calgary. The best residential Christmas light displays in and around Calgary! Take your kids out, see bright, sparkling lights, listen to holiday music, and donate to worthy causes while enjoying family time. Share your holiday cheer and show Lighten UP Calgary your lit-up homes, nativity, or North Pole scenes, too! lightenupcalgary.ca December 1 to 31, 6 to 9pm; Airdrie Festival of Lights.

The Airdrie Festival of Lights is an outdoor, walk-through, holiday-themed light festival! No charge to attend, free parking. Donations graciously accepted. Enjoy a hot chocolate or apple cider around the fire pits or ride the trains for $2 per person. Don’t miss a visit with Santa!

Check out Santa’s Gift Shop for your holiday shopping, including a Kids’ Only Shopping Experience. 403-912XMAS (9627); info@airdrielights.com; airdrielights.com Weekends, December 10 to January 2; Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows. Enjoy a huge display of giant lit Christmas trees from the comfort of your car. sprucemeadows.com Until January 2, 5:30 to 9:30pm; TELUS Spark’s Sparkle Sparkle. Spark is taking holiday lights to the next level and transforming into a magical celebration of lights to warm the darkest winter nights - the 2021 edition of Sparkle Sparkle. Warm up by the giant LED fire, walk through a shimmering winter palace, snap a photo with Santa in his robot workshop, enjoy sweet treats and glowing drinks, and more science-inspired sparkly magic! sparkscience.ca Until January 2, 5 to 9pm (excluding December 3, 25 & 31); ZOOLIGHTS. ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is back for the 25th season! Of course, the Calgary Zoo is bringing back the classic activities you’ve come to love and have added in some new ones. This year’s ZOOLIGHTS will feature activities like ice skating, fire pits, and much more! calgaryzoo.com Until January 8; 35th Annual Lions Festival of Lights. The Lions Festival of Lights can be found along 14 Street on the west side of Confederation Park. This year, the light display will include three teepees built by Indigenous people. lionsfestivaloflights.ca Until January 10; Legacy’s Annual Christmas Light Display. Legacy will light up the south end of Calgary with more than a million Christmas lights in a cheery display throughout the community as one of Calgary’s largest free light displays! Festive lights will adorn parks, playgrounds, trees, show homes, design features like the Legacy clock tower, and more, in addition to hundreds of beautifully decorated private homes throughout the community. Enjoy walking or driving

NEW YEAR FAMILY FUN January 1, 2:30pm; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents, Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert. Timeless music, dazzling costumes, breathtaking dance. The exuberant music of Johann Strauss springs to vibrant life in a joyful spectacle featuring European singers, dancers, and full orchestra. Tickets: calgaryphil.com January 15 & 16, 7:30pm; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents, Yuja Wang in Concert. Piano virtuoso and international star Yuja Wang takes command of the stage for this must-see concert.

The Beijing-born musician who studied in Calgary has captivated audiences around the world with her tremendous artistry and skill. Tickets: calgaryphil.com January 21 & 22, 7:30pm; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents, Diana Cohen Performs Mozart.

Calgary Phil Concertmaster Diana Cohen and acclaimed conductor Karen Kamensek headline this concert featuring Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s fifth violin concerto, along with works by Robert Schumann, and award-winning Canadian composer Marjan Mozetich.

Tickets: calgaryphil.com February 11 to March 12 (Tuesdays to Saturdays, 7pm and Saturdays & Sundays, 2pm); StoryBook Theatre Presents, Disney’s Descendants, The Musical. The kingdom of Auradon, all of Disney’s beloved heroes and royalty, are living happily ever after, safe from the terrifying villains and troublesome sidekicks they have banished to the Isle of the Lost. That is until Ben,

the benevolent teen son of Belle and King Adam, offers a chance of redemption for the troublemaking offspring of the evilest villains… To purchase tickets: storybooktheatre.org Mondays (some exclusions apply), until March 2022, 6 to 8pm; Servus Monday Toonie Night Skates. Skate on the fastest ice in the world! Members get in for free when they show their Servus Member Card® or Mastercard®.

Not a member? Only pay a toonie! Schedule: oval. ucalgary.ca/recreational-skating-running/toonie-skate

PARTY VENUES & ENTERTAINMENT BUTTERFIELD ACRES FARM 254077 Rocky Ridge Road NW Phone: 403-239-0638 Email: farmfun@butterfieldacres.com Website: butterfieldacres.com A favorite place for Calgary’s birthday parties! Four package choices: Party Animal! Horse Crazy! Deluxe! Or Ultimate Blowout! All include time in the Birthday Barn or Tipi, Panago’s excellent pizza, and, of course, a visit with all the animals in the farmyard, too! Package details and order form available on our website.

CALGARY REPTILE PARTIES Phone: 403-457-2202 Email: reptile.party@hotmail.com Website: calgaryreptileparties.com Add fun and education to your birthday party event! Since 2008, Calgary Reptile Parties has been educating and entertaining about cold-blooded creatures. Kids meet and interact with iguanas, monitor lizards, dragons, boa constrictors, pythons, skinks, salamanders, and much more!

Find out why Calgary Reptile Parties is a multiple time winner/ runner up in the Calgary’s Child Parents’ Choice Awards.

CALGARY ZOO 210 St. George’s Drive NE Phone: 403-232-7770 Email: salesinfo@calgaryzoo.com Website: calgaryzoo.com/events/birthday-parties Looking to throw a wild party for your 3- to 12-year-old?

Leave it to our fun and knowledgeable staff members here at the Calgary Zoo. Our themed parties run yearround and include admission for up to 25 guests. We’ll help you build a program that inspires your budding zoofanatic and their friends. From optional catering or gift bags, to crafts and guided tours, our interactive activities will help create zoonique memories for your child’s special day. Best of all, you just need to book and show up. We’ll take care of the rest. No planning, stress, or mess to clean up afterward!

RICHARD RONDEAU MAGICIAN Phone: 403-254-8718 Website: rrmagician.com Make your child’s birthday party extra special. Richard can present a 30- to 45-minute show with comedy, audience participation, and jaw-dropping magic. Suitable for ages 3 and up, Richard will tailor his show to the age of your birthday child.

VIN GOGH PAINT SIP STUDIO 7160 Fisher Street SE Phone: 403-475-4644 Email: info@vingogh.ca Website: vingogh.ca Vin Gogh Paint Sip Studio is the place for painting parties!

We host parties for both kids and adults. You will get a step-by-step painting session with an experienced artist.

You can choose your favorite painting from our painting gallery. Our painting sessions are generally two hours Our Guide to the Holidays – Continued on next page

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 15

guide to the holidays

through the community to experience this magical display to soak in the holiday spirit with family and friends. legacylife.ca

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Our Guide to the Holidays – Continued from previous page

long. You will get an additional hour to enjoy some of our delicious flatbreads, with juice for the kids and wine for the adults. Families can bring in their own cake. We also offer other crafts and slime parties. The kids get to take home their original artwork!

GIFT IDEAS & RETAIL AMARANTH STORES Three Locations in Calgary Website: amaranthfoods.ca Since 1994, Amaranth has provided the best in healthy groceries and supplements. We have everything you need from allergen-friendly choices to hard-to-find bulk herbs and spices. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our friendly staff. Thanks for supporting us, Calgary!

THE ART OF PORTRAITURE BY SVP PHOTOGRAPHY Phone: 403-281-8429 Email: shelley@svpphotography.com Website: theartofachild.com Your children grow up so fast. Don’t say, “I wish I would have!” We create Wall Art and Storybooks that allow you to savor this moment in time for generations. We offer different themes throughout the year - The Gingerbread House, The Winter Wonderland, and The Night Before Christmas are our seasonal offerings for the holidays.

Perfect gifts for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays. Gift certificates available.

BEANERS FUN CUTS FOR KIDS Website: beanersfuncuts.com At Beaners Fun Cuts For Kids, our experienced stylists give the whole family great hair in a fun-filled atmosphere. Maybe it’s the themed chairs, movie screens, or the video games, but we love kids, and they love us. We also offer clipper art, ear piercing, up-dos, braiding, baby’s first haircut, and professional hair care products. Book online. Experience our haircuts!

CALAWAY PARK Phone: 403-240-3822 Email: info@calawaypark.com Website: calawaypark.com Give the gift of family fun this holiday season! Calaway Park 2022 Season Passes are on sale until January 1, 2022. Save 57 percent! Calaway Park invites your family to enjoy endless fun at Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Family Amusement Park! Enjoy 32 rides, live entertainment, the Cinemagic 3D theatre, Haunted Hotel, CP Spray n’ Play, and much more! Unlimited rides, attractions, and parking are included for one easy admission price. Visit the website for more information on 2022 Season Passes. Calaway Park - Your Family Playcation Destination!

CALGARY ZOO MEMBERSHIP Website: calgaryzoo.com/support-us/join This holiday season, give your wild crew the gift of a Calgary Zoo membership! Get up close and personal with the animals, plus enjoy our lush botanical gardens, prehistoric park, kids play areas, and more. No two visits are ever the same. For as little as $69.95 for adults and $39.95 for kids, you can visit 364 days a year.

That’s more zoo for your buck!

LOOP KIDS Phone: 403-982-7274 Email: loopkidsokotoks@gmail.com Website: loopkidsokotoks.com Visit us in-store or online to find all you need for your growing family! We consign quality, gently-used clothes and shoes for children aged newborn to 12 years, and offer a carefully chosen selection of new gifts, books, and gear.

REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE Various Locations Website: realcanadiansuperstore.ca Planning a birthday party could mean a lot of running around - especially if it means a lot of kids running around. That’s one of the reasons why we offer everything you need under one roof. At the Real Canadian Superstore, you can pick up the cake, the cake platter, the party platter, the party decorations, the party favors, and maybe even a party outfit for yourself because at these prices, it doesn’t need to be your birthday to treat yourself! Not just a store. Superstore.

WEE ROCK ART - DONNA WEAVER Email: hello@weerockart.com Website: weerockart.com Wee Rock Art is a culmination of a lifelong passion for rocks, driftwood, petrified wood, and a variety of miracles that have passed the test of time. Share your unique story or celebrate that of a friend, colleague, or loved one through Wee Rock Art. The rocks, driftwood, shells, and sea glass were lovingly handpicked from around the world. This is Art from the Heart. Custom orders welcome.

WINTER FUN ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS PRESENTS, IN WONDERLAND BY ANNA CUMMER 220, 9 Avenue SE Phone: 403-294-7402 Email: tickets@atplive.com Website: albertatheatreprojects.com Showing to December 26, 2021. In this ambitious and contemporary retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic novels, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, three actors fantastically portray the

story’s iconic characters, transforming right before the audience’s eyes. Follow Alice through the rabbit hole, and be swept away through theatre magic, as the stage spectacularly metamorphosizes into a stunning visual realm. Visit the website for dates, times, and to purchase tickets. For ages 6 and up.

BANFF NORQUAY Website: banffnorquay.com School’s in for winter! Bunny slopes to the big mountain!

Ski and snowboard lessons, and programs for 3- to 16-year-olds including early season and holiday camps.

Programs fill up fast, so book now!

CITY OF CALGARY RECREATION Website: calgary.ca/dropin Don’t let the family get bored this winter. Drop in to one of our recreation facilities and enjoy affordable family fun! Splash in a wave pool, take turns on a waterslide, swim some laps, or work out in a weight room. With many locations to choose from, there’s always something fun to do!

STAGE WEST FOR KIDS 727, 42 Avenue SE Box Office: 403-243-6642 Email: mail@stagewestcalgary.com Website: stagewestcalgary.com/stage-west-for-kids The perfect outing for the entire family. Join Stage West for the children’s version of dinner theatre. For starters, Stage West displays an incredible kid-friendly buffet complete with all the favorites: hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, and much more. The buffet is then followed by a live child-oriented performance with plenty of humor for parents, as well. “The 12 Days of Christmas” playing November 27 to December 24, 2021. Visit the website for various dates and times.

WINSPORT Phone: 403-247-5452 Email: info@winsport.ca Website: winsport.ca WinSport’s purpose is to inspire human potential through the spirit of sport and it’s something that is woven into all of our year-round, award-winning programming. Our passionate, expert instructors will help your child learn a sport, get better at it, and develop a lifelong love for being active. We have summer camps and programs in mountain biking, hockey, ringette, figure skating, and in specialized sport training. Come out and play with us!

For the most up-to-date calendar of events, check out our website, calgaryschild.com. Times and dates are accurate at time of printing; however, changes can occur.

This listing is provided for your reference only. Please research carefully and choose the company that meets your family’s needs best. CCM

Kids Art Parties

Book your next pARTy at Vin Gogh Paint Studio. Painting, Pizza & friends. We do a variety of creative parties for kids.

In-studio or mobile. www.vingogh.ca 16 • Find us on

• www.vingogh.ca • (403) 475-4644 • info@vingogh.ca

guide to the holidays

easy, edible Christmas gifts to make with your kids Get in the kitchen and get creative!

By Tanya Kaynes; Photos: Courtesy of Tanya Kaynes Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, spending time with friends and family, and for many, exchanging gifts. For me, exchanging gifts is not the main part or even the purpose of the holiday season; it’s about spending precious time with the ones I love. But there is something about giving gifts that warms my heart. A great way to warm your family’s heart is to get busy in the kitchen with your kids and create homemade edible gifts for friends, family, teachers, tutors, coaches… the list goes on!

Chocolate and other sweets are the usual go-to for holiday edible gifts, but I am going to focus on the savory and then wrap it up with the sweet because it is Christmas, after all. These easy-to-do recipes are only limited by your imagination!

GOURMET SALTS Gourmet salt is a great gift because it can up anyone’s food game, looks pretty sitting on a kitchen table, and it’s easy to make - no hot stove involved! The ratio of liquid to salt can be used for your favorite flavors. You can make gourmet salt with sriracha, BBQ sauce, hoisin, pesto, ketchup - anything with a saucy consistency.

Then it’s a quick drive to the Dollar Store to pick up some funky or festive jars and ribbon. To complete your gourmet homemade gift of salt, slip a vintage spoon in the ribbon (if you have on-hand). Wrap the jar with ribbon and make a festive handmade tag. On your handmade tag, you could write suggestions on what foods mustard salt complements best (mustard salt shines on homemade pretzels - another great edible gift idea!). n Mustard Salt 1�3 cup Dijon mustard ½ cup kosher salt Mix the Dijon mustard and kosher salt together.

Spread on a dinner plate and microwave 1 minute at a time. Stir every 60 seconds with a fork for 5 minutes.

Mustard salt will be slightly damp and will continue to dry as it cooks. Let it cool for several hours overnight. Store in your chosen jar.

n Rosemary Garlic Salt The ratio of herb to dry herb and salt can be used for any of your favorite herbs, like basil, fennel, oregano, dill, turmeric, ginger, pepper, tarragon. There are many options and flavor combinations! ½ cup very finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 tsp. garlic powder ½ cup kosher salt Spread on a dinner plate and microwave 1 minute at a time. Stir every 60 seconds with a fork for 5 minutes.

NOVEMBER 19 – JANUARY 2

n Citrus Salt ¼ cup of finely grated lime, lemon, and orange rind (use a microplane, if you have) ½ cup kosher salt Spread on a dinner plate and microwave 1 minute at a time. Stir every 60 seconds with a fork for 5 minutes.

JUST ADD BUTTER! Compound butter is another easy homemade gourmet gift that is easy to make with your kids (plus, it will make the receiver feel like they are dining in a 5-star restaurant!). The world is your oyster as far as flavor

25 Years of Magic

calgaryzoo.com/zoolights

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Where every haircut is

a great experience.

SPECIALLY TRAINED STAFF | MOVIES | THEME CHAIRS

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DIETITIAN NUTRITION SERVICES SPECIALIZING IN BABY-LED WEANING & PICKY EATING

combinations and you can do sweet or savory. Sweet butters can be used on toast, pancakes, and muffins, and savory butters can be used on steaks, chicken, veggies, and dinner rolls. Bon Appetit!

FIRSTSTEPNUTRITION.COM JEN@FIRSTSTEPNUTRITION.COM @FIRSTSTEPNUT

n Dipped Marshmallows 6 giant marshmallows 6 straws or lollipop sticks 6 ounces of chopped chocolate (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) ½ cup crushed candy canes (or crushed candies, chocolate bars of your choice) Slowly melt the chocolate in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time until almost melted, then add a Tbsp. of chopped chocolate and stir until melted. Stick the straw into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow in the chocolate, roll it in the crushed candy, repeat until all six are done, and that’s it! You can wrap them in a clear cellophane bag and tie a ribbon on the top.

Dipped marshmallows are the perfect gifts for teachers, classmates, and family.

Nov 27 - Dec 24, 2021

www.stagewestcalgary.com

n Herbed Compound Butter ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 Tbsp. minced shallots or 1 garlic clove minced (depending on your preference) 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. minced parsley 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice ¼ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. sea salt (or more to taste) In a bowl, mash all the ingredients together, then spoon the butter into a fancy glass container and store it in the fridge until you are ready to give the recipient your homemade gift. Another cool way to package this butter is to scoop it onto a piece of wax or parchment paper, roll it like a log, then place ribbons (tightly) on each end to seal the butter. n Cinnamon Sugar Butter ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 Tbsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger 1 Tbsp. sugar (white or brown) Mash together and then bottle or roll and store in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to gift.

SWEET TREATS Here’s a sweet treat everyone will love! This marshmallow dunker recipe is the perfect addition to any hot chocolate and can be customized with your favorite candies that will melt into your hot chocolate for a gourmet taste. Giant marshmallows work great for this recipe.

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I hope these recipes inspire you to get in the kitchen with your kids and get creative! These homemade edible gifts are sure to please and will make you feel great, not only because they are made with love, you didn’t have to go to the frenzied mall to shop for gifts (you’re welcome!).

Tanya is the Head Curator at Menagerie Parties & Cakes, handcrafting boutique party experiences through custom décor, engaging activities, and show-stopping sweets. It’s a Party in a Box! For more information, visit menagerieyyc.ca. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook and Instagram @menagerieyyc and subscribe on YouTube, bit.ly/3nT3Wne. CCM

guide to the holidays

new versions of hot cocoa and s’mores

planning the perfect winter picnic in (and around) Calgary No bugs, no crowds, just fun

By Karen Ung The sun sparkling on snow, a crackling campfire, hot cocoa, and smokies make for a memorable winter outing. While winter may not scream picnic season, it’s a wonderful time of year to dine al fresco if you dress warm and have a fire. There are no bugs or crowds, and you can get gorgeous golden-hour photos in that magical time before sunset. Here’s how to plan the perfect winter picnic in (and around) Calgary!

CHOOSE A PICNIC SITE WITH A FIRE PIT These beautiful picnic areas with fire pits have walking trails and outhouses nearby: Edworthy Park has spacious picnic sites (including two with picnic shelters), walking trails, and four playgrounds.

The new playground on the south side has some unique features, like a four-person teeter totter! Before you settle in for dinner, walk the Christmas Tree Trail and look for chickadees in the trees. ​5050 Spruce Drive SW Bowness Park, another riverside park in northwest Calgary, has picnic sites (many with large picnic shelters), two playgrounds, ice skating on the lagoon, and a 1.6-kilometre skating track (usually opens in time for Christmas), cross-country ski trails, and walking trails.

