BC Parent Family Resource Guide 2023

Family Resource Guide

GIVE to make a difference breakfastclubcanada.org

1 in 5 children is at risk of going to school hungry.

Important Numbers

Call 911 for Ambulance/Fire/ Police Emergency

Air or Marine Emergency

1-800-567-5111

Animal Emergencies (Nights) 604/879-7343

B.C. Gas Leaks & Odours

1-800-663-9911

BC Nurse Line 604/215-4700, 1-866-215-4700

Puts you in touch with a registered nurse, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

canadiancarseatnetwork.com Find a technician to verify your child’s car seat is installed correctly.

Earthquake, Flood, Dangerous Spill, Tsunami

1-800-663-3456

Emergency Preparedness www.pep.bc.ca

Help Line for Children

(Reporting of child abuse and neglect) throughout the province 310-1234; www.safekidbc. ca

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868

Newborn Hotline

604/737-3737 open 8:30 am–10 pm, 365 days per year, information about babies to age 2

Poison Control Centre 604/682-5050

1-800-567-8911

Rape Crisis Line – Women Against Violence Against Women

604/255-6344 or toll free

1-877-392-7583

www.wavaw.ca

Rape Relief 604/872-8212

Telecare Crisis Line

604/852-9099, 24 hr crisis line, Christian based

Youth Against Violence Line

1-800-680-4264

The Crisis Centre

www.YouthinBC.com

1-800-Suicide, 604/872-3311

The Distress Phone Services provide confidential, nonjudgmental, free emotional support, 24 hours a day,

7 days a week, for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. YouthInBC.com is an online resource where youth in distress can: get help through real-time online chat with a trained volunteer, learn more about common issues and concerns (e.g. bullying, depression, etc.), find resources, and be heard by sharing experiences on the blog.

Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge

The ancestral knowledge and traditions of the Indigenous peoples in this part of the world are as rich and diverse as the landscape itself. Thanks to the imagination and generosity of writers and artists working in these communities, kids from all cultural backgrounds can discover this fact for themselves, even in their very first try at reading. Below is a selection of locally published books from Harbour Publishing, Douglas & McIntyre, and Nightwood Editions that will open the minds of children to Indigenous insights into the preciousness of the natural world surrounding them every day.

Swimming in Tradition

The bright new hardcover Oolichan Moon, by author Samantha Beynon and illustrator Lucy Trimble, passes down generations of knowledge about the foods sacred to the Nisga’a people. Central to this gift from Elders to the two sisters at the heart of the book are traditions about the oolichan fish, a creature filled with meaning. Light-hearted language and vibrant imagery invite young readers to learn not only about Nisga’a cultural history and vocabulary, but about the power of oral tradition itself.

A Friend from the Sea

With Ben the Sea Lion’s fifteen original illustrations and playful tale, award-winning Tsimshian artist and storyteller Roy Henry Vickers conjures North-Coast village life as a backdrop to this story from his own childhood, about two boys who care for an orphaned sea lion pup. The adventures grow alongside Ben himself, leading to the touching moment when he returns to the waters that are his home.

The Language of Nature

The Ojibwe language comes to life for young readers with It’s a Mitig!, a guided tour of

the forest in which author-illustrator Bridget George points out the names (and English equivalents) of all kinds of life there, from gaag to amik. Friendly artwork and a simple glossary, backed by tips on pronunciation and a helpful set of online recordings, make for a fun-filled educational game that can ignite a passion for words.

Spirits of Forest and River

Celebrated poet Joseph Dandurand, of the Kwantlen First Nation near Vancouver, is

the mind behind a pair of recent children’s stories about great spirits who live in the local landscape. With buoyant images by Kwakwaka’wakw illustrator Simon Daniel James, The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets follows the famously tall and hairy forest dweller as he finds love, raises a daughter and, with the crucial help of his mate, stops a forest fire in its tracks. Dandurand brings the same storytelling charm to this book’s follow-up, A Magical Sturgeon, illustrated by Kwantlen artist Elinor Atkins. Here, two sisters meet the ancient river spirit in a tale drawn from Kwantlen tradition, opening up timeless origin stories and new lessons about the familial connection between all beings.

Living Legends

Grouped under the title Northwest Coast Legends, the best-selling series of beautifully

illustrated hardcovers by artist Roy Henry Vickers, in collaboration with author Robert Budd, has won acclaim for its retelling of essential stories rooted in the lands of the Haida, Gitxsan and Tsimshian peoples. Raven Brings the Light, which launched the series in 2013, uses Vickers’s luminous imagery to recount the three-thousand-year-old legend of Weget, a quick-witted boy with shape-shifting powers who transforms himself from human to bird and then to pine needle in his attempt to trick the Chief of the Heavens and bring daylight to the Earth below.

Another great journey to the sky takes place in Cloudwalker, the next volume in the series. Here, a young hunter named Astace is plucked from the ground by swans he’d been tracking and is stranded in the clouds, where he wanders and stumbles, spilling water from the cedar box he carries with him. His

struggles are redeemed when he returns home to find they have created new lakes and riv ers that form the Sacred Headwaters of the Northwest Coast.

Despite these gifts from above, humans are still prone to disrespect the life around them, as is shown in the third installment of the series, Orca Chief. Set thousands of years ago in Kitkatla (where Vickers himself once lived), the tale follows four hunters who carelessly scar their traditional fishing grounds and find themselves confronted by the displeased but compassionate Orca Chief, offering wisdom about protecting the ocean that sustains them.

This theme of gratitude and respect is underlined by the widely praised Peace Dancer in which the Chief of the Heavens brings a world-altering flood down on Kitkatla after children from the village callously mistreat a crow. In a unique version of the flood stories that appear in cultures around the globe, the people of Kitkatla vow never to forget this lesson in reverence for life in all its forms.

Words for New Readers

With First West Coast Books —a series of colourful board books for babies and toddlers—even the youngest readers can enjoy the magic woven by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd. A Is for Anemone sets out the alphabet with embossed, touch-friendly depictions of West Coast scenes, which include everything from the title creature to bears and rainfall. The gentle rhymes and tradition-infused pictures of Hello Humpback! introduce basic words and reverberate with local wildlife. One Eagle Soaring welcomes young children to the world of numbers and counting, as groups of whales, frogs and owls pass by on its pages. Trees creak, waves crash and fires crackle in Raven Squawk, Orca Squeak, which echoes with natural sounds meant to help with early language development. Finally, the radiant Sockeye Silver, Saltchuck Blue illuminates the spectrum of seasonal West Coast colours as they turn from the calm grey of winter rain to the bright red of summer berries. Each of these enchanting titles is sure to create a lasting link between literacy and the natural world just outside the door.

Courtesy of Harbour Publishing

Family Fun

indoor

playzones

365 fundays theme park Richmond, 604/370-0093 365fundays.ca

Adventure Zone and Toddler Zone Kids Market, Vancouver 604/608-6699 theadventurezone.ca

Capital City Classic Arcade New West, 604/553-8555 capcityarcade.com

Castle Royale West Van, 604/925-0707 castleroyale.ca

Chuck E. Cheese Langley, 604/534-9966 chuckecheese.com

Circuit Circus Kids Market, Vancouver theadventurezone.ca

Arcade Bliss! All kinds of games for kids of all ages.

Crash Crawly’s Adventure Fun Centre Coquitlam, 604/526-1551 crash-crawlys.com

Extreme Air Park Richmond, New West, Langley extremeairpark.com

Fun4Kidz Richmond fun4kidz.ca

Go Bananas Langley, Richmond, Surrey, North Van, Chilliwack gobananasplaycenter.com

The Hive Climbing hiveclimbing.com

Jungle Jacs Port Coquitlam, 604/941-2518 junglejacs.com

Planet Lazer Richmond, Langley, New West planetlazer.net

Play Abby Surrey, Abbotsford, 604/853-7529 playabby.com

Richmond Olymic Oval Climbing Richmond, 778/296-1400 richmondoval.ca

The World of Kidropolis Richmond, 604/285-7529 (PLAY) kidtropolis.ca

VR Funtastic World Kids Market, Vancouver vrfuntasticworld.com

playcafes

Kids Play Cafe & Cafe tistico Surrey, 604/593-5437 kidsplaycafe.ca

6pack Indoor Beach & Court Side Cafe Richmond, 604/321-6800 6packbeach.com

Circus Play Cafe Vancouver circusplaycafe.com

Ages: Under 5 outdoors

Bear Creek Train Surrey, 604/501-1232 bctrains.com

Burnaby Central Railway Burnaby, 604/291-0922 bcsme.org

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel Burnaby, 604/293-6500 burnabyvillagemuseum.ca

Fort Langley National Historic Site pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/langley

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary Ladner, 604/946-6980 reifelbirdsanctuary.com

Greater Vancouver Zoo Aldergrove, 604/856-6825

gvzoo.com

Grouse Mountain North Van, 604/986-6262 grousemountain.com

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site Steveston, 604/664-9009 pc.gc.ca/gulfofgeorgiacannery

Historic Stewart Farm Surrey, 604/592-6956 facebook.com/HeritageSurrey

Honeybee Centre Surrey, 604/575-2337 honeybeecentre.com

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre North Van, 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca

Maplewood Farm

North Van, 604/929-5610 maplewoodfarm.bc.ca

Maplewood Farm is five acres of rural family fun in the urban heart of the North Shore. The farm is home to many friendly domestic animals and birds, and offers a unique and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

Terra Nova Adventure

Play Environment

2340 River Road, Richmond

UBC Botanical Garden

Vancouver, 604/822-5858 botanicalgarden.ubc.ca

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Vancouver vandusengarden.org

Vancouver Canadians Baseball

Vancouver, 604/872-5232 canadiansbaseball.com

Wildplay Elements Park Maple Ridge, 855/595-2251 wildplay.com

Ages 5+

museums and points of interest

Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Vancouver, UBC 604/827-4955 beatymuseum.ubc.ca

Bill Reid Gallery

Vancouver, 604/682-3455 billreidgallery.ca

Britannia Mine Museum

Britannia Beach, 1-800/896-4044 britanniaminemuseum.ca

Burnaby Village

Museum & Carousel

Burnaby, 604/293-6500 burnabyvillagemuseum.ca

Canadian Museum of Flight Langley, 604/532-0035 canadianflight.org

Evergreen Cultural Centre

Coquitlam, 604/927-6555

evergreenculturalcentre.ca

The Tri-Cities venue for live arts events, exhibitions, and experiences, just steps away from the Lafarge Lake – Douglas Skytrain station. They provide a thrilling season of live performing arts events, family-friendly programs, and contemporary exhibitions from artists of all mediums in the art gallery.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Vancouver, 604/738-7827 spacecentre.ca

Kids Market

Vancouver, 604/689-8447 kidsmarket.ca

An established destination for family fun and adventure. With 2 levels of retail, entertainment, and a children’s only hair salon in the main building. Find pet treats in the 50 year old Canadian Pacific Caboose out front and more retail and food in the 2 annex buildings at the back.

