priceless • take one!
Spring 2012
cover photo: www.adriankidsphotography.ca
Asthma: Quick Facts Why Baby Teeth Are Important 5 Skills Smart Kids Need
Super Snacks!
contents 2 8 10 13 14 17 18 20 20 21
Volume 4, issue 1
priceless • take one!
Spring 2012
articles
Waiting for Dinner Learning Beyond the Books Quitting An Extracurricular Asthma Quick Facts
columns
Editor’s Note Ask the Expert Featured Parent Business Spotlight Michelle Collie: Dance Like No One is Watching Recipes You’ll Love Stuff We Love On the Bookshelf Snap Happy Resource Directory
editor’s note Spring is here and that means lots of wonderful local community events are on the horizon. The Babies in Bloom Baby Fair takes place at the end of March, which is perfect for expectant and new parents. The richly satisfying Rotary Okanagan International Children’s Festival takes place in May in Penticton, BC (well worth the trip no matter where you live!). And July brings Fat Cat Children’s Festival. We’re fortunate to have so many fantastic community events here in the Okanagan to enjoy with friends and family. Enjoy this issue and best wishes for a happy and healthy Spring!
Asthma: Quick Facts cover photo: www.adriankidsphotography.ca
4 6 12 16
Spring 2012
Why Baby Teeth Are Important 5 Skills Smart Kids Need
Super Snacks!
cover photo: Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.ca E. info@adriankidsphotography.ca P. 250.863.0176
Contributors: Sarah Antice, Michelle Collie, Michale Hartte, Heidi Smith Luedtke, Shylon Mathew, Natalie Mathew-Sanche, Pam Nease, Wayne Terai Editor & Publisher: Colleen Bezeau Advertising Inquiries: advertise@okanaganchild.com General Inquiries: info@okanaganchild.com www.okanaganchild.com 1.888.373.5566 Okanagan Child is published four times per year by Bellhop Media Inc. Circulation: 15,000. Please note that this magazine is solely funded through the support of our advertisers and sponsors. Please support our advertisers! Opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher. All contents copyrighted ©. No part of this publication may be reprinted, quoted, copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Publisher.
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Waiting for Dinner by Sheila Wray Gregoire
C
ow bells are especially useful in the country. Not only do they warn of oncoming bovines, but they can summon the family from far and wide to dinner. Friends of mine hang one prominently by their back door. The urban counterpart to the cow bell is that image of Mom leaning out the door and yelling, “Dinner!” to her various children scattered around the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, that seems like a throwback to a bygone era. In our busy lives, many of us have abandoned eating home-cooked meals together. Grocery stores and fast food outlets have freed us from this time honoured tradition, so that we can grab dinner on the run, heating up a frozen Mexican enchilada, or even gourmet Indian Butter Chicken, as we dash out the door to another meeting, another lesson, another midnight shift. Not too many June Cleavers remain. But let’s remember that it wasn’t just the perfectly coiffed June who organized these family rituals. Almost every family, tight sweatered or not, once enjoyed this tradition. In the days when buying dinner out far exceeded most family budgets, people cooked from scratch. And then they sat down together, passed the potatoes, and dug in. Television was the first thing that killed family dinners. Instead of talking, people started watching. And soon conversation died. Once we gave up on the benefits of talking together, little was left. When frozen foods came on the market, home cooking died, too. And soon our schedules became so haphazard that herding everyone together was a struggle. I wonder, though, how many of us have ever calculated the cost? Most of my generation grew up eating dinner with our families. We learned certain skills that we now take for granted. But many of those skills our children will not learn, because they no longer have the opportunity to learn them. Take, for instance, the idea of “waiting until dinner” to eat. When 4:30 hit and I was hungry for a cookie, my mother wouldn’t let me Spring 2012 l 4
indulge because dinner would be served in 45 minutes, and it was out of the question to ruin one’s dinner. If dinner is not going to be served, though, but instead can just be heated up on a whim, children eat whenever they want. No longer do they have to train their appetites to wait. If their bodies want it, they get it. Does this have repercussions in areas other than eating? And what about the idea of taking one’s turn? Sitting with six people around the table meant that you couldn’t all grab the mashed potatoes at the same time. You had to decide to pass all to the right, or all to the left, and you had to wait until they arrived, unless you were smart enough to set the table yourself and position the potatoes right in front of your own plate. Sharing and waiting one’s turn is almost as outdated now as June Cleaver. As long as you’re the one standing by the microwave, the food’s all yours. Conversation skills are also eroding. At the dinner table you have to wait your turn to speak, and you have to listen to others. Take away the dinner table, and children’s main conversations occur with friends on the phone, online, or on the playground. The rules of etiquette our grandmothers championed are sadly lacking there. Without family dinners children don’t learn not to burp at the table, or to keep one’s bottom firmly in one’s seat, or not to interrupt each other. They don’t have to learn how to keep an uninteresting conversation going, how to relate to a sullen sibling, or how to describe what happened in school. As a child I had to ask to be excused; I couldn’t just leave when I wanted to, much as I may have desired to escape during those long Christmas dinners when my grandfather waxed on about the latest Matlock episode. And it did me good. Family dinners aren’t just about food. They’re about family; they’re about life; they’re about civil society. We’re throwing something far too precious away for the lure of the tube, or the beckoning of the drive thru. I think we need more cow bell. www.okanaganchild.com
The Third Annual Okanagan Baby Fair Saturday, March 24, 2012 10am - 5pm Sunday, March 25, 2012, 10am - 4pm Okanagan College Learning Centre KLO Rd., Kelowna
What you will experience: • Over 30,000 square feet of Baby Bliss • Babies in Bloom Photo Contest • Door Prizes • Indoor Play Area
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Spring 2012 l
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Learning Beyond the Books: 5 Skills Smart Kids Need
R
aising smart kids isn’t about teaching to the tests, it’s about building brainpower. Kids who can seek information, connect ideas and apply what they’ve learned, aren’t just booksmart, they are life-smart. Cultivate your student’s success with these essential skills.