My family likes walking across the 85 Street Bridge to Baker Park, too. Note: This popular park fills up fast on weekends. 8900, 48 Avenue NW Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary’s largest park, has picnic areas at Glennfield, Shannon Terrace, and Votier’s Flats Day-Use Areas. Glennfield has large group sites, while the sites at Shannon Terrace and Votier’s Flats are suitable for smaller gatherings. Enjoy a nature

“With shorter days in the snowy season, you can make the most of winter by playing and dining outside!” escape in the city as you hike the forested trails along the creek. With ongoing construction in the park, check the Alberta Parks’ website for advisories to confirm dayuse areas are open. Bebo Grove and Hull’s Wood are not recommended at this time due to partial trail closures.

North Glenmore Park has sunny picnic sites near the Glenmore Reservoir. With playgrounds, an ice rink, crosscountry ski trails, and pathways you could explore for hours. 7305 Crowchild Trail SW Prairie Winds Park has two picnic areas with fire pits (reservable from December 12, 2021), a toboggan hill, skating rink, playgrounds, and fitness stations. 223 Castleridge Boulevard NE Sandy Beach Park has pretty picnic sites along the Elbow River. Visit the playground and walk across the suspension bridge while you’re there. 4500, 14A Street SW In Kananaskis, try Mount Lorette Ponds (wheelchair accessible picnic sites and 700-metre loop around the ponds) or Wedge Pond (1-kilometre loop with lovely views of Mount Kidd).

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Here’s what you’ll need to bring: • Firewood, kindling, fire starters, lighter and/or matches (it is prohibited to burn deadfall) • Camp chairs Roasting sticks • • Dishes, cutlery, napkins Tablecloth • • Hand sanitizer and wipes Cooler with food and beverages (alcohol is only • permitted at select picnic areas) • S’mores kit • Garbage bags • Extra water for putting out the fire • Camp blanket to keep your legs warm (wool is naturally flame-resistant) • Extra layers of clothing A collapsible wagon is recommended for hauling everything to your site.

Know before you go: • Most picnic sites are first come, first served in the winter, so have a backup plan in case your first choice isn’t available.

• The City of Calgary Community Fire Pit Program resumes on December 12, 2021. This program offers free fire pit permits at many Calgary parks, such as Prairie Winds Park, Stanley Park, and Riley Park. For more information, visit calgary.ca.

• Food scraps can attract wildlife, so pack out all trash, even if it’s biodegradable.

• Check for fire bans before you go!

• Be fire smart: Never leave a fire unattended, and always put out your fire completely before you leave.

• Alcohol is permitted in select picnic areas until 9pm (Fish Creek Park Day-Use Areas close at 8pm).

For more information, visit the Calgary Parks or the Alberta Parks website.

• Dogs are permitted at picnic sites if they are onleash. Please clean up after your pet(s)!

With shorter days in the snowy season, you can make the most of winter by playing and dining outside! Kids will love cooking their own dinner over the fire, and you can enjoy coming home to a clean kitchen.

Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas.

With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun. Follow on Instagram @playoutsidegal. CCM

Amplify your campfire chocolate!

By Genevieve Yarn What’s better than cozying up around a fire with the fam? Adding chocolate to the equation, of course! No winter fire is complete without a s’more or a nice cup of hot chocolate to sweeten up the evening. This season, why not spice things up with a few new and unique variations! Keep reading to find out how you can impress with twists to your favorite flavors.

NOT-SO TRADITIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE IDEAS Hot cocoa floats. You’ve probably heard of peppermint hot chocolate before, but have you thought of adding mint chocolate chip ice cream directly on top of your hot chocolate? Yes, it’s going to melt, but that is the point! The melting ice cream adds a creamy, cooling zing to your mug, which is perfect for little ones who can’t have anything too hot! Of course, you can also experiment with different flavors of ice cream for infinite possibilities!

PB&C. We all know that peanut butter and chocolate go together perfectly, so why not try mixing it into your hot chocolate? Melt a teaspoon of peanut butter and stir until smooth and creamy, then whisk together with your pre-made hot cocoa in a bowl, and pour carefully into your mug. Add more or less peanut butter to find the perfect balance for your taste buds. Top with whipped cream and chopped peanuts for a full flavor experience!

Gimmie that heat! As the title suggests, hot chocolate warms us up from the inside out on a cool night, but why not kick that heat up a notch with some spice? A quick online search will provide you with a variety of recipes to add some fire to your cocoa, many calling for a small amount of chipotle powder or chili powder as well as cayenne mixed in for a real kick!

SUPER UNIQUE S’MORES Strawberry s’mores. The brightness of strawberries has always gone well with the rich flavor of chocolate, so why not add it to your s’more? Either thinly slice fresh strawberries and place a layer against the graham cracker or, if you like things a little sweeter, add a smear of strawberry jam before adding the chocolate and marshmallow.

S’more s’andwich. You can make this delicious delight in either an electric sandwich iron in the kitchen or a metal one over the fire. Add chocolate spread over a slice of bread, place some mini marshmallows over the smooth chocolate, and crumble in graham crackers. Top with another slice of bread and close your sandwichmaking device. Cook until toasted and golden on all sides. Be careful when you bite into this creation as it will be gooey and hot!

Cheesecake s’mores. It’s hard to believe, but some people are not chocolate lovers (gasp!). For those friends, the cheesecake s’more is a perfect idea: A layer of whipped cream cheese on a graham cracker, topped with blueberry jam and roasted marshmallow. It’s messy but so worth it!

S’more milkshake. Who says a s’more must be limited to chocolate and marshmallow between two cookies? Why not try a s’more milkshake: Blend toasted marshmallows with milk and ice cream, top with marshmallow fluff, chocolate syrup, and crushed graham crackers.

This winter, why not test out all these delicious creations and choose your family’s favorite… if you can!

There may be a tie for first place - or a few!

Genevieve is a mom of two, works in marketing, and writes in her (very minimal) free time. Follow her funny mom alter-ego on Instagram @cryitoutmom. CCM

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22 Try New Sports

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29 Juggling Schedules

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30 The Need for Nature

class & program

fall in love with winter!

five new sports to try as a family A win-win for both body and mind

By Tanya Koob Winter is here, and you have two choices for how to deal with the next four (or more!) months: Embrace the snow and ice and find a way to enjoy the season or hibernate and wait for spring. Getting outside in winter raises your spirits, boosts mental wellness, and keeps you physically fit. It’s a win-win for both body and mind. Read on for five winter sports my family enjoys that yours will enjoy, too!

1. Cross-country skiing. Take a day trip to the Canmore Nordic Centre where you can rent everything that you’ll need for an intro tour on Banff Trail, which takes you to a beautiful meadow with a warming hut.

Note: Equipment reservations from Trail Sports must be made online through the Nordic Centre website and the warming hut may be closed due to current restrictions (visit on a warm day where you’ll be able to eat your lunch outside at a picnic table beside the hut).

You can also sign up online for group or private ski lessons for your family. Lessons do not include rentals and there are trail fees in effect for the Nordic Centre, so you may want to save this for a ‘special winter treat’ over the Christmas holidays. Make sure you also bring ice skates and sleds because there is an ice rink and a sledding hill at the Nordic Centre (both free to use).

Alternatively, book a two-hour lesson through Kananaskis Outfitters at Kananaskis Village off Highway 40. You can also rent skis, and there are no trail fees. The Village has groomed cross-country trails, so you’ll be able to get out for a short loop without driving anywhere. Call ahead to inquire about reservations for rentals and lessons.

2. Snowshoeing. There are scenic trails at Kananaskis Village where you can rent snowshoes from Kananaskis Outfitters (call ahead to inquire about reservation policies). You can also sign up for a guided tour if you’re worried about wildlife or getting lost in the woods. The guided tours include snowshoes, eliminating the need to rent gear separately.

Guided tours include stargazing and full moon tours along with family survival hikes (where you’ll learn about the local wildlife and other wilderness skills, including how to start a fire, how to identify animal tracks, and how to build a shelter).

You can also sign up for a regular guided snowshoe tour (private or group) through the Outfitters where you’ll get snowshoes, hot chocolate and cookies included with your tour!

Alternatively, you can rent snowshoes in Calgary from many locations, including the U of C Outdoor Centre and Sports Rent on 16 Avenue as you leave the city. Visit the Alberta Parks website or Banff National Park website to find official snowshoe trails in the area you would like to visit. (Always phone rental stores ahead of time or visit their website to inquire about advanced bookings.)

3. Ice skating. Ice skating is a classic Canadian winter pastime and skates can be rented at many locations across the city. If you need lessons (either for the kids or for you), check with The City of Calgary Recreation, Trico Centre, U of C Active Living, or WinSport at Canada Olympic Park.

If you’ve signed up for lessons, you’ll likely want to purchase skates, which can be affordable if you visit second-hand sport stores.

Once you’re set to ice skate, check out these classic spots across Calgary: Bowness Park in the northwest (lagoon, creek, • and new iceway skating path) • North Glenmore Park iceway skating path in the southwest • Carburn Park Lagoon in the southeast • Big Marlborough Park or Prairie Winds Park skating rinks in the northeast • Olympic Plaza skating rink in the downtown core 4. Fat biking. If you like mountain biking, you must try fat biking at least once on a large fat tire bike specifically designed for winter riding. The sport is guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again. And falling rarely hurts as you gently fall over into a snowbank.

If you want to try fat biking near Calgary, head to Kananaskis Village where you can rent fat bikes from Kananaskis Outfitters. You can sign up for a guided tour to a frozen waterfall or explore the local area trails without a guide. Phone ahead or visit their website to inquire about pre-booking bikes or signing up for a guided tour.

For the ultimate experience, spend a weekend at Nipika Mountain Resort outside Radium Hot Springs.

Nipika has cozy log cabins on their wilderness property, over 50 kilometres of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, and over 30 kilometres of groomed trails for fat biking. They also have trails for snowshoeing, and you can rent everything you need from cross-country skis to fat bikes and snowshoes.

Pack your ice skates and sleds for a winter getaway at Nipika. You can also visit Nipika for a day if you’re staying near Radium Hot Springs with affordable trail fees in effect.

Note: The smallest youth fat bike you can rent at Nipika has 20-inch tires; Kananaskis Outfitters starts with 24-inch tire bikes.

5. Ice climbing. My husband and son love rock climbing so last winter, we decided to try ice climbing as a family, and we loved it! We joined a guided tour on a winter vacation in Jasper National Park through Rockaboo Mountain Adventures, and I can’t say enough great things about this company. All gear was included, and we felt safe the entire time. It was the perfect way to try this exciting sport with professionally trained guides and no experience was required. (Youth had to be at least 12-years-old.)

A once in a lifetime experience is rarely cheap. Perhaps consider it a family Christmas present and sign up for a tour over the holiday period. It’s also a great gift for a partner or spouse who loves the outdoors, or a great idea for a parent date day in the mountains if you have young children.

But don’t fret, there are affordable options right here in our great city! The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre runs intro ice climbing days, and youth 12 and over are welcome to join.

Safety tips Remember, safety first! Here are some safety tips to implement when trying new winter sports: If you’re joining a guided tour or taking lessons, • consult the company for special instructions on

Does your child have a Learning Disability or ADHD? Foothills Academy Community Services has programs & services for the whole family!

One-to-one reading and writing instruction

Parent & Community education through

Social skills-based recreation programs

webinars , articles & online courses

Psycho-educational assessments

Parent Support Group

Child & Youth psychology small group programs

Assistive technology consultations

www.foothillsacademy.org

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• •

• • •

what to wear, what to pack, and how to prepare.

Stick to official winter trails and never head out into the backcountry without a guide unless you have avalanche training and gear.

Basic winter clothing should include base layers (long underwear), mid layers (a fleece sweater perhaps), and snow pants or insulated winter pants. Add mittens or gloves, a toque, a face covering or scarf on cold days, and throw some hand and foot warmers in your pack. Winter boots are necessary and plan to either rent snowshoes or take spikes/ice cleats with you on your winter hikes.

Read trail reports before you head out and know what to expect.

Bears can be active year-round. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Travel in a group, make sure you know where you’re going, and always tell somebody your plans in case you don’t return on time.

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for all visits year-round. You can purchase a day pass from visitor centres, online at the Alberta Parks website, or purchase an annual pass.

Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain related. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. Follow on Instagram @MountainMomYYC. CCM

physical literacy: what it means for your child Developing fundamental movement skills

By Mairin Husak While the term literacy has been part of the educational landscape for decades, the concept of Physical Literacy only became mainstream during the latter part of the last decade. If you are like me, you probably had no idea what it was, exactly, and many parents still struggle to understand the concept and how it might apply to their child’s learning landscape.

When hearing the term literacy, one typically thinks of reading and writing - the CanLearn Society describes literacy as “having knowledge or skill in a specified field.”

Physical Literacy is no different than any other form of literacy. It is a process with foundational building blocks that require exposure, repetition, and nurturing. By developing reading, writing, numeracy, and physical literacy skills, children learn to access information and communicate with the world around them. Sport Australia describes Physical Literacy as “building the skills, knowledge, and behaviors to help us lead active lives. It is the holistic learning that occurs through movement and physical activity and integrates physical, psychological, social, and cognitive capabilities.”

Your child’s Physical Literacy journey is unique to them and will develop and change throughout their lifetime.

One thing that can’t be denied is the more experiences and opportunities you give your child to move their body and learn skills at an early age, the greater the opportunities they will have to participate in a variety of sports, recreation, and daily living activities without boundaries or barriers.

The best way to explain what this looks like in a realworld situation is to share my own experiences with Physical Literacy. Starting from a young age, I was a gymnast, played soccer, took swimming lessons, learned to skate, tobogganed, and hiked. I feel like I had a ‘typical’ childhood growing up in Calgary. As a young adult, I was active in sports throughout school. Now, as a mother in her 40s, I can still beat most teens in a handstand contest!

I have no problem climbing ladders and standing on my roof to clean the gutters. I love to play at the park with my children. So, what’s missing? I must be doing well on my own Physical Literacy journey, right? Yes, but there is a giant hole, a missing piece from my childhood Physical Literacy – Continued on next page

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 23

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Physical Literacy – Continued from previous page

experiences: I never learned how to throw. Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I look like a T. rex when attempting to throw almost anything.

What has this meant for me? I have spent a lifetime avoiding anything where I must throw something: in sports, games, and activities alike. I cringe when my husband says to me, “Throw me the keys.” Something so simple, a skill so easily learned - a skill I missed learning.

It’s never too late for me to learn, but it also means I’ve had 40 years of missed opportunities.

How do you avoid your child becoming a 40-year-old T. rex like me? Help them develop Fundamental Movement Skills and give them a multitude of experiences in a variety of environments to practice and gain confidence. The development of Fundamental Movement Skills is equivalent to learning your ABCs and 123s. They are skills that build upon basic human movements, such as sitting, rolling, crawling, and walking. Fundamental Movement Skills involve agility, balance, coordination, and object manipulation skills.

Here are the four domains within the Physical Literacy framework and many of the resulting benefits to your child: 1. Physical. Physical benefits include, but are not limited to, movement skill competencies, balance, coordination, agility, and object manipulation.

2. Psychological. Engaging in physical activity positively affects the development of selfregulation, self-perception, and confidence.

3. Social. Fosters cooperation and positive peer relationships, and a sense of personal responsibility.

4. Cognitive. Supports the development of executive functioning in the early years, such as reasoning, planning, and risk management.

Tips and resources to support your child’s Physical Literacy journey Give your child opportunities to engage in structured, unstructured, and risky play. Ensure the activities and/or equipment are developmentally appropriate: • Play teddy toss. Toss a stuffy back and forth or up in the air to catch.

• Walk and balance on a line. Use chalk or masking tape.

• Play with balloons. Try keeping it from touching the ground.

• Roll a ball. Sitting face-to-face with legs straddled.

Ball toss. Practice underhand throws into a basket • or make a target.

• Walk on a log or an elevated surface. Imagine walking a tightrope at the circus.

• Play snake in the grass. Use a skipping rope or long piece of tape to create a ‘snake in the grass’ and practice jumping over it.

Move like an animal. Pretend to gallop like a • horse, jump like a frog, balance like a flamingo while standing on one leg.

• • • •

Create opportunities for your child to lead, explore, and imagine.

Be a role model.

Offer movement opportunities in a variety of different environments, such as water, snow, ice, and land.

Set out time to move, just as you would set aside time to read a book.

For more resources on how to support your child’s Physical Literacy journey, visit physicalliteracy.ca, activeforlife.com, and sportforlife.ca.

Being physically active offers innumerable benefits to your child’s growth and development; benefits that will continue with them throughout their life and create opportunities rather than obstacles. Give your child the gift of movement - their journey starts with you.

Mairin is a Consultant for WordPLAY Consulting Ltd., wordplaycanada.com, a third-year Physical Literacy student at MRU, a sport and recreation educator, mother of three active children, and a lover of all things movement related. CCM

®

Bethel 23 l Jobs Daughters International® A girls leadership organization for ages 10-20

All levels • Non-competitive • Performance Division

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Class & Program Directory Extracurricular classes and programs for every age and interest!

- INCLUSIVE. Able to accommodate a wide variety of social, developmental, mental and emotional delays, disorders and differences.

- ACCESSIBLE. Able to be accessed and fully enjoyed by people with a wide variety of mobility and motor challenges.

ANIMALS & NATURE CALGARY HUMANE SOCIETY Phone: 403-205-4455 Website: calgaryhumane.ca CALGARY REPTILE PARTIES Phone: 403-457-2202 Email: reptile.party@hotmail.com Website: calgaryreptileparties.com Since 2008, Calgary Reptile Parties has provided quality educational reptile programming for birthday parties, events, schools, summer camps, and more. Celebrating 13 years of quality nature education.

CALGARY YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE Phone: 403-242-7118, Ext. 1 Email: cypt@cypt.ca Website: cypt.ca Calgary Young People’s Theatre is proud to present our exciting lineup of Fall and Winter Drama Classes for youth ages 4 to 17!

VIN GOGH PAINT SIP STUDIO 7160 Fisher Street SE Phone: 403-475-4644 Email: info@vingogh.ca Website: vingogh.ca Vin Gogh Paint Sip Studio is for creating and connecting.

We offer birthday parties for all ages, date night, girls night out, fundraisers, team building, and more.

CREATIVE EXPRESSION DANCE ACADEMY Phone: 403-809-6931 Website: creative-expression.ca FREE HOUSE DANCE PLUS LTD. Phone: 403-282-0555 Email: fhdp@telusplanet.net Website: freehousedance.com Dance is Serious Fun at Free House Dance Plus where we welcome, engage, and inspire all ages - kids, teens, and adults.

CITY OF CALGARY PARKS NATURE PROGRAMS Phone: 311 Website: calgary.ca/csps/parks/programs/ program-guide.html YYC NATURE & EDUCATION CENTRE Phone: 403-457-2202 Email: yycnaturecentre@gmail.com Website: yycnaturecentre.com Calgary’s newest nature experience. Meet reptiles, birds, mammals, and more - coming soon!

ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS 220, 9 Avenue SE Phone: 403-294-7402

in a fun, engaging class atmosphere. Classes start from ages 2.5 years in our Storybook Ballet Class.

COUNTERPOINT DANCE Phone: 403-201-5519 Website: counterpointdancemarda.com

CALGARY ZOO 210 St. George’s Drive NE Phone: 403-232-9300 Website: calgaryzoo.com The Calgary Zoo hosts a variety of family- and kidfriendly programs including camps, birthdays, and school programs.

