Education Issue 2023

Celebrating

Years of Service to BC Families

Education Issue 2023 • bcparent.ca

2024

Independent and Private School Guide

Upcoming Report Cards How to Understand Them

Project-Based Education Is this an evolution in how to approach education for our kids?

A Healthy Parent is a Happy Parent!

Parents are busy people!­ Parental self-compassion and self-care have a strong influence on child development.

If you are feeling stressed, in pain, or ­something is just not quite right, get an ­acupuncture treatment from Carlie Smith­ Parkinson. Her gentle touch will help balance your body and ­ensure your Qi is moving smoothly.

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FIND HER AT ASPIRE NATUROPATHIC IN NORTH VANCOUVER AT PARKGATE ASPIRENATUROPATHIC.CA

ACUPUNCTURE CAN BE HELPFUL WITH STRESS, MENSTRUAL ISSUES, PERIMENOPAUSE, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, IRRITABILITY, DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS, JOINT AND OR MUSCLE PAIN, SLEEP, NIGHT SWEATS, AND MUCH MORE.

2 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

Letter from the Editor

Inside…

all has arrived and the hustle and bustle of school days is back. Before we know it, the school year is a third over and the first report cards will be given out. In this issue, we have provided more information about what these report cards will look like. The BC government has made some changes and the new format Carlie Parkinson has been updated to better encourage our children’s learning. We have also included information about various learning approaches—critical thinking, project-based learning, music, and of course play and its important role in the learning process for our youngest learners.

Finally, we have provided helpful tips about accessing disability tax credits and tips on staying healthy this winter.

Enjoy this issue and the change of season!

4 Report cards are coming and they look different?!

F

6 Project-based Education 9 Unlocking Critical Thinking to Empower Your Child’s Future 11 Independent and Private School Guide 19 How important is play in the development of our youngest learners?

22 Preschool Guide 22 Music Education Guide 23 Can All Kids Become Musical?

27 Overwhelmed and receiving little support?

Have you considered applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)?

29 10 Tips to Keep You & Your Family Healthy This Winter

Education Issue 2023 Volume 32, Number 4

Mailing Address: P.O.Box 30020, North Van, BC V7H 2Y8 email: info@bcparent.ca www.bcparent.ca Canadian Publications Mail Registration No.251836

Publisher/Executive Editor: Carlie Parkinson Editor: Geoffrey Legh Assistant Editor: Lorrie Holmes Advertising Design & Layout: Julie Cochrane

Editorial Design & Layout: www.retrometrodesign.ca Contributors: School is Easy, T.J. Firenze, Kimberly Blaker

BC Parent Newsmagazine

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The Publisher reserves the right to omit advertising which is judged to be in poor taste or which does not conform to the concept of this publication.

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bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 3

Report cards are coming and they look different?!

T

he first report card is coming in December. If your child is in Grade 5 or higher, it’s going to look quite different because letter grades will no longer be given for children in grades K–9 and will only be given out in grades 10–12.

We reached out to the Ministry of Education and Child Care to get some details to share with you about these changes.

What is student reporting?

Student reporting is the assessment and communication of student learning to students, parents, and caregivers. Every student in BC receives communications from the school throughout the school year that provide parents, caregivers, and students with information about student learning. The way teachers and schools communicate student learning, and the format of traditional report cards are shifting.

In 2016 the Ministry of Education and Child Care began implementing a redesigned provincial curriculum that is flexible, focuses on literacy, numeracy, and the First Peoples Principles of Learning, and supports deeper learning through concept-based and competency-driven education. This educational shift to how and what students learn in the classroom requires a corresponding change to student reporting policies and practices.

The goal of communicating student learning is to ensure that:

• students are engaged in meaningful conversations that help them develop responsibility for engaging deeply with their learning; 4 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

• parents and caregivers are well informed, involved in dialogue about their child’s learning, and understand ways to support and further student learning; • teachers provide timely and meaningful communication with students, parents, and caregivers.

Why is student reporting changing?