Growth Mindset What it is
Smart kids define intelligence in terms of learning, not as a fixed trait. Decades of research by developmental psychologist Carol Dweck, PhD, and her colleagues shows kids who think in terms of ability give up quickly when challenged. They see failure as proof that they don’t have what it takes. Kids who believe intelligence is developed are not discouraged by failure. These learners seek challenges, think creatively and thrive despite setbacks.
by Heidi Smith Luedtke
How to build it
Reinforce the belief that talents are developed, not a matter of biological inheritance. Praise your child for his or her effort and persistence, rather than intelligence. For example, say, “I’m proud of you for playing such a difficult song, you really stretched your skills” instead of “You’re a talented musician.”
Investigative Approach What it is
Smart kids can define a problem, formulate options, test potential solutions and decide on a course of action. These are important life skills. Zoos, aquariums, parks and science centers are fantastic learning laboratories.
How to build it
Teach investigative concepts and skills at each stage of your child’s development. Double your cookie recipe and let kids determine how much butter and flour you need. Study bridges you cross to understand their design. Ask kids how they could get over the river without a bridge. Engage your child’s curiosity outside the classroom and model problem-solving strategies.
Emotional Intelligence What it is
Smart kids recognize and regulate their own emotions and empathize with others. “Kids who develop these skills early in life get better grades, are less susceptible to anxiety and depression, and have healthier, more fulfilling relationships,” says Linda Lantieri, co-founder of the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program, a social and emotional learning program implemented in more than 400 schools. Kids who can self-soothe when stressed are ready and able to learn from their experiences, without distracting emotional drama. Spring 2012 l 6
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How to build it
Regulating emotions doesn’t mean stifling them, says Lantieri. Don’t diminish your child’s feelings, rather help him understand what’s causing them. Increase his emotion-related vocabulary by introducing him to words like angry, frustrated, jealous, excited and elated. Children should be able to describe their feelings with some specificity, rather than saying they feel good or bad. Use your own upsets as teaching opportunities. Explain step-by-step how you stop, calm down, refocus and then act. When you give kids the skills to direct their own learning and express their ideas, you facilitate success in school and in life.
Self-Expression What it is
Smart kids develop a strong sense of self. They know their own strengths and challenges and make wise decisions. Kids crave a sense of uniqueness and they may feel pressured by intense demands to get good grades, to fit in socially, and to grow up before they’re ready, says Brandie Oliver, assistant professor of counselor education at Butler University in Indianapolis. Finding their own identity can be awkward and frustrating. It also subjects kids to risk. Kids need skills to stand up for themselves.
How to build it
“It is common for parents to think they are in the loop when they don’t know as much as they think, says Oliver. “Kids share information with parents through a filter.” Sometimes they embellish
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or omit key details. Listen deeply and encourage sharing. Validate your child’s perspective even when you don’t agree. Model the use of “I” messages, such as “I think” or “I feel.” Kids who can voice their opinions respectfully become productive members of the community.
Metacognitive Understanding What it is
Smart kids think about their own thinking: they can take multiple perspectives and they’re aware of their own biases and assumptions. “Metacognition isn’t about grades,” says Leif Gustavson, PhD, associate professor of education at Arcadia University in Glenside, Penn., “but it helps kids study efficiently and use knowledge effectively.” Students need to understand how and why they are learning the material in a particular class. When students understand teachers’ methods, they can direct their own learning.
How to build it
When your child completes an assignment or exam, ask “how did it go? What went well? What would you do differently next time?” Also, ask kids to connect previous learning to new experiences. This helps achieve deeper understanding. Encourage your child to apply her learning, even if she feels uncomfortable. Reflection is critical. Heidi Smith Luedtke is a psychologist and mom who enjoys crashing toy cars, making pumpkin cake balls and blowing raspberries on the baby’s belly. You can read her blog on parenting as a leadership experience at www.LeadingMama.com Spring 2012 l 7
Ask the Expert
Q.
Why are a child’s “baby” teeth important? Aren’t they just going to fall out anyway?
Unfortunately, many parents overlook the importance of a child’s baby teeth (sometimes called primary or milk teeth). A child’s baby teeth perform a number of importance functions including : • • • • •
chewing to help provide nutrition are involved in proper speech development set aside / hold space in the mouth for permanent teeth help children feel good about the way they look to others are involved in the development of the jaw bones and facial muscles
Just like adult / permanent teeth, a child’s primary teeth are involved in chewing, smiling and talking! The primary teeth also play a crucial role in maintaining space for the permanent teeth that follow after them. Unfortunately, if primary teeth are lost before the permanent teeth are ready to come in, there will often be a loss of space and / or shifting of the teeth in the mouth which likely will require future intervention with braces (from an orthodontist). This is why it is very important that a child’s primary teeth are kept in place until they are lost naturall. Remember, many baby teeth will be in a child’s mouth for 5 - 10 years! So yes, absolutely your child will lose his or her primary teeth, however, whether it is primary teeth or permanent teeth, it is important that parents teach and instruct their children on the importance of good oral health from an early age. In fact today, there is overwhelming evidence that children that have cavities on their primary teeth are at a much greater risk / much more prone to developing cavities on their permanent teeth.