ART, DANCE & THEATRE

Email: tickets@atplive.com Website: albertatheatreprojects.com

GREEN FOOLS THEATRE SOCIETY Phone: 403-273-9010 Email: marketing@greenfools.com Website: greenfools.com/kids-classes Green Fools Beginner Circus and Aerial Classes introduce youth to a variety of circus skills. Students will receive plenty of one-on-one coaching.

H/W SCHOOL OF BALLET Phone: 403-474-0818 Email: info@hwballet.com Website: hwballet.com Share the joy of dance through full-day programming

WP PUPPET THEATRE Phone: 403-228-3373 Email: admin@wppuppet.com Website: wppuppet.com WP Puppet Theatre is online! Thoughtful curriculumlinked workshops for kindergarten to Grade 12 students, patterns, supply kits, one-on-one video feedback, and more. Check out our program, “VIEW from the Inside,” supporting mental health and wellness. Affordable introductory prices. Fun and creative projects and programs for all ages.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS BETHEL 23 JOB’S DAUGHTERS Phone: 403-807-3831 Website: bethel23yyc.com We help girls grow and learn life skills, such as leadership, teamwork, community service, public speaking, and selfconfidence in a supportive environment and become leaders of tomorrow.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CALGARY Phone: 403-276-9981 Email: info@bgcc.ab.ca Website: boysandgirlsclubsofcalgary.ca Since 1939, Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary has been Class & Program Directory – Continued on next page

Register For Music Lessons Today.

Pia no, rums , Guit a r, D St rings & m o re !

Why Choose Long & McQuade?

Music lessons for all ages, stages, and styles.

Professional instructors make learning fun.

Convenient lesson times for busy families.

No registration fees. Affordable instrument rentals.

ONLINE AND IN-STUDIO LESSONS AVAILABLE. 225 58 Ave. SE • (403) 252-8506 • calgarychinooklessons@long-mcquade.com 3404 5 Ave. NE • (587) 296-6648 • calgaryeastlessons@long-mcquade.com 10 Royal Vista Dr. NW • (587) 794-3196 • calgaryroyalvistalessons@long-mcquade.com WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 25

class & program

SEE FU listings in LL the CL ASS & PROGRA M GU at calgar IDE yschild.co m

class & program

Class & Program Directory – Continued from previous page

transforming the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and families with programs and services designed to meet the evolving needs of our community.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CALGARY Phone: 403-735-1022 Email: info@specialolympicscalgary.ca Website: specialolympicscalgary.ca Special Olympics Calgary is committed to enriching the lives of Calgarians with an intellectual disability through sport.

MUSIC CALGARY CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-210-3499 Website: calgarychildrenschoir.com CALGARY GIRLS CHOIR (CGC) Phone: 403-686-7444 Email: office@calgarygirlschoir.com Website: calgarygirlschoir.com Are you born to sing? Join us and sing your heart out! Giving young women a voice since 1995, the Calgary Girls Choir is an award-winning choral program dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women (ages 5 and up) through music.

CANTARÉ CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-685-1132 Email: catherine@cantarechildrenschoir.org Website: cantarechildrenschoir.org Come sing with us… More than music… a place to be you! Come sing with the Cantaré Children’s Choir! Boys and girls aged 6 to 18.

CHINOOK SCHOOL OF MUSIC (CSM) Phone: 403-246-8446 Email: info@chinookschoolofmusic.com Website: chinookschoolofmusic.com Private Lessons: At CSM, students of all ages enjoy lessons in studio, online, and in home settings. Music Kids for Early Childhood: Music Kids is Chinook School of Music’s early childhood music program for ages 6 months to 5 years.

KEYBOARD ACADEMY OF MUSIC South Studio: B, 8411 Elbow Drive SW Phone: 403-255-0010 North Studio: 203, 4803 Centre Street NW Phone: 403-277-2987 Website: keyboardacademy.ca Music lessons for ages 5 and up. There are two locations offering piano, organ, keyboard, and accordion since 1979. Popular, classical, and theory programs with exam preparation from qualified teachers. Private and semiprivate classes.

26 • Find us on

KODÁLY MUSIC EXPLORERS - CANTARÉ CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-685-1132 Email: office@cantarechildrenschoir.org Website: cantarechildrenschoir.org Kodály Music Explorers program for children ages 3 to 7 offers a fun-filled approach to your child’s music development.

LISA GRAHAM MUSIC Phone: 403-862-9232 Email: lisa@lisagraham.ca Website: lisagraham.ca Flute lessons are a great way to develop musical skills at any age. Lessons are available in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute slots.

LONG & MCQUADE MUSIC LESSON CENTRES Calgary Chinook: 225, 58 Avenue SE Phone: 403-252-8506 Email: calgarychinooklessons@long-mcquade.com Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons/Alberta/Calgary Calgary East: 3404, 5 Avenue NE Phone: 587-296-6648 Email: calgaryeastlessons@long-mcquade.com Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons/Alberta/Calgary_East Calgary Royal Vista: 10 Royal Vista Drive NW Phone: 587-794-3196 Email: calgaryroyalvistalessons@long-mcquade.com Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons/Alberta/ Calgary_North Music lessons for every age, level, and style. At Long & McQuade, we believe every person is capable of acquiring the skills and knowledge required to make playing a musical instrument a rewarding activity.

MISS TWEETIE’S MUSIC IN NATURE - GUIDED HARMONIES Phone: 403-921-5829 Email: misstweetie@musicinnature.com Website: musicinnature.com Combining music and nature to stimulate your child’s brain development while learning the fundamentals of music!

MUSICA ACADEMY YAMAHA SCHOOL LTD. Two Locations Phone (Northwest): 403-681-3117 Phone (Southwest): 403-619-9990 Email: info@musicaacademy.com Website: musicaacademy.com Musica Academy Yamaha School connects people through making music together in Group lessons.

VIOLINO SCHOOL OF MUSIC FOR GIFTED YOUTH Phone (text): 403-836-6403 Email: violino@shaw.ca Dr. Chrysanthema Pashunkova, Violinist, RMT Artistic Director/Owner. Specialized in teaching children as young as 4 and up.

YOUTH SINGERS OF CALGARY (YSC) Phone: 403-234-9549 Email: yscadmin@youthsingers.org Website: youthsingers.org Sing! Dance! Act! Youth Singers of Calgary (YSC) is a vibrant performing arts company and an exceptional education program that encompasses singing, dancing, and theatre arts for ages 3.5 to adult.

INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING FOOTHILLS ACADEMY - COMMUNITY SERVICES Phone: 403-270-9400 Email: intake@foothillsacademy.org Website: foothillsacademy.org Open year-round to the general community, we offer a variety of programs and services for children and teens affected by Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD in Calgary and beyond.

RUNDLE COLLEGE & RUNDLE ACADEMY W.J. Collett School (kindergarten to Grade 6): 7615, 17 Avenue SW Phone: 403-282-8411 Email: collegeadmissions@rundle.ab.ca R.C. Conklin School (Grades 7 to 12): 7375, 17 Avenue SW Phone: 403-250-7180 Rundle Academy (Grades 4 to 12 Learning Disability Program): 4330, 16 Street SW Phone: 403-250-2965 Website: rundle.ab.ca Rundle College offers an independent, coeducational day school experience for students in kindergarten to Grade 12. Rundle Academy is part of Rundle College and offers a learning disability program for students in Grades 4 to 12.

SPORTS & RECREATION CITY OF CALGARY RECREATION Various Locations Phone: 403-268-3800 Website: calgary.ca/register It’s time to get out and have fun again! With a variety of

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MASTER RIM’S TAEKWONDO 1102, 288 St. Moritz Drive SW Phone: 1-844-342-1998 Email: masterrimtkd@gmail.com Website: masterrim.com Master Rim’s Taekwondo is the leading provider of Martial Arts in Alberta with world-renowned instructors and programs.

PAPERNY FAMILY JCC Phone: 403-253-8600 Website: calgaryjcc.com Everyone is welcome at the Paperny Family JCC where we offer programs for the entire family!

REPSOL SPORT CENTRE Phone: 403-233-8393 Email: info@repsolsport.com Website: repsolsportcentre.force.com/#/app/dashboard Keep the kids active in the pool with group swim lessons starting at 4 months or check out private lessons offering a more customized approach.

Miss Tweetie’s Music in Nature musicinnature.com

Unique to Calgary, Music in Nature is an innovative outdoor music program for children ages five and under. Classes run year-round at select outdoor locations providing a fun and adventurous experience which combines music, nature, and imagination to stimulate cognitive development. Children learn the fundamentals of music using items such as rocks, leaves, and sticks while exploring features such as hills, bridges, and riverbanks. Miss Tweetie is an early childhood music specialist who created the popular Music Kids at Chinook School of Music. She is passionate about teaching children that the outdoors is fun in all kinds of weather. For optimal flexibility, families can buy passes for single or multiple children that are valid for a year from purchase. Let your children run wild in the wilderness while building their brain power!

Online or in person lessons.

(Pending COVID restrictions and student/teacher comfort)

Customized lesson content.

Solo & group performance opportunities.

lisa@lisagraham.ca 403-862-9232

lisagraham.ca

TRICO CENTRE FOR FAMILY WELLNESS 11150 Bonaventure Drive SE Phone: 403-278-7542 Email: guestservices@tricocentre.ca Website: tricocentre.ca We offer day camps and swim lessons over the holidays, child and youth art, sports, and activity programs, and flexible Mommy & Me classes all year long for you and your little one.

Lessons Camps Instruments

YMCA CALGARY Website: ymcacalgary.org We’re excited to welcome you back! YMCA Calgary has seven health and wellness facilities, six child development centres with licensed child care, two outdoor camp sites, and over 60 community program sites serving all quadrants of the city.

Yamaha Music School

Call

All ages & skill levels In-person & online

403.681.3117

www.MusicaAcademy.com

This listing is provided for your reference only. Please research carefully and choose the company that meets your family’s needs best. CCM

Piano, Voice, Guitar, Violin, Ukulele, Drums, Cello, Flute, Sax, Theory, Clarinet, Music Production +

MAKING THE MUSIC IN YOUR LIFE A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL

Private flute lessons.

SPRAY LAKE SAWMILLS FAMILY SPORTS CENTRE 800 Griffin Road E, Cochrane, AB Phone: 403-932-1635 Website: slsfamilysportscentre.com With 350,000 square feet of space and over 15,000 weekly users, the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC) is a tremendous facility for all members of the community and surrounding area.

Music Lessons

Lisa Graham

SW / NW Locations

MUSIC KIDS! Ages 6 months - 5 Years Instrument play, movement, & musical fun!

Monday to Saturday classes Siblings classes available

Winter Group Classes All Ages!

Musical Theatre Beginner Guitar, Violin or Ukulele + Adult Programs

www.chinookschoolofmusic.com 403-246-8446 WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 27

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*Spots Now Available* Junior Program Ages 2.5 & up Ballet & Contemporary Programs Fun and Engaging Atmosphere

4 0 3 . 4 7 4 . 0 8 1 8 • I N F O @ H W B A L L E T. C O M • W W W. H W B A L L E T. C O M C U R R I E B A R R A C K S • 2 6 3 3 H O C H WA L D AV E . S .W. C A L G A R Y

Rundle Music School A place to connect with music!

Ages 5+ and all abilities welcome One-on-one, personalized lessons Piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, brass, flute, voice

OPEN TO THE CALGARY COMMUNITY 28 • Find us on

rundle.ab.ca/ music-school

class & program

how to juggle extracurricular activities in a large family Strategize your time

By Sarah Lyons School mornings are busy, but an experienced parent knows the real rush is after school when evenings are packed with their kids’ extracurricular activities. One child has Scouts, another has piano lessons, and two have soccer practice on opposite sides of town. As a mom of six, I have survived busy weeks full of extracurricular activities and a calendar that can only be described as ‘complicated.’

Whether you have two or six kids, here are some tips from a parent with a busy, large family: Limit activities. The best way to keep your calendar from getting too full is not to fill it up. Try cutting back on the activities you allow each child in your family to sign up for. Time at practice can be reduced by allowing your kids one sport per season. However, sports aren’t the only activities that can take up a lot of time. Extracurriculars

“If your family is constantly on the go, you need to protect your downtime. Time for rest and relaxation is necessary to recharge and reconnect.” like theatre, music, and dance, for example, can also fill up a lot of your free time. If your child has interests in both sports and the arts, try allowing one sport and one other activity at a time. Limiting activities will leave more room for leisurely time and rest at home.

Tag team. When kids’ activities conflict in schedule, split up the time. Have your partner take a child to the

birthday party, while you attend the other child’s hockey game. Use the help of others, particularly for practices and rehearsals. Set up a carpool with other families and take turns giving kids rides to and from practices/ rehearsals to limit your time spent in the car. Don’t feel guilty if you cannot be at every single event. If you miss one, attend next time. Your children will not remember whether you were at every game, but they will remember that you made the effort to be at every game.

Command centre. A carefully maintained family calendar is key to keeping everyone organized and where they need to be on time. Some families like to have a large calendar in a central location in their home, like a command centre. Others may like to use apps to track everyone’s comings and goings. Through trial and error, you will find out what method works best for your family.

The important part is your family calendar is accurate and up to date.

Protect your downtime. If your family is constantly on the go, you need to protect your downtime. Time for rest and relaxation is necessary to recharge and reconnect.

You may find it helpful to schedule family time on the master calendar, so the downtime you have scheduled doesn’t get filled up with other activities.

Plan. Once you have your activities limited and your family calendar set, the best way to survive the busiest days is to plan as much as possible. For busy nights, plan easy, on-the-go meals and snacks. Freezer meals, crock-pot recipes, and simple weeknight dinners that are prepped and prepared ahead of time will save you a lot of worry about getting your family properly fed and to practice on time. Pack as many items as possible the night before so you are not rushing around at the last minute trying to locate shoes, uniforms, and sports gear.

There are many benefits to your children participating in extracurricular activities but overdoing it can cancel out many of those benefits. Choose activities your children enjoy participating in and make sure there is still time to enjoy doing things together outside of those activities.

Sarah is a full-time mom to six and a part-time freelance writer who has learned to balance her time wisely. CCM

Calgary ’s

NEWEDEUSCTATION

ANIMAL erience!

E xp

403-457-2202 gmail.com yycnaturecentre@

yycnaturecentre.c

om

REGISTER NOW FOR WINTER PROGRAMS! › PD Camps › Swim Lessons › Active Living Programs PLUS, register for Spring Break Camps too!

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 29

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how outdoor programs can help build connection and better health The need for nature

By Sarah Reader Contact with nature is essential in our day-to-day lives.

It connects us to ourselves and each other and increases our physical and emotional health; our overall personal and social development is dependent on contact with nature. “Canadians experience adversity when they disconnect from nature because, as a species, humans quite simply cannot thrive in a built environment. We need contact and interaction with nature - period.”

Canadian Parks Council In 2015, the Oxford Junior Dictionary removed 50 nature words from its publication, such as beaver, acorn, lark, mussel, otter, magpie, and heron, and added more modern words, such as blog, chat room, cut and paste, and broadband. This shows more evidence of a continued trend of people, especially children, spending less time out in their natural world. The literature suggests that unstructured outdoor play, with its inherent risks, is essential for childhood education and development. Despite this, children are spending less time participating in outdoor play than ever before. Their days are filling up with scheduled, structured, indoor, sedentary activities, and because of this decline in natural

play, we are seeing a decline in children’s wellbeing.

Obesity rates, anti-social behavior, vitamin D deficiency, depression, vision problems, and rates of behaviormodifying drugs in children are on the rise.

So, what can we do about it? Get our kids back outside!

When we move children to outdoor programs, they display enhanced observational skills, improved concentration (especially those with attention deficit

“Access to nature facilitates social development, connection and wellbeing, supports innovation and imaginative play, and inspires collaborative play.”

disorder), greater recovery from cognitive fatigue, and improved fine motor skills. Children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green spaces, there is an immediate calming effect, and a reduction in aggressive or bullying behavior. Access to nature facilitates social development, connection and wellbeing, supports innovation and imaginative play, and inspires collaborative play. Research has shown that children who spend regular time outdoors are more creative, better problem solvers, have improved focus, are more resilient, disciplined, and better at handling stress later in life.

When kids are free to play in nature, they engage all their senses - it provides an incredibly rich learning environment that can never be replicated in an indoor, structured setting. Natural spaces are dynamic, changing, complex places to explore, create, and learn that can’t be mimicked by a built environment. Being outdoors helps build compassion, kindness, improves social bonds and relationships, and allows children to feel lighter and happier. After 18 months of Covid, uncertainty, and isolation, children are desperate for connection, and the natural world provides a fantastic, safe way to do this.

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class & program

We know that when kids are outside, they move more, sit less, and play longer. When children engage with and learn about nature, they begin to love and appreciate it.

It’s hard to create young champions for our natural world when kids have no experience with it. Nature is hands-on - playing in the dirt, building forts, climbing trees, examining bugs - and offers stimulation for the mind and senses for much longer than static play structures.

Programs that offer unstructured, outdoor play are particularly beneficial because kids can direct their own play; they can imagine and create the way they wish.

When you are looking for an outdoor program for your child, look at what kind of natural environment the program offers. Are there lots of trees or shrubs? Are there

places for the children in the program to engage with risky play: heights, hide-a-way spots? Is there a difference in terrain: sand, gravel, grass, hills? Do they have loose parts, either natural or synthetic, for the kids to play with that can spark their imaginations? The more diverse the environment, the more engaging it can be. Is there time during the program for children to engage in free play, time to explore and get curious about their natural world?

Also, look at the type of training and experience the staff have: play training, nature-based learning, forest school training, etc. Outdoor programs, particularly unstructured, are vastly different than your traditional indoor program; it takes particular skills to help engage and inspire but not lead the children in play and offer them an opportunity to encounter and overcome healthy risks.

If I were to ask you to think back to your most fond play memory as a child, chances are it would have been outdoors, with your peers, away from the rules and guidance of adults. Children today aren’t being offered the opportunity to freely play and explore their natural world as the generations before them, and we are seeing this manifest in their declining health. By keeping kids inside, we are risking their cognitive and emotional development. Let’s get back outdoors, for our children’s health, our health, and our planet’s health.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta and was the supervisor for The City of Calgary’s Mobile Adventure Playground. As the owner of Playful Adventures (IG: @playfuladventures), she is passionate about bringing back unstructured, loose parts, outdoor play. Reach her at hello@ playfuladventures.ca. CCM

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class & program

drawing on the go The key to introducing art to your child is to start small and keep the process simple

By Shannon King Let’s face it, life gets hectic, so the idea of setting up an elaborate art space for your child seems like a lot of work - not to mention a lot of housecleaning (plus a lot of colored markers without lids strewn dangerously close to your white walls!). Don’t worry, I’m not here to detail how to build a state-of-the-art (pun intended) art space for your child. I am here to provide you with tips that are no fuss, no muss! The key to introducing art to your child is to start small and keep the process simple.

I have found a way to keep almost any child engaged in drawing activities, at any location, for any length of time. I call it the ‘Drawing on the Go’ purse pack. I keep a drawing pad and a marker in my handbag (and if you have no desire to keep permanent markers in your designer purse, I understand). Note: I have also improvised on a restaurant napkin with an eyeliner pencil… yes, anything is possible! This is not an innovative idea, it is like “Pictionary” - minus the big price tag.

The key takeaway here is that your young artist needs to know they do not require a perfectly set up art space to create great, fun drawings. This activity is for any age and any ability. The process is simple: 1. Pick a topic. Ask your child to share a favorite thing of theirs (e.g., a sport, an activity, a place, or an animal).