It began with the curriculum redesign. When you were in school, were you asked to memorize information and repeat it on a test, only to forget it soon after? We now know learning is not just memorizing—it’s being able to use what we know and apply it in real-world settings. Universities, colleges, and employers today care more about how students think than how many facts they can repeat.

The learning students do today is more complex than ever. British Columbia redesign­ed the provincial curriculum to respond to the needs of today’s learners. The curriculum continues to give your child a strong foundation in reading, writing, and math. But it also teaches your child how to think, communicate, solve problems, and use their knowledge in ways that both matter in school and will matter in a rapidly changing future.

The new curriculum has been in place in all grades since 2019, but report cards and the way student learning is communicated haven’t really changed for decades. Report cards are now changing to align with the curriculum and to help ensure that every student in the province is set up for success in their learning.

The policy is backed by research

Meaningful Communication: Researchers stress the importance of ongoing and timely communication with parents and caregivers.

Effective communication between home and school has a positive impact on student learning and engagement.

Student Self-Assessment: Student selfassessment leads to an increase in student confidence in their abilities, greater responsibility for their own learning, greater student satisfaction.

Focus on Proficiency: Today’s classroom is different from when you were in school. You may remember working only from textbooks or worksheets. Students now learn and show their learning in a variety of ways. Assessment that focuses on learning rather than just marks, leads to increased student engagement.

Formative Assessment: Globally, there is a shift toward assessment practices that clearly tells students where they’re at in their learning and how to move them forward. Rather than just providing information on what learning has happened in the past.

What is my child being taught and assessed on?

Areas of learning: The areas of learning are the subjects your child will be taught from kindergarten through grade 12. These include English Language Arts, Français langue premiere, or Français langue seconde, as well as: • Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (shop, foods, accounting, computer programming, etc.)

• Arts Education (dance, drama, music, art, etc.)

• Career Education • Languages (First Nations languages, French, and other languages) • Math • Physical and Health Education • Science (life science, environmental science, physics, etc.)

• Social Studies (BC First Peoples, law, world history, Francophone history and culture, etc.)

All areas of learning are important for developing educated citizens. What your child is learning at a particular time will depend on the time of year and the schedule your child’s school uses.

Learning Standards: Each area of learning has learning standards that lay out what your child should know, be able to do, and understand. The learning standards are what your child is taught at each grade level and what they are assessed on for their report cards.

Core Competencies: The Core Competencies are integrated into all areas of learning. They are the communication, thinking, and social

Provincial Proficiency Scale

skills your child needs to be successful now and in the future.

Students are not assessed by teachers on the Core Competencies. Instead, your child’s written report cards will include their selfreflections on the Core Competencies and their goals for learning.

to work on, as well as their work habits and behaviour • information on the communication, thinking, and social skills that your child needs to be successful (Core Competencies) and your child’s goal setting • information about your child’s attendance

What will my child’s report card look like?

What about the Provincial Proficiency Scale?

• information on how your child is doing in each area of learning • written comments (descriptive feedback) on your child’s strengths and areas they need

If your child is in Grades K–9, you won’t see letter grades on their report card. Instead, you Continued on page 8

bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 5

Project-based Education

Is this an evolution in how to approach education for our kids?

By Lorrie Holmes

A

s Swiss psychologist, Jean Piaget, once stated, “Knowledge is a consequence of experience.” There is a lot of truth to this statement and as education continues to evolve, project-based learning (PBL) has become more recognized. In fact, many schools have actually taken on a project-based learning model in offering their students the opportunity to apply many of their core learnings to these projects as part of their curriculum.

We have interviewed two leaders in our education community on project-based education—Paul Romani, Director of Pear Tree School and Owen Hann, V.P. of Operations for Steamoji—about what project based learning means to them and their students, how they go about offering such emergent programs, and what they feel the benefits are for the students who engage in these programs.

6 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

Interview with Paul Romani, Director of Pear Tree School

BC PARENT (BCP): Can you tell us why

project-based learning is such an important approach in learning today?

Paul Romani: Absolutely! While project-based learning is an important part of our approach at Pear Tree School, we take it a step further with our unique and innovative approach based on theme-based learning.