Have Questions? We Have Answers. Teaching and helping your child to take good care of his or her teeth is so simple, yet can have a profound impact in helping your child achieve a lifetime of good oral health! Dr. Shylon Mathew & Dr. Natalie Mathew-Sanche Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry ToothZone Kids Dental Centre | www.ToothZoneKids.com
Q.
What are the pros and cons of soother and thumb sucking? I have friends that swear by (and against) both! Not sure what’s best for my baby.
“You can take away a soother … but you can’t take away a thumb!” How often have we heard that? How many of us have chosen soothers as we have heard about that one person in their 30’s that was still sucking their thumb to sleep? Or, perhaps it is the fear of thousands of dollars in orthodontic work? For some, it is their own painful memories of Tabasco or bridges being put in their mouths to get them to stop. If you want a great sleeper, then don’t choose the soother. You are simply setting yourself up for failure. The second they fall out of the baby’s mouth, they need someone to put it back in again. By the time they are mentally and physically able to do it, (without calling for Mom or Dad in the middle of the night), they are three to four years old. By then, Mom and Dad are starting to feel the pressure from the Dentist to take it away. And that’s a lot of sleepless nights (1370 in total from 3 months to age 4) which could lead to a lot more serious health and behavioural issues for your child. Even if they can put it back in their mouths, you are still giving your child fragmented sleep. They will end up having a full arousal, put the soother back in their mouth and then go back to sleep. This is similar to you waking up to use the bathroom or looking at the alarm clock, noting the time and then going back to sleep. You remember these wakeful periods. Studies have shown that fragmented sleep is not as beneficial as consolidated sleep. When we get fragmented sleep, our bodies do not go into the deeper stages of sleep, and therefore we do not wake up feeling as refreshed the next morning. The same is true for children. For babies, sucking on thumbs and fingers is a natural and intuitive process. We have all seen the pictures of babies in the womb, suck-
Spring 2012 l 8
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ing on them. So, if your newborn or infant gravitates to a thumb or finger as a self soothing strategy – embrace it! Celebrate that they have the ability to self soothe and will be better sleepers as a result. When we all sleep, we have partial arousals through the night. We come gently to the surface, scan our environment and then go back to sleep. These are the times that we adjust our pillows, roll over, pull up the blankets or snuggle up to our partner. In the morning, we do not remember them and therefore we wake up feeling more refreshed as we were able to get into the deeper stages of sleep. This is considered consolidated sleep. The same is true for babies and young children. If you are concerned about the 30 year old or the large orthodontic bills or the painful childhood memories, then don’t despair. Just because you don’t use a soother does not mean that your child will automatically choose a finger or thumb. Many babies and young children find other self soothing strategies such as cuddling with a small stuffed animal or a blanket. If they do gravitate to fingers or thumbs, then early intervention is best. Some parents have reported that their babies spontaneously stopped sucking on their thumbs or fingers on or around their first birthday. If that does not happen, then you will want to engage in gentle behaviour management techniques around 2 years old to stop any finger and thumb sucking while awake and then again around 3 to 4 years old for the sleep association. This can be done in a very short period of time – about a week or so. And … in the meantime … you all have experienced 1370 peaceful nights and better naps in the day. Pam Nease, Licensed Sleep Consultant Sleep Sense | www.sleepsense.net/kelowna
Q.
What can I do if my child is constipated?
Constipation can include either a sluggish bowel or having infrequent bowel movements. Surprisingly enough, diarrhea can also be an outward sign of constipation where the stools are severely compacted and only liquid makes it’s way through. In either case, constipation is extremely harmful to the body. It has been implicated www.okanaganchild.com
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with all sorts of digestive disorders - including cancer due to the re intoxication of various dangerous toxins. What to do? First and foremost, repopulate their bowels with beneficial bacteria (therapeutic grade). Next, get enough natural fibre and water. Best fibre sources are: nuts, seeds (ground flax seeds work well), whole fruits and vegetables. Please note: a diet high in fibre from grains (breakfast cereals, bran, etc) has a negative effect on gut flora. Additionally, increase good fats, particularly butter, ghee and sour cream, which can also help. Lastly, eliminate all know food sensitivities/allergies. The most common are: Grains (gluten) and dairy (casein), followed by soy, peanuts and corn. Chicken eggs are also found to be problematic. If the situation has not resolved within 1 month (resulting in 1-2 well-formed bowel movements per day), then seek a qualified Natural Heath Care Provider for help. Michale Hartte, BASc (Nutr), NNCP Clinical Nutritionist | www.fitnhealthynutrition.com Spring 2012 l
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photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography
Sarah Antice Building a family. A bit about myself...
The best parenting advice I ever received...
My husband Ollie and I relocated from London, England to Canada in 2003 after we got married because the cost of living in London was so high and we wanted to try something different for a couple of years and as I had Canadian citizenship through my father so we thought it would be a great opportunity and came to Kelowna, and never left!!
Be Present - I find myself constantly multi-tasking as shuffling the work/home life can be a tricky and you can easily miss the tiny moments of your child’s life when you are too busy trying to do other, less meaningful things. So, everyday, I remind myself that my time with the boys is the most important and I should take in every second. The laundry can always wait!!
I work full-time at the Cancer Center for Southern Interior as a radiation therapist and Ollie now has his own landscaping business.