Maritime Museum

Vancouver, 604/257-8300 vanmaritime.com

Museum of Anthorpology

Vancouver, UBC moa.ubc.ca/

Museum of Surrey

Surrey, 604/592-6956 surrey.ca/culture-recreation/ 2372.aspx

Royal BC Museum

Victoria, 888/447-7977 royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Science World at TELUS

World of Science

Vancouver, 604/443-7443 scienceworld.ca

Steveston Tram

Richmond, 604/238-8081 richmond.ca/culture/sites/tram/ abouttram.htm

Urban Safari Rescue Society Surrey, 604/531-1100 urbansafari.ca

Advanced booking required Vancouver Art Gallery Vancouver, 604/662-4719 vanartgallery.bc.ca

Vancouver Aquarium Vancouver, 604/659-FISH visitvanaqua.org

Vancouver Maritime Museum Vancouver, 604/257-8300 vanmaritime.com

Vancouver Police Museum Vancouver, 604/665-3346 vancouverpolicemuseum.ca

amusement and water parks

Big Splash Waterslide Park Tsawwassen, 778/434-4840 bigsplashwaterpark.ca

Destination Cultus Water and Theme Parks cultus.com

Granville Island Waterpark Vancouver, 604/257-8195

Newton Wave Pool Surrey, 604/501-5540

Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience waterpark Aldergrove, 604/857-4299 tol.ca

Playland at the PNE Vancouver, 604/253-2311 pne.ca

Watermania Richmond, 604/448-5353 richmond.ca/parksrec/pools/ watermania other

Kidsworld Events, 604/308-5754 kidsworldprogram.com

Ages 5–13

Birthday Parties

party people

Balloon Savvy

Lower Mainland, 604/764-0109 balloonsavvybc@gmail.com

Bricks 4 Kidz

Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, 778/872-STEM (7836) bricks4kidz.com/vancouver

Ages 5–12

Clowns in Action

604/442-7713 clownsinaction.ca

Enchanted Events

Lower Mainland, 778/989-0876 enchanted-events.ca

Fairy Skye Langley, 604/209-5435 fairyskye.com

Higher Function 204/295-6435 higher-function.com

Gossamer Designs

Face Painting 604/767-4790

gossamerdesigns.ca

In the Company of Fairies 778/846-9622 companyoffairies.com

Living Magic Entertainment livingmagicentertainment.com

Mad Science

Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley 604/591-9115 madscience.org/vancouver

Mermaid Danielle Lower Mainland, 778/939-7552 mermaiddanielle.com

Ages 3–8

My Studio Party Lower Mainland, 833/677-2825 mystudioparty.ca

Out of the Rain Character Events 778/628-9055 outoftherainevents.com

Ray Wong Magic Entertainment 604/720-8809

facebook.com/RayWongMagic Rock n’ Beau 604/970-4149 rocknbeau.com

Sportball

Lower Mainland, 604/688-3157 sportball.ca

Starchild & Company

Lower Mainland, 604/541-0908 starchild.ca

West Coast Exotics BC 778/872-9997 westcoastexoticsbc.com

party places

6pack Indoor Beach Richmond, 604/321-6800 6packbeach.com

Academie Duello Vancouver, 604/568-9907 academieduello.com

Adventure Zone and Toddler Zone Kids Market, Vancouver, 604/608-6699 theadventurezone.ca

Artmania West Van, 604/670-7592 artmaniabc.ca

Burnaby Central Railway Burnaby, 604/291-0922 bcsme.org

Bear Creek Train Surrey, 604/501-1232 bctrains.com

Birthday Parties at Playland Vancouver, 604/252-3663 pne.ca/groups

BrainSTEM Learning North Van, 604/379-2767 brainstemlearning.ca

Burnaby Village Museum Burnaby, 604/297-4565 burnabyvillagemuseum.ca

Capital City Classic Arcade New West, 604/553-8555 capcityarcade.com

Castle Royale Park Royal, West Van 604/925-0707

castleroyale.ca

Circus Play Cafe

Vancouver circusplaycafe.com

Under 5

Climb Base 5

Vancouver, North Van climbbase5.com

Ages 6+

Crash Crawly’s Adventure Fun Centre

Coquitlam, 604/526-1551 crash-crawlys.com

Delta Gymnastics Delta, 888/951-4713 deltagymnastics.com

Ages 6–12

E.J.S. School of Fine Arts Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com

Ages 5+

Extreme Air Park Richmond, New West, Langley extremeairpark.com

Fort Langley National Historic Site Fort Langley pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/ activ/activ14

Fun4Kids Playcentre Richmond, 604/279-5439 fun4kidz.ca

The Hive Climbing North Van, 604/990-4483 Vancouver, 604/683-4483 hiveclimbing.com

Ages 6+

Honeybee Centre Surrey, 604/575-2337 honeybeecentre.com

Jump Gymnastics Richmond: 604/559-6492 jumpgymnastics.ca

Ages 1–6

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre North Van 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca

Maplewood Farm North Van, 604/929-5610 maplewoodfarm.bc.ca/thingsto-do/birthday-parties

Maplewood Farm offers unique birthday party packages for animal lovers of all ages. With four different party options, enjoy our brightly lit indoor 1200 sq foot party room with scenic views of the farm and animals from all angles.

Maritime Museum Vancouver, 604/257-8300 vanmaritime.com

Momentum Ninja Port Coquitlam, 778/941-9631 momentumninja.com

Ages 1 yr+

MyGym Richmond, 778/859-9680 mygym.com/richmondbc

Panorama Dance Fleetwood Surrey, 604/599-4011 Ridge Surrey, 604/599-9351 panoramadance.com

Princess Spa The Hairloft 604/684-6177

Vancouver Kids Market princessspa.ca

Ages 3–12

Rocky Mountain Flatbread Vancouver, Surrey rockymountainflatbread.ca

Ages 5+

SkyZone Surrey, 778/395-5867 skyzone.com

Sprout Concept (Baby Casa) Vancouver sproutconcept.ca

Sun Hang Do – The Complete Martial Art Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford sunhangdo.com

The World of Kidtropolis Richmond, 604/285-7529 kidtropolis.ca

This World’s Ours Centre Vancouver, 604/900-3797 thisworldsours.com

TumbleTown Movement Education Centre

Vancouver, 604/357-7355 tumbletown.ca

Tutu School North Van, 778/732-5044 tutuschool.com/northvancouver

Uphoria Yoga

Vancouver, 604/326-2995 uphoriayoga.com

Vancouver Canadians Baseball

Vancouver, 604/872-5232 canadiansbaseball.com

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Vancouver, 604/257-8310 vanmaritime.com

Common Myths about Honesty that Encourage Lying

By Colleen Doyle Bryant

Honesty is important in life, and it definitely matters to parents—surveys show that parents value honesty above all other character traits. But did you know that some common ways we teach children about lying actually encourage them to lie more? Let’s look at how our good intentions are getting in the way of raising truthful and trustworthy children, and then we can explore some ways to teach kids about honesty that really work.

Myth 1: Ignore lying because they’ll grow out of it

Sometimes children’s lies are so obvious that we figure they must not know what they’re doing. When our adorable child (with chocolate frosting smeared all over their face) insists

they didn’t sneak some cake before dinner, we may assume they can’t possibly know what it means to lie and they’ll grow out of lying once they do understand.

We may not need to punish a young child for lying, but our children need us to help them learn the difference between what’s real and what’s not. Ignoring lying can get in the way of them learning when it’s okay to tell a story, when it’s important to be honest, and that we need to know that we’re not blending them together, as if fact and fiction were both the truth.

Myth 2: Ignore lying to protect a child’s self-esteem

Another common misunderstanding is that we should avoid holding children accountable

for lying because it will make them feel bad about themselves. There are two important reasons this does more harm than good. The first is that they’re probably going to feel bad anyway. Psychologists have shown that when people lie, they typically feel a twinge of distress that lasts well after the lie is finished. Then there’s the gnawing guilt and the stress of keeping our stories straight—that feels pretty awful too. But here’s the deeper issue: feeling bad about lying is an important part of learning to make better choices.

When children do things that go against what they know is right, the feelings of guilt and remorse help them notice that they should change what they’re doing. This prompts them to act differently so they can shake off those unpleasant sensations and feel

better. When we address lying, we help children build skills to work through the down times and to act to rebuild a positive sense of themselves. This process is an essential part of how children learn to recover from challenges and create a stable, lasting sense of self-respect that’s better for their mental wellness than a sense of self-esteem that doesn’t match the reality they’re feeling on the inside.

can give them the freedom they want. But if they lie, we can’t trust what they’re going to do, and that means we would be irresponsible to give them freedom.

ing longer than the timer was originally set for so they must have added extra time.

You might say, “I know your timer should have rung by now. I’m going to ask you what happened. If you tell the truth, you will get a reasonable consequence for having cheated about your timer. If you lie, there will be a consequence for the cheating, and another one for the lie.”

Myth 3:

Focus on a wrongdoing and not the lie to cover it up

Parents often find themselves in the tough situation where their child has done something wrong and then lied about it. What do you do—address the wrongdoing or the lie?

According to research, most parents focus on the wrongdoing and ignore the lie, but here’s the issue with that: When you ignore the lie to cover up a wrong, you show your child that they have nothing to lose by being deceitful. Next time they do something wrong, they might as well try lying to you about it. That may not seem like a big deal when your child is young and the wrongdoings are minor, but as they get older and more independent, having a habit of lying can be downright dangerous.

Myth 4: Punish children harshly for lying and they’ll stop lying

When children know they’ll experience a harsh punishment for lying, it encourages them to become better, more convincing liars. One of the main reasons children lie is so they can stay out of trouble, and researchers show that when children anticipate a harsh punishment, they’ll keep lying to avoid getting caught.

Ways to teach children to be honest that really work

We’ve seen that ignoring lying and harshly punishing lying don’t teach children to be honest, so what’s a parent to do?

The first thing we can do is to shift our perspective a bit and focus on teaching children to value honesty. When they tell the truth, our child shows us that they are trustworthy. As they grow and want more freedom, we need to know they’ll do what’s right even when we aren’t watching. If they have shown us they’ll act responsibly, be where they say they’ll be, and tell us the truth, then we will feel like we

We can also help children connect that being honest feels good and lying feels bad. Remember those sensations we mentioned earlier that come along with lying—twinges of distress, guilt, fear of getting caught—that doesn’t feel good. On the other hand, telling the truth can give us the warm, expansive feeling of pride for having done the right

If they tell the truth, then perhaps they lose the privilege to play the game tomorrow. If they lie, they lose the game for three days. This shows them there is a consequence for a wrongdoing no matter what, and they might as well tell the truth and not risk extra (reasonable) punishment.

thing. It also helps us know we are in control of making our own choices and creating our own consequences, which is empowering for our sense of self and for our mental wellness.

Finally, we can reward honesty by giving a reasonable consequence for a wrongdoing and a separate reasonable consequence for lying. This is a little easier to understand with an example: let’s say your child is playing video games and has a timer to remind them when it’s time to stop. You know they’ve been play-

How do I know this works? Well, my children are mostly grown now and we used this technique regularly when they were young. By the time they were teens they knew they could be honest and they’d have a reasonable consequence for the wrongdoing, but they felt it was worth telling the truth for the help and the care that came with the honesty. If you lay the groundwork that shows your children you value honesty when they’re young, they are more likely to tell the truth and enjoy the good vibes that come along with being an honest person throughout their life.

Colleen Doyle Bryant is the author of five books and more than 50 learning resources about making good choices for the right reasons. Her Talking with Trees series for elementary students and Truth Be Told Quotes series for teens are used in curriculums around the world to teach good character traits. Her latest release for adults, Rooted in Decency: Finding inner peace in a world gone sideways, looks at how the decline in decency is affecting us personally, and how we can move forward to a place of more kindness and cooperation.

By the time they were teens they knew they could be honest and they’d have a reasonable consequence for the wrongdoing, but they felt it was worth telling the truth for the help and the care that came with the honesty.

Home

baby & children’s items

Active Baby

North Van, Langley activebaby.ca

Baby’s World by Snuggle Bugz Coquitlam, 604/515-0888

snugglebugz.ca

Hip Baby Vancouver, 604/736-8020

hipbaby.com

Little Earth

Vancouver, 778/737-7004

littleearthvancouver.com

Monkey Business

Kids Boutique

Maple Ridge, 604/476-9345

mbkidsboutique.com

Not for Long

South Surrey, 778/294-0401 notforlong.ca

Oyaco Products Inc. Canada

oyaco.com

Westcoast Kids

Vancouver, Richmond westcoastkids.ca

children’s clothing

Buttercups Children’s Boutique

Delta, 604/946-3997

buttercups.ca

Beansprouts

Vancouver, 604/871-9782 beansprouts.ca

Isola Bella Children’s Clothing and Shoe Boutique

Vancouver, 604/266-8808 isolabellakids.com

Little Treasures ‘On the Go’

Vancouver Kids Market 604/677-3792, kidsmarket.ca

Rain & snow gear. Swim & sunwear.