BCP: What exactly does theme-based learning mean to you?

Paul: By embracing theme-based learning as the foundation, we create a dynamic and immersive educational experience that captivates students’ imagination and ignites their passion for learning. Rather than just focusing on individual projects, our students delve into comprehensive themes that span across subjects, allowing them to make meaningful

connections and apply knowledge and skills to real life.

BCP: This is such a wonderful way to expand upon the learning and branch it off into a deeper inquiry-based approach to every subject as they come up in the learning process!

Paul: The benefits of our theme-based learning approach are multifaceted. Firstly, it promotes a deeper understanding of concepts as students explore them through multiple perspectives, fostering critical thinking and holistic learning.

BCP: This is also such a great way to reach every student as they all learn so differently for so many reasons.

Paul: It also empowers students to become active participants in their education, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning journey and develop a natural curiosity to seek answers independently.

BCP: Can you explain how this type of learning also better prepares our students for the real world.

Paul: Our theme-based learning is designed to be highly engaging and relevant to realworld scenarios. This relevancy translates into enhanced retention and application of knowledge, preparing students to face challenges beyond the classroom walls confidently.

At Pear Tree School, project-based learning is an extension of our theme-based approach.

Projects become an exciting and hands-on expression of the knowledge acquired during the theme exploration. Students collaborate and apply their learning to create something tangible, whether it’s a model, artwork, presentation, or solution to a realworld problem.

In essence, while project-based learning has its place in education, we elevate the learning experience with theme-based learning. Our students not only engage in individual projects but also embark on an enriching journey of comprehensive themes, inspiring a lifelong love for learning and nurturing the next generation of forward-thinking change-makers.

At Pear Tree School, our Why is to guide children in discovering their true calling and developing a deep sense of purpose, empowering them to leave a meaningful legacy that positively impacts the lives of others. We achieve this through The Pear Tree Method, which incorporates theme and project-based learning.

Interview with Owen Hann, V.P. of Operations for Steamoji

BC PARENT (BCP): What is the maker acad-

emy?

Owen Hann: Steamoji is a place for kids to

build, invent and learn by doing. We have a number of tools at our academies like 3D printers, robotics components and laser cutters that you wouldn’t find in most adult makerspaces! The academy offers an engaging in-person experience from badge-in to badge-out as our apprentices design, build and code their way through various projects delivered by short videos with the help of passionate facilitators who support them through the process.

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The maker academy is a place for discovery, collaboration and innovation, and every visit provides apprentices with an opportunity to work through a unique project while applying the Steamoji Iterative Design Process.

We think this process is the same whether designing something simple for 3D printing or building a company!

At Pear Tree, projects become an exciting and hands-on expression of the knowledge acquired during the theme exploration.

BCP: Tell us about your Build To Solve curriculum.

Owen: Our 400-hour Build to Solve™ curriculum complements and enriches children’s school studies by exposing them to new tech-

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nologies in fabrication, physical computing, engineering, and digital arts. With these foundational skills, students are then challenged with problems and encouraged to imagine, create, and improve their own solutions.

Schools are often constrained by slowchanging state standards, school board requirements, existing infrastructure and available personnel. If they are exposing children to these subjects it is often in a very restricted, ‘sampling’ fashion. Steamoji aims to fill this gap by producing a structured, and reinforcing, project-based curriculum designed to provide 400 hours of student activity.

BCP: How does this work?

Owen: We take a broad approach to STEM, as opposed to siloed, hyper-linear pathways.

There are many reasons for this. For starters, teaching kids in this format gives them a chance to try out all sorts of different subject areas, from coding and computing to engineering and design. They get the chance to explore, experiment, and organically figure out where their interests lie.

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Preparing Grade 8-12 students for their future Pear Tree School guides young people in discovering their true calling and developing a deep sense of purpose, empowering them to leave a meaningful legacy that positively impacts the lives of others.

“ Pear Tree School is at the forefront of childhood education. ” “ Pear Tree's project-based learning approach is practical and impactful. ”

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bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 7

Project-based Education Our hybrid learning model includes onscreen lessons from skill-specific experts, with in-person support and guidance from facilitators in the Academy. This dynamic approach means that we’re able to give kids access to expert teachers around the world, while ensuring they have a fun and engaging experience within our Academies.