Try your best - I have never been a parent before so have no real benchmarks. My ethos to parenting is to try my best.....I am not and never will be perfect, so striving to be a perfect mother is unfeasible and futile. I try not to let the guilt of being a working mum get me down because I provide for my family and hope the children will grow up seeing that I have other responsibilities as well as being a mother to them.
My journey to becoming a parent... It wasn’t until we lived in Kelowna for 3 years that we considered having a family - we had both thought previously that parenting wasn’t for us! I think that our perspectives changed when we realised how much this country has to offer families in comparison to in the UK where owning your own home is a dream for most couples in our situation. We bought a home here and became settled and then eventually decided to start a family - now I am a working mother of 2 boys, Kieran age 4 and Leo age 1. Spring 2012 l 10
I never leave home without... Snacks.... meltdowns tend to be avoided when we are out and about if we take snacks along.
www.okanaganchild.com
My fridge is always stocked with... Dairy products - cheese, milk, yoghurt are all firm favourites at our house. The kids love fruit too so we try to make sure there is always a good selection for them to choose from.
What I want most for my children... I would like them to truly find what in life makes them happy.
Favourite ways to relax and enjoy self time... I try to find time to meet friends for coffee, or go for dinner or a movie and get some social time in for myself but we definitely do not have ample amount of self-time. I love to knit and I find it very relaxing so after the kids go to bed, I curl on the couch to knit, or I will read. In the summer, we like to go for a walk in the evening which can be very self-soothing.
My favourite part about being a mom... I love seeing the kids grow, change, learn and adapt. It is fascinating how quickly children pick things up. I also love their smiles and listening to them laughing. I enjoy watching the facets of their personalities as they are quite different- Kieran is very mellow and easy going where Leo is busy and inquisitive; amazing considering they come from the same set of parents!!
photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography
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Quitting an Extracurricular:
How Much Say Should Your Child Have? by Sara Dimmerman
B
y now, your child has likely chosen and settled into extra curricular activities that many fill their after school and weekend hours with. My 12 year old, Chloe’s choice, is a no brainer. She’d dance at Attitudes Dance and Performing Arts Studio every night of the week if she could. Each year she adds another class to her repertoire and hasn’t tired of it over the past five years. I don’t care if she ever auditions for ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ I’m just happy that she loves dancing in a non competitive environment with many of her school friends and that she’s developed the confidence to perform in front of an audience at the end of the year recital. I must admit that there have been years when I tried to encourage – even bribe – her to try something else. Like the time I enrolled her in piano lessons because I have always wanted her to play the piano as beautifully and effortlessly as my husband does. Having heard stories from my mother in law about how my husband wanted to quit, how she wouldn’t allow him to, and now seeing the fruits of her labour, I thought that we could go down the same path. How-
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Spring 2012 | 12
ever, each child is different and eventually, she negotiated her way out of piano lessons. Deciding when to allow children to quit lessons or an activity that you feel is best for him or her, is difficult. It really comes down to how much consideration we should give to our child’s wishes and when, as a parent, we have to make a decision that we hope our child will ultimately thank us for. I am reminded of a conversation I had with a good friend recently. Years back, it was determined that her daughter was eligible for the gifted stream following her grade 3 year. As a family, they determined that she would be better served by being withdrawn one day a week as opposed to attending a full time gifted program within the public school system. Over the past three years, my friend has noticed her daughter’s increasing resentment at being withdrawn. Rather than feeling privileged at being given the opportunity to attend a program that stretched her thinking, she felt that she was being punished for being bright. She hated the one day of the week that she missed activities that her good friends shared at their home school. Before the end of her grade 6 year, she became increasingly vocal about wanting to remain in her home school every day of the week. Her parents, loving that their daughter had been given the unique opportunity of expanding her thinking, were reluctant to let her leave. So, my friend turned to me for advice. After some careful reflection, I shared that since her daughter had given the one day a week program a full three years of her time, and since she was already a bright and logical thinker, did not rush into making decisions and was very responsible, that I felt that she should give more weight to what her daughter wanted at this point. I recommended that instead of throwing her hands up and saying “Fine, do what you want. Quit!” (which I doubt she would have done anyway), that she let her daughter know that because they trusted and respected her opinion, that they felt that they could trust her to help make this important decision. To actually put into practice what she had learnt to do in her gifted classroom. If they felt it necessary, they could even sit as a family to record the pros and cons of staying in the program before making an absolute decision. www.okanaganchild.com
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Est. 1995
Bottom line is that it’s best to try to make these decisions as a family. If a child feels that he or she has either been forced into a program or is being forced to stay, then he or she may develop not only resentment towards the program itself (and then not receive the maximum benefit from it) but also resentment towards you for not hearing his or her point of view. As parents it’s okay to choose programs and activities for our very young children without much say from them. Then, as they grow older and we want to encourage independent thought and individual expression, we may need www.okanaganchild.com
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I also suggested (although my friend had already considered this), that there may be other after school programs that their daughter could enrol in. For example, being a whiz at math, she could take part in an extra curricular math program for students with a strong aptitude for numbers. I suggested that they might even want to make this a condition for leaving the one day a week program but that they could re evaluate this program at the end of the school year or sooner.
