VDCDC Teddy Bear Clinic

VDCDC Teddy Bear Clinic

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Interacting with health care professionals turned into a fun experience when Vegreville and District Child Development Coalition (VDCDC) hosted the Third Annual Teddy Bear Clinic at Vegreville Community Health Center on November 18.

This event had interactive stations where children’s teddy bears or stuff toys received a check-up. The children could also participate in different activities while they interacted with health care practitioners.

Coordinator for VDCDC, Danielle Flaathen explained that this event gave children an opportunity to meet some of the local health care professionals and learn that it is not so scary to visit them and what it might be like to be in their office. Also, it was meant to give information for parents who may not know about all the services Vegreville has to offer.

Chiropractor, Dr. Dan Fisher added that a seven minute work out helps children with self-regulation. This could include frog jumps, bear walk, gorilla shuffle, starfish jumps or whatever fun activity children like to do. Children should have sensory play everyday as this helps children’s cognitive development, increased brain function, improved emotional regulation, and heightens thier ability to process new information. Some examples of this could be hop scotch, jump rope, rolling down a hill, skating, Simon Says, twister and more.

This clinic also celebrated National Child Day on November 20 which is a day set aside to acknowledge our country’s commitment to upholding the rights of children and two historic events; the 1959 signing of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Children and the adoption of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child in 1989.