MacGillycuddy’s Children’s Consignment Store

Vancouver, 604/263-5313 vankids.ca

Nest Designs Richmond Nestdesigns.com

Once Upon A Child

Coquitlam, Surrey, Abbottsford onceuponachild.com

Petite Revery Richmond petiterevery.com

Sweet Monkey Vancouver Kids Market 604/682-3364

sweet-monkey.ca

children’s hair care

Hairloft/Princess Spa

Vancouver Kids Market 604/684-6177, princessspa.ca

Joy Hair Studio

Lonsdale Quay, North Van 604/990-0123

joyhairstudio.com

Kid’s Kut Land

Port Moody, 604/937-7455

Melonhead Children’s Hair Care

Vancouver, 604/568-5646 melonhead.ca

Sparky’s Kutz for Kidz Coquitlam: 604/945-1973

North Van: 604/990-4900

Richmond: 604/270-7333

Langley: 778/277-2288 sparkyshairsalons.com

crafts & books

Black Bond Books

Delta, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Ladner blackbondbooks.com

Dilly Dally Toy Store

Vancouver, 604/252-9727 dillydallykids.ca

Granville Island Stamps

Plus/Canada Post Vancouver Kids Market 604/684-9869

Humpty Dumpty Books and Music

Vancouver Kids Market 604/683-7009, humpty dumptybooksandmusic.ca

Kidsbooks

Vancouver, North Van, Online kidsbooks.ca

Majik Kids, Children’s Publishing Online, 1-250/889-2389 majikkids.com

Ages 3–9

The Learnary East Vancouver, 604/215-1146 thelearnary.ca

Village Books & Coffee House Richmond, 604/272-6601

facebook.com/villagebookscoffee

dancewear/ costumes

Dance Co. 604/736-3394

danceco.com

Duck Feet North Van duckfeetdancesupplies.ca

Just Imagine… Fun Clothing

Kitsilano: 604/222-3523

Vancouver Kids Market: 604/558-0119 dressups.com

family photographers

A.P. Photography

778/814-5340

facebook.com/andrewpraticophotography

Bopomo Pictures

Vancouver, 604/678-1411 bopomo.ca

Community Photography by Paige Fraser communityphotography.net

JLS Photography

Surrey,778/242-8617 jlsphotography.ca

Kim Forrester Photography

778/229-9353

kimforresterphotography.com

Camelot Kids

Vancouver Kids Market 604/688-9766

camelotkids.com

Clownin’ Around Magic Shop

Vancouver Kids Market 604/682-0244

clowninaroundmagic.com

Dilly Dally Toy Store

Vancouver, 604/252-9727

dillydallykids.ca

Granville Island Toy Company

Vancouver, 604/684-0076

toycompany.ca

Kaboodles Toy Store

Vancouver, 604/558-1117 kaboodles.ca

Kids Market

Granville Island, Vancouver 604/689-8447 kidsmarket.ca

Find every toy imaginable … whether you are looking for games, magic, books, sports collectables, puzzles, dancewear, party supplies, costumes, children’s clothing, shoes, or natural rocks and gems. Indoor Play Area, an Arcade and Birthday Parties, Virtual Reality Rides, Bumper Cars, Kid Friendly Food, Hair Salon for Kids.

Panda House

Vancouver Kids Market 778/879-7137

pandahouse.store

Knotty Toys

Vancouver Kids Market 604/683-7854

knottytoys.com

Mastermind Toys Canada

Richmond, 604/241-0234

Port Moody, 604/949-0444

Education

independent schools

Alexander Academy

Vancouver, 604/687-8832

alexanderacademy.ca

Co-ed, grades 8–12

Bodwell High School

North Van, 604/924-5056

bodwell.edu/highschool

Co-ed, grades 8–12

Brockton School

North Van, 604/929-9201

brocktonschool.com

Co-ed, grades K–11

Choice School

Richmond, choiceschool.org

Co-ed, grades K–7

Collingwood School

West Van, 604/925-3331

collingwood.org

Co-ed, grades JK–12

Crofton House

Vancouver, 604/263-3255

croftonhouse.ca

Girls, grades 1–12

Cousteau, l’Ecole Française

Internationale de Vancouver

North Van, 604/924-2457

cousteauschool.org

Eaton Arrowsmith

Vancouver, White Rock, eatonarrowsmith.com

Fraser Academy

Vancouver, 604/736-5575

fraseracademy.ca

Co-ed, grades 1–12

Kenneth Gordon

Maplewood School

North Van, 604/985-5224

kgms.ca

Co-ed, grades 1–12

Madrona School Society

Vancouver, 604/499-7303

madronaschool.com

Co-ed, grades 4–7

Meadow Montessori

Elementary & Preschool

Maple Ridge, 604/465-3492

meadowmontessori.ca

Co-ed, grades PS–7

Meadowridge School

Maple Ridge, 604/467-4444

meadowridge.bc.ca

Co-ed, grades 4–7

Mulgrave School

West Van, 604/922-3223

mulgrave.com

Co-ed, grades Pre-K–12

North Star Montessori

North Vancouver, 604/980-1205

northstarmontessori.ca

Co-ed, grades PS–7

North Star offers an authentic Montessori program from Infancy to Grade 7. Committed to meeting the developmental needs of each child, we foster a love of learning, independence, and respect. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire an intrinsic motivation to ‘learn’ and ‘do’ that students carry with them throughout their lives.

Pacific Spirit School

Vancouver, 604/222-1900

pacificspiritschool.org

Co-ed, grades K–8

Pattison High School

Vancouver, 604/608-8788

pattisonhighschool.ca

Co-ed, grades 8–12

Pear Tree School

Vancouver, 604/355-2155

peartree.school

Co-ed, grades K–9

At Pear Tree School, we teach children to connect and apply education to real life. We strive to provide the skills and resources students need to develop into strong learners, able thinkers, and contributing members of their community and world.

Pythagoras Academy

Richmond, 604/370-0199

pythagorasacademy.ca

Co-ed, grades JK–7

Saplings Nature School

North Van, 778/838-0335

Saplingsnatureschool.ca

grade K–5

St. John’s School

Vancouver, 604/629-2458

stjohns.bc.ca

Co-ed, grades K–12

St. Margaret’s School

Victoria, 250/479-7171

stmarg.ca

Girls, grades K–12

St. Mary’s School

Vancouver, 604/437-1312

stmary.bc.ca

Co-ed, grades: K–7

SelfDesign Learning

Community

Vancouver, 877/353-3374

selfdesign.org

Co-ed, grades K–12

Southpointe Academy

Tsawwassen, 604/948-8826 southpointe.ca

Co-ed, grades PS–12

Stratford Hall

Vancouver, 604/436-0608 stratfordhall.ca

Co-ed, grades K–12

Traditional Learning Academy

Coquitlam, 604/931-7265 traditionallearning.com

Co-ed, grades K–12

Urban Academy

New West, 604/524-2211 urbanacademy.ca

Co-ed, grades JK–12

Vancouver College

Vancouver, 604/261-4285 vc.bc.ca

Boys, grades K–12

Vancouver Montessori School

Vancouver, 604/261-0315 vancouvermontessorischool.com

Co-ed, grades PS–7

Vancouver Waldorf School North Van, 604/985-7435 vws.ca

Co-ed, grades PS–12

Westside Montessori Academy

Vancouver, 604/434-9611 westsidemontessoriacademy.ca

WMA’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive educational environment that nurtures every child’s natural curiosity for learning. We are committed to providing the tools, the guides, and the prepared environment to allow each child to reach their potential both socially and academically.

Co-ed, grades JK–12

West Point Grey Academy

Vancouver, 604/222-8750 wpga.ca

York House School

Vancouver, 604/736-6551 yorkhouse.ca

Girls, grades JK–12

preschools

Alderwood House Richmond, 604/272-5023 alderwoodhouse.com

Asland Academy

Vancouver, 236/991-8696 Aslandacademy.ca

Birchland Treehouse Preschool

Port Coquitlam, 604/945-0002 birchlandtreehouse.com

Brainbridge Bilingual Education and Fine Arts Centre

Vancouver, 604/322-6830 brainbridge.ca

Branches Preschool

Cloverdale, 778/388-9647 branches-preschool.com

Brentwood Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten

Burnaby, 604/294-2671 brentwoodmontessori.ca

BrightPath Kids

Across BC 1-888/808-2252

brightpathkids.com

Burnaby French Language Playschool Burnaby, 604/432-1323

bflp.org

Children’s House Montessori Coquitlam, 604/931-1311 montessoribc.com

CEFA Early Learning Across BC

cefa.ca

Cornerstone Christian Academy Richmond, 604/303-9181 cornerstonechristianacademy.ca

Cousteau, l’Ecole française internationale de Vancouver North Van, 604/924-2457 Cousteauschool.org

Creative Edge School of Arts Abbotsford, 604/855-3343 creativeedgebc.com

Discovery Montessori Richmond, 604/807-9796

discoverymontessorischool.ca

Discovery Quest Montessori Surrey, 604/581-1620

Dunbar Memorial Preschool Vancouver, 604/222-6065

dunbarmemorialpreschool.ca

Elite Montessori Academy Vancouver, 604/655-2045 elitemontessori.ca

Friendly Forest Preschool Anmore, 604/469-0438 friendlyforestpreschool.com

Gatehouse Montessori West Van, 604/925-1437 gatehousemontessori.com

Hazelwood Early Learning Port Coquitlam, 604/377-8385 hazelwoodearlylearning.com

Highlands PreSchool North Van, 604/980-1740 highlandspreschool.ca

Kids Care Preschool Vancouver, 604/325-2222 southvancouverfamilyplace.org/ kidscare_preschool

Kiddies Korner Preschool Port Coquitlam, 604/941-4919 kkp.ca

Little People Parent Participation Preschool Vancouver, 604/261-2219 littlepeople.ca

Little Pythagoras Academy Richmond, 604/370-0199 pythagorasacademy.ca

Little Neighbours Preschool 604/521-5158

littleneighbours.com

Marpole Bilingual Montessori School

Co-ed, grades PS–K Vancouver, 604/266-1091 marpolebilingualmontessori.com

Meadow Montessori Elementary & Preschool Maple Ridge, 604/465-3492 meadowmontessori.ca

North Star Montessori Co-ed, grades PS–7 North Van, 604/980-1205 northstarmontessori.ca North Star offers an authentic Montessori program from Infancy to Grade 7. Committed to meeting the developmental needs of each child, we foster a love of learning, independence, and respect. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire an intrinsic motivation to ‘learn’ and ‘do’ that students carry with them throughout their lives.

PJ Kids

West Van, 604/926-5972 pjkidsclub.com

A play-based childcare program for children 2.5 to 5 years old, with a French enriched curriculum offering half-day and full-day sessions, based on the BC Early Learning Framework. PJ Kids has a great teacher-children ratio,

small class sizes, a wonderful playground, and Music and French Lessons. Located in the heart of Dundarave, they are a short walk from the Community Center and the Library. The qualified and dedicated ECE teachers have a passion for working with young children.

Finearts Preschool

Richmond, 604/221-0141 theartsconnection.ca

Pomme d’Api Preschool Vancouver, 604/877-1122 pommedapi.org

Reach for the Stars

Montessori

5 programs in Vancouver and Burnaby 604/688-7827 montessoristar.com

Rothewood Academy

Richmond, South Surrey, White Rock, 604/279-1818 rothewood.com

The Rothewood Educational Method is dedicated to teaching the whole child – head, hands, and heart. Our holistic approach to early learning is what makes Rothewood unique. Visit us today at rothewood.com for more information.