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to stand aside and make room for their inclusion in a democratic decision making process. Sara Dimerman is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and provides counseling to individuals, couples and families. A parent herself, she is the author of two parenting books, ‘Am I A Normal Parent?’ and ‘Character Is the Key.’ Find out more at www.helpmesara.com. Spring 2012 l
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Dance Like No One is Watching by Michelle Collie
A
t eight years old, my daughter has the grace, poise and posture of a kid enrolled in dance. She can memorize dance combinations and routines quickly and can perform in front of a large audience. She can speak the language and terminology of dance as though it is everyday English. While it may have been the sparkly costumes, fun shoes, and beautiful music that sparked her interest in her favorite activity, it is the built-in learning opportunities that have sparked our interest in helping her nurture her passion. We’ve had a front-row look at the positive impact dance has had on her life. She was a shy and anxious little three year old when she took her first dance class. When the teacher shut the door and closed the blinds, I fully expected her to run out of the room and never go back. Instead, thirty minutes later, she exited the class with a beaming smile and couldn’t wait for her next class. Dance has helped her gain confidence in herself. The shy, little three year old has been replaced by a chatty, confident eight year old who can dance in front of an examiner during exams, knowing his or her main focus is to critique. She can dance in front of adjudicators, parents and friends at a competition. She can allow music to help her body move. Dance has given her a focus, a goal. While she has had the opportunity to try other activities, in her own words, she’d rather be at dance. So, we nurture and support that as much as we can. Even though she is only eight! She takes examinations for dance and works hard to achieve a score she can be proud of. Of course, we’re proud of her for simply trying. She is involved in competition and her entire group always tries their hardest. We’re proud of them for simply getting up on stage. Spring 2012 l 14
They have learned to perform, win and lose with grace and manners. They perform at a year-end recital that culminates a year of hard-work. It’s not all fun and games, but to her it is always fun. We are often questioned on our decision to allow her to focus so much of her free-time on one activity. We’ve been asked what she will do with it when she is older, after all “ it isn’t a life-long skill like swimming or hockey”, or so some would say. But, when I walk into her dance studio and watch how hard the kids work, or I watch the year-end recital and notice the improvement in the dancers, or I watch as the cycle of younger dancers looking up to the older dancers and the family atmosphere that creates, I know that these kids are learning a lot of life-long skills. Not to mention, that excellent posture! Aside from their ability to quickly learn and memorize a number of routines, aside from their ability to perform in front of audiences, aside from their ability to compete and take exams, aside from the rhythm and musicality they are learning on a daily basis, aside from all that dancing, they are learning poise, grace, teamwork, goal-setting and determination that will stick with them whether or not their future occupations have anything to do with dancing or not. Whether our kids are enrolled in hockey or soccer, dance or guitar, art or swimming the simple fact that they are developing an interest is reason enough to allow them to be involved if they love it. Like any young child involved in any activity, she may hope to make it big one day and that may very well be her motivation for working hard. www.okanaganchild.com
Training For 2 Jumpstart your new life by getting fit! Build the strength and energy you need for pregnancy, labour, delivery and parenting! Exercising while pregnant has proven to help uncomplicated pregnancies with quicker deliveries and faster recovery! Personal Training Services as well as Pre/Post-natal Classes offered through World Gym Kelowna
www.trainingfor2.ca
GET ACTIVE, STAY ACTIVE
Spring into fun with our great programs Are you looking for activities to keep your child busy this spring?
South Okanagan 778.516.1505
Salmon Arm/ Vernon 250.558.5437
As her parents, our motivation has far less to do with what she will do with it when she’s older and far more to do with what she will do with it now. Work hard. Have fun. Enjoy. Be happy. Dance. Come what may, as long as that is our goal, the rest will be picked up along the way.
Michelle Collie is a wife, mom, freelance writer and child chauffeur who lives in West Kelowna, B.C. www.okanaganchild.com
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Fun spring break camps for kids of all ages
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Red Cross swimming programs for children 6 months and older
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25 meter pool and children’s play pool
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Art, dance, music,sports, fitness classes and much more
PARKINSON RECREATION CENTRE 250 469-8800 1800 Parkinson Way kelowna.ca/recreation Spring 2012 l
15
Asthma Quick Facts by Dr. Wayne Terai
F
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Exposure to cigarette smoke skyrockets an individual’s risk of asthma.
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Children whose mothers took acetaminophen (Tylenol) while pregnant have a 30 percent heightened risk of asthma and a 50 percent bolstered risk of wheezing (CHEST 2009;136:131623).
A study of 445 youngsters found that those who received antibiotics during the first year of life were 2.5 times more likely to develop asthma by age seven (European Respiratory Society).
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According to a study of over 24,000 women, pregnant women who take antibiotics increase the risk of their children having asthma by 43 percent (GP 2002:4).
“Exposure to chemically based cleaning products could account for as much as 15 percent, or one in seven of adult asthma cases.” (Am J Respir CritCare Med 2007; 176:735-41.)
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Consuming apples and omega-3 rich fish during pregnancy significantly decreases the odds of having a child who develops asthma (Thorax 2007;62:772-8).
Exposure of “off-gassing” from new plastic products, furniture, paint and other items boosts the risk of asthma (Environ Res 2006;102:1-8).
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Cesarean section delivery may predispose infants to developing asthma (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology).
Overweight boys have approximately twice the risk of asthma, compared to thinner boys. Overweight girls have 1.5 times the risk.
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Babies breastfed exclusively for the first four months of life have a 27 percent reduced risk of developing asthma (American Lung Association).
A diet rich in a wide array of fruits and vegetables prevents asthma. Children with diets low in vegetables and Vitamin E are almost three times as likely to suffer asthma symptoms (Thorax 2000;55:775-9).
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Exposure to pesticides significantly boosts a person’s risk of asthma.
