Fun Learning& in a Park .................... Get Connected.................... free 2022/23 Finding Love After 60 How....................toWorkHardwithout the Stress .................... Creating your Homeschool Year CareChildMap20page The truth behind Cerebral Dominance & Learning The....................Basics of LoveSelf ....................
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early thatbuildingeducatorschildhoodinresponsiverelationshipswithchildren,families,andcommunitiesaredemocratic,ethical,inclusive,andjoyful.
Note from the Editor
In this issue of Okanagan Family Magazine we have packed it full of topics from mental health, physical activities, education and art, to falling in love later in life. Interestingly a couple articles that I thought wouldn’t be of interest to me, contained good advice for everyone no matter your age or gender.
Speaking of learning something new, I was surprised to discover that researchers suggest we add movement to our learning, like standing or throwing a ball, as it improves executive function and memory. Learn more about how your brain works by reading The Truth Behind Cerebral Dominance and Learning.
Articles Inside
Finding Childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
And we must consider our mental health as well. Learn The Basics of Self-Love ... a heart warming article everyone should read. It’s so empowering! Or discover the Signs of Struggles with Mental Health or Substance Misuse We have an article on Dementia which delivers some good ideas. And one on How to Work Hard Without the Stress. For those feeling alone, maybe it’s time to Get Connected at the Family Hub, a wonderful community resource. Connection truly is a core need that we all have.
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca
The articles contained in this publication represent the findings and opinions of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the opinions of Dragonfli Studio. The articles contained herein are intended for information purposes only Readers with any particular concerns should seek professional advice before acting. Dragonfli Studio will not be held liable for any inaccuracies or misrepresentations contained in any of the articles herein Any questions can be directed to the respective authors or by contacting Dragonfli Studio at 250-470-3396.
And finally there’s an article on Finding Child Care, Summer Art Exploration and one on all that our local library offers. Check out their 100 Books to Read Together before Kindergarten. Kids that finish the entire list get a bookHappybag!reading. Remember to make the world a better place each day.
Ad Sales: TERRY VARGA Graphic Design: LORi JOHNSON
An important part of our brain health is daily physical movement. Covid has had an impact on the activity level of our kids (and us adults too). Did you know that recent studies show that fewer than 4% of children are meeting their movement guideline levels each day? Physical activity helps people of all ages have strong bones, develop motor skills, reduce the risk of chronic disease and create socializing opportunities with our peers. Read more in Physical Literacy & Quality Sport Starts with You!
Summer Art Exploration 33
The Basics of Self-Love 4
Signs of Struggles with Mental Health or Substance Misuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
More than Just Skinny Skis 14
The Truth Behind Cerebral Dominance & Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Cover Photo: ELizABETH SOERGEL, AViVA STuDiOS
Keep Your Family Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Creating Your Homeschool Year 38
Child Care Map 20
Photos: SHuTTERSTOCK .COM Publisher: DRAGONFLi STuDiO PRiNTED iN CANADA
We could all be more active these days and there’s many different ways to do that in the Okanagan. Check out one of the many Regional Park programs (Fun & Learning in a Park). They have a cool Discovery Backpack program which helps you and your family discover nature. In the winter there’s crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing... a low impact, aerobic, full body way to stay in shape during the winter months (More than Just Skinny Skis). Or during the summer there are tons of free activities for the entire family. (Keep Your Family Active). There’s a charming article about adaptive biking and how one family improved their family biking experience and their community (Get Outside, Go Adaptive Biking).
Never Take Your Child’s Learning for Granted 5
Physical Literacy & Quality Sport Starts with You! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Everyone Needs Help at Sometime 24
Get Outside, Go Adaptive Biking . . . . . . . . . . 32
For instance, Finding Love after 60 has some great tips for creating healthy relationships. This could be applied to all kinds of relationships. And Never Take Your Child’s Learning for Granted reminds us that we are the ones who have the most profound impact on our kids so we should model the behaviour that we’d like to see in them. This includes being curious about our world and putting away our screens to spend more time with the people we care the most about. And the article Creating Your Homeschool Year suggests that helping a child learn gives us the opportunity to learn, grow and discover new things together. We should always be learning new things.
How to Work Hard Without the Stress 35
Beyond the Books! 10
Dealing with Dementia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Get Connected 17
Fun & Learning in a Park 30
Finding Love after 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
The Okanagan Family Magazine is published once a year by Dragonfli Studio and distributed free in the Central Okanagan. For more information contact Dragonfli Studio at 101-1865 Dilworth Drive, # 521, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T1, call 250-470-3396 or by email at dragonflistudio@shaw.ca.
CareChildMap20page
Dr Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed D is an author, licensed psychologist, and a marriage and family therapist who has been in practice for more than 35 years She specializes in couples and family therapy and parent education She writes regularly for Psych Central as well as Psych Central’s Ask the Therapist feature She is author of the insightful parenting e-book, Tending the Family Heart Check out her book, unlocking the Secrets of Self-Esteem
2. Be actively lovable • You won’t accumulate more lovability by waiting for it to happen. It takes more than looking in a mirror and saying ‘I love you’ to yourself several times a day. Researchers have repeatedly shown that to maintain the positive self-esteem that is your birth right, you need to do positive things. Do as much as you can to be a kind, just and positive contributor in the world. If that feels overwhelming, start small. Just make a point of doing something for someone else each day. Practice doing random acts of kindness. Volunteer. Your faith in your lovability will grow and you will develop more strength to tackle any of your not-so-lovable qualities.
by Marie Hartwell Walker, Ed .D • Psych Central www psychcentral.com
4. Forgive yourself for not being perfect • Being perfect isn’t necessary for being lovable. In fact, people who think they are ‘perfect’ are often insufferable narcissists. Being lovable requires accepting yourself as imperfect. It’s enough to do things as best as you can even if, especially if, you can’t reach perfection. The challenge is knowing what it means to do the ‘best you can’. Be forgiving but also be honest: Have you really been making the effort to be and show your lovable self?
It’s a mistake to look to others to validate and love you in order to feel lovable. That’s giving all your own power away. You have the power. You can protect and nurture the core of lovability that is your birthright. The more you practice self-acceptance and self-love, the more you spread that love to other people, the more others are likely to love you.
The Basics of Self-Love
4 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23
Self-love isn’t selfish or self-centered or self-deluding. It acknowledges your basic worth but also requires that you take care of that worth by actively nurturing yourself and others through loving behaviour. Self-love is the foundation for being loving and attracting love.
6. Put on a happy face • Over 150 years ago, poet Ella Wheeler wrote, “Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone.” She was on to something. Scientists have found that smiling and laughing makes people both feel better and seem more approachable and even more attractive to others. Smiling is actually contagious. When people smile, others are wired to smile back. All those smiles make folks more loving and lovable.
7. Stop and smell the roses • All work and no play do make a person dull - and less lovable. Don’t let your work drown out all pleasure or take up so much time there is no time left for fun. Loving yourself means being your most enlightened and generous caretaker. Love yourself enough to take time off, to pursue a hobby, to spend time outdoors, to enjoy whatever it is about life you find enjoyable. By enriching your life, you expand your lovability. Sharing things that give you joy is one of the best ways to spread that love to the rest of your world.
“It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.” - Sidney J. Harris
5. Express gratitude • Acknowledging the way that others make your life better or easier is a powerful way to both build and show your lovability. Say thank you for any kindness. Post grateful notices on your Facebook page. Don’t forget to thank yourself for anything you do each day that supports your lovability. Taking care of yourself by eating well, getting some exercise and making sure you get good sleep are all statements of self-love that deserve self-acknowledgment. Studies have shown that acting on your gratitude will make you more kind and, yes, more lovable.
1. Believe in your essential worth • No child is born unlovable. You weren’t either. Whatever has happened to your lovability since then is the result of the sum total of all your experiences - both positive and negative - and the conclusions you drew about yourself as you grew. The good news is that your core self is lovable. Believing that is the foundation for self-love. Anything about you that is unlovable has been learned and therefore can, with effort and commitment, be unlearned and replaced with more lovable attributes.
showyourlovability
3. Take responsibility for anything that you don’t love about yourself • Yes, your core is lovable. What you do with the unlovable layers that may be covering that core is now your choice. Identify those layers and work on them. Apologize to anyone you have wronged and do your best to heal those relationships. If you haven’t behaved like you are a lovable person, start behaving differently. If you don’t yet feel all that lovable, start acting ‘as if’ you are by doing loving things - even when you don’t particularly feel like it. With enough repetition, what at first feels like ‘faking it’ will eventually become real.
It is very difficult to find a loving partner if you don’t love yourself. Yes, love. Love means acceptance, compassion and a general positive, even affectionate feeling about who you are. Finding unconditional love from someone else is almost impossible. Everyone has some conditions. But acknowledging and deserving unconditional selflove is the basis for having a loving adult relationship. Why? Because you can’t expect others to love you if you don’t.
7 basics for self-love
www OkanaganFamilyMagazine ca 5
Poviding early Sintervention tarbright..
For many parents, school is a black box. Their child goes through the doors in the morning, comes out at the end of the day, and what happens in between often remains a mystery. Our schools in British Columbia are wonderful, and our overall education system ranks as one of the best in the world, however, nothing improves, and ensures, a child’s learning like an engaged parent. While most teachers and principals mean very well, and most children do just fine at school, I encourage you as a parent to not simply trust good intentions, but rather, observe and make note of concrete results.
* occupational Therapy
* Infant ProgramDevelopment
Get to know your child’s teacher • Teachers are amazing people who are very busy! Many parents do not want to bother their child’s teacher and often wait until the scheduled parent teacher interview to discuss their child. While this can seem kind, it is a reactive approach. It is far better to proactively introduce yourself to your child’s teacher and check in regularly. Let your teacher know you are on his or her team, and that you want to know clearly how your child is doing so that you can best support learning at home. Most teachers I know love when a parent is a positive member of their team!
Read at home • Not only is this a great way to connect with your child, reading is an indicator of how your child learns, is learning, and whether there are hints of any issues that you should further investigate.
Never Take Your Child’s Learning for Granted
* Supported DevelopmentChildProgram
by Erin Hussey • The Balsam School
* Speech and language
to children with developmental needs!
www.starbrightokanagan.ca
Learning outside of the home, from someone who is not family, is a relatively modern development that most parents reading this take for granted. For most of us, when our child turns five, it is a given that we send him or her off to school. That first day of kindergarten begins a thirteen-year journey where our child will spend the best hours of his or her day in the care of, and learning from, someone else.
Here are a few tips that any parent can employ.
Get involved in the school • The more a parent knows about where their child spends the best hours of his or her day, the better. Knowing the environment, the adults, the activities and the friends that your child encounter each day is vital information that an engaged parent can use to better understand and support their child at home. Attending school has a huge impact on your child, and being aware of what is inside ‘the black box’ makes for much more effective parenting.
At school, children are rested, enjoy the best weather and the most sunlight hours of the day, and get to be with their friends. At the end of the day when they return home, you as a parent often find them tired, hungry and cranky. When you look at it from a productive and positive hours perspective, parents make quite a trade off with school in the hope, and belief, that it will be worth it. For the most part, we accept that it is the teacher’s job to teach (and at least partially raise) our children Monday to Friday, for the ten months of the school year, with few questions asked.
Charitable Tax Registration ID: 107793424RR0001
lessscreentime, morerealtime
* Clinical Counseling
We have all seen them portrayed in movies or television shows - young parents panicking that their child will not get on the wait-list for the right daycare or elementary school. While often played for a laugh, these anxious caricatures reflect all parents’ concern that their child may miss out on a strong and early learning foundation which we all believe (and much research shows) sets the path for future success.
1546 Bernard Avenue, 250-763-5100KelownA
* Physiotherapy
Reading, and being read to, allows for insights into memory, comprehension, potential vision issues, and may even open the door to uncovering social challenges in the classroom if your child has a strong emotional response to being asked to read with you. Reading together is a rich bonding experience and an important source of information to an engaged parent.