Sandcastle Park Children’s Centre Richmond, 604/274-8380 sandcastlepark.ca

Stepping Stone Preschool Vancouver, 604/261-5315 steppingstonepreschool.org

Sunshine Cove North Van, 604/770-2683 sunshinecovepreschool.ca

The Centre for Child Development – Childcare and Preschools

Surrey, 604/584-1361

Delta, 604/594-0488 the-centre.org/child-carepreschool

Vancouver Hebrew Academy

Co-ed, grades PS–7

Vancouver, 604/264-1245 vhebrewacademy.com

Vancouver Montessori School

Co-ed, grades PS–7 Vancouver, 604/261-0315 vancouvermontessorischool.com

Vancouver Waldorf School

Co-ed, grades PS–12 North Van, 604/985-7435 vws.ca

Wesbrook Parent Participation Preschool

Vancouver, 604/224-3112 wesbrookpreschool.com

West Point Grey Preschool

Vancouver, 604/257-8140 westpointgrey.org/programs/ licensed-preschool

West Point Grey Licensed Preschool at Aberthau offers care for children 30 months to 5 years old in a learning through play environment. Uniquely located in a mansion with large outdoor space this preschool is a hidden gem on the West Side of Vancouver.

Westside Montessori Academy

Preschool to Grade 7 Vancouver, 604/434-9611 westsidemontessoriacademy.ca

WMA’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive educational environment that nurtures every child’s natural curiosity for

learning. We are committed to providing the tools, the guides, and the prepared environment to allow each child to reach their potential both socially and academically.

Wind and Tide Preschool

Lower Mainland, 877/541-5459 windandtide.com

tutoring

Above Grade Level

Lower Mainland 778/832-1007 abovegradelevel.ca

After 3 Tutoring at Fraser Academy Kitsilano, 604/736-5575 fraseracademy.ca

Aspire Math Academy West Van, 604/902-2217 aspiremathacademy.com

Book Smart Tutors

Lower Mainland, 604/227-2882 booksmarttutors.ca

DJ Math Tutoring 604/313-5595 djmathtutoring.ca

Edify Learning Spaces Lower Mainland edifylearningspaces.com

Eye Level Learning Centers Lower Mainland myeyelevel.com

KEY Admissions

Vancouver, West Van keyadmissions.com

Kumon 800/222-6284 kumon.com

Learning Disabilities Society

Vancouver, 604/873-8139 ldsociety.ca

MPM Math 604/266-6762 mpmmath.com

Ages 3–6

Oxford Learning

Lower Mainland oxfordlearning.com

PD Plus Tutoring 604/421-6101 pdplustutors.com

Pear Tree Education

Vancouver, 604/355-2155 pear-tree.ca

Ages 5–14

Pear Tree offers after-school enrichment classes and group tutoring for SSAT and Mini School exams.

Positive Dyslexia, Sue Hall Vancouver Island, West and North Van, 604/614-4958 positivedyslexia.com

The Reading Foundation 604/549-5034 readingfoundation.com

School Is Easy Tutoring

Richmond/Vancouver, 604/283-9914

Burnaby/Tri-Cities/Surrey, 604/439-1790 schooliseasy.com

Providing award winning in-home/online tutoring programs since 2002. Grades K–University (all subjects) including special ed, autism, ADHD, study skills, IB, SAT prep, university prep, French immersion, ESL, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English, Essays, ESL etc. Free consultation. 604/439-1790

Sealy Tutoring Vancouver 604/900-9808 sealytutoring.com

Spirit of Math

West Van, Vancouver, Richmond, South Surrey

1-866/767-6284

spiritofmath.com

Sylvan Learning

1-888/338-2283

SylvanLearning.ca

Symbols Multisensory Learning Centres

Vancouver, Coquitlam, Richmond, 604/696-2030 symbolslearning.com

Teachers to Go

800/428-8164

TeachersToGo.ca

TutorBright, Vancouver Vancouver, 778/300-5000 tutorbright.com

Tutor Doctor Richmond, Delta tutordoctor.com

UCMAS

Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond ucmas.ca

Unique Minds Learning West Van, 604/925-6056 uniqueminds.ca

Voilà Learning

866/900-0658

VoilaLearning.com

West Coast Centre for Learning

Surrey, 778/839-5515 wccl.ca

How to Study Effectively: The Best Study Strategies for Your Child

Susan Cumberland, School is Easy

Does your child have the right attitude when it comes to school and is diligent in getting homework done, but you’re still not seeing the grades you’d expect?

Being successful in school is actually a combination of different factors. While attitude and effort are part of the recipe, you must also include strong study strategies to see results. Along with good study habits, effective tutoring can lead to a huge improvement in school.

No one is born a good student. Rather, you can develop good habits in your child that will benefit them beyond the classroom. A combination of different tactics can allow your child to perform their best.

As a parent, you can pass along some study hacks to your child to improve their learning ability. Here are some of the best study strategies that work.

1. Set a Space: Find a designated space where your child can study. Pick a spot that is welllit with limited distractions. Ensure it is stocked with study tools like post-it notes, pens, highlighters, and extra paper. Allow your child to decorate the area, so they feel more at home in the space.

2. Share Note-Taking Tips: Effective studying depends on the quality of notes. Whether in the classroom or from their textbooks, help your child unlock note-taking. These include writing down key ideas or points from the lessons, reviewing notes, and expanding on the most essential material during study time.

3. Get Organized: Teach your child to organize themselves, including their binders and books from school, their backpack, desk, and study space.

4. Test Practice: Help your child master how to study effectively by practising for tests. This can include using flashcards or completing practice tests that cover the same material that may be on the actual test. You can write out essay-style questions for your child to complete, which can reinforce the learning process.

5. Set a Schedule: Learning a little each day is more effective than trying to cram for a test the night before. Have your child work out a study schedule where they can review content from their school subjects over time. For example, have them set out 10–15 minutes on Monday to check language or grammar lessons from the week, Tuesday they can review science, and on Wednesday look over math lessons, etc.

If there is a subject they are struggling with, they may want to devote more time during

the week to master that material. Taking short breaks is also important to get the most from studying. This can be as easy as stepping away from their study space for a few minutes to grab a drink of water or practice some stretches. It helps the brain rest and refresh.

6. Put Away Distractions: Computers, smartphones, tablets, and more can distract from effective studying. Remind your child to remove any and all distractions from their study space. It’s also crucial for your child to practice focusing on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking can interfere with effective studying and learning. Encourage your grade-school student to tackle one subject at a time, finishing one task before moving on to the next.

7. Healthy Habits: Getting enough sleep and eating healthy are also important aspects of brain development and learning. Studies have found that proper nutrition plays a role in academic performance. Encourage your child to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and to get a good night’s sleep so they can get the most from their body.

8. Get Creative: One of the study hacks you can use is to allow your child to be creative with their study approach. If study time is all about reading through notes and textbooks, it can get tedious for the young mind. Instead, use flashcards, online videos, math apps, illustrations, podcasts, or audiobooks that cover the topic at hand. Having a variety of methods can reinforce subject mastery.

9. Acknowledge Your Child’s Effort: Encourage your child by focusing on their efforts rather than their performance. This will help them

internalize the importance of hard work. Celebrate with them as they start to see their efforts paying off. Praise them if you see them overcoming a tricky problem, sticking to their study schedule, reaching a goal, or finishing a project.

Having

Best Conditions for Studying Effectively

Creating the right atmosphere is vital to help your child study effectively. This includes finding out when the best time to study is. This is often individualized and depends on your child’s mental alertness. Some children are more prepared to tackle learning in the morning, while some do better in the evening. Talk with your child about what they think will work best for them. It may also mean you’ll have to try different times to find one that suits them.

Another tactic is to drown out noises in the home that can distract your child from studying. Some students use earphones with soft instrumental music that can improve focus while avoiding distractions from siblings or other household activities.

Be flexible. As your child works out what type of study routine and approaches best work for them, be willing to adapt. You may need to suggest different times or study methods to help them find the best routine. Encourage your child to ask questions or ask for help. They can talk to the teacher after class or work with a classmate to tackle tougher subjects.

Effective Studying With a Tutor

Working with someone else can help enhance the study skills that your child is working on mastering. A tutor can help them connect the concepts they are learning at school with other aspects of the real world. This is called active learning. Being able to see how the idea or key points fit into everyday life helps your child understand them better.

Susan Cumberland founded School is Easy in 2002 in Burnaby, B.C. Winner of several awards including Better Business Bureau People’s Pick and Marketplace Excellence. School is Easy now has over 30 franchises in 7 countries.

a variety of methods—flashcards, online videos, math apps, illustrations, podcasts, or audiobooks—can reinforce subject mastery.

Classes & Programs

dance

Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy

Vancouver, Burnaby 604/671-9182 mozaicoflamenco.com

The Arts Connection –Dance School Richmond, 604/241-0141 theartsconnection.org

Ages infant to 16 yrs

Artmania West Van, 604/670-7592 artmaniabc.ca

Arts Umbrella

Vancouver, 604/681-5268 Surrey, 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com

Ages 2–22

AUUC School of Dance Vancouver, 604/254-3436 auucvancouver.ca

Ages 3 to adult

Boogaloo Academy

Vancouver, 604/805-0558 boogalooacademy.com

Ages 5 months+

Bright Stars

Vancouver, 604/725-1607 brightstars.ca

Ages 2+

Creative Edge School of Arts Abbotsford, 604/855-3343 creativeedgebc.com

Ages 2+

Dance Co

Vancouver, Arbutus & East Van, 604/736-3394 danceco.com

Ages 3+

E.J.S. School of Fine Arts Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com

Ages 5+

Gabriela’s Movement Studio Richmond, 604/272-0607 movementstudio.ca

Ages 1–9

Goh Ballet Academy Vancouver, 604/872-4014 gohballet.com

Ages 4–17

hz Ballet Classique Burnaby, 604/299-9698 balletclassique.com

Ages 18 months+

Just for Kicks School of Dance Surrey, 604/596-4161 justforkicksschoolofdance.com

Ages 3+

North Shore Academy of Dance North Van, 604/987-3814 nsad.ca

Ages 3–18

North Shore Celtic Ensemble North Van, 604/987-4063 nsce.ca

Ages 8–18

Pacific Dance Arts Vancouver, 604/738-8575 pacificdancearts.ca

Ages 3+

Panorama Dance Fleetwood Surrey, 604/599-4011 Ridge Surrey, 604/599-9351 panoramadance.com

Perform Art Studios North Van, 604/988-4420 performartstudios.com

Ages 3–18

Pink Petal Ballet North Van , pinkpetal.ca

Ages 2+

Place des Arts Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca

Ages 3+

Place des Arts offers dance classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz and lyrical and tap for children, teens and adults, from recreational to competition levels. Have fun while developing coordination, strength and gain confidence!