2. Pick a marker (if you have more than one color).

3. Decide who goes first and draw something associated with the topic. If the topic is firetrucks, you might draw a house on fire, a fire hose, a fire hat, a fire hydrant with water gushing out, etc.

4. The goal is to guess what is being drawn before the drawing is finished. This process keeps the dialogue going. It can also give you and your child ideas for the next drawing!

5. Take turns drawing until the page is full. If you are competitive, you could make up a points system and play until one of you reaches 10.

This fun drawing game has helped beat the boredom in many doctor’s offices, hockey rinks, restaurants, etc., when the kids start to become impatient (it can also draw a big crowd when guesses are flying around).

Other variations of this activity include sidewalk chalk or drawing in the sand with a stick. The key is to keep it

simple with minimal art supplies. On a camping trip, I used an empty Tim Hortons cup when I did not have anything else to draw on. Try it for yourself, it might result in you and your kid laughing, engaging in good conversation, and enjoying time together sans screens.

KEY TIPS Be vulnerable. Show your child that you are willing to try to draw something outside your comfort zone, like a Dalmatian wearing a fire hat and boots.

Make it fun. Make silly guesses and be prepared to hear silly guesses. Young kids typically like to guess that everything is about farting (who knew?).

Build confidence. Avoid generic comments like, “Great drawing!” Instead, consider being specific about what you see in your child’s drawing, “I love how friendly the Dalmatian looks.”

“A young artist’s confidence to create art is not built by succeeding every time, it is built by ensuring there is a safe place to experiment.“ Encourage creative questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your child creative questions that stretch their imagination, “Where do you think the Dalmatian found boots that fit perfectly?”

Be curious. You might be surprised by what your child chooses to draw. In my experience, often children will draw things during this game that reveal topics they might want to discuss.

Take it one step further. This game is a type of visual word-association game. Take the opportunity to mythbust or redirect and discuss some early stereotypes that might emerge; drawing a female firefighter will encourage new conversation.

A young artist’s confidence to create art is not built by succeeding every time, it is built by ensuring there is a safe place to experiment. ‘Drawing on the Go’/’Art on the Go’ is a great way to experiment with drawing many things in a short time frame, without fancy art supplies.

It is also a cool way to make memories in boring places, without relying on Wi-Fi. Shannon has been creating and selling art since she was 13.

She has been coaching and mentoring pre-teens in her gallery to encourage and build confidence outside the traditional classroom. Check out her online gallery, Whiskey Jack Gallery, at shannoncarlaking.com. CCM

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ages & stages

making parent friends You need a village, too

By Ashlee Ellerbruch, M.C., R. Psych., and Lisa Kaldenbach, M.A., R. Psych.

How does the saying go? “It takes a village to raise a child.” Pandemic parenting has led to smaller villages and an appreciation for the parenthood communities we were used to surrounding ourselves with. You may be feeling isolated or alone, but how do you seek out new friendships?

Gone are the days when you were in school, participating in sports and going to after-school activities where you were exposed to other kids. Making friends was easier back then! Now, as a parent, you may not be participating in as many social events or activities, but there’s still plenty of ways you can put yourself out there and connect with other parents.

Vulnerability and honesty parenting is a tough job.

In many ways, everyone is working on raising a family who is kind, empathetic, confident, and curious, all while taking care of themselves, managing a household, and for some, working outside of the home. When connecting and looking for other parents to befriend, there is a certain vulnerability and honesty you need to embrace. Social media, forums, and special interest groups are embracing the imperfections and messiness of parenthood, which leaves space for you to share your own struggles and experiences. By sharing with others, you open the door to connect, empathize, validate, and build relationships.

Read on for some of the different avenues for seeking out parent friends. As you explore these options, engage from a place of honesty, vulnerability, and openness: Social media (good old social media!). An easy way to reach out from the comfort of your home and into the lives of others! From seeing the activities people are doing to the experiences they are living to the food they are making, the wonderful thing about social media is you can find any niche interest group. Are you a mom in Calgary? Join a local moms’ group! Are you looking for ways to use up all that sourdough starter you made at the beginning of the pandemic? There’s a group for that! Looking for ways to better utilize screen time in your house? Yup, there are parents out there talking about that! Through social media, parent friendships can be built with group members all over the world, and although your ‘get-togethers’ are digital, these relationships can fulfill the need to feel connected, inspired, heard, and validated. Plus, by engaging in

special interest or hobby groups, you can expand your relationships to be based on some of your own interests, which is a wonderful form of self-care.

School or daycare. You know that parent who shows up at pick-up every day at the same time as you? Maybe it’s time to move past the cordial smile, head nod, and strike up a conversation! Ask the teachers in your child’s classroom or daycare to keep an eye out for another child that your child connects with, then offer to share your contact information with that parent. Most of the time, parents are standing around waiting for their child anyways, so why not open up a dialogue with a classic, “Yikes! It’s cold out today!” or, “I wonder what’s taking so long for the kids to come out.” Not every connection with every parent will be a winning combination, but it never hurts to engage in a conversation or try a fun playdate with a new parent and child that your child is familiar with.

Local parenting groups. In Calgary, there are amazing programs run by several great organizations. Some are starting back up in person again, while others are hosted online, so there is something for everyone. Check out offerings at your local library, organizations like Families Matter, PACT, and YW Calgary, register for local parent-and-tot swim classes if you have a younger child, or drop in at a play group at your community centre.

These groups not only offer opportunities for friendship,

but you may also learn some tips and tricks, parenting strategies, new songs, and more!

If you are at a playground or play place, let your kid lead the conversation. Kids are great at breaking the ice with other children, and once they are chatting and playing together, you can wander over to their parent and strike up a conversation. Make a joke, make a positive comment about the kids - find an easy way to break the ice. If you are at a playground or play place in your neighborhood, you might be able to find some new friends on home turf!

Making friends as an adult and parent may feel like an extremely awkward dating game, but we promise, other parents are out there noticing you and wondering how to break the ice, too. Offer up a compliment, throw out a joke, chuckle together as you watch your kids interacting with each other. We all are looking for people to add to our villages, and while it will take a little time and effort (and maybe a few failed attempts), there are other parents out there who might be the friend, support, and parenting partner in crime you have been searching for!

Ashlee and Lisa are child psychologists who created KidsConnectPsychology as a place for children and families to access tools, supports, and therapy. For digital downloads, parenting tool kits, information about parent counselling, school consultations, daycare consultations, and more, visit kidsconnectpsychology.com.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram @KidsConnectPsychology. CCM

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 33

ages & stages

keeping our littlest passengers safe on the road Using child restraints properly saves lives

By Lindsay Gallimore, carseatcubs.ca As an advocate for car seat safety and a recently trained Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), I was honored to be chosen by the Government of Alberta to help parents keep our littlest Albertans safe on the road.

You can keep your little ones safe by learning the law and current best practices.

Alberta Motor Vehicle Law: • Alberta law requires that all occupants travelling in a motor vehicle use a seat belt or child safety device that is properly worn and adjusted.

The fine for not using a seat belt or a child safety • seat is $155.

• It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 16 years of age are in an appropriate child restraint or are using their seat belt correctly - failure to do so can result in a fine for each unrestrained passenger.

• All children under 18 kilograms (40 pounds) or under the age of six must use an appropriate child restraint in a motor vehicle.

Respecting the law means following your child restraint and vehicle manuals Just because your child is wearing a seat belt or is strapped into a seat doesn’t mean you are respecting the law. Alberta law stipulates proper use. All car seats have age, weight, and height requirements, as well as specifications for correct installation and usage. All motor vehicles stipulate the correct fit for a seat belt, in the absence of which a child should use a booster.

All vehicle user manuals and safety labels warn that passengers under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat.

STAGE 1: Rear-facing seats. Rear-facing seats should be used at a minimum until a child is one and at least 10 kilograms (22 pounds); this is the bare minimum. Many child restraint manufacturers have stricter requirements, including an age minimum of two years and higher weight minimums. There is no reason to ‘graduate’ your child from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat because they turn one; riding rear-facing provides extra protection and having their legs bent in front of them does not put them at risk.

CPSTs and the American Pediatric Association recommend that children ride rear-facing until at least age two, and you can continue to rear-face your child until they have outgrown the height and weight limits of their rear-facing seat.

STAGE 2: Forward-facing seats. Forward-facing seats with a five-point harness can be used until your child reaches the height or weight maximum set out by the manufacturer. The maximum weight for seats sold in Canada is 29 kilograms (65 pounds) but check your specific seat as some have lower limits. Remember, you are required by law to tether your forward-facing seats in your vehicle.

Your child should remain in their forward-facing seat until they are at least 18 kilograms (40 pounds) and have reached the maturity level required for using a booster seat (typically in the range of five- to seven-years-old).

STAGE 3: Booster seats. Booster seats ensure the adult seat belt is positioned over the strongest bones in 34 • Find us on

“Children are typically between the ages of nine and 11 when they fit an adult seat belt properly, but this will vary greatly from child to child and at times, vehicle to vehicle.” a child’s body; the lap belt lies across the hips rather than the soft and vulnerable abdomen, and the shoulder belt lies across the chest, preventing the upper body from moving forward on impact.

The most important factor in deciding to put your child in a booster seat - once the height, weight, and age minimums of the chosen seat are met - is their maturity.

Remember the part of Alberta law that stipulates “properly worn and adjusted”? A booster seat’s job is to make sure the seat belt is properly worn and adjusted on children too small to use the vehicle seat belt alone.

But this also requires the cooperation of the child.

Although many booster seats on the market specify an age minimum of four, the Government of Alberta and CPSTs recommend booster seats for children six and up.

This is because the child must be responsible enough to sit properly in their booster seat for the entire ride: no leaning forward, no reaching down to the floor, no tucking their shoulder belt behind them, no randomly deciding to unbuckle the booster seat.

A great tip for helping your reluctant older child accept a booster seat is to choose a seat that transforms from a high-back booster to a low-back booster. Hopefully, when your child starts to feel ‘too old’ for a car seat, transforming their seat into a more subtle, low-back booster will help. There are also discreet low-back boosters on the market designed to keep bigger kids safe and happy.

STAGE 4: Adult seat belt. The key to deciding if a child can sit safely with an adult seat belt is not so much age, but size. The child needs to fit the adult seat belt in order to be protected.

Proper seat belt fit is assessed with these criteria: • The child is at least 145 centimetres (4 feet, 9 inches) tall.

• The child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat when sitting all the way back.

• The lap belt stays low and snug across the child’s hip bones.

• The shoulder belt crosses the chest and stays between the child’s neck and shoulder.

• The child can sit like this for the whole trip without slouching.

Children are typically between the ages of nine and 11 when they fit an adult seat belt properly, but this will vary greatly from child to child and at times, vehicle to vehicle.

Using a child restraint or a seat belt correctly saves lives: • Without a properly used booster seat, a child is three-and-a-half times more likely to suffer significant injury in a collision.

Unrestrained occupants put everyone in the • vehicle at risk of a collision.

• Unrestrained occupants can be ejected from the vehicle and onto the road or can collide with other vehicles or guardrails.

• Remember, following a collision, child restraints need to be replaced.

• Be cautious when purchasing a second-hand child restraint.

• Remember to check the expiry date on your child restraints and register these products with the manufacturer to keep informed of any recalls.

If you have questions about your child restraints, don’t hesitate to reach out to a CPST certified by the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada.

Lindsay is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and provides in-person installation and education sessions, car seat test fittings, seminars, and more. Learn more at carseatcubs.ca. Service disponible en français. CCM

ages & stages

seven free breastfeeding resources in Calgary Help is close at hand

By Alison Pellegrini, NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank As a new parent, you will be experiencing many things for the first time. Among those things will be how to feed your baby. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months and nursing to two years and beyond is encouraged.

For many parents, breastfeeding may not come easy.

Both you and your baby are learning a new skill. Be patient with yourself - it takes time!

If you need extra support, here are several free Calgary resources available to help you in your breastfeeding journey: 1. La Leche League. Le Leche League Canada (LLLC) offers a prenatal breastfeeding class and virtual support meetings throughout the month. LLLC provides motherto-mother/parent-to-parent/peer support for pregnant women, new parents, and beyond. For more information, visit lllc.ca.

2. Riley Park Maternity Clinic. Riley Park Maternity Clinic is an excellent resource for new moms who need that extra boost of support on their breastfeeding journey. Not only do they offer free breastfeeding classes twice a month, but they also offer free private lactation consultation that is covered through Alberta Health Services. For more information, visit cfpcn.ca/services/ riley-park-maternity-clinic.

5. Well Fed. Well Fed Clinic, previously known as The Alex Breastfeeding Clinic, has a team of physicians dedicated to helping you with your breastfeeding journey.

All their services are covered through Alberta Health Services. For more information, visit wellfedclinic.com.

6. Healthy Parents, Healthy Children. Healthy Parents, Healthy Children is a great online resource with a plethora of information to support the new parent embarking on their journey of breastfeeding. With numerous pamphlets and information sheets available, you can usually find answers to your breastfeeding questions here if you don't need in-person support. For more information, visit healthyparentshealthychildren.ca/ im-a-parent/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding-basics.

“Both you and your baby are learning a new skill.

Be patient with yourself - it takes time! ”

7. NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank. NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank is an incredible resource for the expectant parent in their breastfeeding journey. Each month, they offer a free breastfeeding basics class run by the Executive Director, Jannette Festival. Jannette is a registered nurse (RN) and a lactation consultant (IBCLC) who began the milk bank back in 2012 to provide hospitals in Alberta and NICUs across the country a reliable source of donor human milk. Breastfeeding moms who would like to become donors can donate their excess milk to the milk bank, which is then pasteurized and provided to sick and fragile babies in need. Jannette offers a free breastfeeding basics class to all expectant parents. For more information, visit northernstarmilkbank.ca.

3. Westglen Medical Lactation Clinic. Westglen Medical Lactation Clinic is a full-service, physician-based clinic in southwest Calgary that offers free breastfeeding support. They can help with tongue-ties, latch issues, low/oversupply, and other problems that arise! For more information, visit westglenmedical.ca/lactation-clinic.

4. Circle Medical Breastfeeding Clinic. The Circle Medical Breastfeeding Clinic is a joint endeavor between Circle Medical and the South Calgary Primary Care Network to provide breastfeeding help to families in south Calgary. Patients are either referred by their family doctor or a nurse but can also call and book an appointment without a referral. For more information, visit circlemedical.ca/services/breastfeeding-clinic.

A loving, nurturing environment where your child’s imagination is stimulated through exploration and discovery.

3 and 4 yr old programs 1/2 day Jr. Kindergarten www.learningadventures.ca

When preparing for your new little love to arrive, check out some of the resources in this article to help you feel comfortable in your breastfeeding journey. When able, breastfeeding is an amazing way to bond with your baby and to help your child gain the best start in life through the nutrients found in your breastmilk. Remember, you and your baby are in this together and learning how to breastfeed will take time! There is a multitude of support in Calgary waiting to help you in your nursing journey.

NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank is Canada’s only community-based milk bank. Operating as a charitable organization, NorthernStar screens breastfeeding mothers, accepting donations of excess milk from approved donors to be pasteurized in their laboratory.

Milk is then dispensed to sick babies in hospitals and at home.

They believe, and science supports, that human milk is the best option, and all babies have the right to the life-saving nutrients of pasteurized donor human milk. For more information, call 403-475-6455, email contact@northernstarmilkbank.ca, or visit northernstarmilkbank.ca. CCM

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ages & stages

lying or pretending?

teaching your child to tell the truth The when and whys of lying

By Jan Pierce, M.Ed. etc., there are opportunities for you to notice and point out to your child who is telling the truth and who isn’t, “Oh, dear, that character is telling a lie.

What will happen now?” When your child tells the truth, compliment them or pat them on the back.

It’s important to applaud truth-telling.

Around age three, when children begin to understand their parents may not know what they did or didn’t do, your precious little angel may begin to tell you ‘big whoppers’: “Baby Jack made that mess” or, “I played with a dinosaur today and rode on its back.” Before you panic, thinking your child is destined for a life of crime, let’s look at why children lie, when children begin to lie, and how to teach children to tell the truth.

Why children lie Children tell lies for a variety of reasons: They’re afraid of getting into trouble, they’re seeking attention, they’re testing boundaries, or they’re enjoying a good story and haven’t yet learned the distinction between fantasy and real life.

If your child makes a big mess or breaks a family rule, they may be afraid of the consequences.

You need to discern whether their infraction was intentional or a normal childhood accident, like spilling a glass of milk. When you see your child’s lie was meant to cover up a normal accident, reassure your child that everyone makes mistakes and then work together to clean up the spill. If your child’s lie was meant to cover up breaking a family rule, set a consequence in line with the infraction, like forgoing play with a favorite toy for the day. Setting reasonable consequences builds trust yet reinforces the value of rules and truth-telling. When consequences involve physical punishment, your child is more likely to lie to avoid physical pain.

Some of your child’s lies are about pretending.

Wouldn’t it be fun to have an imaginary friend or fly to the moon and back? This is normal childhood behavior and part of your child’s growth and development. Young children are learning the difference between right and wrong and need the experience to tell the difference between truthfulness and lying. Plus, adults in their life read them stories filled with creativity, pretending, and magical acts, so kids need the experience and practice in separating fun, creative fantasy from everyday life.

When children begin to lie Around age three, children begin to experiment with telling fibs when their language is developed enough to express their thoughts clearly. They are experimenting with the line between fact and fantasy. They understand they may displease adults with some of their behavior and want to avoid getting into trouble.

From ages four to six, children can tell more sophisticated lies. However, when questioned about the circumstances, most children will eventually relent and tell the truth.

As children grow older, they learn they can tell a lie and not get caught. They’ve learned about how other people think, and they know when a fabrication is believable - that’s why it’s important for you to take the time to teach your child honesty as a family value starting from babyhood.

Whenever your child tells you an untruth, view it as a teachable moment. For example, if your child shares with you a creative idea as fact, “My doll says she is hungry now,” you have the opportunity to teach your child, “It

36 • Find us on

• Help children understand the difference between truth and fantasy. Enjoy fantasy tales with your child but talk about reality. “It would be fun if animals could talk, but it’s make-believe.”

• Tell your child you know they can do the right thing. Children need to hear praise and encouragement. Tell your child, “I know you can do the right thing” and, “I know you can make the right choices.”

• Talk about the importance of honesty. “When people don’t tell the truth, they feel bad. They may be worried or feel guilty. It’s better to tell the truth.”

“Young children are learning the difference between right and wrong and need the experience to tell the difference between truthfulness and lying.” would be fun if your doll could talk, wouldn’t it?” If your child makes a mess and they tell you a fib, “The dog spilled the juice,” you could say to your child, “It’s okay if you accidently spilled your juice. We all spill. Let’s clean up the mess together.”

When your child lies to cover up a broken family rule, “I didn’t hit my brother,” a fair, reasonable consequence should be imposed to set a boundary, “We don’t hit each other, and our family tells the truth.”

How to teach children truth-telling Everyday family life offers countless opportunities to mold and shape your child’s moral code.

Here are some ways to teach your child to be a truth-teller: • Be a good role model. You can talk about being honest, but if your child hears you tell a lie, they will know you don’t mean it. Even small fibs you tell your child are confusing to them because they are trying to navigate the rules of the family home.

• Notice and encourage whenever truth is told. In real-life situations and when watching TV, movies,

• Play games and do activities that promote honesty. Draw a card with a sentence written on it. Read it aloud for everyone to hear. Is it real-life or fantasy? Or role-play with puppets that either tell the truth or lie.