Contact us to find out more!
Less ‘screen time’ and more ‘real time’ • To put it plainly, there is little that is positive about a child spending time on a screen. While placating and amusing a child for short periods is necessary for most parents (and totally understandable!), please ensure that the vast majority
Let them know you were a kid once too • As humans, our first response to an experience, especially a negative one, is to assume that it is somehow unique to us and that it has never happened to anyone else. Children can easily internalize very normal and common experiences among peers, as something that is wrong with them. As you listen to, and
6 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23
of your child’s hours outside of school are spent in real time. Physical, mental and emotional development requires a child to be engaged in the real world, not a virtual one. No matter how amazing building a structure in MineCraft may seem, from a development perspective it pales in comparison to building a sand castle by the lake.
validate, your child’s feelings about a particular experience, offer them comfort by relating that you were a child at school too, and that all the things he or she is experiencing are part of growing up. Assure them that as their parent, you, and the caring adults in their life (teachers and other family members) are going to work together with him or her to ensure everything works out. Empowering support of your child, rather than just ‘fixing it for them’ will build their resilience and confidence and deepen their trust in you.
Be proud of mistakes and risk-taking • True learning happens just outside what we know. The process of moving from the ‘known’ into the ‘unknown’ to find out what is there takes courage, hard work and willingness to risk failure. As an engaged parent, encourage and praise effort and risk taking, not just successful outcomes. Resilient learners are the ones who will change the world.
All these tips are easier to write, than to do in this very busy world of ours. I know many parents feel that they just don’t have the time or schedule that allows for being truly engaged in their child’s learning, regardless of how much they would like it to be otherwise. Just start with the tip that resonates the most with you and see where it takes you. Happy learning!
Make sure your child is rested and eating well • Nothing affects our mood and ability to learn more than our sleep and diet. A healthy and consistent sleep routine and a nutritious diet will ensure your child is at their best to learn at their best.
Model being curious • When your child tells you something, simply respond with, “that sounds interesting, tell me more,” and then take time to really listen enthusiastically and curiously to your child. This models the importance, and joy, of not just touching the surface of learning something, but digging deeper. It reflects to your child that you happily expect them to pursue learning, and that you are confident they have the ability to learn more. I can also guarantee that if this becomes part of your family culture you, will soon stop hearing, “good,” or “nothing,” in response to your question about their day at school.
Remember you are your child’s number 1 teacher! No one will have a more profound impact on your child than you.
No one will have a more impactprofoundonyourchildthanyou!
Erin Hussey loves creating learning communities He is Founder and Principal of The Balsam School where the motto is, “We can do hard things!”
8 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23
Virtual Yoga • For rainy days inside, it’s always good to have a backup plan. Why not try virtual classes with your kids? The YMCA offers virtual options at ymcahome.ca that are worth checking out. Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube is also a valuable resource for kids who might enjoy yoga. This channel provides various stories that engage audiences
Flower Festivals • Walking never feels like work when you can wander among flowers. This is a great activity to teach children the beauty of exploring nature. In the spring, check out the tulips, and in the fall, you can observe the varieties of sunflowers. You can even bring your dog for company. Check out bloomflowerfestivals.com for more information.
with your family. Check out the City of Kelowna and the township of Armstrong websites for more information on skating.
Incorporating healthy activities into our weekly routine is a life-long habit that we can learn at a young Sometimesage.
danceinthepark, go fy akite,makememories
Roller Night • On warm evenings you can lace up your roller skates and enjoy skating around the many paved paths in the parks of the Okanagan. Stuart Park will seasonally host roller nights for all ages. In the winter, the rink has a layer of ice, and you can drop by for a skate all day long! In Armstrong, there is often drop-in roller skating at Hassen Arena. Skating is a great way to get moving and could be a new activity to try
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 9
by The YMCA of Southern interior BC
just knowing what to do is half the battle. To help bring family activity back into your household, the following are ten unique (and mostly free) ideas you may not have thought of, in and around the Okanagan:
Animal Visits • Studies have shown that animals positively affect human health. When kids connect with animals, they develop crucial skills like empathy. There are many farms to visit in the area like Sagebrush Ranch Pony Petting Tour in Kaledon for those interested in horses and ponies. The Kangaroo Creek Farm in Kelowna is always a hit. Lumby and Oliver have petting zoos on family-run farms: Gold Fox Acres and Covert Farms Family Estate. Camelot Haven in Vernon provides guided alpaca tours. Peachland offers Parrot Island Sanctuary, where kids can observe rescued parrots. If you love goats, there’s GottaGoat Farm in Penticton. There’s something here for everyone!
Corn Mazes • If you’re not interested in flowers, maybe a corn maze is a better fit. There are so many elaborate corn mazes in the Okanagan. Some places to visit are O’Keefe Ranch in Vernon and McMillan Farms in Kelowna. Mazes are excellent activities for not only the body but also the brain because they improve focus and encourage problem-solving. Often, you’ll be able to find a pumpkin patch nearby to make the perfect Jack-OLantern. There’s even a haunted corn maze called the Field of Screams during Halloween in Vernon. Check out fosokanagan.com for tickets.
• There are so many great trails in the Okanagan, so whether you’re a biker or a hiker - there’s something for you. On the rail trail, enjoy the crystal blue waters of Kalamalka Lake as you breathe in the fresh air and connect with the outdoor community. You can bike or walk the rail trail any time of year for free. Looking for more excitement? Every fall is the annual Okanagan Rail Ride. Get tickets at okanaganrailride.com. Another easy hike or bike for the family are the Myra Canyon Trestles which offer breath-taking views of the canyon below. You will be in awe of the tunnels and stunning trestle bridges.
Bat Counting • Is your child interested in science? If so, bat counting might be the activity for you to get outside and do research! The BC Community Bat Program is always looking for helpers. Certain varieties of bats in this area are endangered or at risk, so volunteers can help record population numbers to ensure survival. You can go to many designated sites to do a twilight bat count. Peachland has activities and crafts for kids before counting the bats that swoop around in the evening at the Peachland Historic Schoolhouse. Go to bcbats.ca for details and locations.
Rail Rides/Hikes
Keep Your family Active
The Y provides a wide range of programs and services with a focus on health, inclusiveness, and accessibility, serving people of all ages and abilities The YMCA is in the business of prevention, while promoting healthy lifestyles, nurturing young minds, and strengthening our community Visit ymcasibc ca to learn more
Theseschedules.adventures
• Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
• Simon and Chester by Cale Atkinson
It seems these days that the library can’t keep comics and graphic novels on the shelves! Here are my current favourites for kids:
• Anne of West Philly by Ivy Noelle Weir
By Ashley Machum, Head of Youth Services, Okanagan Regional Library https://www orl bc ca/whats-happening https://www orl bc ca/elibrary https://www orl bc ca/kids-teens/kids/one-hundred-books
Fruit Festivals • There are several unique festivals and farms to experience in the Okanagan that inspire healthy living. The Penticton Peach Fest in the summer celebrates the annual peach harvest that began in 1947. At the festival, you and your family can try fresh fruit and activities. Check out the City of Penticton website for more information. Davison Orchards in Vernon is another great family-friendly option, or you can try one of many u-pick operations where the whole family can pick their own fruit.
In the library, you can find borrowable tech like Ozobots, DVDs, magazines, comics/manga, classes, and activities for all ages. Check out the online events calendar to see what is happening at your local branch.
by Ashley Machum • Okanagan Regional Library
10 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 We make physio fun newborn to 18 years Kidsphysio.ca/Kelowna(236)420-6262 • Injuries & Concussions • Infant & Toddler Conditions • Pelvic Health • Physical & Developmental Disabilities • Building Strength & Confidence and incorporate yoga poses. Yoga helps teach vital skills for stress management and mental health by incorporating mindful breathing.
Join the Y • From swimming to drop-in basketball to family play time, the YMCA of Southern Interior of BC has many programs to get kids moving. Check out our website at ymcasibc.ca for more information and
Dancing in the Park • Dancing is a powerful outlet for creative expression. Stuart Park in Kelowna typically offers dance classes for all ages in the summer with certified instructors. This could be a way to try out different styles and see if there’s one you enjoy. Check out okanaganfamilyfun.com for more information. You can also get your groove on while listening to live outdoor music at a variety of locations in the summer. The Y also offers dance classes for kids. Why not try getting a workout in while your child does too?
incorporate movement, mindfulness, and the importance of staying connected to the community. These pillars of health are vital for any age.
Reading together is a wonderful way to connect. The ORL has a brilliant list of picture book recommendations titled 100 Books to Read Together before Kindergarten. It is available at all ORL libraries or on our website. Kids that finish the entire list will receive a special book bag.
Join the library online or visit your local library to sign up for your FREE library card! Check out a book or check out something new at your library today!
It is essential to enjoy active experiences with family and loved ones. The more these experiences get us up and moving, the better. A resource for healthy living, the YMCA of Southern Interior BC is always available to help. To learn more about the programs and services available through the local charity, check out ymcasibc.ca.
• Glam Prix Racers by Deanna Kent & Neil Hooson
• Sir Ladybug by Corey R. Tabor
I wouldn’t want to disappoint the book enthusiasts, so let’s get back to those books that we are so famous for!
Get your groove on while listening to live outdoor music at a variety locations.of Summer EducationPrograms&EventsBirthdayParties “Where nature comes to life in the Okanagan.” Visit 250 Allan Brooks Way, Vernon, BC Find us at abnc.caFind us at abnc.ca abnc.vernon Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society
• Barb, the Last Berzerker by Dan Abdo
Online users can access eBooks, audiobooks, streaming movies and music, eMagazines, Rosetta Stone language learning, helpful tutorials on all subjects through LinkedIn Learning and more.
Visit the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL)! It is a wonderful place to bring the entire family. Most people think of the library and automatically think of books. Yes, we have awesome books for everyone, but your library is so much more these days!
• Stealing Home by J. Torres
• Go With the Flow by Lily Williams
Beyond the Books!
The YMCA of Southern interior BC, formerly the YMCA of Okanagan, was established 40 years ago as a cause-driven charity dedicated to building a healthier local community
• Apple Crush by Lucy Knisley
• Pizza and Taco by Stephen Shaskan
• The Aquanaut by Dan Santat
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 11
i Worry, anxiety or panic which is overwhelming to a point where it interferes with daily functioning may also be a warning sign of a mental health challenge such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, severe depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or unresolved trauma. It is important to note that Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often co-occurs with generalized anxiety disorder due to the challenges individuals struggling with ASD experience in social environments.
Healthy social and emotional development in childhood and adolescence is one of the main prerequisites for becoming a resilient and healthy adult. According to data from Statistics Canada and Mental Health Commission of Canada for Children and Youth, 70% of adults living with mental illness experience symptoms before 18 years of age. This data also suggests that 1.2 million of children and youth currently experience mental health struggles, with this number rising to 7.5 million if we look at the population of people 25 years old and younger, inclusively.
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 13
i Lack of appetite, decrease in caloric intake or excessive exercising could be indicative of eating disorders, and in rare instances of body dysmorphic concerns. It is also important to acknowledge that decreased appetite can also be a side-effect of commonly prescribed medications for treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Keep in mind that some of these behaviours might just be normal teenage behaviour but could be signs of an emerging or existing mental problem or disorder if the following is also true: they persist for a prolonged period of time (typically two weeks to several months) are markedly intense are not developmentally expected for the age of the child/youth they interfere with typical daily functioning of the child/youth
Keep in mind, the presence of signs and symptoms of mental health concerns or substance use does not automatically mean your child has a disorder. Noticing and paying attention to mood, habits and behaviours as soon as possible provides parents with a good understanding of the individual characteristics of each child. Getting to know their ‘normal’ gives you a baseline of who they are in their day to day lives. If a youth is struggling with the tasks of day to day living or showing concerning changes in mood, habits and behaviours, you may want to consult your doctor or a professional in the community.