Pulse Dance Centre

Port Coquitlam, 604/474-3466 onthepulse.ca

Ages 2+

Rain City Dance School Vancouver, 604/369-4440 raincitydance.com

Ages 4+

Reflection Dance Studio White Rock, 604/355-4199 reflectiondancestudio.com

Ages 5+

School of Music and Dance Langley, Surrey and White Rock musicanddance.org

Ages 2+

The Happening Dance Studio Vancouver, 604/690-3577 thehappeningdance.com

The Landing Dance Centre South Vancouver, 604/325-8653 TheLandingDance.com

Ages 8 to adult

Tri-City Dance Centre Coquitlam, 604/523-6868 tricitydance.com

Ages 3+

Tutu School North Van, 778/732-5044 tutuschool.com/northvancouver

Vancouver Phoenix

International Academy of Dance Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey 778/885-3456; 604/600-8066 vpdance.ca

Ages 4+

Vancouver Tap Dance Society East Vancouver, 604/253-0293 vantapdance.com

Ages 3+

Vancouver Academy of Dance Vancouver and Richmond 604/231-8293 vancouverdance.com

Ages 3+

Wee Dance

Vancouver, New West, Surrey, White Rock, 604/720-0544 weedance.com

WestCoast Dance Fit

Vancouver westcoastdancefit.com

World Dance Co Burnaby, 604/517-4644 worlddanceco.com

Ages 3+

music

Arbutus Music Academy Vancouver arbutusmusicacademy.com

Ages 3+

The Arts Connection –Music School Richmond, 604/241-0141 theartsconnection.org

Ages 4+

BC Conservatory of Music

Burnaby, 604/299-2984 bccmusic.ca

Ages 4+

BC Registered Music Teachers Assoc. 604/733-5531 bcrmta.bc.ca

All ages

Campos Music

Vancouver, 604/325-0480 camposmusic.ca

Ages 4+

Carillon Music Surrey, 604/591-1161 carillonmusicacademy.com

Ages 2.5+

Colourstrings Conservatory of Music Vancouver colourstrings.ca

Ages 6 months+

Delta Community Music School Delta, 604/946-1280, dcms.ca

Ages 5+

E.J.S. School of Fine Arts

Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com

Ages 4+

Jean Lyons School of Music Vancouver, 604/734-4019

jeanlyonsmusic.com

All ages

Jumpstart Music & Movement

Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Ridge Meadows

facebook.com/jumpstartmusic andmovement/

Newborn to 5 years

Kidchoir

North and West Van kidchoir.com

Kindermusik with Miss Audrey 778/838/9595

kindermusikwithmissaudrey. kindermusik.com

Newborn to 7 yrs Langley Community Music School 604/534-2848

langleymusic.com

Ages 3 months+

Long & McQuade Music

Lesson Centres

Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Courtenay, Kamloops, Langford, Langley, Nanaimo, North Van, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, White Rock long-mcquade.com/lessons

We offer private one-on-one lessons custom-tailored to the needs and goals of the individual student as well as a variety of group lessons. Our students range from children just beginning their journey in music, to those prepping for university, from young adults who just like to sing to seniors who enjoy music and the social aspect. We offer affordable rates and a wide variety of lessons but more importantly, we are a

home for anyone who loves music and wants to explore it. Our music lessons are available online and in person. All ages.

Music for Young Children

800/828-4334 myc.com

Ages 3–9 years

MusicQube Education Ltd.

Richmond

604/370-5678

Ages 2+

North Shore Celtic Ensemble

North Van 604/987-4063, nsce.ca

Ages 8–18

North Shore Music Academy North Van 604/925-3403 nsma.ca

Ages 3+

North Shore Music Together

Multiple locations in North Van 778/899-5004 northshoremusictogether. com

Ages 0–5 yrs

Oakridge Music Studio

Vancouver, 604/321-1551 omusicstudios.com

Place des Arts

Coquitlam

604/664-1636

placedesarts.ca

Ages 2+

Place des Arts offers a warm, friendly learning environment where experienced instructors teach a variety of musical styles and instruments for beginners or advanced students. They have group classes and private lessons for all ages during the day, after school, in the evening and on weekends.

Richmond Community Music School

604/272-5227

richmondmusicschool.ca

Ages 4+

School of Music and Dance

Langley, Surrey, White Rock musicanddance.org

Ages 3+

Tom Lee Music Academy

Lower Mainland 604/688-8929

tomleemusic.ca

Vancouver Academy of Music

Vancouver, 604/734-2301 vam.bc.ca

Ages 3.5–18

Vancouver Central School of Music Vancouver, 604/565-8999 vcsom.com

Ages 5+

Vancouver Children’s Choir 604/682-6363 vancouverchildrenschoir.ca

Girls 8–16, Boys 8–12

VSO School of Music 604/915-9300 vsoschoolofmusic.ca

Ages 0+

Vancouver Suzuki Centre Vancouver vancouversuzukicentre. com

Ages 3+

Vancouver Youth Choir Vancouver, 778/776-8173 vancouveryouthchoir.com

Ages 5–24

Western Conservatory of Music

Langley, 604/530-0317 westernconservatoryof music.ca

Ages 3+

Westside Music Together Vancouver, 778/829-6651 westsidemusictogether.ca

Ages 0+

Wonder of Learning Vancouver, 604/829-1346 wonderoflearning.ca

Ages 2.5+

performing arts

Arts Umbrella –Theatre and Music

Vancouver, 604/681-5268 Surrey, 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com

Ages 2–22

Carousel Theatre for Young People

Vancouver, 604/669-3410 carouseltheatre.ca

Ages 3–18

CircusWest East Vancouver 604/252-3679 circuswest.com

Ages 8–16

E.J.S. School of Fine Arts – Musical Theatre Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com

Ages 7+

Gateway Academy for Performing Arts

Acting, Musical Theatre, Speech, Singing Richmond, 604/247-4975 gatewaytheatre.com/ academy

Ages 6–18

Inspire Arts Academy Surrey, 604/818-3731 inspirearts.ca

Ages 5–12

JCC Performing Arts School Vancouver 604/257-5111 jccgv.com

Ages 6+

Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools

Locations throughout the Lower Mainland 1-888/502-5253 lightsuptheatre.ca

Ages 3–18

Step on stage and cue Confidence! At Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools, we nurture life skills through Singing, Dancing and Acting. Every child gets a chance to shine, and fun is always on the program. With new sessions starting each fall, winter and spring, it’s never too late to make an entrance: Sign up today!

Place des Arts Coquitlam 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca

Ages 4+

Place des Arts offers training in theatre, TV, musical theatre and film for all ages. From beginner classes to our performance training company (Coquitlam Youth Theatre), our programs help aspiring actors and triple threats build skills and develop performance confidence.

Shoreline Studios (Acting)

Vancouver, 604/874-9979 shoreline-studios.com/ schedule-kids

Ages 5–12

Vancouver Performing Stars

Vancouver, 604/671-3775 performingstars.ca

visual arts

4 Cats Arts Studios

North Van, Richmond, South Surrey, Vancouver, West Van, 4cats.com

The Arts Connection Richmond 604/241-0141 theartsconnection.org

Ages 4+

Arts Umbrella – Visual, Media, and Applied Arts Vancouver, 604/681-5268 Surrey, 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com

Ages 2–22

Classes & Programs

Creative Edge School of Arts

Abbotsford 604/855-3343 creativeedgebc.com

Ages 6+

E.J.S. School of Fine Arts Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com

Ages 5+

Place des Arts

Coquitlam 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca

Ages 3+

Place des Arts provides a friendly, non-competitive environment where creativity and innovation can flourish for students of all ages and skill levels. Develop your skills and creativity in a wide variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, animation, cartooning, mixed media,

fibre arts and ceramic arts. Classes run during the fall, winter and spring.

Surrey Art Gallery

604/501-5566

surrey.ca/artgallery

Ages 3+

specialty

Arts Umbrella –Media Arts

Vancouver, 604/681-5268

artsumbrella.com

Ages 6–19

BrainSTEM Learning

North Van 604/379-2767

brainstemlearning.ca

Ages 4–14

Bricks 4 Kidz

Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby 778/872-STEM (7836) bricks4kidz.com/

vancouver

Ages 5–12

Classes & Programs

Build a Biz Kids

Port Moody, 604/313-9996 buildabizkids.com

Cerebral Palsy Association of BC

Lower Mainland, 604/408-9484 bccerebralpalsy.com

Chi Kids – Happiness Tools for Life

Vancouver, Burnaby chischool.ca

Chorus and Clouds Vancouver, 604/873-0091 chorusandclouds.ca

Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art Vancouver, 604/733-1356 christianneslyceum.com

Ages 1–8

Dolphin Kids™ Achievement Programs 778/939-6440 dolphinkids.ca

Girl Guides of Canada Canada wide, info@girlguides.ca girlguides.ca

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre North Van, 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca

Mindful Changes West Van, 778/999-6457 mindful-changes.com

Nature Kids BC Province wide, 604/985-3057 naturekidsbc.ca

On The Mic Voice-Over Training Vancouver, 604/669-0654 onthemictraining.com

Ages 10–17

Petit Architect Design for Kids Vancouver, Richmond petitarchitect.com

Ages 6–14

Sea Smart – After School Program

Vancouver, 604/358-3001 seasmartschool.com

Ages 6–9

Sewing with Frances Burnaby, 604/433-1030

The C.O.D.E. (Creating Opportunities Defining Education) Initiative Vancouver (UBC) 778/875-0548 thecodeinitiative.ca

Helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) find a passion and an interest in coding.

Under the GUI –Coding for kids

Kitsilano, Vancouver South, North Van, Coquitlam 604/700-9931 underthegui.com

Ages 7–15+

Young Entrepreneur Learning Labs

South Surrey/White Rock, Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Richmond, 1-800/243-0335 yelearninglabs.com

Ages 7–15

sports

Absolute Cheer and Tumbling Camp North Van, 604/984-4107 absolutegym.ca

Ages 5–12

Academie Duello Vancouver, 604/568-9907 academieduello.com

Aquaventures Swim Centre Vancouver, 604/736-SWIM aquaventuresswim.com

Ages 6 months+

Burnaby New West Ringette New West, cometryringette.ca bnwr.ca

Ages 4–14

Club Aviva Coquitlam, 604/526-4464 clubaviva.ca

Ages 6 months+

Come Try Ringette Burnaby, New West, Vancouver, Poco, Coquitlam, Fraser Valley, West/North Van, Richmond, Surrey, Chilliwack cometryringette.ca

Ages 4–14

Dynamo Swim Club Burnaby, Surrey 778/866-6604 dynamoswimclub.net

Ages 3–18

Climb Base5 North Van, 604/984-9080 climbbase5.com

Ages 6–18

Grandview Skating Club grandviewskatingclub.com

Ages 3+

Jump Gymnastics City Square: 604/559-6492

Richmond: 604/559-6492 North Van: 604/971-0513 jumpgymnastics.ca

Ages 0–7

Langley Gymnastics Foundation 604/455-8845 langleygymnastics.ca

Ages 11 months+

Marina’s Swim School Richmond, Whiterock 604/818-4650 marinaswimschool.com

Momentum Ninja

Port Coquitlam, 778/941-9631 momentumninja.com

Ages 1 yr+

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center

Surrey, Maple Ridge, Langley, Richmond, mygym.com

Ages 6 weeks–10 yrs

Pedalheads Bike Camps 1-888/886-6464

pedalheads.com

Ages 2–12

Phoenix Gymnastics

Vancouver, 604/737-7693 phoenixgymnastics.com

Ages 6 months+

RBL Basketball Vancouver, 604/269-0221 RBLBasketball.com

Ages 5–15

Richmond Gymnastics Association 604/278-3614

richmondgymnastics.com

Ages 18 months+

Soccer Shots

Burnaby, New West, Surrey, Coquitlam, Delta, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Langley soccershots.org

Ski Wee & Wee Riders Grouse Mountain, North Van, 604/980-9311 grousemountain.com

Ages 3–6

Sportball 604/688-3157 sportball.ca

Ages 16 months–12 yrs

Tri-Cities Gracie Jiu-Jitsu® Port Moody 866/936-1252 tricitiesgjj.com

TumbleTown Movement Education Centre

Vancouver, 604/357-7355 tumbletown.ca

Ages 4 months–8 years

UBC Active Kids Gymnastics 604/822-2027

outreach.kin.educ.ubc.ca/ active-kids

Ages 18 months–18 years

Uphoria Yoga Vancouver, 604/326-2995 uphoriayoga.com

Ages 3+

Wayland Sports Maple Ridge, 604/465-9293 waylandsports.com

Ages: walking–10 yrs+ White Rock Gymnastics 604/542-0386 whiterockgym.org

Ages: walking–11 yrs+ YogaButtons Studio Vancouver, 604/739-9642 yogabuttons.com

Ages newborn–12 yrs

Zone Camps – Ski/Ride Grouse Mountain, North Van 604/980-9311 grousemountain.com

Ages 5–18

Summer Camps

Residential Camps

British Columbia Family French Camp (BCFFC) Shuswap Lake, Gwillim Lake and Nanaimo bcffc.com

Camp Qwanoes

Vancouver Island, 250/246-3014 qwanoes.ca

Ages 8–18

Qwanoes is a Christian camp built from the ground up for kids to experience an unforgettable life-changing week. Qwanoes is wild action and pure fun, sun-soaked days, new friendships, tasty food, great music, over 75 activities, and all in a spectacular setting with amazing staff from around the world... all who love kids. Life like no other awaits!