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Children who eat fresh, oily fish at least once per week were much less likely to develop asthma (Med J Aust 1996;164:13740).
eeling breathless at the thought of having asthma? There may be a genetic predisposition, but there are ways to reduce or avoid having this life-limiting condition! Here are some facts about asthma for you to think about… •
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Studies in mice show that repeated exposure to disposable diapers significantly increases the risk of asthma-associated breathing problems (Arch Environ Health 1999;54:353-8).
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Children raised in a home with two or more dogs/cats during their infancy have 45 percent lower rates of respiratory hyper-reactivity, a significant risk factor for asthma (JAMA 2002;288:963-72).
Spring 2012 l 16
This information is provided by Dr. Wayne Terai, B.Sc., D.C., a family practice chiropractor, Advanced Proficiency Rated in Activator Methods. He has practiced in Kelowna for 15 years, and has practice includes the new Kelowna Laser Therapy Clinic, implementing the BioFlex Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT). LILT is used to effectively treat injuries and chronic and inflammatory conditions. www.okanaganchild.com
Recipes You’ll
LOVE
Super Seedy Snacks Ingredients •
2 cups raw seeds, ground (any combo of: hemp, sunflower, pumpkin, chia, flax or sesame).
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¼ cup raw seed butter (try sunflower or pumpkin)
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¼ tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt
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½ tsp blackstrap molasses
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¼ tsp stevia
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3 tsp Vanilla brown rice protein powder
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1/8 cup coconut oil
Optional additions: raisins, gogi berries, coconut flakes, or dark chocolate and/or carob chips Directions Grind all seeds in coffee grinder or equivalent and place into food processor. Next add all other ingredients in order as it’s listed. Stir in any optional additions, then either spread into a 5 by 7 inch glass container or make into funny shapes with your cookie cutters and have fun with them!! Best served chilled. Easy to freeze too (last in fridge for about 10 days). If you like this information, check out Michale Hartte’s, BASc (Nutr), NNCP new book, “The Fit n Healthy Plan – The nutritional diet & lifestyle plan made easy!” found online at www.fitnhealthynutrition.com
Get Paid to Par-Tea! Ever wonder what it’s like to work for yourself, set your own hours, or have a hobby make you money? We have all the tools you need to succeed: newsletter, website, online shopping, & an array of teas and accessories. Tea consumption in Canada is expected to jump 40% by 2020. Become a Tea Party Consultant Today! Contact me to learn more... Laura Zacharuk E. lzacharuk@shaw.ca P. 780.984.8986 www.okanaganchild.com
fabulous food? Spice Up Your Life! Love Want a source of employment without sacrifice?
Join one of Canada’s fastest growing companies! Have fun and make money while sharing an easy, cost-effective approach to home cooking. Part-time or full-time, enjoy a flexible, rewarding, exciting new career with your own home-based Epicure Selections business. Let you inner entrepreneur and home chef shine! It’s easy with Epicure! Contact your Indepdendent Epicure Consultant today! Jenn Hobbs 250.861.8375 jennsspices@hotmail.com
Discover the delicious possibilities of an Epicure career! www.epicureselections.com Spring 2012 l 17
STUFF WE
All aboard is right! We can’t get over how AWESOME the Le Toy Van London Bus with it’s own driver is. The wooden bus is painted bright red and if it could talk, we believe it would have quite the British accent. raspberrykids.com
LOVE
Swaddle your little one with these beautiful, classic saddles in natural muslin by Aden & Anis. So soft you just might be tempted to snuggle up to one yourself. chickenlittle.com
Add some pizazz to bath time and bubbles with these fun natural rubber toys! Your little one won’t want to stop splish splashing away! naturalbellyandbaby.com
Get out and enjoy the Spring ssason with this fantastic run bike! Perfect for any little one who can walk; teaches balance and skips the need for any training wheels later on! chickenlittle.com
Spring 2012 l 18
These adorable plush animals are sized for optimal hugging and suit kids of all ages. No harmful plastic pieces and tested lead free and phthalate free. raspberrykids.com www.okanaganchild.com
On the Bookshelf Three great books to check out for your preschooler!
The Hunter and the Animals A Wordless Picture Book
Doctor De Soto
Toby, Where Are You?
By Tomie de Paolo
By William Steig
By William Steig
Snap Happy
SHOTS! SHARE YOpiUctRures to our
Upload your photo gallery at ld.com under the www.okanaganc hi ll share some in ‘Kids’ menu and we’ every print issue!
Spring 2012 | 20
OR...
post your photos on our facebook wall! www.facebook.com/OkanaganChild
Share . . . Smile www.okanaganchild.com
Resource Directory Directory Resource Attractions & Recreation City of Kelowna - Recreation www.kelowna.ca City of Kelowna, Recreation and Cultural Services offers programs and activities for individuals of all ages and abilities in neighbourhoods throughout Kelowna, including swimming, dance, karate, sports, Mom & Baby programs and more.
birthday parties, in-school field trips, day camps South Okanagan: 778.516.1505 Salmon Arm/Vernon 250.558.5437 Building Blocks Educational Childcare Ltd. buildingblockseducare.com 778.478.1818
Davison Orchards www.davisonorchards.ca 3111 Davison Rd. Open Daily May 1 - October 31st. Davison Orchards is a three generation farm which grows 70 acres of fresh produce, offers Orchard tours, and has many great activates for children including farm animals and the New “Crazy Cow Kids Corral” play area. Fresh baking, specialty foods, country gifts, & so much more!