Here are a few potential indicators that may prompt caregivers to seek professional opinion, or extra support. According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), if these symptoms persist for a period longer than two weeks, it may be the time to speak to them, or consult a mental health professional.
i Isolation, withdrawal and apathy previously uncharacteristic of their personality could also be indicators that your child/youth is struggling. If they no longer express desire to engage in activities previously enjoyed, if they insist on being confined to their room most of the time, express irritation with persons or activities they previously appreciated, these could be signs that they are struggling. Although it is normal for our mood to change throughout the day, extreme or rapid mood changes can cause us to be unable to cope with life challenges. These types of extreme mood changes, especially if they appear unrelated to what is going on outside of ourselves may be a sign of mental health challenges and may require a consultation with a mental health professional.
Much like with adults, non-prescribed drug and alcohol consumption can be used as a way to cope with another mental health problem for children and youth. Substance use can be seen as a normal part of adolescent development for some teens and adolescents. While some people use drugs and alcohol to relax, others use it to self-medicate. In fact, Canadian statistics show that around 37% consuming alcohol and 53% consuming non-prescribed drugs are doing so as a form of self medication for an underlying mental health concern. If this is the case, it is important to talk to your child/youth and seek help form mental health professionals specializing in child/youth mental health.
i Noticeable changes in sleep or appetite could indicate symptoms of depression or anxiety, provided that other medical conditions cannot account for such changes. If your child is reporting feeling tired during the day, feeling excessively sleepy even with sleeping throughout the night, or finding themselves falling asleep during the day, these could be further indicators of depressive mood.
For more information about Youth Recovery House www thebridgeservices ca/ or call 250 212 3271 For more information about youth mental health https://keltymentalhealth ca/ https://www heretohelp bc https://mentalhealthcommissionca/ ca/training/mhfa/ https://mentalhealthcommissionReferences ca/what-we-do/children-and-youth/ https://ymhc ngo/resources/ymh-stats/ https://www statcan gc ca/o1/en/plus/907-youth-mental-health-spotlight-againpandemic-drags
The Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated already existing challenges children and youth experience while going through the natural ups and downs of puberty and maturation. Although it is well known that children may experience some degree of turmoil as they go through developmental changes in puberty, it is important to be aware of signs and behaviours that may indicate things might be going sideways.
Mental Health or Substance Misuse Signs of Struggles with
The Bridge Youth and Family Services’ Youth Recovery House (YRH) may be an option for teens of all genders who are struggling with problematic substance use and mental health. YRH offers a voluntary live-in program that provides a safe home-like environment for young people looking to make changes to their relationship with drugs or alcohol. YRH supports teens to identify and build on their strengths so they can make the changes they are looking for. They will help youth connect or reconnect with nature, school, family, and community. Medically supported withdrawal management, treatment and aftercare are provided.
by zarka Stojanovic • The Bridge Youth and Family Services
More than Just Skinny Skis
Teresa is the social media manager for Telemark and leads communications for Pack4U, a personalized medication delivery and digital health company with offices in Kelowna She is the mother of two girls and a Labradoodle named Pepper Together with her husband and girls she skis, bikes, hikes and likes to tell people she completed an ironman triathlon many years ago
14 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 250-707-5925 • gm@telemarknordic.com www.telemarknordic.com Cross-Country Skiing • Biathlon • Snowshoeing Just 10 minutes from downtown Westbank on the way to Crystal Mountain. 50km of expertly groomed trails for all abilities for skate and classic skiing. Night skiing • dog friendly trail • 62km of snowshoe trails Season passes • day passes • lessons and rentals: skate, classic skis, snowshoes Cozy chalet and heated washrooms. Youth programs in cross-country skiing and biathlon for all ages and abilities. Additional programs for: Masters • Special Olympics • local school groups.
The truth is cross-country skiing and snowshoeing offer so much more than just a way to get through the winter. Great family activities, both can be an excellent way to stay fit and keep up and even improve fitness gained through other aerobic or endurance-based sports like cycling, running, rowing or paddling. A low-impact, aerobic, full-body activity, Nordic skiing offers a way to enjoy nature while getting exercise even in the coldest and bleakest of winter days.
mountain bikes on the provincial, national and international stage in the summer and train and race in biathlon and ski competitions (respectively) in the winter. They can attest to the benefits of skiing in the off-season to keep fit and enjoy the snow, instead of spending the winter longingly looking at their bikes.
Physiotherapist, Telemark member and race team parent Greg Redman, who also owns Wave Physiotherapy and consults to several National Teams, including Nordiq Canada, is an advocate for participating in a variety of sports and activities for the many physical, social and mental health benefits it affords. “I encourage all aspiring athletes, whether 6 or 96, to enjoy different activities throughout the year. Cross-country skiing is a perfect complement to any summer sport. It is one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular fitness and provides an excellent full body workout,” says Redman. “If you are performance minded, consider there are several Olympians who have used cross-county skiing to cross-train for sports such as cycling, kayaking, triathlon, running, and soccer.”
Nordic sports were born in the land of snow and ice, and those challenging conditions surprisingly make for the best kind of epic fun. And for the summer-lovers amongst us, these sports make the winter season pass by quickly. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing give access to the solitude and peace of the snow laden forest and the natural beauty of wintertime. And the best thing is, these activities can be enjoyed by every member of the family, at any age.
While the Central Okanagan might be known for wine, beaches and hot summers, it’s a not-too-well-kept secret that it offers some of the best ‘self-propelled’ winter fun. The Telemark Nordic Centre on the west side offers great trails, facilities and programs for both skiing and snowshoeing as does Kelowna Nordic on the east side of Lake Okanagan, with a fun rustic, recreational atmosphere. Both clubs are open to the public and only 30 minutes from downtown Kelowna. Telemark offers rental snowshoe and ski equipment if you just want to sample these activities before you commit to buying gear.
So, whether you want to build fitness, meet like-minded people, take a calming break from work, or make the cold months pass more quickly, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing may be just the right sports for you. And by the end of your first season, you won’t be calling them ‘misery sticks’ anymore. They’ll be your new favourite way to enjoy winter.
Telemark Board Member and Construction Supervisor Deren Sentesy has many years of cross-country ski coaching, and back-country and lift-assisted skiing under his belt. “As a former ski-patroller at Big White, after starting a family, cross-country skiing was the best way to teach my kids to ski up-hill so that they could learn to downhill well and ski with confidence,” says Sentesy who started skiing as a child in Ottawa and joined Telemark just after he moved to Kelowna in 2003. It’s an activity he and his whole family enjoy, both as recreational athletes and race team members. “I’ve found a community of people through Telemark that enjoy many of the same outdoor, self-propelled, wilderness activities that I love to do too, they form my social and recreational network.”
To complement their skiing and snowshoeing, many members of the club and race team community participate in other ‘silent sports’ in the summer including biking, hiking, paddling and rowing. Take race team Telemark members sister and brother duo, Tayte and Seth Proulx-Royds who race
For those that yearn for higher elevations and pristine snow, crosscountry skiing helps develop and refine the skills that help us get into the backcountry. Ski touring requires strength, aerobic capacity, endurance, and practice to stay warm in all winter conditions.
by Teresa Pavlin • Telemark Nordic Club
by Marie Hartwell Walker, Ed D • Psych Central www psychcentral.com
Juan spoke no English. Ruth spoke no Spanish. But these two lovely people spent hours every day sitting side by side in the garden, hands clasped between the two wheelchairs. They’d point at birds and people of interest and smile and laugh. Both, who had been ill and failing, perked up considerably. The nurses, with a wink and a smile, reported stealthy night-time trips across the corridor that divided their rooms. Like the young lovers of songs and stories, they fooled no one and delighted everyone. It was wonderful to see them so Grandmotherhappy.Ruth
Start with giving yourself a pep talk. One of the clear advantages of being over 60 is the self-knowledge that comes with it. Take an honest inventory of what you have to offer another person and feel good about it. Remind yourself that someone out there is looking for a person with those very attributes.
had had a long, comfortable marriage of 56 years but had been widowed for over 18 years. As much as she savoured the memories of her husband, as much as she was loved by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as much as she was hugged by family and friends, I learned that she had quietly longed for the loving contact of a romantic partner. “Oh, Marie,” she said softly when talking about Juan, “You don’t know how much I’ve missed being touched by a man who makes a fuss over me.” To which I replied, “You go girl!” - much to the distress of some of our relatives who thought the affair scandalous. But then, Grandma Ruth and I had been in cahoots about many things over the years.
I’ll be forever grateful to the nursing home staff who neither infantilized the two by calling them “cute” nor interfered. Juan and Ruth gave each other warmth, affection and love in a chapter of life when many feel that love and sex is long over. Love is decidedly not just for the young. Whether 15 or 95, we all long for emotional closeness and physical contact with someone who loves us.
finding Love after 60
Consider online dating services as a way to enlarge your pool of eligible singles. If you’re not yet computer savvy, it’s way past time to learn. Sign up for a class or get your 8-year-old grandson to show you
lost. Let yourself enjoy looking for someone who is a new adventure, at least in some ways that matter.
Want to find love again? If Juan and Ruth could light each other’s fires in their mid-90s, there’s no reason to think that you can’t find someone too. A few simple pointers may help.
loveisdecidedly not justfortheyoung
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 15
Don’t try to replace someone you’ve lost. No date wants to feel like a poor imitation of the real thing. You don’t want to end up disappointed because your date isn’t the long-lost twin of someone you’ve loved and
During the last few months of her life, my grandmother Ruth, then 93, was too frail for family to adequately care for at home. With much reluctance, she and we all agreed that a nursing home was the best option. Within days of moving in, her positive approach to life and her gentle manner quickly won her many friends among fellow patients and made her a favourite of staff. She also won the heart of Juan.
Let friends and acquaintances know that you are open to meeting someone special. Birds of a feather really do flock together. Chances are that single friends of friends are people you’ll have something in common with. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the cousin of your best friend’s old college roommate is also looking but your best friend didn’t want to intrude. Once given ‘permission’, your social circle may well find the right person for you.
The Dating Game at 60+
Be honest about what you’re looking for. If, for example, you just want a companion for an occasional movie or concert or lunch, say so. You don’t want to inadvertently lead someone on who is looking for a soulmate and sexual partner.
16 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 www.specialolympics.ca/british-columbiawww.facebook.com/specialolympicsbckelownalc@sobc-kelowna.org
Trust your instincts. You’ve lived long enough to sense when something is ‘off’. Don’t try to talk yourself out of it. Someone who comes on too strong, who tries to contact you 500 times a day, or who threatens to hurt himself or you if you don’t return their ardor and devotion is probably not a good bet. As flattering as they can be at first, such people are often too needy and possibly too unstable for the give and take of a healthy relationship. Say a kind and gentle goodbye, change your online alias, and move on.
When you find yourself wanting to spend more time with someone who seems promising, please remember that you both already have pretty full lives. It’s not necessarily personal when your new sweetheart can’t find another time to be with you until two weeks from Thursday - when you can’t possibly do it because your granddaughter is in a dance recital. If you get more committed, it will become both more and less complicated. More because you’ll be introducing each other to the families; less because you can go to family events together.
Know what you want. There’s no reason to settle for something else. If you don’t think you and a date or an online connection click, find a polite way to wish the person well as you send them on their way. Conversely, be willing to accept it when someone doesn’t think you’re the person of their dreams either. However nice you both may be, if it’s not a click, it’s not. You don’t want to waste your time developing a relationship you both already know will go nowhere.
Dr Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed D is an author, licensed psychologist, and a marriage and family therapist who has been in practice for more than 35 years She specializes in couples and family therapy and parent education She writes regularly for Psych Central as well as Psych Central’s Ask the Therapist feature She is author of the insightful parenting e-book, Tending the Family Heart Check out her book, unlocking the Secrets of Self-Esteem
Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport.