Camp Artaban Gambier Island, 604/980-0391 campartaban.com

Ages 8–18

Camp Fircom Gambier, 604/662-7756 fircom.ca

Ages 6–16, plus Family Programs

Camp Imadene Mesachie Lake, 250/749-6606 imadene.com

Ages 7–18, plus Family Camps

Camp Jubilee Indian Arm, 604/937-7388 campjubilee.ca

Ages 8–16

Camp Pringle Shawnigan Lake, 250/472-6877 camppringle.com

Ages 6–17

Camp Suzuki: Howe Sound Howe Sound – Camp Fircom 604/732-4228 campsuzuki.org

Ages 7–13

Children’s Horse Camp –Webbs Holiday Acres Aldergrove, 604/857-1712 webbsholidayacres.ca

Ages 6–14

Debate Camp Canada Vancouver, Victoria 888/512-8154 debatecamp.com

Evans Lake Camp North of Squamish, 604/294-2267 evanslake.com

Ages 8–16

Green Bay Bible Camp West Kelowna, 250/768-5884 greenbay.bc.ca

Ages 6–14

Kawkawa Camp & Retreat Hope, 604/869-9637 kawkawa.com

Ages 7–18

Keats Camp Keats Island, 604/925-6799 keatscamps.com

Ages 7–18

Pioneer Pacific Camp Thetis Island, 250/246-9613 pioneerpacific.ca

Ages 7–18

Sasamat Outdoor Centre Belcarra, 604/939-2268

sasamat.org

Ages 4–17

Stillwood Camp Cultus Lake, 1-800/507-8455 stillwood.ca

Ages 5–16

Timberline Ranch Maple Ridge, 604/463-9278 timberlineranch.com

Ages 9–16

Wyld Summer Camps and WYLD Expeditions Strathcona Park, 250/286-3122 gowyld.ca

Ages 12–18

YMCA

Camp Elphinstone 604/939-9622 gv.ymca.ca

Ages 7–15

special needs

Adaptive Multi-Sport Camp Cloverdale, 604/333-3520 bcwheelchairsports.com

Ages 11+

Camp Alohi Lani

Port Moody alsbc.ca/programs-services/ camp-alohi-lani

For youth who have a parent or grandparent in a significant role living with ALS.

Camp Goodtimes and Teen Program campgoodtimes.org

For children ages 7–15 and teens 15–18 with cancer, and their families.

Camp Kodiak Parry Sound, Ontario campkodiak.com

Ages 6–18

For children and teens with and without Learning Disabilities, ADHD and high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

DYT Summer Camps fndc.ca

Focussing on language enhancement (ASL) and social opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children ages 5–18.

Easter Seals Camps

604/873-1865 or 1-800/818-4483 eastersealscamps.ca

Ages 6–18

For children and teens with physical and/or mental disabilities.

Empowering Steps

Club Aviva, Coquitlam 604/526-4464 empoweringsteps.ca

Camps for students with developmental challenges

Eureka Camp 604/520-1155 eurekacamp.ca

For children and adolescents with invisible disabilities.

Young Burn Survivors Camp burnfund.org/camp-for-youngburn-survivors

For young burn survivors ages 6–18

art, music, drama & dance

Artmania West Van, 604/670-7592 artmaniabc.ca

Arts Umbrella Summer Camps Vancouver, 604/681-5268 Surrey, 604/535-1127 artsumbrella.com/summercamp

Ages 3–19

Bard on the Beach Summer Camps

Vancouver, Senakw/Vanier Park 604/737-0625 ext 2262 bardonthebeach.org

Ages 5–18

Boogaloo Academy 604/805-0558, Vancouver boogalooacademy.com

Camp Monarch –Music, Art & Dance North Van, 604/723-8151 monarcharts.com

Ages 5–12

Colourstrings Conservatory Musical Summer Camps Vancouver colourstrings.ca

Ages 4–10

E.J.S. School of Fine Arts Surrey, 604/596-4883 ejsfinearts.com

Ages 5+

Evergreen Cultural Centre Coquitlam, 604/927-6555 evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Seasonal arts camps, a curated art gallery, and free family arts programs, just steps away from the Lafarge Lake – Douglas Skytrain station!

Gateway Academy –Acting, Improvisation, Speech, Musical Theatre Richmond, 604/247-4975 gatewaytheatre.com/academy

Ages 8–18

Goh Ballet Academy Canada Vancouver, 604/872-4014 gohballet.com

Ages 4–7

Summer Camps

Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools

Locations throughout the Lower Mainland.

1-888/502-5253

lightsuptheatre.ca

Ages 4–12

Shine a Spotlight on FUN at Lights Up Musical Theatre camps. Every kid is a born performer—no prior experience is required. Campers will strut their stuff for family and friends at our camp presentations. Like all Lights Up programs, our camps teach children to work in teams, build confidence, sing, dance, act and SHINE! Sign up for a week they won’t forget!

Place des Arts

Coquitlam, 604/664-1636 placedesarts.ca

Ages 5–14

Place des Arts’ Summer Fun! programs runs for six weeks, offering many exciting weeklong options for creative young people. Camps include a wide variety of visual and performing arts classes designed to inspire the artist in every child who attends.

Tutu School

North Van, 778/732-5044 tutuschool.com/northvancouver

general activities

Alexandra Neighbourhood House 604/535-0015

alexhouse.net

Ages 5–12

Clubhouse Kids

Vancouver, 778/939-2389

clubhousekids.ca

Ages 5–12

False Creek C.C. Daycamps

Vancouver, 604/257-8195

falsecreekcc.ca

Ages 3–14

Pear Tree Education

Vancouver, East Van, Burnaby, North Van, White Rock 604/355-2155

pear-tree.ca

Ages 5–14

Pear Tree Education offers a wide range of popular educational summer camps at five locations! Led by experienced Vancouver school teachers, our summer camps offer exceptional levels of safety, enjoyment and education!

SFU Summer Camps 778/782-4965, sfu.ca/camps

Ages 5–19

Spare Time Child Care Society

Vancouver, sparetimesociety.org

Ages 5–12

SMS Co-ed Camps

Victoria, 250/479-7171

stmarg.ca

Ages 6–12

Sunset Community Centre

Vancouver, 604/718-6505

mysunset.net

Ages 6–16

West Point Grey Community Centre Summer Day Camp

Vancouver, 604/257-8140 westpointgrey.org/programs/ day-camps

Ages 3–13 years

Westside Montessori Academy

Vancouver, 604/434-9611 wmasummercamp.com

WMA’s Summer Camps are professionally led camps for 3 to 12-year-olds celebrating our final year at the Italian Cultural Centre, making summer fun and full of learning in secure, air-conditioned classrooms and adjacent Beaconsfield Park.

YMCA

604/324-9622, gv.ymca.ca

Ages 5–12

specialty camps

Adventure Day Camps Grouse Mountain, North Van 604/980-9311

grousemountain.com/camps

Ages 3–14

BrainSTEM Learning North Van, 604/379-2767 brainstemlearning.ca

Ages 4–14

Brain Booster Summer Camps Surrey, 778/839-5515 westcoastcentreforlearning.com

Ages 6–12

Cousteau Multi Specialty Camps North Van, 604/924-2457 cousteauschool.org

Ages 3–5 & 6–9

Bricks 4 Kidz®

Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby 778/872-STEM (7836) bricks4kidz.com/vancouver

Dive into Summer Camp at the Vancouver Aquarium 604/659-3552

vanaqua.org

Ages 4–16

Dolphin Kids™ Achievement programs 778/939-6440 dolphinkids.ca

Eaton Arrowsmith Camp Surrey, Vancouver 604/264-8327 eatonarrowsmith.com

FarmWonders Camp UBC Farm, 604/827-4048 farmwonders.ca

Ages 6–14

Fraser Academy Summer Boost Camp Vancouver, 604/736-5575 fraseracademy.ca

Ages 7–13

Jump Gymnastics Yaletown, North Van 604/568-9690 info@jumpgymnastics.ca jumpgymnastics.ca

Langara Summer Camps Vancouver, 604/677-0198 langara.ca/summer-camps For teens 13–17 years

LEGO® Robotics Spring / Summer Camps with Daedalos Enrichment Programs

Vancouver, 604/345-8603 daedalosacademy.com

At these LEGO® Robotics Camps, kids create, build, program and operate robotic animals, machines and vehicles using LEGO® Education Robotics and Computer Programming. Children are given grade level appropriate activities based on skill, ability, experience and preference.

Ages 6–13

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre Mini Camps North Van, 604/990-3755 ecologycentre.ca

Ages 5–12

Petit Architect Design for Kids

Vancouver, Richmond petitarchitect.com

Ages 6–14

Richmond Nature Park Camps Richmond, 604/276-4300 richmond.ca/register

Ages 4–12

Sea Smart – Beach Camp

Vancouver, Richmond 604/358-3001 seasmartschool.com

Ages 6–13

Sprout the Chef Cooking Camp

Vancouver, Burnaby

604/505-0074 sproutingchefs.com

Ages 7–13

TWU Summer Camps Langley BC 604/513-2121 ext. 3441 twu.ca/camps

Ages 4–15

Vancouver Neurotherapy Health Services Inc. Vancouver, 604/730-9600 neurofeedbackclinic.ca

Ages 3+

An Orton-Gillingham-trained multisensory tutor will guide your child through kinaesthetic, visual & auditory activities to optimize performance & learning. Children will acquire new skills while learning rhythm, rhyme, music, and coding with a goal to improve academics, organization, integration & language. Biofeedback Virtual Reality games are used to teach selfregulation, self-control & how to achieve optimal performance.

sports

Atlantis Swim Programs

Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam 604/874-6464, pedalheads.com

Ages 4 months+

Diving Locker

Vancouver, 800/DIVE-398 divinglocker.ca

Ages 10+

Heroheads Multisport Camp

Vancouver, Burnaby, North Van 604/874-6464, pedalheads.com

Ages 4–8

The Hive Climbing North Van, PoCo, Surrey, Vancouver, hiveclimbing.com

Ages 6–12

Jump Gymnastics City Square: 604/559-6492

Richmond: 604/559-6492

North Van: 604/971-0513 jumpgymnastics.ca

Ages 4–7

Learn to Sail

Deep Cove Yacht Club, North Van, 604/929-1009 deepcoveyc.com

Ages 4–16

MyGym Richmond, 778/859-9680 mygym.com/richmondbc

Oval Summer Sport Camps Richmond Olympic Oval 778/296-1400, richmondoval.ca

Ages 4–18

Pedalheads Bike Camps Locations all over Greater Vancouver, 604/874-6464 pedalheads.com

Ages 2–12

Pedalheads Mountain Biking (PHMB)

Point Grey, Burnaby, North Van 604/874-6464, pedalheads.com

Ages 4–15

Phoenix Gymnastics Vancouver, 604/737-7693 phoenixgymnastics.com

Ages 3+

RBL Basketball

604/269-0221 or 604/253-5295 RBLBasketball.com

Ages 5–15

Royal Soccer

Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley 800/427-0536 royalsoccer.com

Ages 5–13

Royal Soccer Club is the #1 grassroots summer soccer day camp in British Columbia. Host to children aged 5 to 13 across 16 locations in the Lower Mainland, we operate during July and August.