International Nannies and Homecare Make your life easier with a nanny. 250.862.4949 www.internationalnannies.com
Maple Springs Bible Camp www.maplesprings.ca
Mosaic Learning Academy 2463 Pandosy St., Kelowna 250.808.4429 250.462.1446 relliott@uniserve.com
YMCA-YWCA of the Central Okanagan www.ymca-ywca.com The YMCA-YWCA is a trusted charity committed to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. The Y proudly operates the Kelowna Family Y, the H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre, 3 out of school care centres, a childcare and preschool, and the Y Career Contact Centre for Youth. Birthday parties Face to Face Face Painting All occassions! 778.478.1011 facetofacefacepainting@hotmail.com Kiki the Eco Elf 250.549.1234 Breastfeeding Clinics / Support La Leche League www.lllc.ca Kelowna, BC: First Wednesday of the Month, 7pm, 630 Cadder Avenue (The Parent Place) Penticton, BC: Third Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Penticton Health Unit Vernon, BC: First Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Vernon Alliance Church, 2601 - 43rd Avenue Okanagan Breastfeeding Coalition 330 Ellis St., Penticton, BC www.okanaganbreastfeeding.org Rutland Health Centre Breastfeeding Centre 155 Gray Rd , Kelowna, BC 250.980.4822 Child Care - preschools, daycares, nannies Bricks 4 Kidz www.bricks4kidz.com After school programs, preschool classes, www.okanaganchild.com
Little Owl Academy www.littleowlacademy.ca 250.764.0122 contact@littleowlacademy.ca Infant/Toddler Care, Daycare, Preschool, Out of School Care.
Nannysitters www.nannysitters.ca Kelowna’s premier nanny and babysitter agency. Specializing in providing thoroughly-screened local childcare professionals. Nannysitters is fully licensed, bonded and insured. Okanagan Montessori www.okmontessori.com We provide a prepared environment where children are guided through activities by trained Montessori teachers. Children learn as they experiment with and actively participate in activities. Carpet cleaners Oxy Dry The better way to clean your carpet. www.oxy-dry.ca Vernon 250.260.6061 Kelowna 250.860.4595 Penticton 250.493.4093 Childcare Resource & Referral Kelowna Child Care Resource & Referral 1890 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna, BC 250.763.3536 Penticton Child Care Resource & Referral 330 Ellis St., Penticton, BC 250.492.2926 Vernon Child Care Resource & Referral 3300- 37th Avenue, Vernon, BC 250.542.3121 Chiropractic Care Burtch Chiropractic, Dr. Wayne Terai 250.860.4518 229-1634 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna BC Dr. Wayne Terai is a Doctor of Chiropractic
practicing in Kelowna for over 15 years, helping Okanagan families be well without the use of drugs and surgery.
www.powermoveone.com
Dental Care
CST Consultants Denise De Haas Sales Representative Branch 632 denise.dehaas@cstresp.com 250.300.9819
Toothzone Kids Dental Centre Pediatric Dental Office that specializies in the care of infants, children and teenagers. 778-484-KIDS #225 - 1634 Harvey Ave. Kelowna, BC Cloth Diapering Booty Boutique www.bootyboutique.ca 1.888.594.5204 We offer eco-friendly diapering solutions for the modern family along with a Try Before you Buy program! Tidy Tushees Diaper Service info@tidytushees.ca www.tidytushees.ca We help families with all their natural parenting needs including cloth diapering. Whether you choose to let us do the dirty work for you, you need help troubleshooting your system or you are on the hunt for products, we are here to help! Doulas Doula Services Association, BC 604.515.5588 www.bcdoulas.org Education Aberdeen Hall www.aberdeenhall.com Aberdeen Hall is an independent, nondenominational university preparatory school for boys and girls from preschool to senior grades. We offer a safe and balanced learning environment, individual attention and specialized instruction to enable your child’s to reach his or her full potential. CSF Schools www.csf.bc.ca The Couseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. offers French language public education across the province. It has schools in Kelowna and Penticton and elsewhere in the province. Sylvan Learning Reading . Writing . Math School success is a phone call away! Kelowna 250.861.1255 Vernon 250.549.2443 www.sylvanbc.ca Employment Become a Tea Consultant Get paid to par-tea! 780.984.8986 lzacharuk@shaw.ca Laura Zacharuk Power Move One Work from home, moms helping moms!
Finances
Freedom 55 Financial To find out more about how we can provide permanent insurance and provide for your child’s future, give us a call today at 250.763.1114 Chantal Diaz: ext. 233 Daniel Bussiere: ext. 256 Health & Wellness Epicure Jenn Hobbs, Independent Consultant Call today to learn more about becoming a consultant! Save money and spend less time in the kitchen with Epicure’s amazing products. www.epicureselections.com Maternity Care Westside 853 Anders Road, West Kelowna info@maternitycarewestside.com 778.755.5720 www.maternitycarewestside.com Nature’s Fare Markets www.naturesfare.com Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton Okanagan Natural Medicine www.oknaturalmedicine.com Dr. Shelby Entner and Dr. Chris Spooner offer natural family medicine, allergy testing, herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, laser therapy, hormone health, prolotherapy, iv medicine and vitamin injections. Training for 2 www.trainingfor2.ca Jump start your new life by getting fit! Today I Ate A Rainbow www.todayiatearainbow.com Today I Ate a RainbowTM is a chart that makes eating a rainbow of healthy fruits and vegetables FUN for kids! This hands-on tool makes it easy for parents to set up healthy eating habits. Lawyers Gordon and Company 102 - 1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC 250.860.9997 With over 30 years of professional experience, Gordon and Company offer an extensive range of serices including all types of litigation, family law, wills/estate disputes and personal injury. Midwives Spring 2012
l 21
Resource Directory Midwives Asscoation of BC 604.736.5976 www.bcmidwives.com
their fresh and creative style to kids portrait sessions. Visit them online or give them a call to book your kids session.