Don’t expect your adult kids to love your new love - at least not at first. They may be protective of you and suspicious of your partner. They may have strong loyalties to their other parent. They may be jealous of time spent with your partner’s family. They may worry that they will lose their inheritance. They may think you’re too old for love. Give them time to get to know your sweetheart and to get used to the idea that you two are an item. Give them reassurance by making sure your will is in order so that no one can accuse you or your partner of being a gold-digger and any inheritances are secure. If your new guy or gal is as special as you think, the kids will eventually think so too, especially if they see you happy.
how to use the internet and email. (It really is so easy a child can do it. You can too.) Join up with a reputable senior dating site and start having conversations with other senior singles. Whether or not they turn into dates, you’ll be expanding your network and getting practice talking with strangers who can become friends.
Be reasonably cautious. Sadly, and no news to you, there are bad people in the world who look for vulnerable people to exploit. Don’t give out your name or address or phone number until you’ve had lots of talks online. Use an alias online until you feel safe. If someone starts to tell you tragic tales that end with requests for money, a place to live, or one of your kidneys, move on.
When you do find that special someone you know you can love and who loves you back, go for it! Neither of you is getting any younger!
Adventure Junction Early Learning Centre
by Dorothee Birker • KCR Community Resources
“This place is the best for me. It is a great opportunity for all people with different situations. For me, my daughter can learn to play with other kids and practice English. I can talk with other moms, which is very important. And I also get connected to the community and other resources.
adventurejunctionelc@outlook.com250-878-2326
The Hub is for all people. Don’t worry about your situation - the most important thing is when you are here, you can find different options.”
Rie moved from Japan with her young daughter, still a toddler, and two teenagers so that they could study here. With her teenagers in middle and high school, Rie and her young daughter felt very isolated and alone. They would go to the park to try and meet people, but it was hard to make a real and lasting connection.
As parents we strive to develop the metaphorical umbilical cord of attachment with our children to build their emotional, social and intellectual intelligence. Being connected to us helps them to grow and develop into the amazing human beings we dream of. But what about us as parents? Who are we connected to? Often it is family and friends. For a variety of reasons, sometimes that isn’t possible. For people new to the community (whether it is from a new town or a new country) they have to work to build those connections. Add in language and culture differences, unfamiliarity with ‘social norms’ and how to access services, and it is really easy to feel alone and isolated. On top of that add the huge and totally natural insecurities all parents feel (at least at one point or another) and the overwhelming pressure of society to be ‘perfect parents’ and you have a situation that so many parents of young children face: feeling lost and alone with nowhere to turn. For families in the Central Okanagan, there is a solution that offers the connection to community and resources that parents need and children deserve: The Family Hub, located at Pearson Road Elementary. The Family Hub is an inclusive and inviting safe space for families, offering a one-stop shop for supports, referrals and information. Here are two stories about two moms that found the critical connections they craved at the Hub.
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 17 Where Children Develop the Building Blocks for their Future 3/5 side: 250-807-8609 | okanagan.daycare@ubc.ca I/T side: 250-491-2126 | www.ubcodaycare.com 1262 Discovery Ave. Kelowna « Located at UBC Kelowna Campus Children’sUniversityLearningCentre
“I was able to talk but I couldn’t build a regular connection. Every time it would be new people and no relationship. Once I started to come to the Family Hub, I would speak with Ruba (the Hub Coordinator) and she was such a good listener. She would share resources and help connect me. When I shared my concerns, she always encouraged me.”
The Central Okanagan Family Hub’s Vision: Families that are resilient, healthy, and wellconnected to our community. The Family Hub is a program of KCR Community Resources and is made possible through the team effort of community partners, funders, supporters and parents. Our services are free to access and help connect families to referrals, programming, information, food security, life essentials and more. Connect with us at info@cofh.ca, 250-826-6264 or in person at 900 Pearson Road.
102 Snowsell Street North, Kelowna, BC V1V 2E2
Get Connected
Since coming to the Family Hub, Rie has connected with so many other supports in the community and she has even decided to go to school herself to become an Early Childhood Educator starting in September. Join us at the Family Hub for drop-in play time, access to resources, and the critical connections we all need as parents. The Family Hub is open Monday to Friday 9:00am-3:00pm throughout the year. Check out the calendar of events at www.cofh.ca or @cofhp on Facebook and Instagram.
Multi-AgePrograms
The Food Support program is a great help for me because only my husband has a job and I look after our three kids. The Hub is a great opportunity for everyone. In my case, I can practice my English and I can connect to the community - this is the best for me.
Sarai came to Kelowna from Mexico with three children in July 2021, wanting to reunite the family with her husband who had arrived a year earlier to work on a construction contract. Initially it was difficult. She was very lonely, with her husband at work all day. She felt that she had lost her life. In February 2022, she learned about the Family Hub and now she loves it so much that she is on a mission to tell everyone about it.
Do you see the word connect (and its derivatives connections, connectivity) far too much these days? Do you think ‘connect with me’ has become that most hackneyed phrase that makes you want to roll your eyes when you hear it? Social media is rife with ‘connection’ opportunities, but does it really satisfy our core needs? Because honestly, whether we use the word too much or not, connection truly is a core need that human beings have.
We use logic and reasoning to understand cause and effect, to draw conclusions, and in the organization of our daily lives. Strengthening these skills helps you to reason through important decisions, set goals, produce creative ideas and solve problems.
So... How do we learn?
Memory The hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala in the brain’s temporal lobe form part of the limbic system and are responsible for the processing of memory and emotion - hence the reason memories can give rise to strong emotions.
It also takes many cognitive skills to learn efficiently. Comparable to working out different sets of muscles when trying to get our bodies into shape, working on each of these skills improves your ability to learn. When these skills become strong, it takes less energy to complete complex mental tasks.
You are a highly organized, critical thinking left-brainer!
18 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 2 1/2 - 5 Preschoolyrs& Daycare For registration information 250-869-5185call or email mspattysmontessori@hotmail.com “The goal of early child’seducationchildhoodshouldbetoactivatetheownnaturaldesiretolearn.”MariaMonTessori West31557:30am-5:00pmGlenrosaRdKelownamspattysmontessori.ca Ms Paty ’ s Westside Montesoi Childrens’ Centre
Logic & Reasoning is the application of knowledge to understand and solve problems.
The left hemisphere of the frontal lobe is responsible for these processing skills. This includes planning, organization, logical thinking, reasoning and managing emotions.
Similarly, by combining skills such as reading (left hemisphere working to recognize meaningful patterns in ambiguous stimuli) with imaginative association (right hemisphere working to visualize something meaningful that can be easily connected with the topic), we are using both sides of the brain together to solidify the incoming information into our minds.
When we learn something new, it can be analogous to a game of tug-of-war. We cannot easily win the game if we only use one hand to pull on the rope. You need to use both hands, tugging together to be successful.
Long-term memory is the storage of information over an extended period of time. It is the warehouse of prior events and experiences. Long-term memory is both explicit (knowing that you can ride a bike) and implicit (knowing how to ride a bike).
Are you left or right brain dominant?
Working memory is the taking in and holding of information while you execute various thinking tasks, such as integrating new information, following directions, mental arithmetic, organizing and sequencing.
plenty of online quizzes these days that use these types of questions to reveal the much anticipated *drum roll please* ... Congratulations!
We all have diverse personalities and mental abilities which cannot be classified as simply this side or that. The idea of a dichotomy between ‘dominant hemispheres’, despite the convincing nature of those online quizzes, is a myth.
Our brains are plastic, which means we have the ability to renovate and rewire them. Through practice, learning and exercising important cognitive skills we can become proficient at whatever we put our minds to.
How do you learn? Are you more intuitive and creative or analytical and methodical in your Therethinking?are
Dominance & Learning The Truth Behind Cerebral
don’tjustread, try readingoutloud
What cognitive skills should we work on?
by Jemma Davey, 3rd year uBCO psychology student and Lynne Brown, M .Ed Owner/Director of Oak Learning Centre
It is true, that there is some late realization to brain functioning, making some cognitive processes specialized to one side or the other. However, effective real-world functioning involves the contribution of both cerebral hemispheres (sides of the brain).
Trying to improve your attention? Try to tap each one of your fingers to your thumb, left to right then back again while continuing with a conversation. This is an example of divided attention.
Lynne Brown, M ED , Owner/Director of Oak Learning Centre Member, BC Association of School Psychologists (#163) Member, BC School Counsellor Association Licensed Professional Brain Trainer, PACE (Processing and Cognitive Enhancement) Certified PAIRS Therapist (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills)
Visual processing allows us to create mental images when reading or thinking, to move or rotate an object in our minds and to move quickly and accurately through our environments.
The Wrap • The next time you are trying to absorb a new piece of information, try to include other-cognitive skills to facilitate your learning experience. Instead of just reading about it, say it out loud to combine visual and auditory skills.
Processing speed refers to the time it takes to understand and react to information we receive.
Visual Processing refers to the brain’s ability to use and interpret visual information. This is facilitated by the occipital lobe which, counterintuitively, is located at the back of the brain. It is responsible for colour perception, visuospatial processing, determining depth, distance and discerning faces and objects.
We use auditory processing to identify and segment sounds which are critical for reading success. In fact, studies show that 85% of people who struggle with reading have weak auditory processing skills.
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 19
The rate of our processing speed is determined by neural pathways that form networks. Each of these pathways starts like a dusty back road that is difficult to travel on. The more these pathways are used, the more compact and developed they become. Eventually, those pathways become superhighways, making the once difficult mental exercise much easier than before.
The brain is a magnificent and complex organ that we can renovate and rewire with frequent practice and learning. The next time someone asks if you’re left or right brain dominant, you can confidently come back with your full brain explanation.
Bonus • Research suggests that when we add movement to the time we spend learning, like standing or throwing a ball back and forth, it improves executive function and memory.
Attention The brain continuously receives an overwhelming amount of sensory information that it must sort through and choose what to pay attention to and what to ignore. Researchers believe this filtering out of information is handled by the prefrontal cortex.
General attention is a composite of sub-skills, such as sustained attention (staying on task), selective attention (ignoring distractions while focusing on specific criteria) and divided attention (attending to more than one task simultaneously).
Auditory processing is handled by the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe. Auditory signals from the right ear travel to the left temporal lobe for processing and vice versa for the opposite side.
quickly and accurately. Think exam conditions, zooming down the ski hill or the unexpected question in a job interview. The higher your processing speed, the more proficiently you can think and learn.