BCP: Why does this work?

Owen: We do this because this is how the world works. If and when our apprentices decide to move onto further education or enter the job market, they’re increasingly unlikely to be focused on one, hyper-niche thing, delivered in a repetitive manner. The Steamoji format prepares apprentices with an entire suite of ways to approach problem solving, creativity, testing, iteration, and above all, resilience.

Steamoji goes way beyond teaching kids a basic understanding of how to code a program or how to 3D-print a structure. We’re

equipping them with hands-on abilities and strategic thinking. And when you consider how much technology has changed in the last 12 months – let alone over the next 12 years – it’s this combination that will make all the difference.

Steamoji sudents get the chance to explore, experiment, and organically figure out where their interests lie.

BCP: Who do you feel is the ideal student for

this type of learning?

Owen: We train builders, makers, inventors and entrepreneurs from age 5 all the way up to 18. For our youngest apprentices in the Oji Junior program, this looks like hands-on,

tinkering projects that prepare them with the fine motor and digital literacy skills they’ll need to enter the Build to Solve™ program. For our oldest apprentices this eventually takes the form of a capstone project in which they identify a real world problem, then design and build their own solution to that problem, whether that’s a robot that performs a specific task or a unique invention that solves a problem they’re really passionate about.

Steamoji is a maker academy for kids that trains builders, makers, inventors and entrepreneurs. Our 400-hour structured and reinforcing Build to Solve™ curriculum teaches your child about new technologies in the subject pathways of fabrication (3D-printing and laser cutting), physical computing (robotics and coding), engineering (applied math) and digital arts (applied design) as well as other skills that will be critical for the future job market.

Report cards (Continued from page 5) will see information on where your child is on the Provincial Proficiency Scale. The scale uses the terms “Emerging,” “Developing,” “Proficient,” and “Extending” to describe student learning. The scale maintains high standards for student learning.

What is descriptive feedback?

Descriptive feedback is the written comments you will see on your child’s report card. Descriptive feedback is valuable for all students in all grades, from kindergarten to grade 12.

In grades K–9, your child may get a “Proficient” in math and a “Developing” in English.

At first glance, you might assume that your child is “good” at math and “bad” at English.

But this isn’t the case. All students have both strengths and areas they are still working on.

In grades 10–12, letter grades and percentages alone won’t provide the whole picture of who they are as a learner. This is where descriptive feedback comes in.

In K–12, teachers will give you written feedback that clearly explains what your child can do. It will also tell you what your child needs to work on to move forward in their learning.

8 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

How will I be informed of my child’s behaviour and work habits?

Your child’s marks (on the proficiency scale, or letter grades and percentages) reflect their learning in each area. The written comments is where you will find information on your child’s work habits and behaviours.

Grading and reporting are not disciplinary tools. For example, students can’t lose 10% of their grade for not bringing gym clothes to class, and they can’t have marks taken away as a punishment for being late.

But behaviour in school is still important.

If a student does not attend or participate in class, it will be difficult for teachers to assess their learning and provide them with a mark.

What are the self-assessment of Core Competencies and goal setting components?

Our world is constantly changing. It’s still important for students to learn facts and information, but it’s also important for students to learn how to think, communicate, and interact with others. This is where the Core Competencies come in. The Core Competencies are part of BC’s curriculum,

so every day your child goes to school, they will be building these skills.

Self-reflection and goal setting are important life skills for students to learn from the earliest age. These skills will help them succeed both in school and in their future, including in the workplace. Self-reflection and goal setting will help your child understand themselves better, work toward and meet their goals, and celebrate their successes.

If you have questions about the changes coming to student reporting in BC, please reach out to the ministry via email at student.reporting@gov.bc.ca or visit curriculum.gov.bc.ca. For more specific questions about report cards, you can connect with your child’s teacher, principal, or school district staff. They will be able to provide you with information about what reporting looks like in your child’s school or school district.