OnLine Parenting Sites
Ian Bull Photography www.ianbullphotography.com 250.558.1983 Visit the website for upcoming theme events and to sign up for the monthly newsletter.
Kelowna New Parent www.kelownanewparent.com Kelowna New Parent is Kelowna’s best resource for all things baby! Check out information on activities, play groups, dining, daycares and much more.
Public Health Services/Nurses Kelowna Health Unit 1340 Ellis Street 250.868.7700
True Cuddles Each week we bring you one baby or toddler product, in limited quantity, at up to 75% off retail! www.truecuddles.ca
Penticton Health Unit 740 Carmi Avenue 250.770.3434
Parent & Tot Storytimes The Okanagan Regional Library www.orl.bc.ca The ORL is your most economical, sustainable and relevant source for information and entertainment in the BC Southern Interior. Visit us at one of our 29 branches or at www.orl.bc.ca Photography & Portraits Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.ca info@adriankidsphotography.ca Kelowna photographers Jon + Jenny bring
Rutland Health Unit 155 Gray Road 250.980.4825 Summerland Health Unit 12815 Atkinson Road 250.404.8050 West Kelowna Health Unit 160 – 2300 Carrington Road 250.980.5150 Vernon Health Unit 1440 – 14th Avenue
250.549.5700 Retail ABC Amber Teething Necklaces Genuine, handmade baltic amber teething necklances Vernon, BC abcamber@hotmail.ca www.etsy.com/people/abcamber Angel Babies Kids Shoppe 375 Main St., Penticton, BC 250.493.8823 Calling mamas-to-be, parents and grandparents! With a great mix of consignment (maternity & kids) and new clothing, products & gear, Angel Babies is a must visit for young families. Chicken Little 4407 - 29th Street, Vernon BC www.chickenlittle.ca Chicken Little is a great place to shop for your kids, grandkids, family and friends. For shopping 24 hrs/day, visit us online at www. chickenlittle.ca Epic Jr. Trendy clothes for kids infant to preteeen. Epicjr.com 778.478.9898 2079 Enterprise Way Felt Fantasia www.feltfantasia.com Decorate your little one’s nursery with fantastic felt wall art or canvas art. Loadza Toys Toys for all ages. Orchard Park Mall, Kelowna and Cherry Lane Mall, Penticton (opening Summer 2011). www.loadzatoys.com 250.717.8209 Sleep
with Disabilities 250.763.4663 BC 24- HOUR Nurse Line Call: 8-1-1 Website: www.bchealthguide.com BC Nurseline gives you 24 hour, 7 day tollfree access to registered nursed specially trained to provide confidential help on the telephone. Available to answer medical enquiries free of charge - carecard required BC Council for Families 204-2590 Granville St , Vancouver, BC 1.800.663.5638 The BC Council for Families works to help create healthy families in a healthy society. Our goal is to empower families. We provide educational resources on topics such as parenting, childhood development, parent-teen relationships, work-life balance, suicide awareness and more. BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities 250.763.0899 Big Brothers and Sisters - Okanagan 151 Commercial Dr , Kelowna, BC www.bigs.bc.ca Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Okanagan provides children and youth ages 7 - 12 (‘Littles’) with volunteer adult mentors (‘Bigs’) who provide a positive influence in their lives. Welcome Wagon 1.866.856.8442 www.welcomewagon.ca It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon representative. She will bring new congratulations and gifts for the new baby and family. Perhaps it is shallow that what I think of and look forward to most about the changing seasons is a change of fashion, so if you intend to judge me by my cover, well, at least I will try and look nice.
Sleep Sense www.sleeptsense.net/kelowna Give you and your family the gift of a good night’s sleep with the Okanagan’s only licensed & local Sleep SenseTM Consultant. Call Pam at 250.575.6988 or visit www. sleepsense.net/kelowna Support Services Aboriginal Infant Development Program 442 Leon Ave , Kelowna, BC 250.763.4905
Watch for our next issue...
Summer 2012 arriving early June
ACHIEVE BC Toll Free: 1.800.514.0554 Website: www.AchieveBC.ca Advice on prenatal care, nutrition and developmental guides. Parenting tips and information on stimulating your child’s mind and body through reading and play. Learn more about the services offered through the Government of British Columbia by calling the toll free number or visiting the website. Association for the Benefit of Children
Spring 2012 | 22
www.okanaganchild.com
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TODAY I ATE A
Rainbow! Get your kid s eating a rainbow of fruits and v eggies! Age s 3+
b o w! in a R A e t A st u J I te A Rainbow The Today I A y eating into Kit turns health yours today!! a game! Order
TODAY I ATE A
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Do Your Kids Eat
& Vegetables 5 Fruits Eve
ryday?
Turn Healthy Eating into a fun game with this inte ractive char t & story!
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Contains
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magn6ets
ep·ic Adjective /”epik”/ Very impressive; Surpassing the ordinary
Whether they’re skateboarding, playing basketball or walking the mall, kids don’t like to be told what’s cool. With this in mind, Epic Jr. offers a wide selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories that allow for the originality, individuality, and Self Expression of those who wear them. For all kids: infant to pre-teen
ski & snow wear, gloves, hats, backpacks, wallets and more!
2079 Enterprise Way Kelowna, BC WWW.EPICJR.COM
| 778.478.9898
COME SEE US AT OUR NEW LOCATION !