A more efficient processing speed helps us make rapid associations, discriminate between similar objects, follow directions, and make decisions
11 Studio9 Independent School of the Arts pg 34 1180 Houghton Rd, Rutland
10 Okanagan Montessori elementary, Preschool & Infant/Toddler Daycare pg 22 3439 East Kelowna Rd, Kelowna 1162 Hudson Rd, West Kelowna
12 University Children’s Learning Centre pg 17 1262 Discovery Ave, Kelowna
13 YMCA of Okanagan pg 8 1650 Gallagher Rd, Kelowna 375 Hartman Rd, Kelowna 705 Kitch Rd, Kelowna 1680 Westlake Rd, West Kelowna 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna (Building D) 1079A Raymer Ave, Kelowna 700 Pearson Rd, Kelowna 950 Dilworth Dr, Kelowna 630 Birch Ave, Penticton
4 Bridge Youth and family Services pg 12 2604 Enterprise Way #8, Kelowna
Child Care Map Daycare * Preschool * After School Care 7 3 3 3 3 3 WeST KeLOWNA PeACHLAND 3 20 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 13 10 9 8 Okanagan
9 Ms Patty’s Westside Montessori Childrens’ Centre pg 18 3155 Glenrosa Rd, West Kelowna
5 Childhood Connections pg 23 1505 Harvey Ave, Kelowna
2 The Balsam School pg 40 540 Cawston Ave, Kelowna
3 BGC Okanagan pg 19 355 Hartman Rd, Rutland 200 Mallach Rd, Rutland 470 ziprick Rd, Rutland 1434 Graham St, Kelowna 125 Snowsell St N, Kelowna 1633 Richter St, Kelowna 2337 Richter St, Kelowna 5160 Chute Lake Rd, Kelowna 2090 Gordon Dr, Kelowna 125 Glenmore Rd N, Kelowna 2466 Main St, West Kelowna 3365 Boundary Rd, West Kelowna 3230 Salmon Rd, West Kelowna 3770 Elliot Rd, West Kelowna 1221 Hudson Rd, West Kelowna 9870 Bottom Wood Lake Rd, Lake Country 5684 Beach Ave, Peachland 5486 Clements Cres, Peachland
6 Clubhouse Child Care pg 39 3735 Parkdale Rd, Kelowna 657 Raymer Ave, Kelowna 4574 Raymer Rd, Kelowna 4711 Raymer Rd, Kelowna 839 Sutherland Ave, Kelowna 2255 Ethel St, Kelowna 3675 Casorso Rd, Kelowna
1 Adventure Junction early Learning Centre pg 17 102 Snowsell St N, Kelowna
7 for the Kids Daycare pg 19 3770 Water Rd, East Kelowna 101-1680 Ross Rd, West Kelowna
8 Kee’s Tae Kwon Do pg 35 111 - 1645 Dilworth Dr, Kelowna 2109 C Louie Dr, West Kelowna
1 7 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 11 12 13KeLOWNAMISSIONGLeNMOre rUTLAND 3 MISSIONLOWer 21www OkanaganFamilyMagazine ca 13 1313 1313 3 3 3 8 10 OkanaganLake 2 6 13 COUNTLAKerY3 6 6 6 6 6 6 5
22 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 All our programs promote: • Joy of learning • Independence & self accomplishment • Respect for others, ourselves & our environment WEST KELOWNA PRESCHOOL, 3-5 YEAR OLD DAYCARE & OUT OF SCHOOL CARE 250-469-4266 1162 Hudson Road, West westkelowna@okanaganmontessori.caKelownaOKANAgANMONTESSORI ELEMENTARY, PRESCHOOL & INFANT/TODDLER DAYCARE 250 860-1165 3439 East Kelowna Road, okmontessori@shawbiz.caKelowna Okanagan Montessori Elementary • Preschool • Daycare
• What types of activities does the program facilitate daily?
listwhatisimportanttoyouforchildcare
As a mom of a two-year-old, and new to the Kelowna community, I understand first-hand the challenge and importance of finding quality and affordable childcare in our community. At first, starting my childcare search felt very overwhelming, especially as currently there are very few childcare options available to families in our community and I found myself on multiple wait lists. But having a good understanding of what my family’s needs and values are for childcare helped us start this journey off on the right path. And once you have selected your preferred childcare program, we strongly encourage families to be patient and to continue to check in regularly with the childcare program administrator to see if there is any movement on the wait list.
• What are the ages of the children in the program/room?
And if you’re needing some childcare in the meantime to support you while searching for your preferred program or until a space opens in that program, we have recently created a flexible, drop-in childcare program and we’re here to provide you with some gap childcare until you find your fulltime space.
• Does the program qualify for childcare subsidy (Affordable Child Care Benefits - ACCB)?
• Does the program allow for any screen-time?
• Is there a wait list fee? Will this be returned if you don’t get access to a space in this program?
• What is the monthly cost of the program?
This will be the most important research you’ve probably conducted to date - finding a childcare space that will provide the best quality care, attention and developmental support to your child! So please at any time
• Is the program Licensed or Registered License Not Required? (Please look up the childcare program you choose and review their Interior Health Licensing Inspection Report: Inspection Reports/Illegal Operators | Community Care Homes | IH (interiorhealth.ca).
Some childcare programs may also have different services including providing some or all the meals, field trips and guest educators specializing in different child development areas (i.e., children’s yoga/ meditation, music, dance and art). Once you have taken the time to narrow down some of your values when looking for childcare, it can be easier to start your search.
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 23
• What are the hours of the program?
• What outdoor spaces does the program access?
during this process, reach out to us at Childhood Connections, Child Care Resource & Referral Program (CCRR) and we’ll be happy to support you. Funding for the CCRR is provided by the Province of British Columbia.
Kayla Creron, CCRR Program Coordinator, Childhood Connections 250-762-3536 kaylac@childhoodconnections.ca www.childhoodconnections.ca Funding for the CCRR is provided by the Province of British Columbia
• What is the size of the program? And how many children will be in your child’s programming room?
• What is the program’s child development philosophy?
finding Childcare
• Is the program close to your home and/or work?
There are a variety of childcare options available for families from small in-home programs to large group childcare programs. And what might work for your neighbour or friend, might not be the best fit for your family. So, we encourage you to take the time with your family to list out what is important for you and your child when looking for childcare. Here are some helpful questions to ask when looking into different childcare settings:
by Kayla Creron • Childhood Connections
everyone Needs Help at Sometime
What are the warning signs? • Suicide can affect everyone regardless of gender, race, income and family background. Someone thinking about suicide usually feels intense and overwhelming emotional pain characterized by sadness, anger, guilt, shame, emptiness and hopelessness. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to know when someone we care about is thinking about suicide, but there are some signs to be aware of. Dramatic Changes in Behaviour • You may notice that the person is no longer taking care of themselves, complains of exhaustion and neglects their personal appearance. Or someone who is ordinarily cautious
Since August 2021, through a generous grant from the Kiwanis Legacy Fund through the KGH Foundation, the Crisis Line has expanded to include texting as well. Texting is a great option for anyone, but especially for youth as texting is definitely a preferred communication tool for them. When a child or youth is in crisis, it is often difficult to talk about it or to say it out loud and it is easier to express their emotions through text.
Highly trained and caring volunteer Crisis Line Responders are at the end of that line, waiting to be there and be present for individuals in the community experiencing emotional or situational distress, relationship issues and social isolation. The Crisis Line Responders’ active listening skills, empathy, compassion and patience make all the difference for someone when they are in crisis.
Find out what to recycle & where. Never miss a waste collection day again.
For 39 years, KCR Community Resources has been providing a critical community safety-net for everyone: the Crisis Line. This easily accessible resource is available for anyone personally dealing with a crisis or supporting someone who is facing challenges. Help is available by phone 24/7 at 1-888-353-2273 and by text to 45645 between 1:00-9:00pm PST.
The Crisis Line is not just for people who are in crisis themselves, but can also be a great resource for people who are supporting another individual who may be struggling. Trying to be there for someone can be very challenging and having support through that journey can be very helpful.
conversations really highlighted for me that I do not need to fear reaching out. I do not need to fear judgement or rejection, but instead I can be certain that the person on the other end of the line, truly cares and truly wants to help.
24 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 reADING & SPELLING • WRITING • COMPREHENSION • MATH Discover more at www.mindoverlearning.com 250-860-0084 • info@mindoverlearning.com Specializing in learning disabilities & difficulties. Individualized learning that works and skills that last!
We may not always be aware of what is going on for others, but it helps to understand what factors make someone more or less likely to consider or attempt suicide and what the warning signs look like for someone contemplating suicide.
“There are very few resources in our community that are available 24/7, and I knew I wanted to be a part of something that could change so many lives,” shared one responder. Another one said “This is one of the most rewarding volunteer positions. It can be challenging, but there are no words to express how it feels knowing that you’re making a difference.”
Let’s be real … everyone needs a little help now and again. Over the past two years (yes, sorry, but I am going to reference the pandemic, even though we are all tired of hearing about, talking about and living it) we have been tested on so many levels, and many of us may be experiencing mental and emotional fatigue. I know I am. It has been hard to navigate it all. I am doing my best, but I feel stretched too far. Even without a global pandemic, our personal circumstances can at times conspire to create a perfect storm on a very personal, individual level. When that happens, where can we turn?
All information shared by phone or text is kept completely confidential so anyone can feel safe getting in touch. Crisis Line Responders pride themselves on providing that safe and private space for people. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with some of the Crisis Line Responders about their experiences. They of course did not share any information about their calls but they were able to share with me their own feelings about being a part of this incredible resource in the community. Our
by Dorothee Birker • KCR Community Resources
KCR Community Resources also offers an incredible resource for those who are struggling through the Suicide Prevention Handbook (available online at www.kcr.ca/publications/). Recognizing that we all have a role to play in preventing death by suicide, this booklet offers critical and accessible information, helps you to recognize warning signs, to know what to say and when and how to take action.
Need 1-888-353-2273CrisisContacthelp?theLineatandbytextto45645.
Gathering Materials • Individuals making a plan for suicide may seek a means to kill themselves. For example, they could look to purchase firearms, weapons, rope, extra medication, drugs or poison. They may also search online for ways to end their life.
Dorothee Birker is the Communications and Development Coordinator at KCR Community Resources, a multi-service agency that fosters diversity, collaboration and resourcefulness by tailoring services to meet community, family and individual needs They do this in four overarching areas: Family and Adoption Services, Employment Services, immigrant Services and Community Services, which houses the Volunteer Centre of the Central Okanagan
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 25
Withdrawal from Life • Withdrawing from classes, friends and family, sleeping too much (or too little) and visiting or calling to ‘say goodbye’ can all be suicide warning signs to take seriously.
Again, signs of suicide look different for different people, but the above list can be good indicators that something more serious may be going on. If someone you care about displays any warning signs, it’s important to take these threats seriously. To help, consider offering emotional support, listening and encouraging your friend to reach out to a professional, such as a counsellor or a Crisis Line Responder.
Concerning Verbal Statements • A person who is thinking of suicide may make comments such as “life is not worth it,” “you would be better off without me,” “I wish I were dead,” “I don’t know if I can go on,” or “you won’t have to worry about me for much longer”. These statements should always be taken seriously. Comments about having no reason to live, feeling trapped, experiencing unbearable pain, feeling hopeless or in despair, and stating an intent to hurt or kill oneself are all warning signs of serious suicide risk.
Problems in School • A dramatic drop in performance or grades, falling asleep at their desk, emotional outbursts or other uncharacteristic behaviours may signify that something serious is going on.
Excess Substance Use • Alcohol and other drug abuse appear to be significantly linked to increased risktaking and suicide attempts. If you notice your friend’s alcohol and drug use increasing, this behaviour could be a concern to address.
It’s okay to need help - many of us do at some point in our lives. Whether you, or someone you are close to, is having thoughts of suicide, feeling overwhelmed, or just need someone to talk to, there is someone that is available and ready to help 24/7... by phone or text. Please consider reaching out. Here is one of my favourite quotes from the Crisis Line Responders:
is suddenly engaging in risky behaviour such as reckless driving or sexual promiscuity. Dramatic mood changes and any significant behaviour changes may be cause for concern.
I start my calls with a thank you to the person calling because I know how hard it is for them to call and I am genuinely grateful that they did. Then I listen. That is the biggest thing. We all just want to be listened to.
Giving Away Possessions • Someone who has decided to attempt suicide may start giving away their possessions, such as clothing, books or other valuables.
If you need someone to listen, call the Crisis Line at 1-888-353-2273 and by text to 45645 between 1:00-9:00pm PST.
26 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23
developyourfundamentalskillsofmovement
Sedentary lifestyles in children have become more prominent in the age of COVID-19, and though some may try to argue the benefit in utilizing apps on smart devices to encourage physical activity, nothing beats the benefits of exercising with peers, socializing, and enjoying the fresh air outdoors. Physical activity benefits children through numerous methods including increasing bone density, promoting growth and healthy development, developing motor skills, and reducing the risk of chronic disease. One area of particular concern, is the rate the girls have not been returning to sport after the pandemic. The Rally Report (by Canadian Women and Sport) found that one in four girls were not returning to sport activities post-pandemic. For more information on the reasons and impact of this finding visit womenandsport.ca.