Source: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/sites/curriculum.gov.bc.ca/files/ pdf/reporting/k-12-student-reporting-webinar-series-presentationslides.pdf

Unlocking Critical Thinking to Empower Your Child’s Future

By School is Easy

P

arents want the best for their children, and one of the things you can do to secure a bright future for your kids is to make critical thinkers out of them. A critical thinker is open-minded, curious, and can respect diverse perspectives.

However, raising critical thinkers does not happen naturally, it will require some effort.

You’ll need to be intentional in your approach and even challenge your child to cultivate critical thinking capabilities. But the effort will help your child gain confidence and set them on a successful path no matter where life takes them.

We’ve gathered together some tips and advice to help you nurture critical thinking in your children.

The Foundation of Critical Thinking

Before we explore strategies for teaching critical thinking to your children, let’s establish what critical thinking means. In simple terms, critical thinking involves sorting through information to make informed decisions or form opinions. However, life is rarely as simple as this definition suggests—we are constantly inundated with a vast amount of information on a daily basis. In fact, statistics show that 328.77 million terabytes of data are produced each day.

When raising critical thinkers, you must review information with them to help make sense of all the voices speaking to them. Your guidance is vital to demonstrate to your kids

how to sort through reliable and trustworthy information and discard data that is not relevant to them or may even be untrue.

Remember—knowing how to think critically differs from other types of skills, like memorization or repetition. Critical thinking requires more activity from kids’ brains. It involves problem-solving or figuring out how things work. In other words, critical thinking requires more effort than rote learning.

Essentially, open-mindedness is the willingness to consider information that contradicts a person’s belief.

As you are raising critical thinkers, review some ways you can encourage them to keep going. Parent support is crucial in the development journey for kids, and for helping them think for themselves.

Now that we’ve defined what critical thinking is, here are some tips for raising critical thinkers: Tip 1: Encourage Curiosity

Children are naturally curious about the world, how it works, and why things are the

way they are. Encouraging this curiosity in kids is one way you can help them develop critical thinking skills. Invite them to ask questions about the world or topics they are interested in, and then let them find the right answer. Critical thinking can guide curious kids to find the truth by making a guess answer to the question and then testing it to see if they were correct.

Tip 2: Promote Open-mindedness

Essentially, open-mindedness is the willingness to consider information that contradicts a person’s belief. Therefore, promoting openmindedness for children encourages them to think about ideas that are different from their own. It does not imply acceptance of every and all ideas, but rather tolerance for views that conflict with the ones we hold.

Some ways that parents can do this is to expose children to different cultures and ideas and then discuss them. Look at some of the positives and some of the negatives of the idea. It’s also important to model openmindedness to your children through your own actions and behaviors.

Tip 3: Exposure to Diverse Perspectives

Building empathy and understanding by exposing your children to diverse perspectives can also foster critical thinking. This may include traveling to different countries or even engaging in diverse cultural activities bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 9

Unlocking Critical Thinking to Empower Your Child’s Future or celebrations in your city. Allowing children to interact with different viewpoints helps strengthen their critical thinking skills.

To do this, parents can watch cultural documentaries with kids or attend festivals that celebrate different cultures. You could even pick a country to study together and wrap up your work by enjoying some of that culture’s most popular cuisine.

Tip 4: Embolden Questions and Discussion

Allowing your children to ask questions and discuss ideas is a great way to build their critical thinking skills. Thinking deeper about issues and ideas requires some questioning and curiosity. In other words, asking questions and having discussions can prompt kids to think more about the topic and come to their own conclusions.

Parents can cultivate critical thinking in kids by asking for their input or opinions. It does not have to be a big issue, but could be as simple as what to have for dinner. You could also encourage discussion during mealtimes by picking a topic or looking at the headlines of the day. When kids understand that they can share their thoughts and ideas, it will encourage them to think more about their personal views.

Tip 5: Critical Thinking Activities

Several fun and engaging activities can help your child develop their critical thinking skills. Here are just a few exercises that will assist you in raising critical thinkers.