• Avoid tempting your child to lie. Explosive anger or asking, “Who did that?” will tempt your child to lie to avoid trouble. Whenever possible, stay calm and get to the bottom of the problem. You want your child to trust you enough to tell you the truth in the event they’re in a dangerous or abusive situation. Children must know it’s safe to admit a problem to an adult.

• Share childhood memories that help teach honesty.

Kids love to hear stories of their parents as young children. Tell them how you learned to tell the truth and resist lying. Share hard lessons learned.

• Read books that lead to discussion about truth and lies. We all know about the boy who cried wolf. Take the time to find stories that teach the importance of telling the truth. Some good children’s books about telling the truth are The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia McKissack, What Should Danny Do? School Day

by Ganit and Adir Levy, and Scout’s Honor: A Kid’s Book about Lying and Telling the Truth by Tiffany Obeng.

Of course, you want your child to thrive as a responsible citizen. You want them to be a person of character and moral goodness. Honesty is a character trait that takes some work to instill. It needs to be held up and valued in everyday life. And the value of creativity and fantasy has its place in life, but the difference between fantasy and reality needs to be taught. An occasional fib is a normal part of kids’ lives and for most kids, lying doesn’t become a habit. With patient teaching and understanding, your child will master truthfulness.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find her at janpierce.net. CCM

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Each of the boxes includes an easy-to-follow recipe and shopping list! Kids will gain a mindset of respectful understanding and appreciate that people have similarities and differences while learning life skills in the kitchen. For more information, visit eat2explore.com.

SUNFLOWER SENSORY KITS - Shop local! Creating fun and engaging sensory experiences for little learners, these lovingly crafted, high-quality sensory bins are themed to the season with plenty to touch, squish, scoop, and see. Want to build your own? Purchase fun sensory bin components for your own homemade creation. For more information, visit etsy.com/ca/shop/sunflowersensorybins.

LITTLE RED READING HOUSE’S GOOD BOOK BOX Curated by Calgary Reads and the Little Red Reading House in Inglewood, this limited edition box includes 10 educatorselected picture books with accompanying ‘recipe cards’ that extend the content of the book into further conversations and activities. Grab a box and watch your young reader grow into an avid reader! The books in this collection are picture books and are suitable for children ages four to eight, but can be enjoyed by children of all ages! For more information, visit littleredreading.house/shop.

DANDIES (VEGAN) PEPPERMINT MARSHMALLOWS - Air puffed to be light and fluffy and naturally-colored to be soft pink, these plant-based and vegan mini marshmallows embody the spirit of the season with the refreshing flavor and scent of natural peppermint. A perfect gift pick for kids and adults alike, the minty ‘mallows are made with no artificial flavors or colors, no corn syrup, no gelatin, and no gluten.

Dandies Peppermint Marshmallows will be available until January 2022 at select conventional and natural grocers across Canada in 142g packages. For more information, visit dandies.com/dandies-peppermint-marshmallows.

PASSION FOR GLASS WORKSHOPS - Christmas is just around the corner!

Why not give the gift of some time together?

Typically for beginners, Passion for Glass workshops are often your first introduction to glass.

Girls night, date night, or family night. Explore your own creativity and make something you’ll want to display! For more information, visit passionforglass.ca.

ALBERTA CARES PACKAGES BY EAT ALBERTA FIRST - The Eat Alberta First store features products from food artisans around the province. The Alberta Cares Packages Holiday Collection features three distinct choices: Holiday Morning Breakfast, Comfy Cozy, and North Pole Diet. Purchase a box now, and select a shipping or pick-up date through December - it couldn't be easier! For more information, visit albertafood-tours.myshopify.com.

THE HIDDEN GEM - The Hidden Gem has two fabulous markets located in Okotoks and Kensington in northwest Calgary. The Okotoks’ location is the area’s largest market housing an eclectic collection of over 80 local artisans, clothing designers, jewelry artists, artists, furniture makers, woodworkers, and more! In their new sister location, located in the Kensington shopping district, you’ll find many of the same wonderful local makers. Open yearlong, seven days a week.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ thehiddengemokotoks.

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contests WHEN THE WALLS TELL EXCITING STORIES!

LET'S GO CAMPING!

Wall Stories is a line of innovative wall decals that uses augmented reality (AR) to stir creativity and imaginative play. This is an interactive experience that will keep your kids engaged, entertained, and educated. The easy-to-apply wall decals bring characters and stories to life using its mobile app for larger-than-life fun! There are many ways to play, in any room of your choice: playroom, bedroom, classroom, doctor’s office, living room… The free Wall Stories app animates the characters and livens the room with the use of AR. In addition to the AR feature, there are three modes for every Wall Story: Story Mode, Game Mode, and Creative Mode. For more information and to purchase, visit wallstories.com. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook and Instagram @WallStoriesOfficial.

For your chance to win a PAW Patrol Wall Stories, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Wall Stories. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 3-in-1 On-the-Go Camper keeps exciting play going as your little camper grows from sitting up to engaging with busy activities, to walking and pushing along, to acting out imaginary camping adventures. This musical activity centre has three Smart Stages learning levels loaded with fun songs, sounds, lights, and phrases about letters, colors, counting and shapes, as well as over 10 removable play pieces to bring the pretend camping action to life. For more information and to purchase, visit walmart.ca.

For your chance to win the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 3-in-1 On-the-Go Camper, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Camper. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

NANIT: SUPPORTING THE PARENTING JOURNEY! The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System provides a realtime support system, bringing you closer to your child’s development. The Nanit Pro camera tracks your baby’s sleep, provides realtime breathing motion monitoring with sensor-free Breathing Wear, tracks growth with Smart Sheets, and captures amazing moments with the in-app Memories feature! For more information and to purchase this and other Nanit products, visit nanit.com/ca. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @GetNanit and Instagram @get_nanit.

For your chance to win a Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild. com and enter the code: Nanit. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

COMPLETELY GROSS BUT COMPLETELY AWESOME! The National Geographic Completely Gross Chemistry Set engages curiosity and exploration with 10 totally gross and totally fun experiments! Your kids will make boiled boogers, fill a jar of eyeballs, dissect a brain, and more! Plus, they’ll learn fascinating facts about anatomy, polymer science, phosphorescence, and chemical reactions. After they’ve completed all the experiments in the kit, the fun continues with the bonus experiment guide, which contains 10 additional experiments to try using common household items. For more information and to purchase, visit walmart.ca. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @nationalgeographickids.

For your chance to win a National Geographic Completely Gross Chemistry Set, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Gross. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

38 • Find us on

LOVE TO COOK! Kilne’s award-winning original knife set is now available in a threepiece version! This set comes with the three most versatile knives in the collection and an acacia wood magnetic strip so you can always have them within arm’s reach. The knife blades are crafted from high-grade steel forged in Germany, made to stay sharp for precision cutting. Full-tang solid steel gives strength and balance, while the handle and bolster provide a secure hold, even when wet. As with all Kilne products, this set comes with a lifetime guarantee.

For more information and to purchase, visit kilne.com.

Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook and Instagram @kilnecookware.

For your chance to win the Kilne Three-Piece Essential Knife Set, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Knives. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

LET’S GET COOKING! The Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer easily mixes everything from cookie and bread dough to cake batter and whipped cream. It has the same planetary mixing action as competitor stand mixers and provides complete bowl coverage for thorough, hands-free mixing. With a 300-watt motor, it can power through the thickest dough and is able to maintain constant speed.

The Stand Mixer comes with three versatile attachments, while its seven mixing speeds take you to go from slowly folding on low speed to whipping at top speed.

Also, the durable stainless steel four-quart bowl comes with a removable splatter shield. For more information

and to purchase, visit hamiltonbeach.ca/stand-mixeraqua-(63387). Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @HamiltonBeachCANADA and Instagram @hamiltonbeachca.

For your chance to win The Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Mixer. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

ESPRESSO & CAPPUCCINO MAKER Enjoy espresso drinks from the comfort of your home without waiting in line or over-paying. The Hamilton Beach® Espresso & Cappuccino Maker features a powerful 15-bar pump for cup after cup of rich espresso using ground coffee or premeasured soft espresso pods.

Use the frothing nozzle with adjustable steam control to perfectly steam or froth milk for a variety of authentic, café-quality beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

With two brew head spouts, you can brew two cups of flavorful espresso at once. Make multiple drinks before it’s time to refill the 50 oz. removable water reservoir, and unlike a steam machine, you can add water without turning the power off. For more information and to purchase, visit hamiltonbeach.ca/cappuccino-espressomaker-40715. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @HamiltonBeachCANADA and Instagram @hamiltonbeachca.

For your chance to win The Hamilton Beach® Espresso & Cappuccino Maker, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild. com and enter the code: Espresso. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

LET’S GO WILD! The Wild | Life provides outdoor adventures through a subscription service of outdoor gear and activities for children aged eight to 12.

Focused on three core pillars of leadership, independence, and resilience, there are a variety of subscription boxes and individual products, designed in alignment with the Canadian school curriculum. Each adventure kit comes with three to four pieces of high-quality outdoor equipment, three activity cards with over 10 hours of skill-building adventures, and games that can be done in the backyard or the backcountry. It also includes instructions and supplies for a wild craft to power up the imagination and hone new-found skills, as well as a custom enamel merit pin to celebrate these new adventures. For more information and to purchase, visit jointhewildlife.ca.

Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @jointhewildlife.ca and Instagram @thewildlifeca.

For your chance to win a Wild | Life Outdoor Adventures holiday box, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Wild Life. Entry deadline is February 1, 2022.

It’s time for our 2022 Parents’ Choice Awards!

What's the best festival in Calgary? What about the best Family Fun Location?

Vote ONLINE now for your favorites, and

YOU COULD WIN A TWO-NIGHT FAMILY WEEKEND GETAWAY from The Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Two Night Stay in a Suite with Breakfast in Colors Bistro and unlimited use of Oasis Waterpark.

(Subject to suite availability at time of booking, not redeemable on New Year’s Eve.)

TO CAST YOUR VOTE Visit our website at

calgaryschild.com and CLICK on the BALLOT!

Deadline to enter is December 31, 2021.

Please only vote once.

Please take a moment to vote so together we can recognize those businesses that truly make Calgary a wonderful place to live. Awards results will be published in our Chinook Edition, on stands in early February.

Divorce isn’t easy, but it’s a path to a new beginning.

Trust our experience, expertise and strength to guide you to the life you deserve.

Suite 1900, 639 5th Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 0M9 | Phone (587) 356-4342 | info@wellsfamilylaw.com | www.wellsfamilylaw.com WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 39

parent connection

recently separated or divorced? how to survive and thrive during the holidays Making adjustments to traditions can be challenging

By Kathleen Wells If you are recently separated or divorced, the thought of the holiday season can feel overwhelming and can be a daunting subject to approach with your estranged partner. From adjusting to a new holiday schedule, incorporating new traditions, juggling travel plans, and balancing newly blended families, it is no surprise that high levels of stress and conflict often arise this time of year. While there may be no perfect set of steps to follow in order to avoid stress and conflict, as every family is unique, there are several helpful tips you can use to ensure that the holiday season remains a positive one for you and your family.

“Listen to what suggestions your children may have about scheduling the holiday season, and above all, let your children know that you are there to support them during this new adjustment.”

Plan. Planning, let alone agreeing, to a holiday schedule can be a difficult, tedious task for any family. But by planning your family’s holiday schedule in advance, you will know when your children will be with you and when they will be with your estranged partner, thereby reducing the risk of unexpected surprises. Advanced planning for the holidays will allow you, your estranged partner, and your kids to better prepare and enjoy the time spent together rather than trying to accommodate last-minute schedule changes.

Flexibility. Most people have a favorite part or activity associated with the holidays. This means that when adjusting to spending the holidays in two or more

households, there will have to be compromise. It is important to have an open mind with respect to alternating schedules each year, as well as accommodating potential travel and/or activity plans.

Communication.

Communication plays a significant role in any successful co-parenting regime, especially during the holidays. Always engage in open and honest communication, keep all discussions positive and solution-focused, respond in a timely manner, and, if possible, try to have all communication in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

Discuss gifts. Avoid engaging in gift competition with your estranged partner, as this will only serve to increase conflict. Discuss your children’s gifts beforehand.

Set a budget, decide what gifts are appropriate and whether you are giving joint gifts or not.

New holiday traditions. Everyone in the family, including you, is in the process of adjusting to a new normal. Why not cease this opportunity and create new holiday traditions together? This helps everyone, especially the kids, move forward in a positive direction rather than focusing their energy on negative emotions that may be associated with your separation or divorce.

Reward yourself. Adjusting to this new chapter in your life can be a difficult, emotional process. Take a moment to reflect on the progress you have made and reward yourself with something you enjoy doing in your spare time, like reading a good book, meditating, enjoying the occasional glass of wine, etc. It is important for you to recognize and reward yourself for the steps you’ve made to date.

Your children come first. The most important tip is that your children come first! The holiday season is about

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ensuring your kids enjoy their time with both parents, regardless of the situation. Always leave your children out of any conflict associated with the separation or divorce, listen to what suggestions your children may have about scheduling the holiday season, and above all, let your children know that you are there to support them during this new adjustment.

The holidays are meant to be an enjoyable time of year, creating new memories with your loved ones. While it may seem difficult, try and follow these tips to make the most out of your holiday season!

If you have questions regarding parenting over the holiday season, contact Wells Family Law for a free consultation. Happy Holidays!

Kathleen Wells, founder of Wells Family Law, has been practicing family law for 20 years. Kathleen is committed to helping families find child-focused, creative, and caring solutions for separated and divorce families. Find Kathleen on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or call 587-356-4342. For more information about Wells Family Law Services, email info@wellsfamilylaw.com or visit wellsfamilylaw.com. CCM

C limbing

G ym

parent connection

is your child scared of Santa?

It’s totally normal!

By Gwen Randall-Young, R. Psych. remember being five years old waking my parents up on Christmas morning. My parents told me to go and see what Santa brought. I was afraid to go into the living room in case Santa was still there!)

Again, think about it: You teach your child not to talk to or go with a stranger. Your child can be reticent and hide behind you, even when a new friend comes over for a playdate. You accept this as normal and give your child time to become comfortable with their guest. The important thing here is to let your child take the lead. If you sense their discomfort or hesitation, let them know it is okay not to get close to Santa. They need to know that you understand and are not disappointed if they do not want to participate in the holiday photo with Santa Claus. If you want to help your child ‘get over’ their fear of Santa, a healthier approach is to allow your child to respond however they need to at each stage.

It may seem like a great idea and a fun thing to do to get your child’s photo taken with Santa Claus. Afterall, ‘tis the season to send photos of your precious little lovebug to close friends and family, right?

If your child is okay, not reacting to Santa by crying, screaming, or fussing, then it’s perfectly fine to capture your child’s holiday photo with the famous guy from the North Pole. However, be aware that things can go south quickly. Often, children are frightened of Santa Claus.

Think about it: Imagine being passed over to a stranger, and this person doesn’t resemble any other human being (who else sports a bright red jumpsuit and a big white beard on the daily?).

“The important thing here is to let your child take the lead. If you sense their discomfort or hesitation, let them know it is okay not to get close to Santa.”

If a stranger came into your home and held your child and then started screaming in fright, you would immediately take your child back into your arms to comfort and reassure them that they are safe; that is what you should do if your child has the same reaction to Santa Claus. Your child’s screaming indicates a child in terror - regardless of if it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Trying to distract your child or trying to make them smile for the camera is not a good idea, either. Yes, you know there is no present danger, and it is a fun holiday tradition, but that is not how your child is experiencing things. If your child fears Santa Claus, I recommend taking a cute picture of your baby at home wearing an adorable Santa hat instead.

Let’s break it down Every emotion or experience you have is recorded in your memory and stored in your subconscious mind.

We are biological animals and fear is a built-in survival mechanism.

Does the fear a little one has of monsters relate to frightening experiences they had earlier in life?

To children, monsters can represent fear, something unknown, powerlessness, a perceived threat, a lack of safety. This is what a frightened child of Santa Claus is feeling.

When your child is a little older, the same principle applies. Your child may not be feeling terror when snapping a pic with Santa Claus, but they may be feeling extremely uncomfortable at the prospect of walking away from you to sit on a stranger’s lap; this should always be a choice your child makes freely. It is not appropriate to coax your child toward Santa to take a photo or make your child feel bad about it. (I still

Teach your child the true meaning of Christmas Santa embodies the whole idea of the Christmas season as a time of caring, togetherness, and magic.

Santa is a loving, merry person who cares about children so much that he wants to deliver toys to children around the world.

Using Santa as a disciplinary measure or threat sends mixed messages to kids. If Santa was real, he would not hold back presents if a child did not eat their vegetables!

The notion that if you are good, you get presents and if you are bad, you get a lump of coal has a disturbing subtle message that a child is ‘bad.’ Many adults still carry that inner message that they are bad or unworthy.

In our country, most children are blessed with the basic needs of life: food, shelter, water, medical care. They do not have to experience war or displacement from their homes. It is important, especially at Christmas time, to model for your child the importance of doing something good that helps those less fortunate; the importance of giving, not receiving.

Gwen Randall-Young is an author and an award-winning psychologist. For permission to reprint this article or to obtain books, CDs, or MP3s, visit gwen.ca. For daily inspiration, follow her on Facebook @GwenRandallYoung. CCM

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 41

Education

46 School Transitions

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57 Education Options

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61 Learn-at-Home Options

education

what should you look for in a preschool?

How to pick the best program

By Maureen Khallad Every parent wants their child to be prepared and ready for school. However, some parents think that preschool is an unnecessary frill, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Preschool is about more than ABCs, numbers, and childcare. After almost two years of a global pandemic, preschoolers are in desperate need for interaction with other preschoolers. Thankfully, the Government of Alberta has recognized the importance of early childhood education and is offering subsidies on the same criteria as daycares.

All preschools are, and must be, licensed by the Province. Licensing inspection reports must be displayed at entry and must be available for you to read. This licence is extremely difficult to obtain, so you can be assured that the premises, the staff, and their program have been approved if the licence is displayed.

A comprehensive checklist for deciding on a preschool program for your child: • Your child’s interests and personality are the most important factors in deciding on a preschool. Does your child enjoy a busy environment with lots of children and toys to play with or does your child need a quieter environment with smaller numbers of children in a class?

• Try to match the program that best fits with your child’s personality. Trust your instincts about your child. In most instances, you will know if that program will be a good fit for your child.

• With Covid still a factor, open houses are or should be virtual for the next few months. Ask for a Zoom meeting with the teachers. Check their websites as most will have a visual tour of their classrooms, as well as reference letters from parents of children attending.

• Preschools and daycares have a minimum Covid protocol requirement. Ask if there have been outbreaks.

If there have been outbreaks, ask about date(s). Alberta Health Services will have inspected and cleared all programs that have had outbreaks for reopening.

• If you find a program that is a great fit for your child, but the timing isn’t quite convenient, try your best to find solutions to piece together before/aftercare for that one, 10-month period. In the grand scheme of

“After almost two years of a global pandemic, preschoolers are in desperate need for interaction with other preschoolers.” things, it may be stressful, but the sacrifices you make for a brief time may make all the difference in your child’s development and first experience in learning.

• Look at the facility location. Is it in the basement of a church, community centre, etc.? Are you hauling ‘baby buckets’ up and down stairs? What is the ‘dismissal’ protocol?