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 27
Starts with You!Physical Literacy & Quality Sport
Today, an annual national ParticipACTION report card details several tools to measure physical activity, health outcomes and to decrease the sedentary lifestyles among children in Canada. Canadian children were given an overall grade of D+ in physical activity. ParticipACTION’s most recent report (2018) shares that children need to turn away from screen time and move their bodies for their brain and physical health. Visit buildyourbestday.participaction.com for innovative strategies to fill your child’s day with movement! Physical literacy is a key component in the ParticipACTION reporting system, and in British Columbia there are growing initiatives for promoting being ‘Active for Life’. Sport for Life (S4L) Canada stands on the ground of developing physical literacy and delivering quality sport utilizing the Long-Term Athlete Development framework. They believe that personal, organizational, and systemic factors are dependent on each other, outlining ways in which each of the
Participating in physical activity is not enough to be rendered physically literate. Fundamental movement skills exposure in early age is critical. Neural plasticity is the concept that neuronal pathways are re-wired and encoded within our brain and are solidified using repetition. Younger brains are better equipped to prune off unused connections and form new ones, which is why reinforcing appropriate movement patterns in early childhood is critical. Through learning fundamental movement skills, children gain competence and confidence in physical activity. These fundamental movement skills include running, jumping, throwing, catching, skipping and hopping. Some other sport specific
We all want our children to be literate. But, what happens when our children’s digital literacy or other distractions and societal changes overpower their abilities to be physically literate? Unfortunately, in recent years, the vast majority of Canadian children are not meeting physical activity guidelines: a large scale study which took place following the pandemic showed that fewer than 4% of children were meeting the 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines [physical activity, sedentary behaviour (screen time), sleep].
levels must align to encourage the development of physical literacy and quality sport.
• photo provided by PacificSport Okanagan
If this is the first time you’ve been introduced to the term ‘physical literacy’ you’re not alone. Physical literacy is as foundational to healthy child development as many other important skills and milestones. So, what exactly is physical literacy, and why is it so important? Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. Physical literacy is a lifelong journey - and it’s one that never ends, as we require it throughout all of life’s stages, from childhood to senior living.
by Skylar Bown, MPT (c )
FallRegistrationBasketballMinorKelownafortheLeagueisnowopEn!
Fall Season Early october Mid-Decemberto
Under the Coaching Association of Canada, it is required that registered coaches receive training in long-term athlete development, ethics, athlete safety and wellness, and key coaching concepts through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) - ‘coaches’ may include parents, childcare workers, guardians, and other professionals who all benefit from proper training and knowledge foundations. When a coach has their NCCP certifications, parents, sport organizations, and athletes can
Kelowna Minor Basketball is a non-profit youth basketball league with coached teams, practices and refereed games.
Volunteer coaches needed. Will provide training and support. Uniforms included.
28 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23
feel confident that they are surrounded by coaches who wish to raise the expectation of ethics and quality in sport. Volunteers are highly valuable in sport and the community is thankful for everyone who serves as a coach! If you are a volunteer, it’s beneficial to take the proper courses to ensure fellow parents and children’s peace of mind. It is enlightening to explore the NCCP website at www.coach.ca and to consider learning the basics of effective and safe coaching to better your delivery. More coaches are also receiving certifications and education in socially challenged aspects of sports such as coaching LGBTQ2S+ and Indigenous athletes, as well as diverse ethnicities, women and girls in sport, and athletes with disabilities. The Coaching Association of Canada encourages the establishment of meaningful engagement in sport for all athletes through the NCCP.
Sport organizations in British Columbia are committed to creating a sport environment that is accessible, inclusive, respects their participant’s personal goals and is free from all forms of maltreatment. Safe sport rejects abuse, harassment and discrimination in all forms. For sport and physical activity leaders there are several resources available for training in sport such as Commit to Kids, Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders and CAC Safe Sport Training. Parents are encouraged to play active roles in their relationships with coaches by asking if they have taken the Responsible Coaching Movement pledge. viaSport and PacificSport Okanagan (your
Grades K-12 Boys & Girls Registration at wKelownaminorbasketball.comEEKnIGHTSonLY-nowEEKEnDpLAY
skills like kicking, swimming and striking are also considered fundamental, and the skill of ‘wheeling’ is a fundamental movement skill to recognize diversity in abilities across children, which is crucial to participation. Many activities in the school yard and in sport can be modified to be inclusive for wheelchairs. It is important to remember that agility, balance and coordination are acquired as children participate in a variety of activities.
The Okanagan is well known for its year-round playground, providing opportunities to explore physical literacy and fundamental movement skills in all environments. Being an informed parent when engaging your children in organized sports and activities can make all the difference in their motor development. Returning to the concept of quality sport, it is valuable to focus on inclusion, health and wellness, credentials, safe sport practice and affordability. Seek out quality programming with trained instructors that support physical literacy.
sport and recreation opportunities for eVerYone
season. League play for
high school and lessons given
regional sport centre) both provide online portals to submit anonymous complaints, as well as list resources on how to handle uncomfortable situations or unsafe sport - a new BC-wide approach to safe sport will be launched this
SATUrDAYS 9:30-11:00AM STArTS OCTOBer 15, 2022 YOUTH CUrLING YouthLearn & CurlMake friends& have fun! MIDDLe-HIGH SCHOOL LeAGUeS: Tuesdays 4:00-5:30pm, must be
Another free initiative to improve physical literacy is available at www. activeforlife.com/activities/ where foundational games integrate the movement skills required to be active for life, for children up to 12 years of age. Additionally, if you have questions regarding funding options for individuals or teams, please contact PacificSport Okanagan.
season Starts October 11, 2022 Visit our website for 250-762-3112www.kelownacurling.comprices: or info@kelownacurlingclub.com Ages 7-19
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 29
Grants are available for children and youth ages 3-18 to register for sport and recreation activities through West Kelowna KidSport and Jumpstart programs. These grants work to eliminate the financial barriers to sport and recreation participation in our community.
For more information, or to apply scan the QR code below or visit www.westkelownacity.ca/everyoneplays in middle or the first three weeks of the the rest of the
several valuable funding resources available to those in the Okanagan who face financial barriers when getting their children involved in sport and physical activity. KidSport and Jumpstart’s Individual Child Grants share similar missions - to provide financial support to a child who wishes to pursue organized sport. Each organization works in chapters, and can provide children with $200-600 per year, if they meet proper eligibility. Through PacificSport Okanagan, families can sign out PLay boxes which include activity cards and equipment to play and learn. These boxes challenge financial barriers to families as they are free of charge - visit the PacificSport Okanagan website in Fall 2022 to find out how to source these kits directly through them, or sign out via a new partnership with Okanagan Regional Library (www.pacificsportokanagan.com).
Therefall.are
competencemovementfundamentalThroughskills,childrengainand confidence.
by Risti Lesperance • photo provided by Regional Parks Services
Time outdoors does not need to be scheduled or planned - gather the family and head outdoors to explore your nearest Regional Park or green space! Kokanee salmon spawning season presents a great occasion for a family outingfrom late August to early October landlocked Kokanee salmon from Okanagan Lake swim upstream to lay their eggs in stream rock beds. Your family can experience this phenomenon by visiting two prime spawning viewing locations: the spawning channel at Mission Creek Regional Park, at Springfield and Durnin Roads in Kelowna, or along Deep Creek in Hardy Falls Regional Park off Hardy Road in Peachland.
All Regional Parks offer trail systems for self-guided hikes and walks. Every twist and turn of a park trail offers new opportunities for young and old to discover local flora and fauna. Visit the EECO (Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan) at 2363A Springfield Road in Kelowna for more information on park trails and pick up a Parks Program Guide. Popular programs include the Discover Regional Parks hiking program
There is a myriad of physical, emotional, and intellectual benefits to be gained from time spent outdoors. Children, like the rest of us, need access to natural green spaces and time to discover the world around them. What better way to spark an appreciation for nature and pursue an active lifestyle, than venturing with the family into a Regional Park near you!
a Park
ymaFilDayfunatKaloyaPark fun & Learning
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Regional Parks Services offers many park programs for school groups and community groups of all ages. Maybe your child has already visited a Regional Park with their class on a field trip, or perhaps their teacher has such an outing planned for the school year. Programs in Regional Parks include Pond Study, Owls of the Okanagan, Bees and Pollinators, Bats, Bears and Trees of the Okanagan. Each program is designed to get students outdoors with a Regional Park Interpreter so they can learn firsthand about specific aspects of park ecology. Often, simply being outside in the fresh air in a natural setting is the highlight of the program! Inquire about the outdoor learning opportunities planned for your child’s class this year. in
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Looking ahead into spring and beyond, Regional Parks Services offers guided walks, hikes and other public programs year-round to help residents and visitors discover, enjoy and celebrate our special Okanagan sense of place. For more information on events and programs in a regional park near you visit www.rdco.com/parks and follow us on Instagram @ regionalparks. See you out there!
Socks required for children and adults. Sorry, no outside food or drinks allowed.
Children need access to natural green spaces and time to discover the world.
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Check out all these programs and more by browsing the Parks Program Guide, which is also available on the Regional District website, www.rdco.com/parksguide. The EECO is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am-3:00pm. While there, sign out a Discovery Backpack and explore nearby Mission Creek Regional Park. Discovery Backpacks come in a variety of themes, including geology, Kokanee salmon and pond study.
Toddlers, Children, Teens & Adults
The Mission Creek Greenway is a perennial favourite and with good reason. Over 16 kilometers of trail follow Mission Creek from Lakeshore Road up to Scenic Canyon Regional Park with trail grades ranging from easy to difficult. A walk along the Greenway is a pleasure in any season, and particularly in the winter months when you are treated to a landscape of snowladen trees and snowberries. The Greenway passes through Mission Creek Regional Park which offers a network of trails that lead up into the hills by Hall Road. Who knows, maybe you will see some feathered friends or even a deer foraging for food. Keep an eye out for winter events such as Winter Magic at Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park in December and Family Day fun in February at Kaloya Regional Park in Lake Country.
When in West Kelowna be sure to walk Goats Peak, Glen Canyon, Gellatly Nut Farm, or Shannon Lake Regional Parks to name just a few. In Peachland, Hardy Falls Regional Park is an easy walk along Deep Creek to the falls viewing platform at the head of the trail. Check a copy of the Regional Parks guide for dog accessible parks and parks with limited winter access. Dogs on-leash are permitted in most Regional Parks, and Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna has two off-leash dog beaches to enjoy!
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Schools - Churches - Youth Groups
Drop-In Playtime
And never underestimate the importance of unstructured free play as a way for children to learn about nature. Encourage them to explore, get dirty and create their own games and activities in the great outdoors! Explore trails on a self-guided hike in one of 30 Regional Parks. Access park and trail information online at www.rdco.com/parks.
Birthday Parties
with Skytrax, Laser Tag & Rock Climbing CorporateParties(Christmas)
TM New! New!
which takes participants into different parks each outing, birding programs, animal tracking, bug safaris, butterfly bioblitzes in early summer, after hours programs on nocturnal animals and the night sky, reptile programs, syilx programming in partnership with knowledge keepers, art in the park, the Roll and Stroll parent and tot walking program, story time and much more.
Hosted & Non-Hosted Day Camps For kids Age 6-11 Field Trips
Keep in mind that the winter months present a veritable wonderland of walks and outdoor activities for the young and young at heart, so bundle up and discover a favourite new park or trail this season. Regional Parks Services manages over 2,100 hectares of public parkland in the Central Okanagan and there are countless trails waiting to be enjoyed! Winter is a fantastic time to hike a trail and view the outdoors with fresh eyes- plus, animal tracks are fun to watch out for in freshly fallen snow!
Karen says it was also an especially wonderful time for their oldest son Kai, who has Down syndrome. Kai would ride along in an adaptive trailer towed behind his dad’s bike.
Thanks to initial funding from CLBC, the City of Kelowna will be offering a new adaptive biking program this fall with two adult trailers and six adaptive tricycles available for program use.
“We’re eagerly awaiting being able to access these bikes and programs this fall, I think it’s important that this type of program is offered in a familiar space that can give people confidence to ride.” says St. Pierre. “Biking is an important part of our lifestyle, there is such a huge biking community here.”