Sportball

Mulitiple Locations 604/688-3157, sportball.ca

Ages 16 months–12 yrs

Timberline Ranch Maple Ridge, 604/463-9278 timberlineranch.com

Ages 7–8

Total Athlete Training –Athletes in Action Langley, 604/514-2079 athletesinaction.com

Ages 14–18

TumbleTown Movement Education Centre –Gym-venture Days Vancouver, 604/357-7355 tumbletown.ca

Ages 3–8 yrs

Twin Rivers

Equestrian Centre Cloverdale, 604/574-5481 twinriversequestrian.com

UBC Sport Camps Vancouver, 604/822-6121 ubccamps.ca

Uphoria Yoga Vancouver, 604/326-2995 uphoriayoga.com

Yoga Kiddo Buttons Camp Vancouver, 604/739-9642 yogabuttons.com

Ages 3–7

Can Diet Really Affect Your Child’s Behaviour?

Christy Donnelly, Fuel Nutrition & Wellness

Have you heard the saying ‘You’re only as happy as your saddest child’? It’s not the most uplifting phrase but it may hold a lot of truth. If your child is struggling with behavioural and mental health challenges, you are likely in the struggle too. For kids, these struggles can be encountered at all ages and the presenting symptoms can often morph from one into another as the child matures. For example, the toddler who frequently experiences meltdowns and tantrums; the school aged child who lacks focus, is hyperactive and has learning challenges; the teen who suffers from anxiety, depression, and poor executive functioning skills. Sadly, these are only a handful of the behavioural challenges on the rise in kids today.

It is important to look closely at what may be contributing to a child’s symptoms and how small adjustments to diet can help significantly. This is a path I went down many years ago with my active and outgoing fouryear-old son. He started chewing on his shirt to the point it had holes in it, had difficulties falling asleep and was restless throughout the night once he did find sleep. These were early signs of anxiety that quickly disappeared

when I investigated deeper into what was contributing to the imbalances and nourished his body with what it needed. The improvements were so remarkable that it started me on a journey to continue my education in nutrition and create Fuel Nutrition & Wellness so I could help other families.

These were early signs of anxiety that quickly disappeared when I investigated deeper into what was contributing to the imbalances and nourished his body with what it needed

First, let’s consider what a child is eating and how it affects brain health. The brain is the most complex organ in the body and, to thrive, it needs to be nourished with nutrient rich foods. The foods we choose as fuel will have a positive or negative impact on the brain which directly affects physical and mental development. High quality foods will

support the mind and provide benefits that improve brain function whereas a diet lacking the necessary nutrients will have an opposite effect, enhancing negative cognitive function. This may present as difficulty with sleep, poor focus, irritability, withdrawal, lack of energy, and impulsivity. Below are three areas to consider that play a role in brain health.

Neurotransmitters and the microbiome

Neurotransmitters carry messages around the body. These are important in keeping the brain balanced and high functioning. The microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract; most of those organisms are bacteria. People often don’t realize how intricately the two are related; they think of neurotransmitters in the brain and microbiome in the gut. However, most gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters, and these chemical messengers are what help to keep the brain thriving.

Two well-known neurotransmitters are serotonin and dopamine. They are often referred to as the ‘feel-good hormones’ because they are associated with what keeps us feeling happy, focused, calm, positive and motivated. Did

you know that upwards of 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut?

If the gut microbiome is out of balance, it is not a realistic expectation for the body to have optimal levels of this particularly important mood stabilizer. Furthermore, children will be unable to properly regulate their emotions, stay focused and thrive mentally with a lack of neurotransmitters. Often the foods that children lean towards are those that are heavily marketed to them. A diet highly favouring processed foods, sugar and high fats will negatively affect the gut’s microbiome. The lack of beneficial bacteria will restrict the production of necessary neurotransmitters and contribute to imbalances within the brain.

To have a balanced gut, the good bacteria need to be fed with high fibre foods such as berries, leafy greens, and whole grains. You will often start to see behavioural improvements quite quickly once strengthening the intestinal function.

Inflammation

When we hear inflammation, we often think of something swelling up on the body. However, it is inflammation inside the body, including the brain, that can be linked to struggles in behaviour.

The Western Pattern Diet, consumed by many North Americans, is low in fruits and vegetables while high in fat and sodium. This diet contributes to the high levels of inflammation throughout the body, which will consequently also have a negative effect on the brain. Based on the long lineups at fast food chain restaurants, we see kids today are

consuming more of this inflammatory diet and less nutrient rich foods.

Consuming a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids is going to keep inflammation at an appropriate level and nourish the brain for optimal development in a child’s formative years. Some nutrients can be produced by our body, but these fatty acids are known as

The imbalance can create a roller coaster of emotions. Additionally, artificial sweeteners negatively affect the gut’s microbiome and are known to create anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. Choosing sweeteners such as honey and maple sugar will lessen the blood sugar spikes while also adding health benefits that regular sugar and artificial sweeteners do not offer.

essential nutrients, meaning we can only get them through diet or supplements. There is an even higher need for these omega-3s while children’s brains and bodies are rapidly growing and developing. A diet incorporating plenty of fish, nuts and seeds will provide an adequate amount of this essential nutrient.

Blood sugar

We’ve now discussed some ways brain function improves with the support of a nutrient dense diet, but certain ingredients will also have a negative impact on the brain. Sugar is one ingredient that not only affects learning function and memory but can also contribute to destructive behaviour. For example, sugar puts the child’s brain in overdrive, affecting mood and behaviour because of constant spikes and crashes in blood sugar.

To summarize, children will be better equipped to cope with mental stresses when they are eating nutritious foods. A healthy and well-balanced diet can fuel the brain and body to be more alert, think more clearly, improve concentration, lengthen attention span, regulate emotions, and improve mental health in general. It is not a one-size-fits-all diet as the needs of each body is individual. How the changes are incorporated into the everyday life of the child is important in creating a successful outcome. There are many ways to make the transition seamless for families. Simple dietary changes can make a big difference to a child’s symptoms. If your child is struggling, I encourage you to reach out to a nutritionist for guidance. The process is greatly simplified when you have someone to help navigate the journey, a journey that will help support your child in maintaining optimal health.

Christy Donnelly is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist at Fuel Nutrition & Wellness with a focus on pediatrics, mental health, and the gut-brain connection. She is passionate about getting to the root of health concerns while providing guidance that families can easily incorporate. If you have any questions, she can be reached through her website at www.yourfuel.ca

Children will be unable to properly regulate their emotions, stay focused and thrive mentally with a lack of neurotransmitters.

Family Health

childcare

Vancouver Nanny Connection

Vancouver, North & West Van, Burnaby, Surrey and Delta 236/ 333-4455 vancouvernannyconnection.com

chiropractor

In Touch Chiropractic Vancouver, 604/879-5566 intouchchiropractic.ca

Jassal Chiropractic Vancouver, 604/731-3006 jassalchiropractic.com

Pathways Family Chiropractor Surrey, 604/372-4558 pathwayschiro.ca

The Powerhouse Chiropractic Vancouver, 604/662-3304 thepowerhousevancouver.com

Family Wellness Chiropractor

Vancouver, 604/566-9088

FamilyWellnessChiro.ca

community

Autism Society of BC

604/434-0880

autismbc.ca

BC Epilepsy Society

604/875-6704 bcepilepsy.com

Children’s Centre for Ability bc-cfa.org

Children’s Hearing & Speech Centre of BC Vancouver, 604/437-0255

childrenshearing.ca

Co-ed, grades K–3

Developmental Disabilities Association develop.bc.ca

Family Services of the North Shore 604/988-5281

familyservices.bc.ca

Learning Disabilities Society of Greater Vancouver (LDS) 604/873-8139

ldsociety.ca

Matthew’s House

Located in Abbotsford, serving families in BC 604/850-6608 mattshouse.ca

Marpole Oakridge Family Place

Vancouver, 604/263-1405 mofp.org

Vancouver Resource Society for the Physically Disabled 604/731-1020, vrs.org

counselling

Becker Burrows & Associates

Online, 250/668-8885 beckerburrows.com

Harbourside Counseling Centre

Vancouver, 604/689-9116 michelekambolis.com

Moving Forward Family Services All Care Site Surrey, 778/321-3054 movingforward.help

Sharon Selby sharonselby.com

Seedlings Child and Youth Counselling and Consulting Vancouver, 604/785 4846 seedlingscounselling.com

The Compassionate Parent Coach 604/329-0865 thecompassionateparentcoach. com

The Wishing Star: Lapointe Developmental Clinic

Surrey, 778/294-8732 lapointepsychology.com

craniosacral therapy

Connected Heart New West, 778/233-2087 cranialsacraltherapy.ca

gloWithin North Van, 778/246-2960 glowithin.ca/craniosacral-therapy

Mama Milk

Vancouver, 604/340-6684 mamamilk.ca

crisis/support services

BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

604/875-2084

Toll Free 1-800/665-1822

keltymentalhealth.ca

BC’s information source for children, youth & families

Foundry BC

1-800/784-2433 foundrybc.ca

Kids Help Phone 800/668-6868 kidshelpphone.ca

Parents Support Services Society

877/345-9777 parentsupportbc.ca

Sophie’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre Surrey, 604/588-0727 the-centre.org/sophies-place A child and youth advocacy centre dedicated to supporting victims of physical and/or sexual abuse up to 15 years old living in Surrey.

fertility

Olive Fertility Centre Vancouver, 604/559-9950 olivefertility.com

Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine Surrey, 604/422-7276 pacificfertility.ca

Thuja Wellness Vancouver, 778/985-4970 thujawellness.com

foster

parenting

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society 604/216-7447 vacfss.com

maternity & infant

Bloom Community Midwives Vancouver, 604/609-3550 bloomcommunitymidwives.com

Doula Services Association of BC 604/515-5588 bcdoulas.org

MamaBear Holistic Care Coquitlam, 778/229-6415 mamabearholisticcare.com

Pacific Post Partum Support Society Burnaby, 855/255-7999 postpartum.org

Pomegranate Community

Midwives

Vancouver, 604/255-5556 pomegranate-midwives.com

Surrey Community Birth Program Surrey, 604/575-7275 communitybirth.ca

The Midwiferey Group Vancouver, 604/877-7766 midwiferygroup.ca

Westside Midwives

Vancouver, 604/224-0686 westsidemidwives.com

neurotherapy

Vancouver Neurotherapy Health Services Inc. Lower Mainland, 604/730-9600 neurofeedbackclinic.ca Achieve your full potential with neuroscience & selfregulation techniques. Explore how you can optimize learning, academic success, and athletic performance with biofeedback-based Virtual Reality technology. Improve self-awareness & behaviour. We can support ADHD, anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, brain injuries, learning difficulties, pain, stress, and more.

occupational therapists

Kids First Pediatric Therapy Burnaby, 778/379-5862 kidsfirstot.ca

Monarch House

Burnaby, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford 778/887-3573 monarchhouse.ca

Play 2 Learn 4 Life – Children’s Therapy Services Inc. Vancouver, 604/568-1986 play2learn4life.com

Skilled Kids Occupational Therapy

778/322-1242 skilledkids.com

Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy Surrey, 778/395-8752 symbiosispediatrictherapy.com

We Play Kids Gym Surrey, 604/385-2883 weplaykids.com

WonderKids OT Burnaby, 604/291-0078 wonderkidsot.com

optometrists

@ 180 Optometry & Eyewear Kitsilano, 604/568-5378 180optometry.com

@ 180 Optometry & Eyewear is a full scope clinic that specializes in myopia control. They are focused on the future of little eyes by providing the latest, pain-free myopia management treatments. Proactive eye care for the whole family is important to them.

Della Optique Optometry & Eyewear Vancouver, 604/742-3937 dellaoptique.com

Eyelab, Doctors of Optometry Kerrisdale, 604/260-1166 helloeyelab.com

A unique and creative team of optometrists who are leaders in Myopia Management, Vision Therapy and Dry Eye Treatments! They can also fulfill your daily family eyecare needs.