• If the length of the program is only two hours, outdoor activity isn’t critical as preschoolers need time to take off and put on winter clothing. If it’s taking 45 minutes out of the program to do all that just to get outside, and a further 15 to 20 minutes for arrival/home time dressing, how much early literacy, numeracy, art, etc. can be done with what’s left?

• If a program is longer than four hours, outdoor play is essential, and will fall under the daycare category, which is licensed differently.

• If your child has allergies, ask about policies and protocols to accommodate your child.

• If your child has special needs, ask if the program can be modified. Sometimes, the answer is no as certain programs would not be beneficial for your child. For example, if your child is autistic and needs quiet, subdued environments or routines that can’t be accommodated, it is not beneficial for your child to be forced into a program that doesn’t fit them. A noisy-free play environment would not work in this case, and certainly would not be fun for your child.

You know your child best. There are an amazing number of different programs in Calgary. Each preschool has expert teachers who love and enjoy teaching little ones. Do your homework. Don’t choose a preschool based on convenience. The first educational experience your child has should be one of excitement and joy.

Maureen is the Director at The Think Sun Preschool Academy, a licensed private preschool offering an enriched and exciting program of instruction for your bright 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old.

Proudly celebrating 32 years of an established, proven educational program. For more information and to take a virtual tour, visit thethinksunpreschool.com. CCM

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Phone: 403-232-7770 Email: salesinfo@calgaryzoo.com WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 43

education

for the love of literacy!

The 10 best beginning chapter books for kids

By Steacy Pinney When children are ready for chapter books, a new level of reading wonders await as they develop a reading identity and favorite authors they can’t get enough of!

Help your young readers discover the tales that will have them asking for more reading time with these 10 popular beginning chapter book series.

1. The Pages & Co Series by Anna James. In the Pages & Co Series, Tilly Pages discovers a magical ability to enter any story. The Bookwanderers follows Tilly as she explores books and uncovers old secrets. Tilly’s adventures continue in The Lost Fairy Tales and The Map of Stories as she and her best friend, Oscar, discover literary mischief in French fairytales and at the American Library of Congress. A great series that celebrates the role of books in our lives and the imagination that stems from reading.

2. Marrow Thieves Series by Cherie Dimaline. A dystopian future and the inability to dream: Both lead to global madness, and the targeting and capture of Indigenous people. Since they can still dream, their marrow is used to create a serum for the rest of the world. Indigenous writer Dimaline weaves fact and fiction in The Marrow Thieves, and its sequel, Hunting by Stars, as protagonist Frenchie searches for safety in family and community while avoiding government Recruiters

PH

who confine Indigenous people to re-opened residential schools.

3. The Misewa Saga Series by David Robertson. The Misewa Saga Series connects Morgan and Eli, Indigenous children in foster care with each other and with Askī, an alternate reality. In The Barren Grounds, The Great Bear, and The Stone Child, the Misewa trilogy introduces Morgan and Eli to traditional ways, animal sidekicks, and Indigenous communities of the past. Misewa, Cree for ‘all that is,’ permeates Morgan and Eli’s story as influences of the past brush against their modern challenges of personal identity, familial challenges, and bullying.

4. The Pax Series by Sara Pennypacker. Pax, a fox, and Peter, a boy, have long been inseparable. As war looms, Peter must leave home and leave behind his beloved fox. And so begins Pax, a beautiful story of friendship, hardship, and loyalty. Jon Klassen’s striking black and white illustrations magnify Peter’s feelings of sadness and

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hope. Pax and Peter’s journey continues in Pax, Journey Home as the friends try to reunite.

5. Stuart Little & Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.

Stuart Little, only two inches high, and looking exactly like a mouse, is the titular character in E.B. White’s first children’s book. Stuart’s size does not stop him from vast adventures in New York City and beyond, befriending animals and humans alike. Stuart’s kindness and determination propel him through the book as he looks for his lost friend, Margalo.

“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing.” A friendship between a pig and a barn spider is at the centre of White’s classic, Charlotte’s Web. Though an unlikely pair, Wilbur, the pig, and Charlotte, the spider, spin a tale of a devoted friendship while navigating the unexpected.

6. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Because of Winn-Dixie reminds readers to look beyond first impressions. DiCamillo captures the eccentricity of a small Floridian town as Opal befriends Winn-Dixie, a scruffy dog in front of a grocery store who helps Opal learn that everyone has a story, and we all deserve a second chance.

7. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary. Third Grader. Whopper-burger lover. Nuisance? Ramona is back and moving on up as part of the big kids at school. But a new teacher, a moody older sister, and a four-year-old playmate start to cramp Ramona’s style. Cleary crafts Ramona’s next adventure with Ramona’s trademark curiosity and creativity in droves.

8. Matilda by Roald Dahl. Dahl’s classic Matilda tells the tale of a young genius who discovers books and telekinetic powers can save her from her mad family and a merciless headmistress. Matilda explores the importance of standing up for yourself, and others, and shows readers that even the smallest people can make a difference.

9. The One and Only Ivan and The One and Only Bob

by Katherine Applegate. A mall isn’t the place for a silverback gorilla to live, but Ivan doesn’t seem to mind.

That is, until he needs to keep a promise to an old friend and help Ruby, a baby elephant, find a better home. The One and Only Ivan tells Ivan’s story as through art, and with the help of some humans, Ivan can find a home and true freedom. The One and Only Bob introduces Ivan’s friend, Bob, a stray dog who musters unknown courage in the search for his sister.

10. The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown. Brown expertly juxtaposes technology and nature in The Wild Robot as he tells the story of Roz, a robot who finds herself on a remote island. Roz’s relationship with the animals on the island and herself evolve as Roz discovers her purpose. The Wild Robot Escapes expands Roz’s story and highlights her ability to make connections with others and take on new challenges that help all characters find a place of belonging.

Steacy is the CEO of Calgary Reads, an organization changing children’s lives with the magic of reading. The Little Red Reading House in Inglewood is a home dedicated to the joy of family reading. Enjoy a family reading visit or view the Little Red Reading House website for inspiration, book picks, and resources at littleredreading.house. CCM

LYC E E .C A / V I S I T

education PART ONE

help your child transition to a new school Tips by age and stage

By Marlowe Gelmon, M.Sc., Behavioral Neuroscience Behavioral Therapist For kids, transitioning to a new school can be difficult.

Whether it is your child’s first day of elementary school, their first day of high school, or you’re moving to a new school district, starting a new school can affect your child’s academic performance, social development, and mental state. But there are things you can do before and during your child’s switch to a new school to help them feel and become comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.

need some one-on-one time with them, like cuddling on the couch in the library for a quiet story together. By age three, most children who have had opportunities to make strong attachments to their parents have achieved the major emotional milestone of keeping their parent(s) in their mind while they are separated from them for a few hours. However, a longer period may be difficult for some threes at first.

AGES THREE TO FOUR Settling in - For some young children, learning to cope with an unfamiliar environment, as well as separating from you, can be overwhelming or it can go smoothly.

How a preschooler reacts emotionally and socially may have more to do with their temperament, needs, interests, and experiences, such as previous school attendance, than their specific age.

Showing regressive behaviors - Some threes and fours are unsure of their unfamiliar environment and vary in their adjustment times. Do not be surprised if your child reverts to familiar, less-mature behaviors of younger children (baby talk, clinging). In this way, your child may be telling you to stay a little longer at drop-off time, or they may be letting their teacher know that they

“Start the conversation early. Give your child as much time as you can to process the upcoming change. Ask your child what they’re nervous/ frightened about with this change.”

Finding comfort - Familiarity is comforting and helps preschoolers make the necessary transition. Bringing a familiar, comforting item to school helps threes and fours to feel safe and secure at first. Then they begin to adapt as they substitute other things in the environment.

Although three-year-olds refer to other children as their friends, it is usually the materials in their environment that attract them initially. On the other hand, fours become excited about seeing their friends from last year or moving up with them from their three-year-old class.

Encouraging comfort with: Photo fun. Take photos of the children and teachers to share on a class bulletin board. This helps everyone get to know each other. Ask other parents to send in their family photos to decorate their child’s cubby for added comfort.

Books about school experiences. Share stories about school settings and how other children relate to their new surroundings. Read My First Day at Nursery School by Becky Edwards.

Early visits. Arrange for you and your child to visit the new environment together before your child attends and talk about what to expect. Set up your preschooler’s personal space in their cubby and try out activities in the various centres.

IMAGINE

a school where you BELONG Academy 4–12 Premier program for learning disabilities/ADHD

College K–12

Top-ranked program for academic/ character/co-curricular

Apply now for Fall 2022 46 • Find us on

Studio 7–9

Virtual program for learning disabilities/ADHD

rundle.ab.ca

education

AGES FIVE TO SIX Kindergarten children react to their unfamiliar environment in a variety of ways. Some have never been to school before, while others have participated in a preschool or daycare program. Each child brings their own preferences and interests. Even though many fiveyear-olds have some experience with a ‘program,’ they are often hit with the reality of going off to kindergarten - this is a huge change!

Making adjustments - By age five, many children have started to develop an interest in carrying on conversations with new children and adults. While some new kindergartners may still fear unfamiliar people, most have come to trust the school setting as a safe place to meet others. Often, it can take a few days of acclimation before the quietest child starts to participate in short conversations.

Finding play partners - The desire and ability to organize and interest others in play is an important part of being a five- and six-year-old. This inclination can help many children overcome their fear of the new environment because they are drawn to playing with others. Many children start kindergarten with this ability, but almost all develop it quickly through a good playbased program. Interestingly, this social interaction skill

is often paired with the school-ager’s desire to play with one or two children at a time. This makes the introduction of learning centres an important part of setting up the new environment.

Creating familiarity - Feeling ‘grown-up’ is important to most five- and six-year-olds. When they enter their new environment, they want to feel successful and knowledgeable right away. Therefore, it’s important for children to find things that remind them of preschool.

Then you can gradually add new challenges and responsibilities. It is also helpful to look at how children’s different adjustment styles play out in the beginning of the school year.

Making individual adjustments - It is important to be supportive and allow your child the opportunity to play the observer role as needed. At the same time, make it clear that they are invited and encouraged to participate. You probably have also experienced a child who is so excited to be at a new school that they fly from one activity to another without touching down. While it’s good that this child appears to separate from their parent(s) easily, this type of behavior can signal a basic insecurity that is manifesting itself in ‘flighty’ activity.

This child often needs as much reassurance as the quiet, shy child.

AGES SEVEN TO 11 Start the conversation early. Give your child as much time as you can to process the upcoming change. Ask your child what they’re nervous/frightened about with this change.

Offer support: Keep a positive attitude. When your child sees you • happy and relaxed about transition, they will have a positive attitude, too.

• Give your kid some control over the situation.

They can make the decision about what to wear and snack choices for school, for example.

• Go for a sneak peek at the school together.

Create a new and fun morning routine together.

• • Get involved with your child’s school/volunteer.

Talk to the school principal and your child’s • teacher about any concerns you have.

• Quickly observe, then schedule a playdate.

Read Part Two in our Chinook 2022 Issue.

Marlowe Gelmon, M.Sc., brings more than 16 years of experience in behavioral therapy practices and research. She is a keynote speaker and writer. Parenting is filled with new challenges.

She is here to help you and your child/teen overcome some of these challenges. For more information, call 587-897-0243, email behavioraltherapeuticscalgary@gmail.com, or visit positiveneurohealth.com. CCM

Spark Curiosity, Inspire Success.

Preschool - Grade 6 VISIT US ONLINE TO BOOK A TOUR OR APPLY TODAY! WWW.RIVERVALLEYSCHOOL.CA WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 47

education

SEE FU listings in LL EDUC AT the ION GUIDE at calgar yschild.co m

Education Directory The go-to guide for parents looking for education options in Calgary & area.

- INCLUSIVE. Able to accommodate a wide variety of social, developmental, mental and emotional delays, disorders and differences.

- ACCESSIBLE. Able to be accessed and fully enjoyed by people with a wide variety of mobility and motor challenges.

SCHOOL BOARDS ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS Website: auarts.ca AMBROSE UNIVERSITY Website: ambrose.edu ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY Website: athabascau.ca BOW VALLEY COLLEGE Website: bowvalleycollege.ca CALGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 1000, 5 Avenue SW Phone: 403-500-2000 Website: cssd.ab.ca The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) is the largest Catholic school district in Alberta, serving over 56,000 students in 118 schools.

CALGARY BOARD OF EDUCATION (CBE) Website: cbe.ab.ca FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DIVISION Website: foothillsschooldivision.ca MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY Website: mtroyal.ca OLDS COLLEGE - CALGARY CAMPUS Website: oldscollege.ca PALLISER SCHOOL DIVISION Website: pallisersd.ab.ca ROCKY VIEW SCHOOLS Website: rockyview.ab.ca

SAIT Website: sait.ca ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY Website: stmu.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Website: ucalgary.ca

ALTERNATIVE, CHARTER & PRIVATE SCHOOLS ATLAS LEARNING ACADEMY Airdrie, AB Phone: 403-912-1133 Email: enrolment@ atlaslearningacademy.com Website: atlaslearningacademy.com Atlas Learning Academy strives to create a learning environment that encourages students to be confident individuals.

BANBURY CROSSROADS SCHOOL Suite 201, 2451 Dieppe Avenue SW Phone: 403-270-7787 Email: general@banburycrossroads.com Website: banburycrossroads.com Commemorating 40 years, Banbury Crossroads School is a Self-Directed Learning School from early childhood to Grade 12.

CALGARY ACADEMY Phone: 403-686-6444 Email: info@calgaryacademy.com Website: calgaryacademy.com At Calgary Academy, we design student-centered experiences that nurture a love of learning from kindergarten to Grade 12.

CALGARY JEWISH ACADEMY (THE) Phone: 403-253-3992 Email: info@cja.ab.ca Website: cja.ab.ca The Calgary Jewish Academy is an independent private Jewish day school, catering to students from nursery school to Grade 9.

CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL 515 Cougar Ridge Drive SW Phone: 403-287-1868 Email: info@calgarywaldorf.org Website: calgarywaldorf.org Offering preschool, kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 9. Central to Waldorf education is a deep respect for childhood.

CLEAR WATER ACADEMY Phone: 403-217-8448 Email: info@clearwateracademy.com Website: clearwateracademy.com Centrally located in Currie Barracks, Clear Water Academy has been providing Catholic education in Calgary since 1995.

EDGE SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-6432 Email: info@edgeschool.com Website: edgeschool.com At Edge School, we allow our student-athlete’s passion for sport to drive their passion for learning and leading.

GLENMORE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Phone: 403-254-9050 Email: admissions@gcaschool.com Website: gcaschool.com Glenmore Christian Academy is a Jr. Kindergarten to Grade 9 accredited private school.

Education Directory – Continued on page 50

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Education Directory – Continued from page 48

A Comprehensive early learning program combining Montessori, Reggio & the Arts across the curriculum for children ages 2-5!

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (HCA) Phone: 403-219-3201 Email: enrolment@hcacalgary.com Website: hcacalgary.com At Heritage Christian Academy (HCA), students from Jr. Kindergarten (3+ years old) through to Grade 12 are encouraged to discover what they believe through academics, extracurricular, and everyday interaction with a biblical worldview.

STRATHCONA-TWEEDSMUIR SCHOOL (STS) Phone: 403-938-8326 Email: admissions@sts.ab.ca Website: strathconatweedsmuir.com Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS) develops well-balanced students for a life of purpose by inspiring excellence in scholarship, leadership, and character. Situated on a 220-acre country campus near Calgary, STS offers academic excellence as Alberta’s only full kindergarten to Grade 12 International Baccalaureate (IB), independent school.

NORTH POINT SCHOOL FOR BOYS Phone: 403-744-5214 Email: info@northpoint.school Website: northpoint.school North Point School for Boys taps into boys’ natural curiosity and energy as a foundation for lifelong learning.

A strong academic program is just the beginning.

WEBBER ACADEMY Phone: 403-277-4700 Website: webberacademy.ca

PHOENIX FOUNDATION (THE) Phone: 403-265-7701 Email: info@phoenixfoundation.ca Website: phoenixfoundation.ca Phoenix Education Foundation is an Alberta-accredited private, non-profit, independent school. Phoenix engages kindergarten to Grade 9 students in parent-directed or school-directed programming to fulfill the Alberta Education curriculum.

PROVIDENCE Phone: 403-255-5577 Email: info@providencechildren.com Website: providencechildren.com Providence offers two unique Alberta Educationfunded program streams: those based in our own six schools across Calgary and those based in approved community preschools or child care programs (our LEARN Program).

RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-2275 Email: info@rivervalleyschool.ca Website: rivervalleyschool.ca River Valley School is an inclusive independent school providing exceptional education and character development to children in preschool (age 3) to Grade 6.

Harvest Hills NE Royal Vista NW Chestermere Springbank, Aspen SW Inglewood, Ramsay SE

RUNDLE: ACADEMY, COLLEGE AND STUDIO Phone: 403-291-3866 Email: contactus@rundle.ab.ca Website: rundle.ab.ca Rundle is a private, post-secondary preparatory, co-ed, day school. Small class sizes, an enriched curriculum, and diverse co-curricular opportunities are pillars of our three distinct academic programs.

CHILD CARE KIDS@ CHURCHILL PARK Phone: 403-266-4656 Email: admin@churchillpark.ca Website: churchillpark.ca Kids@ Churchill Park is proudly in our 51st year of offering accountable, trust-based early learning and child care to Calgary families.

UNIQUE EDUCATION ACADEMY Phone: 403-869-6391 Website: uea-yyc.ca Unique Education Academy is a premier and multifaceted provider of child care services, education, and extracurricular programs, all in one location.

YW CALGARY Phone: 403-232-1594 Email: childcare@ywcalgary.ca Website: ywcalgary.ca/childcare YW Childcare is a safe and flexible daycare located in a new state-of-the-art centre in Inglewood. Our licensed and accredited facility offers full-time, part-time, and drop-in spaces for children up to 5-years-old.

​LANGUAGES: BILINGUAL & IMMERSION CALGARY FRENCH & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Phone: 403-240-1500 Email: admissions@cfis.com Website: cfis.com Calgary French & International School offers an enriched academic program within a full French immersion learning environment alongside a high-quality Spanish language program, vibrant arts and athletics programs.

CONSEIL SCOLAIRE FRANCOSUD Suite 295, 6715 - 8 Street NE Phone: 403-686-6998 Email: infoconseil@francosud.ca Website: francosud.ca FrancoSud provides a Francophone education to more than 3,600 students across 15 schools in Southern Alberta.

Offering Preschool, FullDay Jr K & Kindergarten and Grades 1-8 in Airdrie

Full & Half Day Options

● Small Class Sizes of 16 ● Private, Accredited & AB Education Certified ● Hockey & Sports Training ● Before & After School Care ● 21st Century/STEAM Learning ● Established in 2008

mykinderhouse.org 50 • Find us on

To learn how Atlas will benefit your child, please visit our website at atlaslearningacademy.com or call 403-912-1133.

PD DAYS, SPRING BREAK CAMPS & FIELD TRIPS ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS Phone: 403-294-7402 Email: tickets@atplive.com Website: albertatheatreprojects.com Alberta Theatre Projects is excited to be bringing back Play Dates, a series of online digital day camps!

BANFF NORQUAY Website: banffnorquay.com School’s in for winter! Bunny slopes to the big mountain!

Ski and snowboard lessons, and programs for 3- to 16-year-olds including early season and holiday camps.