“Kelowna is the perfect city to be able to provide a service like this with an incredible bike and trail system that we feel everyone should be able to enjoy, despite any physical limitations they may have,” says Tom Myatt, Quality Services Analyst with CLBC. “Our goal is to help break down those barriers and we’re thankful to Karen and the City for working with us to bring this idea to light.”
Biking is an important part of Kelowna’s outdoor lifestyle that we at Parkinson Recreation Centre feel everyone should be able to be a part of. Kelowna has a rich community of people with diverseabilities and PRC is a second home to many of them in helping to support healthy, active Kailifestyles.isone of hundreds of Kelowna and area residents with special needs that have adaptive spaces and programs available to them through Access Programs offered at PRC each season. This is made possible due to the support of Community Living BC.
by Ali Westlund • photo provided by City of Kelowna
As Kai’s mom says, “it’s always been important to us to focus on the things Kai can do, not the things he can’t do”.
Karen endeavored to continue cycling with Kai through his teenage years as it was something important that he and his father shared. Despite her best intentions to get him back on Kelowna’s cycling trails, Karen realized adaptive biking as a single mom came with a new layer of challenges.
However, Kai’s father, Jason, an avid cycler and runner, passed away suddenly in 2014 when he collapsed during a bicycle trail ride. It was a devastating loss to the family and their close-knit cycling community.
“Back when the kids were growing up, we were what you’d call, a ‘biking family’,” says mother, Karen St. Pierre. “It was a big part of our lives. Our two boys loved to watch their dad cycle cross when they were young and Evan, our youngest, enjoyed bike competitions and biking club with his dad by his side.”
Now Kai, and anyone can join in too. Learn more about the City of Kelowna’s new Adaptive Biking Program for adults in the latest Kelowna Activity & Program Guide at kelowna.ca/recreation.
“We always looked at biking as a great family activity where we could all be together.”
“He loved being able to get out on those bike rides, it gave him so much more confidence, but I quickly realized, how do we continue biking when it’s just me and him?”
Cycling has always been important to the St. Pierre family.
“I wondered, how can biking be made available for people who can’t afford them, who don’t have access or even enough confidence to give it a try?
After hitting several roadblocks, Karen eventually shared her struggles with staff with Community Living BC (CLBC) and the City of Kelowna.
That’s what made Kelowna’s Parkinson Recreation Centre a great fit to launch a new adaptive biking program.
Get Outside, Go Adaptive Biking
KarenStPiere and hersonKai www.Okanagan f amilyMagazine.ca Limited Space... Don’t miss out. Call Tery 250-712-9650.today
32 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23
“I looked into adapted tricycles because I knew that would be something he’d really enjoy, but they are incredibly heavy. We also realized, where would we put it? How would we store it? These are large and expensive pieces of equipment.”
you have it, rather than basic paint sets. If you do not have paint brushes, cotton swabs and cotton balls can do. Work with what you have. In fact, I even looked up online how to make my own dyes. They are used for dying paper or cloth, the colours would not be as vibrant, but they still could be an alternative if you have no paint or dye at all. Also useful are larger hard cover books or binders that the papers can be gently taped to so that there is a smooth firm surface to work on. Once you have these supplies collected, you are set to go.
If I was at school, I would have access to a number of useful art supplies but being that I was doing this at home over summer, I figured I would try to work with what most people would have kicking around the house. You can easily adapt the materials as you wish. Most people have some white paper for their printer, or partially used art sketch books, as well as leftover school supplies, pencils and erasers, rulers, wax crayons, pencil crayons, fine black permanent ink pens, markers and possibly oil pastels and basic paint sets. Food colouring dye can stand in for coloured ink if explore yoursuroundingsandmakeart
Summer Art exploration
by Maria Friesen • Teacher, Mother, Occassional Artist • photo provided by Maria
www.OkanaganFamilyMagazine.ca 33
Summer break is a wonderful time for kids to relax, enjoy nature and have fun. After the first couple of weeks, when they have had a chance to do many of the things that they had been hoping to do, there may be a sudden lull. This is an opportunity to work in a little creativity and try an art project. My (captive) audience consisted of my child and a few friends, some of whom were enthusiastic participants and others not as much. The age range of this group spanned from 8 to 13 years old. Not only was it a chance to encourage creativity, but also some perseverance.
My hope was to provide a calming alternative to some sort of electronic device as well as a chance to provoke creativity. A calming activity, which does not need to be a ‘project’, but more of a stress release, is Zentangle®. This is like doodling, but a bit more organized. You can search online and find sites that have examples and patterns that you can copy or that will inspire you, check out zentangle.com as a starting point. When you ‘Zentangle’ you can divide up a space of paper into sections and then draw different patterns in the sections. The results can be quite beautiful but are really a good way to relax.
the paper to a smooth binder, hardcover book, or clipboard. The next step is to find shadows that look interesting and trace them onto the paper. The trace lines can be light and quick, as they can be cleaned up later. Grass, flowers, trees, or plants will move in the breeze so kids will have to be less fussy and patient to get the shadow. Other interesting shadows can come from bikes, outdoor furniture, or lights. Shadows can overlap and can come from different directions. It does not need to make a picture, but it can. Once the shadows are traced the lines can be cleaned up a bit and then the next step is to add colour. I recommend ink or dye (the kids commented that more water on the paper helped the dye move and spread and more water and less dye was best), but paint will also work. Kids can add the colour to the different areas as they see fit. It can be more realistic or more creative. It does not need to be very exact, in fact it is better if they let the ink bleed and move a bit. This is the part of the activity that kids might need encouragement to let things happen and work with what the dye/ink is doing rather than trying to get it to stay within the lines. You can also use oil pastels to go over the lines before the dye/ink, and then they will resist the colour wash and stand out. Another option, if you do not have dye or paint, is to use crayons or pencil crayons and do rubbings on textured objects. The last step is to add lines with a fine permanent marker following the pencil lines that were made when tracing the shadows. The idea is to help an area pop out and be more noticeable, or to highlight the patterns that were created by the shadows. The consensus from the group was that less is more. Try highlighting one area, with some lines but not necessarily all the lines. Make sure to stand back and check every so often as you go along and see if you have enough lines or need more.
Maria Friesen is a teacher in rural Manitoba in her almost 30 year teaching career she has had the opportunity to teach a variety of ages and subjects from Math to Art She has a passion for learning and creativity Maria grew up on Vancouver island, BC, and spent many summers visiting family in Kelowna and Lake Country it is still a regular stop on summer travels Maria currently lives in the small community of Grunthal, Manitoba with her husband and three sons
The first project idea was straightforward, a hand design. What I like about this activity as a parent, is I have a little snapshot of my child (their hands anyway) at a certain age. Kids trace their hand in three overlapping placements on an 8 ½ x 11” paper. Then, using a ruler, they draw three or four straight lines through the hand tracings at different angles. The idea is to break up the background into sections. The kids recommended using the lines to make the sections smaller. They found large sections harder to do than more smaller sections if you were doing the fade shading. Once they have the hands and lines drawn, the kids can then complete the design in one of two ways: choose three or four coloured pencil crayons (oil pastels can work but are a little harder to work with and require smudging) and shade each section solid to pastel from one point to the opposite point. Start in one corner of a section shading solid and full strength with the colour and gradually fade to a very light pastel in the adjacent side. It is important to have the pencil strokes even and in the same direction and to alternate the colours so that the same colours are not side-by-side. Another alternative is to draw Zentangle® patterns to fill in each section or use texture rubbings. For texture rubbings, take the paper and place it over something with a raised texture (like wood grain, tile, concrete, woven material) and then gently rub the crayon or coloured pencil over in the area that you desire to fill.
The second project idea was a little more involved and is called shadow silhouettes. It also allows for creativity and the chance to look at things differently. This activity requires some sunshine or at least a flashlight. Using a white printer paper or art paper if you have it, tape the corners of
I was impressed with the willingness of this group to experiment and step out of their comfort zone as we did these two projects. Every kid has their own strengths, and it was interesting to see how the different kids approached each task in the activities. Problem solving was required several times, for example in the fade shading with colour placement and especially with working with the dye. Getting the colour that they wanted could be problematic, since we were working with food colouring. The desired purple was hard to make. Occasionally the dye would do its own thing and you cannot undo dye. The kids found they had to work with what happened and make it part of the creation. Problem solving led to creativity. A couple of the kids have a more perfectionistic streak and the ‘painting’ with dye stretched them. In the end they bought into it and were pleasantly surprised by the results. One kid, who figured that the painting just wasn’t going to work out well, was the finished product that we all agreed we liked the best. The kids all had a project that they preferred for one reason or another but could appreciate all the steps and the final products. It was also neat listening to them encourage and comment on each other’s work. Learning to look at things differently, creatively, problem solve and work with how things are going are some particularly good life lessons that a couple summer art projects can cultivate, along with a good deal of fun.
34 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 Kindergarten to Grade www.Studio9.ca12
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1. Remember that you are merely mortal. Stress is responsible for 75% to 90% of visits to primary care physicians. Stress contributes to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, premature aging and a number of autoimmune diseases. Depression and anxiety also are common responses to chronic stress and fatigue. Big goals require good health. Taking it down a notch may in fact help you get where you’re going without having a breakdown along the way.
How to Work Hard Without the Stress
6. Don’t lose sight of your relationships. People do need people. Love and companionship are a basic human need. Relationships, particularly close, loving relationships, require time. If you are working crazy hours, chances are that friends are detaching and your partner (if you’ve had time to find one) is getting resentful. If you have to, schedule regular time to be with friends and family just to hang out. No agendas allowed. No cell phones in sight.
Dr Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed D is an author, licensed psychologist, and a marriage and family therapist who has been in practice for more than 35 years She specializes in couples and family therapy and parent education She writes regularly for Psych Central as well as Psych Central’s Ask the Therapist feature She is author of the insightful parenting e-book, Tending the Family Heart Check out her book, unlocking the Secrets of Self-Esteem
Why are these young people working so hard? Some of it is in response to very real demands. Jobs are hard to find. Advancing in a job is even harder. The key to getting ahead, at least in many workplaces, is to be observed going the extra mile.
I worry about several young adults I know. They seem chronically overworked, stressed out and exhausted by the demands of their jobs. They work long hours, skip lunch, and take work home at night. Yes, it’s important for us all to work at something we care about. But it’s also important for us to care about out-of-the-office life.
5. Give yourself time. You do not have to do everything yesterday to be successful. Unless you are in your senior years, you probably have plenty of time to get to where you want to go. I’ve known people in their 20’s and 30’s who already feel like they blew their chances at success because they are comparing themselves to some of the wunderkinds who became millionaires at 19.
Tips for working hard without working crazy:
3. Take care of your psychological self. If those long hours are your attempt to fill up a sense of worthlessness, inadequacy or inferiority, go at the problem directly. Working long hours and even achieving awards and accolades are only stopgap measures for a limping self-esteem. If you feel somehow essentially unworthy of your own and others’ respect, you will have to keep striving and striving in order to feel good enough. You’ll be mentally healthier (and you’ll be easier for the people who care about you to live with) if you get into therapy instead of trying to fill a bottomless hole with more work.
Stress is not an inevitable, chronic part of life. It is your creation. By following these tips, you can pare it down to what is manageable. Take care of yourself and your relationships and you can be both successful and relaxed.
Financial stress about unpaid school loans, high rents, and the general cost of living also put some people in a not entirely unreasonable panic. By working hard, perhaps doing overtime, it may be possible to keep the proverbial wolf away from the door. And some of these overworking young adults are in the grip of the need to prove themselves to themselves or others are really addicted to the adrenaline rush of setting almost impossible goals and meeting them anyway.
usebccessfulwithoutbeingcrazed
2. Take care of your body. If you are going without sleep and drinking 12 cups of coffee and four energy drinks a day to do your job, you are setting yourself up for physical collapse. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night (yes, 7 to 9 hours, not 4 to 5) to get truly restorative sleep.