Hollyburn Eye Clinic West Van, 604/913-0135 North Van, 604/984-2020 hollyburneyeclinic.com

InSight Developmental Learning

Langley, 604/455-4077 insightlearning.ca

Lynn Valley Optometry North Van, 604/987-9191 lynnvalleyoptometry.com

Maple Ridge Eye Care – Optometrists Maple Ridge, 604/463-4469 mapleridgeeyecare.ca

Mount Pleasant Optometry Centre Vancouver, 604/874-7302 aokvancouver.com

Optomeyes West Van, 604/922-0413 optomeyes.ca

Perspective Optometry Vancouver, 604/435-3931 visiontherapy.ca

orthodontists

BC Orthodontic Group

bcorthodonticsgroup.com

Clear Advantage Orthodontics

Oakridge Centre, Downtown Vancouver, 604/266-8277

clearadvantageortho.com

Coquitlam Family Orthodontics

604/229-4460

coquitlamfamilyorthodontics.com

Langley Orthodontics

604/229-4460

langleyorthodontics.com

Monarch Pediatric

Dental Centre & Orthodontic Centre

Burnaby: 604/434-9060

Port Moody: 604/461-9160

Surrey: 604/589-9160

Vancouver: 604/876-9060

MonarchDentalCentre.com

Our aspiration is to provide the best quality of care and service to our patients and their families. Our commitment is simple—to provide a friendly environment throughout orthodontic treatment so that our patients will enjoy the longterm benefits of this rewarding experience.

PDG Pediatric Dental Group

Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam

604/PDG-1000 (604/734-1000) pdgdental.com

Ridge Meadows Family Orthodontics

Maple Ridge, 604/229-4460

ridgemeadowsorthodontics.com

Smile Town Dentistry

Burnaby, 604/482-9633

smiletownburnaby.com

Viva Orthodontics

New West: 604/522-9871

S. Surrey: 604/385-0850

Surrey: 778/574-8484

Port Coquitlam: 604/552-3899 vivaortho.com

parenting support

Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver 604/876-2447

Big Sisters of BC 604/873-4525

Canuck Place –A Children’s Hospice 604/731-4847

canuckplace.org

Family Support Institute of BC Society

New West, 604/540-8374

Toll free: 800/441-5403

familysupportbc.com

Inclusion BC 604/777-9100 inclusionbc.org

Parent Support Services Society of BC 604/669-1616 parentsupportbc.ca

Fraser Valley Multiple Miracle Association surreytwinclub.com

Pacific Post Partum Support Society

Vancouver, 604/255-7999 postpartum.org

The Centre for Child Development

Surrey, 604/584-1361

Langley: 604/533-3088 the-centre.org

Helping to overcome societal barriers for those with disabilities and empower vulnerable children and families throughout the South Fraser Region.

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society Toll free 1-877/982-2377

vacfss.com

pediatric dentists

Just4Kids Pediatric Dentistry Surrey, 604/575-7785 j4kdentistry.com

Kits Family Dental

Lolo Pediatric Dentistry

North Van, 604/770-0890 lolosmiles.ca

Monarch Pediatric Dental Centre & Orthodontic Centre

Burnaby: 604/430-4980

Port Moody: 604/461-4980

Surrey: 604/585-4980

Vancouver: 604/419-4980 MonarchPediatricDental.com

Monarch has been providing the best quality dental care for infants, children, and adolescents across the Lower Mainland since 1997. Our goal is to help your family achieve optimum oral health. Building Healthy Happy Smiles that Last a Lifetime.

Pacific Pediatric Dental Centre North Van, 604/983-2253 pacificpdc.com

PDG Pediatric Dental Group

Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam 604/PDG-1000 (604/734-1000) pdgdental.com

Smile Town Dentistry

Burnaby, 604/482-9633 smiletownburnaby.com

Tot 2 Teen Dental Vancouver, 604/569-3669 tot2teendental.com

physiotherapists

Kids Physio Group

Kinectiv Sport + Health Maple Ridge, 604/ 465-4263 kinectiv.ca

PlayWorks Physio

Port Moody, 604/492-3888 playworksphysio.com

neighbourhood houses

Cedar Cottage 4065 Victoria Dr. 604/874-4231

Collingwood 5288 Joyce St. 604/435-0323

Gordon 1019 Broughton St. 604/683-2554

Kitsilano 2325 W. 7th Ave. 604/736-3588

Kiwassa 2425 Oxford St. 604/254-5401

Little Mountain 3981 Main St. 604/879-7104

Mount Pleasant 800 E. Broadway 604/879-8208

North Shore 225 E. 2nd St., North Van 604/987-8138

South Vancouver 6470 Victoria Dr. 604/324-6212

The Centre for Child Development – Early Years Hub Newton, 604/619-9488

early childhood education experience in an inclusive and welcoming setting where children (0–6 years old) and caregivers can play, read, and make friends.

safety

On the Go First Aid

Lower Mainland OnTheGoFirstAid.com

Safe Beginnings First Aid Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Sea to Sky, 604/340-3790 safebeginnings.ca

Survivormate: 72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Province-wide, 855/781-7878 survivormate.com

sleep consultants

Dawn Whittaker Consulting 604/897-2997

dawnwhittaker.com

Good Night Sleep Site Coquitlam, 778/686-8717 goodnightsleepsite.com/ coquitlam

Say Yes to The Rest –Pediatric Sleep Consulting Serving all of BC 250/571-5586

sayyestotherest.com

Helping exhausted parents successfully get their child sleeping through the night. Giving parents the ability to get their “me time” back and start feeling like themselves again! All of this, while creating necessary, healthy sleep habits for their child that will last into adulthood. Private coaching locally and remotely, working with children ages 0–12 yrs. Free Sleep Assessment Calls. Welcome To The Start Of Better Rest – Sleep Dreams Professional Sleep Consultants North Van, 604/985-2991 sleepdreams.ca

The Peaceful Sleeper Vancouver, 604/908-1548

thepeacefulsleeper.com

ultrasounds

Discovery 3D Ultrasounds Surrey, 778/395-8558

discovery3dultrasound.com

UC Baby 3D Ultrasound Abbotsord, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Victoria ucbaby.ca

Building Collective Resilience to Address Harmful Content Online

Samantha McAleese and Matthew Johnson, MediaSmarts

New research from MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital media literacy, provides insight into how often young Canadians encounter harmful content online and how they tend to respond to it. The report is the second in a series of reports in the latest phase of Young Canadians in a Wireless World, a national survey of over one thousand youth ages 9 to 17.

First, what do we mean by harmful content?

In the survey, we asked young people about the content they see or receive in online spaces that causes them harm or discomfort. Specifically, we asked older youth (participants in grades 7 to 11) questions about pornography and the racist and sexist content they see on various platforms. The responses to these questions add to our understanding of how this content circulates online, how young people respond, and where they require additional support and resources.

When it comes to pornography, we note that more youth try to avoid seeing this content online (42%) than those who actively look for it (22%). Furthermore, 32% of young Canadians say they see pornography online without looking for it when it pops up on the websites they visit and the search

engines they use or when a friend shares it with them without their consent.

Next, we learned that almost half (47%) of participants see racist or sexist content online at least once a week. Additional analysis tells us that LGBTQ+ youth and youth with a disability are more likely to see this harmful content in online spaces.

While having a rule around internet usage (like what sites your children can or cannot visit) won’t necessarily impact what content young people see online, it does seem to impact how they respond to it.

While most youth (88%) agree that it is important to speak up when they see racist or sexist content online, many (58%) feel they do not know what to say. This uncertainty is consistent with our previous qualitative research study on online hate and demon-

strates a need for more guidance and support in navigating harmful content online. Also, compared to phase three of Young Canadians (completed in 2013), youth in this most recent phase are more likely to agree that it is important to say something about racist or sexist content so that people know it is wrong.

Overall, young people across Canada have increased awareness and concern about the impacts of racist and sexist content online and an increased desire to speak out about the regularity with which they see such harmful content. Additionally, most youth (81%) agree that tech companies should do more to stop racist and sexist things from being posted or shared online.

In the report, we talk about these findings through the lens of collective resilience: the ability of a community or group of people to collectively respond to or recover from changing and sometimes stressful or adverse environments. In the context of the online world, building collective resilience can help ensure that young people draw strength and support from the people around them, so they are better prepared to react and respond to the problems they encounter in online spaces. As we emphasize in much of our recent research

with young Canadians, this collective or communal form of resilience—as opposed to the individual resilience typically mobilized in the literature on child and youth development—is more conducive to building and retaining the skills, knowledge, competence, and confidence required to respond to everchanging digital environments.

Communicating clear household rules is one way to build this resilience. For example, while having a rule around internet usage (like what sites your children can or cannot visit) won’t necessarily impact what content young people see online, it does seem to impact how they respond to it. More specifically, we found that young people with a household rule about treating people with respect are more likely to agree that it is important to speak out when they see racist and sexist content online.

Supervision can also play a role here. We found that youth ages 12 to 13 who are usually with an adult when they go online are more likely to agree that it is important to speak up about racist and sexist content and are more likely to tell an adult when they see that kind of content. Essentially, when young people have trusted adults in their lives who take an interest in what they are doing and seeing online, it provides a layer of safety and support needed to navigate the problems they might experience. The good news is that 86%

of youth who participated in the survey said they have people in their lives who can help them solve online problems.

Access to digital media literacy education also plays a role in building collective resilience when addressing the problems and harms people face in online spaces. Within the report, we highlight that youth are interested in learning more about how to be safe online, report inappropriate behaviour or

Keeping Your Kids Safe from Harmful Online Content

Worried about what your kids might see online? Here are some tips to keep them safe— and to help them deal with harmful or discomforting content if they do see it.

• Set and discuss household rules. Clearly explain how you expect your kids to behave when they’re online. The most important rule? Tell them to come right to you if anything goes wrong—and promise that you won’t get mad at them if they do.

• Use parental controls—and teach kids to filter for themselves Operating systems, search engines, social networks, games, and browsers all have controls that help you filter out inappropriate content (you can learn more about how to use them here: mdiasmarts.ca/using-parental-controls-tip-sheet). Kids want to learn how to control what they see, too: almost twice as many say they take steps to avoid seeing pornography as look for it on purpose.

• Co-view with your kids. Have an ongoing conversation about the media that they’re watching, playing, and participating in. Use MediaSmarts’ tip sheets on topics like online hate and sexualized media to know what to say and what questions to ask.

• One thing you shouldn’t do? Spy on your kids. If something goes wrong, they’ll be more concerned with keeping it a secret from you than getting your help. If something has happened that makes you feel you have to watch them more closely, let them know that you’re doing it and explain why.

content, and deal with hateful, racist, or sexist online information. More young people (52% now compared to 39% in 2013) seem to be getting more support from their parents or guardians in this regard.

In phase three of Young Canadians, only 9% of participants said they never learned how to respond to or navigate harmful content online—this jumped to 24% in phase four. To support the desire for more education and guidance, MediaSmarts developed My Voice is Louder Than Hate—a multimedia resource designed to empower young people to push back against hate and prejudice in their online communities. This is one of many resources that exist to support young people and the trusted adults in their lives as they navigate the digital information ecosystem and various online spaces and places.

The data we collect through the Young Canadians in a Wireless World survey, alongside our other research projects at MediaSmarts, allows us to create and update our educational resources and supports our ongoing conversations with policy- and decision-makers who hold power to make the online world safer for everyone. This research also helps illuminate not just the struggles that young people face online but where they draw strength and support to help them navigate the problems that come with being online.

Bringing the best films for all ages from around the world, this year’s festival can be enjoyed in person and online, in homes and classrooms across BC.

Featuring 10 feature films and 40 shorts, from over 20 coun¼ tries and Indigenous nations, including 15 films from Canada, two Oscar nominated short films, and a number of award winners.

Reel 2 Real presents Sunday Fun Day including a Pancake Breakfast, animation workshops, and fun films all day.