Programs fill up fast, so book now!

CALGARY ZOO 210 St. George’s Drive NE Phone: 403-232-9300 Website: calgaryzoo.com The Calgary Zoo hosts a variety of family- and kid-friendly programs including camps, birthdays, and school programs.

YMCA CALGARY Website: ymcacalgary.org We’re excited to welcome you back! YMCA Calgary has seven health and wellness facilities, six child development centres with licensed child care, two outdoor camp sites, and over 60 community program sites serving all quadrants of the city.

YYC NATURE & EDUCATION CENTRE Phone: 403-457-2202 Email: yycnaturecentre@gmail.com Website: yycnaturecentre.com Calgary’s newest nature experience. Meet reptiles, birds, mammals, and more - coming soon!

PRESCHOOLS - NORTHEAST AL-AMAL ISLAMIC PRESCHOOL #4, 2611 - 37 Avenue NE Phone: 403-466-2524 Email: info@al-amalpreschool.com Website: al-amalpreschool.com We provide a warm, friendly, nurturing, and stimulating Islamic environment for 3- and 4-year-old preschoolers.

KING’S KIDS PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-285-4855 Email: preschool@kingskidsfoundation.com Website: kingskidsfoundation.ca We are a non-profit, community-based preschool with Christian values offering an affordable and well-rounded program for children from 33 months to 5-years-old.

ROOTS AND WINGS PRESCHOOL (Renfrew) 811 Radford Road NE Phone: 587-896-2150 Email: rootsandwingsprek@gmail.com Website: rootsandwingspreschool.ca Roots and Wings Preschool is a learning and play environment located in the portable classroom at the Renfrew Community Association.

PRESCHOOLS - NORTHWEST DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN Phone: 403-288-1050 Email: dcakids@telus.net

Website: dcakids.com An outstanding community-based Junior and Senior Kindergarten. Small class sizes, an exceptional teacher, and unique learning experiences facilitate your child’s social, academic, and emotional development.

DISCOVERY CORNER PRESCHOOL Phone: ​403-472-1477 Email: ​discoverycorner@outlook.com Website: ​mydiscoverycorner.com Discovery Corner Preschool is an accredited and licensed preschool located in the community of Springbank in Rocky View County; we also serve the communities of Crestmont and Valley Ridge.

EDELWEISS PREPARATORY SCHOOL 600 Northmount Drive NW Phone: 403-282-4220 Email: epschool@telus.net Website: epschool.ca We offer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), Jolly Phonics, Learning Without Tears curriculum, weekly Music classes, Science experiments with Captain Science, Spanish classes, daily Gym equipment and games, creative movement, and Yoga.

FUN 2 LEARN PRESCHOOL Dalhousie Community Church: 5511 Baroc Road NW Phone: 403-239-2033; 403-880-6711 Website: fun2learnpreschool.com Our preschool has been established for more than 30 years. We offer a learning through play program for 3- to 5-year-olds, offering two, three, and five halfday programs.

Education Directory – Continued on next page

Edelweiss Preparatory School 9

Parents’ Choice Award Best Preschool 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 Honorable Mention 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 Northwest Calgary

403-282- 4220

An Early Childhood school offering Preschool and 2, 3 and 5 day Jr. Kindergarten & private Kindergarten in a loving, nurturing environment with an enriched curriculum.

32 years of Excellence in Education

www.epschool.ca

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 51

education

LYCÉE INTERNATIONAL DE CALGARY Phone: 403-243-5420, Ext. 123 Email: admissions@lycee.ca Website: lycee.ca Lycée International de Calgary is the city’s premier private French school (preschool to Grade 12).

education

Education Directory – Continued from previous page

HIGHLAND PARK PRESCHOOL Email: preschool@hpca.ca Website: hpca.ca/preschool Highland Park Preschool is a non-profit, nondenominational, and parent-operated preschool based in the Highland Park Community Hall. We offer a high quality ‘learn through play’ program with morning and afternoon classes for children ages 3 to 5.

RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-2275 Email: info@rivervalleyschool.ca Website: rivervalleyschool.ca River Valley School is an inclusive independent school providing exceptional education and character development to children in preschool (age 3) to Grade 6.

PRESCHOOLS - SOUTHEAST SANKALPA PRESCHOOL AT WYMBIN Phone: 403-452-2549 Email: hello@wymbinyoga.com Website: wymbinyoga.com/preschool Sankalpa is a licensed preschool located at the Wymbin Yoga studio in Inglewood (underneath Junction 9 Yoga + Pilates).

TOT SPOT PRESCHOOL 1507 Acadia Drive SE Phone: 403-271-8894 Email: info@totspotpreschool.ca Website: totspotpreschool.ca Located in Lake Bonavista, our bright and spacious preschool offers play-based programs that enrich your child’s learning process through thematic, fun activities.

PRESCHOOLS - SOUTHWEST KINDERVALLEY MONTESSORI ACADEMY Phone: 403-454-6889 Email: info@kindervalleyacademy.com Website: kindervalleyacademy.com Kindervalley Montessori Academy is a private school established in Altadore that is proud to offer an authentic Montessori education for infants from 12 months to children of 5 years.

LEARNING ADVENTURES PRESCHOOL (AT CALGARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL) Elementary Campus (Preschool to Grade 6): 2839, 49 Street SW Phone: 403-242-2896, Ext. 312 Email: admissions@calgarychristianschool.com Website: learningadventures.ca A Christian, loving and nurturing environment where your child’s imagination is stimulated through exploration and discovery.

THINK SUN PRESCHOOL ACADEMY (THE) 10, 5555 Strathcona Hill SW Phone: 403-240-4466 Website: thethinksunpreschool.com Educating preschoolers for 32 years, The Think Sun Preschool offers an enriched learning program including art, music, play, and intro-French.

PRESCHOOLS - MULTIPLE LOCATIONS CITY OF CALGARY PLAYSCHOOL PROGRAMS Village Square Leisure Centre: 2623, 56 Street NE Phone: 403-366-3900 Southland Leisure Centre: 2000 Southland Drive SW Phone: 403-648-6555 Website: calgary.ca/playschool

Active learning develops active children who learn to make physical activity part of their lives. Our programs, designed for children 2 to 4 years old, promote learning through play, crafts, stories, and educational themes using a variety of resources and amenities under the guidance of our experienced instructors.

KALEIDOSCOPE KIDS PRESCHOOL Three Locations: Tuscany, Nolan Hill, and Edgemont Phone: 403-547-1020 Email: office@kalkids.com Website: kaleidoscopekidspreschool.com We offer Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten programs for children ages 3 and 4.

KIDS U Seven locations in Calgary, one in Strathmore Phone: 1-855-805-4378 Email: info@kidsu.ca Website: kidsu.ca Kids U is an award-winning daycare and preschool that accepts infants and children up to kindergarten-age. We offer parents a safe, clean, caring environment with a strong educational program, based on the latest in brain development research.

MY KINDERHOUSE PRESCHOOL Two Locations: Inglewood and Country Hills Phone: 403-975-0103 Email: info@mykinderhouse.org Website: mykinderhouse.org A unique, innovative, and integrative approach to early childhood education for children ages 2 to 5 featuring literacy, math, STEM, arts education, nature play, and outdoor stewardship.

Fun-filled 3&4 Year Old Programs!

Now accepting applications for Kinderga en – Grade 12. fall2022.calgaryacademy.com

springbankplayschool.ca

PRESCHOOL

Register TODAY!

fun2learnpreschool.com Check Out Our Virtual Tour

Creating pathways as unique as our learners for 40 years.

52 • Find us on

Dalhousie

403.239.2033 SUBSIDY AVAILABLE

TRAIL KIDS Apple Tree Preschool - Bridlewood Email: info@appletreepreschool.ca Kids@Play Preschool - Cranston Email: register@kidsatplaypreschool.ca Email: admin@trailkids.ca At TRAIL Kids, and within our preschool group, we view each child as a Mighty Learner. Current neuroscience indicates that engaging children in interactive, meaningful, and socially interactive playful learning experiences sets them up for future success.

YMCA PRESCHOOL Offered in all quadrants of the city at most YMCA locations Email: info@ymcacalgary.org Website: YMCACalgary.org Help your child enjoy the fun of learning in our well-rounded preschool program. Your child will enjoy story time, art, drama, music activities, a recreational swim (or swim lesson), and lots of time exploring and getting active at the Y.

PRESCHOOLS - OUTSIDE OF CALGARY KIDS U Strathmore Phone: 1-855-805-4378 Email: info@kidsu.ca Website: kidsu.ca MY KINDERHOUSE PRESCHOOL Two Locations: Springbank and Chestermere Phone: 403-975-0103 Email: info@mykinderhouse.org Website: mykinderhouse.org A unique, innovative, and integrative approach to early childhood education for children ages 2 to 5 featuring literacy, math, STEM, arts education, nature play, and outdoor stewardship.

SPRINGBANK PLAYSCHOOL C32224 Springbank Road (second floor, inside Springbank All Seasons Park) Phone: 403-830-7294 Email: springbankpsinfo@gmail.com Website: springbankplayschool.ca Springbank Playschool is a nonprofit, parent cooperative preschool. We strive to give our students a positive first learning experience.

INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING BEHAVIOUR THERAPY AND LEARNING CENTRE (BTLC) Suite 100, 2107 Sirocco Drive SW Phone: 403-205-2749 Email: admin@btlc.ca Website: btlc.ca BTLC is the only school in Calgary using the established and well-researched principles of Applied Behaviour

Analysis (ABA) to teach preschool and kindergarten students with the unique learning needs and challenges associated with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

FOOTHILLS ACADEMY 745, 37 Street NW Phone: 403-270-9400 Email: info@foothillsacademy.org Website: foothillsacademy.org Foothills Academy offers a full-time school program for students with Learning Disabilities from Grades 3 to 12. We provide targeted support in literacy, numeracy, and executive functioning for each student while also covering the full Alberta Education curriculum in small classes and a supportive environment.

LEARNING DISABILITIES & ADHD NETWORK Phone: 403-630-1616 Website: ldadhdnetwork.ca The Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network provides free resources and helpful, reliable information for individuals with a Learning Disability and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and those who live, play, and work with them.

SHELDON PSYCHOLOGY GROUP 1909, 17 Avenue SW Phone: 403-618-8288 Email: info@sheldonpsychology.com Website: sheldonpsychology.com We are passionate about supporting children and families in finding peace, calm, dignity, and understanding in their lives. We are strength-focused. We believe in being creative and cost-effective, while holding to high standards.

This listing is provided for your reference only. Please research carefully and choose the company that meets your family’s needs best. CCM

We’ve spent 51 years igniting children’s potential in Calgary!

Quality care and early learning for little ones goes a long way! And in our city, communityminded organizations whose care is truly compassionate are the ones that last. Here’s to another 51 years of accountable, trust-based care nurturing curious minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts!

WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 53

education

PRE-KINDERGARTEN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Sunnyside School: 211, 7 Street NW Captain John Palliser School: 1484 Northmount Drive NW Marion Carson School: 5225 Varsity Drive NW Hope Lutheran Church: 3527 Boulton Road NW Genesis Centre: 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE Braeside School: 1747, 107 Avenue SW Phone: 403-605-2988 Email: Register@PreKindergartenEd.com Website: Pre-KindergartenEd.com Programming includes Pre-Kindergarten, half-day Kindergarten Enhancement, and Out of School Care.

Please check the website and choose the school location for specific programs available.

education

the parenting paradox When you know better, you do better

By Nicole Sheldon, R. Psych.

I used to think I would be the perfect parent… and then I had kids! I laugh about it now and wonder how I was so naïve. Perfection in parenting is impossible when it comes to the complexities of life and the human condition. Afterall, we’re busy. We are juggling multiple responsibilities, demands on our time is increasing, resources may be wearing thin, our children are coping with everyday learning, and our emotions are up and down. We’re all stressed, and the pandemic has only heightened it. As a parent, while you can’t fix everything, recognition, parent coaching, and behavioral therapy can help your family cope and make life a little easier.

When things go off track The first thing you need to do is be aware of what your child’s typical behavior is so you can recognize when things are off track. Feeling stressed, nervous, and sad are normal. It’s when these feelings begin to interfere with everyday functioning that these feelings become problematic and begin to show up behaviorally in your child. But your child may not have the language to tell you when something is not quite right because behavior is the language of children. Some common signs of built-up stress, anxiety, or depression in children

are difficulties with focus, fidgeting, having trouble starting or completing tasks, irritability, stomach aches, headaches, resisting activities they used to enjoy doing, changes in eating habits, engaging in oppositional behaviors. Do any of these signs look familiar?

While some children express their stress and worries outwardly, others turn their difficulties inward. Inward signs of stress in your child may include staring off into space, being inattentive, appearing sad, becoming quiet, hiding or fading into the background, and experiencing physical ailments. Sometimes, because these inward signs are not always obvious, these children get overlooked. It’s important to recognize the behavioral changes in your child, so you can learn how to better help them. You want to avoid having your child mislabeled as being rude, disruptive, a troublemaker, and/or thought of as lazy or having bad work ethic. Instead, acknowledging the reason why they are acting the way they are and supporting their current underlying needs will go a long way to supporting change.

Skills for coping Once you recognize the changed behaviors in your child, you can work on helping them find ways to get

“Through behavioral therapy and approaches, such as CBT, your child will learn new skills and strategies to help them better manage the changes, upsets, big feelings, and even the successes in their life.“ ‘unstuck’ and get back to a calmer way of being. You do this through gaining new perspectives and supporting increased skills for coping. While some of us can do this easily, some of us might be looking for support in more intentional and targeted ways. Cognitive Behavior

REGISTER YOUR CHILD

TODAY

Calgary Catholic proudly offers quality Catholic education in supportive, safe and inclusive communities to meet each child’s unique needs.

Our schools provide students a diverse range of educational programs, specialized support services and exciting opportunities to enhance their learning experience, knowledge and talents.

Visit ccsdinfo.ca/registration for more information.

To register, contact your local Calgary Catholic school.

ALL FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO INQUIRE. Students born outside of Canada will need to first schedule an appointment at the St. John Reception Centre by calling 403-500-2007.

54 • Find us on

education learn how to identify your child’s strengths and are provided guidance regarding how to advocate for them.

Together, you and your child will learn how to better understand each other and how to help each other thrive - even in difficult times.

The benefits of parent coaching and behavioral therapy can be significant. We are imperfect human beings who are by nature on a learning path. Embracing the struggle, growing within our knowledge and wisdom, and forgiving ourselves for our missteps are part of the parenting journey. Asking for help when feeling overwhelmed or unsure is a strength. Parenting is a tough, though rewarding job. While we may not be perfect, as a friend said to me, “When you know better, you do better.”

Therapy (CBT) is an approach that works for people of all ages. It is known to significantly improve people’s understanding of their struggles, teach them skills to cope with stressors, support new healthy ways of thinking, regain contentment, and increase self-esteem.

Through behavioral therapy and approaches, such as CBT, your child will learn new skills and strategies to help them better manage the changes, upsets, big feelings, and even the successes in their life. They will learn how to identify their many strengths. They will also learn about why their struggles are there and how to manage them.

Your child will learn to define small achievable goals to conquer. A feeling of achievement promotes an increase in self-esteem. Your child will learn how to be resilient, self-assured, and advocate for themself.

Your child is part of the family system. When working with a child, treatment is often most effective when you are involved. Through parent coaching, you will be invited to think differently about your child’s struggles.

You will learn skills and strategies that use positive reinforcement, structure, and predictable outcomes to encourage your child’s success with identified goals. You and your child will learn positive ways to interact and communicate with each other. You will

Nicole Sheldon, R. Psych., has been working with children and families for over 25 years. Nicole holds a permanent teaching certificate and understands classroom functioning. She is passionate about supporting children and families in achieving success and dignity in their lives through assessment, intervention, and collaborative approaches. The specialized team at Sheldon Psychology Group (1909, 17 Avenue SW, Calgary) offers several types of services. For more information, email info@sheldonpsychology. com or visit sheldonpsychology.com. CCM

Pre-Kindergarten ages 3-5 yrs Kindergarten Enhancement 1/2 day Program Out of School Care #201 (Building 1) 2451 Dieppe Ave SW Calgary, Alberta Office: (403) 270-7787 banburycrossroads.com

PLAY: Explore our child-centered and play focused room environment.

LEARN: Nurture emergent literacy by encouraging interest in reading & early writing.

Registration Ongoing On-line classroom video tours / Email to Register

CAPTAIN JOHN PALLISER SCHOOL

Seeking a school like home? JuGrnioadr-e K12to

Gifted and independent children love it here! We are still enrolling all grades.

1484 Northmount Drive NW Kindergarten Enhancement & Out of School Care Gr. K-6

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT HOPE LUTHERAN

3527 Boulton Road NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years

MARION CARSON SCHOOL

5225 Varsity Drive NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement Out of School Care K & Gr. 1

SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL

211 – 7 Street NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement & Out of School Care Gr. K - 6

PRE-KINDERGARTEN ACADEMY AT GENESIS CENTRE

7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years & Kindergarten Age program - max class size 12

BRAESIDE SCHOOL

1747 – 107 Ave. SW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years

Email: Register@PreKindergartenEd.com

Website: www.Pre-KindergartenEd.com WINTER 2021/22 • calgaryschild.com • 55

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2022-2023

Over the past half-century, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School has helped prepare students for successful lives of purpose and will continue that legacy far into the future.

WWW.STRATHCONATWEEDSMUIR.COM

education

25 questions to help you choose the right school for your child Q&A

By Lara Unsworth In Alberta, we are fortunate to have an abundance of educational opportunities and school choice. Even amongst independent school options, there is a wide variety of missions, programs, and focus-areas. To help you set your child up on the right path, we’ve taken a step back and compiled this objective list of questions you can use to evaluate each school you are considering.

1. What type of student is the school focused on?

Some schools are known for fostering academic talent, while others have a more balanced approach, blending academics with artistic, athletic, and service pursuits.

2. How does the school help students succeed? You know your children best. Have an open conversation with the school and be specific about what your child needs to feel happy, challenged, and engaged to ensure they will have access to all they need to succeed and flourish.

3. When you visit the campus, does the environment feel like a good fit? Touring a campus during a regular school day lets you see how students and teachers conduct themselves and treat each other, inside and outside of the classrooms. It is essential to get a ‘gut feeling’ about the school by physically being there.

4. Is the school all-boys, all-girls, or co-ed? An all-boy or an all-girl student body might provide fewer distractions, but learning in a co-ed environment could provide a stronger foundation for socializing and future relationships.

5. What is the school’s average class size? There’s no consensus on the perfect class size, but some believe that student achievement can rise as class size drops or with a tighter student-to-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention.

6. Is there anything that makes the school unique? The programs offered and the amenities and facilities located on each school campus can vary wildly. Any number of these unique features could sway your decision.

7. Is the school accredited? Accreditation assures you the school is accountable for meeting and maintaining certain quality standards set by an external organization.

8. Is there a wide variety of co-curricular programs and activities? Many schools provide co-curricular programs that extend past the final school bell, giving students additional opportunities to socialize, learn new skills, and pursue their passions.

9. How does the school work to build character in students? Some schools go out of their way to instill strong values and social responsibility in students through organized programs, field trips, and class study.

10. Does the school follow a specific educational approach or enrichment program? It is important to understand if a school aligns with your educational priorities. Alternative educational systems like Montessori, Waldorf, and Froebel take different approaches to a student’s spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Also, several schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) enrichment programs. It is a good idea to gain an understanding of the benefits and differences between these options, and to ask questions if unsure.