Recognize yourself? If work is taking over your life, maybe it’s time to take a step back and reconsider what you’re doing. Being in overdrive at work does have its costs. It’s hard on your body. It’s tough on your relationships. It doesn’t really fill whatever hole in your self-esteem you are trying to fill. Keep this up and burnout will become your middle name. You can be successful without being crazed.
4. Work smarter, not harder. You don’t have to do everything you can think of doing to be successful in your field of work. Be strategic about the tasks you take on. Whenever possible, choose tasks that meet more than one goal. Ask yourself if doing every detail of a job is really worth your time and your life. If you aren’t already aware of Lean Principles, read up on it. You’ll be more efficient and less stressed.
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by Marie Hartwell Walker • Psych Central www psychcentral com
That night as I helped my son with the bedtime routine, I dutifully handed him clean pyjamas then waited as usual outside his bedroom door. When he eventually summoned me indicating he was ready, I opened the door and immediately doubled over laughing. With hands on his hips in typical super-hero form, he beamed a confident ear to ear grin at me. Proudly, he had put his shirt on backwards and somehow sausaged both his legs into one side of his pyjama pants. My sweet boy with the extra chromosome had played a good joke on me. His rich reward was making me laugh, the satisfaction he felt evident in response to my genuine belly laughs. I conceded that he had tricked me, and together we slowly corrected his attire. With arms drawn across each other’s shoulders, we trotted to the bathroom where I routinely brushed his teeth, cleaned his ears and blew his nose. In addition, tonight was special because it was time to shave again. “Me a man now, right mom? I have whiskers. Men whiskers.” Delighted by the sparkle in his eyes, I watched him exuberantly mow the electric razor all over his face endeavouring to catch the soft new shoots.
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Dealing with Dementia
36 Okanagan Family Magazine 2022/23 registration Opens September 15 for the October-April Season Register online at www.ogopogoswimclub.com Questions? Contact the Registrar at ogopogoregistrar@gmail.com Take level!toswimmingyourthenext levelsswimmersencourageWeofalltojointheclubaswetrainbasedonskillnotage.
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That was the moment my subconscious put together why the comments from earlier had rattled me. Not many years ago the medical field would have advised me to institutionalize my son and forget about him. It may have been described as a kindness, better for everyone, and to think about his quality of life. Thinking about my own now, my heart began to pound and ache with deep sadness over the thought of missing out on nights like tonight, filled with silliness and laughter. My extraordinary child had blessed me in so many ways and certainly made me a better, kinder, more understanding and compassionate human being. I honestly felt so lucky to have him and sometimes thought others could benefit from sharing this kind of Myexperience.thoughts trailed back to my dad and my aunt. Here was a similar, difficult and complex situation that no one expected to be in. I felt a deep sense of empathy for them both. I understood what it was like having to steer a new course unexpectedly. It was scary and overwhelming, but I had also discovered it was full of surprises and the most wonderful moments. I had 16 years of experience working with my son, adapting and planning, helping him navigate the world. I began to think about how I could help my dad and my aunt. I knew their relationship was special and I hoped they could still have many more happy memories together. The following day I popped by my parents’ house, the family home for over 50 years. Dad was sitting at the kitchen table having his regimented three o’clock coffee break with my mom. We started a game of Dominoes, and predictably my dad was winning. When it was my turn, I slid one of
My dad doesn’t want to visit his sister anymore. “It’s too depressing” he says, his voice saturated with sadness and regret. “She’s confused and she says the same things over and over again.” Distracted, he shuffles cards from hand to hand and I see his thoughts turn inward. We are not having a conversation about it. My aunt is a displaced 87-year-old woman with Okanagan tempered skin and severe gout. What has been clear to me for a while has only recently become evident to my dad, and it deeply upsets him. His sister is showing signs of Dementia.
I affirm, “yes sweetheart. You are a young man now”. As I watch this gentle spirit, my thoughts meandered. Never would I have imagined I would still be brushing teeth, cutting fingernails, or deciphering communication for my teenaged boy. It’s certainly not what I would have chosen for myself, and yet life with my son with Down syndrome while challenging, has brought me so much unexpected joy.
My dad’s comment plucks an unsuspecting nerve with me and feels pernicious. I know his response comes from a place of loss and sadness, yet the sting unconscientiously reminds me of a friend’s recent observation after her own father’s passing. She said, “It’s a relief. He had no ability to speak or do anything for himself really. He had no quality of life.” Her comment had left me feeling angry without completely understanding why.
by Melanie Williams, Freelance Writer • Mother, Author, Activist
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After the coffee was finished and my dad inevitably claimed victory in Dominoes, my mom and I stood at the sink of steamy soapy water and washed up the dishes. “Where did you come up with such thoughtful ideas for visiting Aunty?” I beamed when she asked me. I told her it was some of the things I did for my own son when we go into new situations, or when there are things he needs to learn and remember. Visual cues, picture reminders, schedules and checklists, are all essential tools to help him navigate his world to be successful, and I thought it might be applicable to this situation too.
My dad had also mentioned my aunt continually rattled off the names of their siblings, occasionally remembering accurate facts but more often forgetting those who had passed away. She always ended the conversation with the statement, “you and I are the only two still with it”. I knew this was a needle that scratched at my dad. I pressed on. “Could you collect photos of you and your siblings to take to Aunty? It would be fun if you could put them into a little scrapbook, include their names and where they are now. You could look through it together, and Aunty can look at it whenever she wants to help her remember. Do you think these ideas might help, and you could still enjoy visiting your sister?” My dad was
the smooth spotted tiles into play and said, “I was thinking about Aunty and what you said yesterday about not wanting to go see her anymore. I think I have a few ideas that may help.” Dad perked up and looked at me expectantly with his bushy eyebrows raised. I took the opening. I proposed they make a plan before they go visit my aunt. They could predetermine how much time they would spend there and what they would do during that time. I suggested they tell Aunty the plan and write it down for her so she could refer to it during their visit. This would help her if she became confused. Providing clear details would be important too. For example: 1) Play two games of Cribbage in her room. 2) Go for a walk outside in the enclosed garden. 3) Have coffee together in the common area. 4) Say goodbye at 4:00pm. Being specific with ‘what, when and where’ would help my aunt understand the expectations and help her feel safe and confident. She could even check off the activities listed as they went. My parents liked this idea and felt it could in fact be useful.
Call
Melanie Williams is a freelance writer whose work has been published in Maclean’s, Todays Parent and Chatelaine magazines Her passion for writing allows her to work out the ups and downs of life and to be an effective inclusion advocate Melanie was born and raised in Lake Country, BC and still refers to this place as home Currently she resides in Calgary, Alberta with her husband, two children and a small, were-wolf-like dog
Visual helpessentialschedulescues,andchecklists,aretoolstohimnavigatehisworld.
ruminating on this and slowly nodding when a smile began to appear. “I think we will go see your Aunty again.”
I may never fully understand my son’s place in the world, but I know I am the better for him being in it. I hope others like my dad, can also experience some of the joyful moments available to us through life’s many challenges and the most unassuming people. The love that holds a family together is often the most difficult and the most rewarding, providing lessons that can’t be found anywhere else. Supporting each other and adapting to the ups and downs of life and loss, may be full of disappointments, but it may be full of unexpected happiness and laughter too.
Marissa Dutoff: Wife, mom and homeschooler in my blog The Minimalist Homeschooler i share what it looks like teaching a toddler and a precocious kindergartener in a small apartment, while running a business that sees us traveling across Western Canada up to eight months of the year Come read my blogs at theminimalisthomeschooler wordpress com/
Happy Homeschooling!
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Lastly, if you start to feel overwhelmed, take a step back and think about why this is important to you. Teaching your kids can be an amazing experience. Just remember, the best part of being involved in your child’s educational journey is that it gives you the opportunity to learn, grow and discover new things together.
Creating Your Homeschool Year
Choose the Content: What are you going to use? Depending what method you’ve chosen you might choose to follow the recommended curriculum on the BC Government website, build the year around a theme or a book, or join a community co-op and work with other parents. If you’re using packages you can read through sample pages and print off outlines. Often there are included placement tests which will help you get a clearer picture of what topics to focus on and at what level. For example, when we went through the placement test for Singapore Math we discovered that while we’d covered most of the basics we hadn’t started learning about time or money, so those became priorities for the beginning of the year. From there you’ll be able to order Parent Guides and Student Workbooks and start laying out how to break it down into manageable daily chunks.
If you’re more interested in something completely relaxed and separate from the schooling system, there is also the option of Unschooling or Eclectic learning that is very child-led and doesn’t require you to use a structured curriculum. Take some time to read up on different homeschool methods and find one that aligns with your goals and values. It’s much easier to stick to something you believe in it rather than to blindly follow a path just because it worked for someone else.
It feels like summer just started but I’m already starting to notice the back-to-school jitters are in the air. Homeschool parents especially are starting to plan how they want their school year to look. If this year you’re thinking of bringing your child’s education into your own home, here’s a bit of a run down on how we get ready for a new year in our homeschool.
snraeluoyomuchalongthe journey
Pick Your Path: Registered or Enrolled? Registered Homeschool gives you the most freedom, whereas Enrolled Distributed Learning requires that you comply with the provincial curriculum. The upside to enrolled is that you may get access to a support teacher, school resources and some funding for curriculum and other activities. You’re not tied permanently to what you choose so every summer we like to evaluate whether the year met our expectations and decide what best suits our needs going forward.
Choose a Method: What fits your values? Once you start planning it’s important to honestly assess what is going to serve you and your children best. There are several different methods for homeschool and each has its advantages. If you know your biggest struggle is going to be consistency, having ready-made curriculum is a great option. In that case you can look at options like Schoolio, which provides both individual units for each subject and a full year plan for each grade. If you are organized and have solid routines you might find designing the flow of your program yourself, or using unit studies, works better.
Enjoy the Community: Learning should be Fun! It might be called homeschool, but in reality the whole world becomes your classroom. Get out and explore! See new places and meet new people. The Okanagan Regional Libraries are always a favourite and have resources like take home crafts, family reading times and other activities. This spring the Downtown Kelowna branch even had baby chicks hatch in their office! We break up the routine school work with extra-curricular activities, excursions with other homeschool families, and field trips to the Kelowna Art Gallery (admission is free on Thursdays). Homeschool will change the way you look at learning and you’ll find that the range of things you can learn with your children is amazing.
Gather your Resources: Building a space to learn. Do not let yourself get overwhelmed just trying to fill up a space or turning your home into a traditional classroom. Create a space that makes sense in your home
and fill it with the things that you feel like you’re going to get value out of. Last year my aunt gifted me a big box of workbooks and I can positively say my favourite curriculum is free curriculum! Going through the box also reminded me that simply having a box of options to pick from gives you the chance to experiment. Allow yourself the freedom to add in things you think you’re missing or take out things that aren’t working. Read up on other people’s experiences and try things out. September isn’t a deadline to have it all together, it’s a starting point and you’ll learn so much along the journey to June.
by Marissa Dutoff • The Minimalist Homeschooler • photo provided by Marissa
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. The Treehouse Forest Preschool at Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park is a licenced Outdoor Preschool created in partnership with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan Our outdoor early learning program gets children active and learning, immersed in the natural environment Spending time outside playing, experimenting and relaxing in nature in all seasons and all weather has been scientifically shown to benefit children in many ways From eyesight development and improving concentration, to developing imagination, social skills, risk assessment and problem-solving skills, the outdoors benefits each and every child’s overall health and well-being. Our knowledgeable Early Learning Educators use the outdoor classroom to deliver preschool curriculum, nurturing valuable skills and the love of learning that is key to Kindergarten readiness 4711 Raymer Road 250-860-4393KELOWNA September to June * Mondays, Wednesdays & fridays * 9:00-11:30am * Snack included for more information and to inquire about enrollment, go to clubhousechildcare.com/preschool
Preschool, naturally