11. What is the school doing to foster good relationships? Feeling a sense of belonging is one of the most important correlates to students being happy at school. Ask about any programs and policies that promote a more personal and caring atmosphere, help students

find their place, and encourage students to connect with teachers and each other.

12. How does the school deal with discipline issues, bullying, and online behavior? Great schools exist with a strong, vibrant, and caring community, a partnership with students’ parents, clear expectations and values, and a shared priority for the well-being and educational success of their students. It is imperative that you and the school your children attend are on the same page when it comes to how issues will be addressed. Ask how discipline is handled at the school and if they have a student code of conduct and clear policies around social media, bullying, and academic misconduct.

13. How does the school assess and provide support for individual students? Every student can benefit from a degree of personal attention and having their progress evaluated and supported, in addition to test scores and class grades.

14. How are learning differences addressed by the school? For students who are overachieving or struggling, a school may offer alternative curriculums for students who learn differently or at different speeds.

15. How does the school engage parents during the school year? Find out how each prospective school builds community, keeps parents engaged, and makes school activities and student progress visible from the outside.

16. Does the school provide travel opportunities?

Schools often create opportunities for field trips, study abroad programs, and international homestays as part of their curricular or extracurricular offerings.

17. Does the school offer modern language instruction? A modern language, i.e. French or Spanish, 25 Questions – Continued on next page

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education 25 Questions – Continued from previous page

learned and practiced during the elementary and high school years can be a great personal and career asset to students later on in life.

18. Does the school offer health and physical education, and opportunities to be outdoors? Studies show that physical fitness, connecting with nature, maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle, and developing ‘life skills’ are important factors in students’ ability to focus and their overall well-being.

19. Are there STEAM programs at the school, and are they mandatory? STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education is crucial in preparing the next generation for a rapidly changing global economy. The right school for your child may be the one that can foster your child’s interests or demonstrated talents in design, music, drama, fine art, or writing, and integrate them with other core subject areas to ensure your child has the tools to be successful in their future endeavors.

20. What key competencies does the school focus on, and how do they measure student success? It’s important to know what key competencies or skills the school aims to instill in students and how they know they are meeting those goals.

21. How do they teach core subjects, such as math and science? There is a lot of discussion and media attention around differing teaching methods and outcomes in core subject areas. Ask schools about their teaching methodology, desired outcomes, and how they support students with different learning styles in succeeding.

competitions citywide or nationwide, offering additional opportunities for travel and personal development.

24. Does the school provide post-secondary guidance? Ask if the school you’re considering provides advice and support to students considering different colleges and universities for the next stage of their educational journey.

25. What is the school’s relationship with its alumni?

A strong and active alumni network is a testament to the positive experiences of former students and may create unique opportunities for students after they graduate.

22. Does the school offer athletic programs or have athletic requirements? Some schools emphasize parallel development of athletics and academics, while others offer a broad range of sports programs for students to enjoy when they aren’t in a classroom.

23. Do the school’s athletic teams compete in leagues outside of school? Schools with internal sports teams and leagues may also participate in inter-school

Lara is the Director of Strategic Enrollment Management and Communications at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School (STS). STS welcomes students who embrace intellectual and physical challenges and opportunities, are curious about the world, seek out adventure, and are the first to put up their hands to volunteer.

Located south of Calgary on a 220-acre campus, STS is Alberta’s only kindergarten to Grade 12 independent co-ed day school focused on developing well-balanced students for a life of purpose. For more information, visit strathconatweedsmuir.com. CCM

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behind in school

By Dr. Steve Truch

The school year is in full swing, and you’ve noticed that your child who was happy, relaxed, excited to begin school in September is now anxious and reluctant to engage in learning. Come to think of it, this is a pattern you’ve noticed them display for a few years now. Students who struggle with academics often display this pattern. Most of the time, the heart of the issue is a learning struggle.

However, these avoidance behaviors can also be labelled as ‘laziness,’ which impacts self-confidence. Laziness does exist, but it’s important to understand that avoiding a school assignment is often due to a difficulty and/or an inability to complete it successfully.

You need to advocate for your child when they are having difficulties with or can’t complete school assignments. Advocacy is a challenging path, but there are steps you can take if your child is falling behind in school: u 1. Book an appointment with your child’s teacher and in a calm fashion, address your concerns about your child with the teacher. u 2. Ask the teacher what you can do to help them help your child. u 3. Ask the teacher for specifics. If they recommend more reading at home, for example, ask for strategies you can implement and which books are best for this purpose. u 4. Children who struggle with reading require a few key things: • Very specific and direct teaching of letter and sound combinations.

• Structured steps that introduce them to those combinations and show them how to apply them to reading and spelling.

Remember: the recommendation of ‘more reading’ with your child doesn’t provide the specifics of the items above. u 5. Make a plan and stick to it. For example, indicate to the teacher that you will do half an hour of reading and spelling each night with your child (using words and text provided or suggested by the teacher), and you will also keep a record of your child’s response each night. u 6. Schedule a follow-up interview with the teacher. The interview should be sooner rather than later if your original plan is not working well. Setting up emails with your child’s teacher provides strong two-way communication in a timely fashion.

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u 7. If your child displays persistent learning issues, ask the teacher if your child should undergo a complete psychoeducational assessment. This can identify potential learning disabilities and lead to school-based accommodations that can take the pressure off your child and diminish their anxiety. u 8. Ask the teacher for recommendations for supplementary tutoring or instruction in reading, math, and writing. The best programs and instructors are the ones who offer ‘systematic’ and ‘structured’ programs.

The right remedial program can go a long way to improving your child’s reading, comprehension, math, or written expression and turn your child into a more independent student. u 9. Keep in mind that advocacy is continuous. Once a psychoeducational assessment has been completed, an Individual Program Plan (IPP) must be written for your child. This can take time, so it’s important to communicate with your child’s teacher and the administrators at your school about how the IPP is progressing and when you can expect the IPP meeting to be held. The meeting will give you a chance to see the many strategies and accommodations the school will attempt and the learning goals they will set for your child. u 10. Each year, ensure the teacher has read the IPP and can implement the recommendations. Students who exhibit long-standing literacy issues will require updated psychoeducational assessments and IPPs as they mature. Once helpful accommodations are found (such as extended time to write exams or use of a scribe), they can be continued even at the post-secondary level.

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Above all, remember: you know your child best, so you are in the optimal position to advocate for your child to ensure they receive what they need. It can feel like a long journey to navigate, but a confident, happy, and successful student makes every effort worthwhile.

Dr. Steve Truch, founding director of The Reading Foundation, is a thought-leader in learning and literacy that has worked as a teacher and a school psychologist. For more information, visit readingfoundation.com. CCM

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education

help! my child is falling

Good things grow here.

education

“my teacher doesn’t like me!”

How to navigate your child’s concerns

By Ashlee Ellerbruch, M.C., R. Psych., and Lisa Kaldenbach, M.A., R. Psych.

Is your child coming home from school and saying to you, “My teacher doesn’t like me” or, “I don’t like going to school!”? It can be hard to problem through these situations and wonder, Is my child overreacting or being dramatic? Or you worry that maybe their teacher is being hard on your child? Some parents may react strongly to their child’s unhappy remarks and rush to the school to figure out what is going on, whereas other parents may focus on their child and try to provide them with the tools to maneuver through these interactions. Either way, these scenarios can be tricky on many levels, and often involve some detective work.

Here are some helpful tips to help navigate through your child’s teacher issues: Gather the details. It is important that you ask your child specific questions and gather as much information as you can: What are they saying or doing? How frequently is this happening? What is happening before and after? Are there other students involved? Sometimes, children can misinterpret their teacher’s words or behaviors as threatening or mean, which is why it is

important to ask your child specific questions because it can then help you to work through the situation.

This is a great opportunity to teach your child new skills. For example, help them brainstorm things they can do at their desk quietly if they finish their work quickly. If they are struggling to complete a task, how can they ask for help? If they see another student doing something they shouldn’t be doing, should they follow that classmate’s lead?

This is also a great opportunity to help them reframe how they feel about their teacher. Ask them to tell you about some positive interactions they had with their teacher, something the teacher taught them that was a lot of fun, or something the teacher said to them that was funny. Some kids can get stuck when it comes to negative interactions in their school day, so helping to build those skills and reminding them of the fun interactions they had with their teacher can be a great follow-up to investigative questions.

Get the teacher involved. If you decide there might be something going on, do not be afraid to include the teacher in this conversation and let them know some of your concerns. Being a teacher can be a difficult job. Class sizes can be overwhelming and there may be limited support for children in the class who are struggling. These pressures can be a lot to deal with as an educator, so it is important that you are mindful of these possibilities in the classroom.

How you present the information to the teacher is key. Start the conversation with the goal of collaboration and problemsolving in mind. No teacher wants to hear, “My child thinks you don’t like them” or, “My child feels like you pick on them.” Try phrasing it in a way that involves a specific end goal: “I would love to see a stronger connection between you and my child” or, “I wonder how we can support my child feeling more comfortable in the classroom.”

Problem-solve and plan. Once you have made the teacher aware of your

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concerns, it is always good to brainstorm ideas and plan. If you are at this point, it is likely the teacher has responded well to what your child is feeling. What are some things that could support your child feeling more positively connected to the teacher? Is it possible for the teacher to check in with your child at the beginning of the day? Are there ways the teacher can reduce expectations in the area(s) your child struggles in to better set your child up for success? By brainstorming solutions, you are letting the teacher know you are there to work toward solutions, together.

Get additional support, if needed. Sometimes you can do all the right things and it still feels like the end goal is not being reached. If you have gathered useful information from your child, gently brought it to the teacher’s attention, attempted to collaborate to solve the problem(s), and your child is still struggling in class, it might be time to get additional support.

Often, schools will have teaching supervisors who can be involved in the situation or, if needed, seek support from the school principal or the assistant principal.

On rare occasions, children can struggle significantly and may not want to go to school anymore or start exhibiting anxiety or behavioral challenges. Therefore, it is imperative to involve a higher level of support, if you feel it is required. Sometimes having a full team approach can help everyone feel supported, so don’t be afraid to reach out to other supports to join you in problem-solving.

Ultimately, there is no right way to handle these situations. Sometimes it is a small issue that can be easily resolved on its own or requires a bit of support from you, whereas other times it might escalate to a larger issue and require additional support from the school.

Take some time to assess the situation and consult with professionals if you need more support or insight. Your child is your priority so do what feels right for you and your family.

Ashlee and Lisa are child psychologists who created KidsConnectPsychology as a place for children and families to access tools, supports, and therapy. For digital downloads, parenting tool kits, information about parent counselling, school consultations, daycare consultations, and more, visit kidsconnectpsychology.com.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram @KidsConnectPsychology. CCM

education

explore learning-at-home options Five choices for Albertan parents

By Judy Arnall You may want your child to learn from home but due to work, travel, or other reasons, do not want to teach your child at home. We are lucky to live in Alberta where choice in education is enshrined in the Education Act and you have many education delivery choices.

Here is a list of choices and a guide to help you choose the best one for your unique learner. Rest assured that your child can access university and colleges through all these choices: 1. Supported Home Education. This is what most people think of when they envision home education.

Unique to Alberta, just because you have taken on the responsibility of providing your child’s education, doesn’t mean you have to do the teaching. You can procure the teaching from pods, co-ops, non-government online courses, such as Khan Academy, and a variety of learning experiences in the community offered by the Zoo, Science Centre, Libraries, and recreation centres.

Many parents “unschool” by empowering their child to learn through life experiences where relevancy increases learning motivation. This is the only option for supply and lesson reimbursement of $850 per child per year. You notify with a supportive home education school board that offers two facilitator support visits per year. You choose the activities, resources, and evaluation methods and do not have to give marks, nor follow the government’s Alberta Programs of Study. There is no testing unless you want to. This program is best for younger grades, kindergarten to Grade 6, where children’s brains are wired to learn most effectively through physical experiences and in-person activities rather than through a screen. It is also recommended for high school home education children who want to earn credits for a government diploma.

2. Unsupported Home Education. New for 2021 is the option to notify directly with the government and forego support, high school credits, and funding. All other benefits of the supported option are on this program.

You send the form into the government and are left alone for the rest of the year. This option is best if you have the experience and confidence in home educating.

You can outsource teaching, travel and use any resources you wish to provide your child’s education, and you do not have to send anything in or meet up with a facilitator.

Children gain post-secondary admission by challenging the Grade 12 diploma exams; they study for them using any resources they wish.

3. Distance Education via Online and At-Home Learning. This is school but in your living room delivered through a screen. This is best when you want to be hands-off, just as you would be if your child was attending traditional school. The school is responsible for all delivery of the Alberta Programs of Study outcomes per grade. You make sure your child gets the assignments done (just like homework and tolerate the messy parts in your home). This program is best for teens from Grades 7 and up who have more abstract theoretical thinking power, a greater attention span, and can manage the digital world on their own with little supervision.

“Remember, you only commit to a program for the year. Children grow in brain capacity, and you can change programs each summer for the new ‘school’ year.”

4. Distance Education via Teacher-Directed and Print-Based Programs. This is school also delivered to your home but with little teacher-child interaction. A big box of books is delivered to your door, and it is up to your child to unpack the books, organize the lessons, and self-teach from the materials. It is correspondencebased education delivery and tutorial-style teaching - the teacher is available by phone or email if your child reaches out for help. This type of program is best for independent and self-disciplined learners - ones who are motivated to get the assignments done without constant parental nagging. It requires parental supervision to break down schedules and adhere to them and help your child send in their assignments by the due date.

This may have more freedom of due dates, but with that comes procrastination and worry. If you want flexibility, supported home education may be the best option

where you control the assignments and due dates and activities. Not recommended for children younger than high school.

5. Shared Responsibility. This option is best if you want to take on a subject or two and leave the rest to the school to provide, or you want to outsource one or two subjects to the school and provide the rest (part Home Education, part Distance Education). Some school boards offer in-person classes for their share of the subject teaching. It’s the beginning of the hybrid model of education where students can learn best in the format and delivery model that works for their temperament, interests, age, and, most importantly, learning style in each subject area. It utilizes the best that schools, community venues, co-ops, other parents, and the online world have to offer. This is best for Grades 7 and up where children are taking on more independent responsibility to learn and get assignments done, but in gradual allocation of responsibility. This is also best when you do not wish to teach a certain subject or want to cover a certain subject, but not the whole curriculum.

Remember, you only commit to a program for the year. Children grow in brain capacity, and you can change programs each summer for the new ‘school’ year. You also have the option to put your child back into the classroom each fall. Enjoy the buffet of choices Alberta provides.

Judy Arnall, CCFE, DTM, is a certified brain and child development specialist and master of non-punitive parenting and education practices. She is the bestselling author of five books translated into five languages, including Discipline Without Distress and Parenting With Patience. Her latest bestselling books are Unschooling To University and The Happy Homeschooling Handbook - Alberta, available to purchase at albertahomeschooling.ca. Visit Judy at professionalparenting.ca, judyarnall.com, and unschoolinguniversity.com. CCM

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education

three Montessori-inspired activities you can do at home Set your child up for literacy success!

By Jenna Mazzei The fundamental skills your child learns in their early years help set them up for success with their future reading and writing. However, this doesn’t just include learning the alphabet and writing words. There is more to preparing your child for literacy success and it all starts with setting a solid foundation.

Here are three easy activities you can do at home to help your child reach their literacy potential: 1. Vocabulary enrichment. Vocabulary enrichment is the first step in literacy. During the first six years of life, children are in the sensitive period for language, which means they learn language almost effortlessly. Therefore, it is important to surround your child with language as much as possible. You can do this by singing to your child, using sign language, describing their surroundings, and reading to them every day. To continue to enrich your child’s vocabulary, there are many activities you can do with them at home, such as finger plays, poetry, and matching games.

One of my favorite vocabulary enrichment activities is a Recognizing Facial Expression Activity. All you need to set up this activity are a tray, cards, or photographs of children with different emotions/facial expressions and a small handheld mirror.

Once you have set up the activity: • Show your child the first card (starting with a happy face) and ask questions such as, “What do you see here?” (A little girl.) “What does her face tell you?” “Do you think she is happy?” “What makes you happy?” Continue to ask questions until you have established a solid foundation and are sure your child understands the emotion/ facial expression.

• Ask your child to pick up the mirror and think about what makes them happy. Ask them what they see in the mirror.

• Continue with all the cards, getting your child to name the emotions of the card and describe what they see, making sure to ask them lots of questions using emotional vocabulary.

This engaging and fun activity not only increases their vocabulary but also helps them understand and recognize non-verbal expressions.

2. Preparation of the hand. When it comes to writing, most people think about pencil skills but to ensure success in writing, you must first prepare the hand!

Developing pincer grasp and strengthening your child’s hands and wrists are the best ways to promote proper writing skills. Everything your child grasps right from the beginning plays a role in preparing the hand. As they get older, it is essential to provide them with activities that help further refine their pincer grasp and finemotor skills.

Many different activities help your child prepare their hand for pencil skills, such as play dough, simple scissor cutting, tracing, and even LEGO. One of my favorite activities that can grow with your child over the years is Bead Stringing.

All you need to set up this activity are pipe cleaners and large beads on a tray.

Once you have set up the activity: • Have your child continuously add the beads to the piper cleaning until they are finished.

• Once your child finds this activity easy, you can increase the difficulty by using smaller beads, string, and even adding pattern cards for them to follow.

Bead stringing is consistently developing your child’s fine-motor skills, concentration skills, and hand-eye coordination.

3. Sounds before symbols. Montessori philosophy introduces phonetic sound before the letter name.

Focusing on the phonetic aspect of letters allows a child to develop a concrete understanding of each letter and ensures less letter confusion.

When teaching phonetic letter sounds, the Montessori secret weapon is the Sandpaper Letters. These are exactly what they sound like, letters made of sandpaper. You can

buy them as a set, or you can easily make them at home.

What makes the Sandpaper Letters special? When using the Sandpaper Letters, your child is engaging multiple senses at once, which results in a deeper learning experience.

All you need to do to set up this activity is cut the letters out of sandpaper and glue them onto a card (cardboard, cardstock, or light wood).

Once you have set up the activity: • Choose three letters to start with (I recommend following this order: a, m, t, c - s, r, i, p - b, f, o, g h, j, u, l - d, w, e, n - k, q, v, x, y, z).

Place the letters face down on top of each other.

• • Turn over the first letter and trace it with two fingers while saying the phonetic sound.

• Repeat this three times and say a corresponding word “a, a, a is for apple.”

• Have your child trace the letter while saying the phonetic sound.

• Once your child has completed tracing all three letters, lay the letter out and ask your child to show you each sound.

When using the Sandpaper Letters, your child is not only hearing, seeing, and saying the letter sound, they are also tracing the letter, which allows muscle memory to come into play, creating an amazing multi-sensory experience that strengthens the learning process.

Setting a solid foundation is key to literacy success.

When you provide your child with the tools that they need to develop the fundamental prerequisite skills for reading and writing, you are helping to ensure that they reach their full literacy potential.

Jenna is a mother, Montessori teacher, and owner of Evolve Montessori. Evolve Montessori is proud to be offering unique and exceptional Montessori programs for kids ages two to four. For more information, email evolvemontessori@gmail.com or visit evolvemontessori.com. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook @EvolveMontessori and Instagram @evolvemontessori. CCM

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