Build a Puzzle: No matter how old or how young your kids are, putting a puzzle together can help them develop problem-solving skills that are essential to critical thinking. Engaging in puzzle-solving activities encourages them to analyze, strategize, and think creatively, fostering skills that become the building blocks of critical thinking. These problem-solving abilities will serve them well as they navigate life’s complexities and challenges.

Play a Board Game: Board games are another great way to help your child boost their understanding of strategy. Players often face challenges and obstacles they need to overcome in the rush to the finish line and this can improve the speed at which your child 10 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

can process information and find solutions.

Board games provide a fun and interactive platform for children to enhance their strategic thinking, promoting adaptability and quick decision-making skills that are integral to critical thinking.

Read Great Books: Reading is a great way to engage with ideas, even in children’s books. Have your child do a novel study that prompts them to think about different characters in the books and their motivations.

Encourage your child to explore a variety of literary genres, as each story offers a unique

When kids understand that they can share their thoughts and ideas, it will encourage them to think more about their personal views.

perspective and encourages critical thinking by delving into the characters’ motivations and the deeper themes within the narrative.

Ask Your Child Questions: Asking your child about their ideas on different issues builds their self-confidence and allows them to think more deeply about their views.

However, it’s important to ask them openended questions. These are inquiries that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.

It forces them to carefully consider how to answer.

Cleaning and Sorting Their Space: Patterns and sorting items into categories also challenge young minds and can help parents raise critical thinkers, so cleaning and sorting personal space is an easy way to facilitate that idea (and it also makes their room clean and tidy!). Creating a neat and organized environment while teaching them how to sort and categorize their belongings can be a practical and hands-on way to boost their problemsolving skills, providing a valuable lesson in tidying up and critical thinking all in one.

Ask a Daily/Weekly Riddle: Teaching your kids riddles and brain twisters can be a fun

way to engage their critical thinking skills.

It requires them to think outside of the box and consider different answers to the riddle.

Engaging in brain teasers and riddles with your children can also foster their creativity, encouraging them to explore various perspectives and unconventional solutions, making their critical thinking journey even more exciting and dynamic.

Fostering Critical Thinkers and Nurturing Future Success

Fostering critical thinking skills in children is essential to help them navigate through our digital and information-driven world.

These skills are useful as they help build selfconfidence in kids and encourage them to develop their own ideas about issues about the world around them. Parents can support their children’s journey to becoming critical thinkers by intentionally challenging them by asking questions, inviting curiosity, and exposing them to new experiences and different viewpoints.

At School Is Easy, we come alongside students and their families to help foster learning and development. We value critical thinking skills and offer a variety of supports that can help your child becom e a critical thinking ninja, such as our English tutoring. Language is a vital way that we express ourselves and think about the world. The stronger a child’s language skills are, the better they will be able to understand the ideas and information being presented to them.

School is Easy Tutoring Tri-Cities/Surrey 604-439-1790 Richmond/Vancouver 604-283-9914 Burnaby/North Shore 604-900-1604 schooliseasy.com In-home and online tutoring that provides carefully screened, qualified tutors in all subjects: Grades 1–12, ESL (all levels), Special Ed (Autism/ ADHD), Study Skills, Gifted programs, Math, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Socials, History, English and French immersion. Call for a free consultation. They will create a learning plan and set goals for each student.

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Visit vch.ca/onyourmind

604-566-7836 www.visst.ca

VISST is Vancouver’s first & only dedicated STEM high school. We offer the full B.C. curriculum with enriched Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Our small class sizes allow students to receive individual attention and build strong connections with our outstanding teachers, who support their growth over 5 years.

Independent and Private School Guide SCHOOL NAME Alcuin College

200 – 1046 St Georges, North Vancouver, BC V7L 3H6; 604/360-8656; alcuin.ca

Alexander Academy

400 – 570 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1Y1; 604/687-8832; alexanderacademy.ca

British Columbia Christian Academy

1019 Fernwood Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 5A8; 604/941-8426; bcchristianacademy.ca

Bodwell High School and Bodwell Academy

955 Harbourside Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3S4; 604/924-5056; bodwell.edu

Brockton School

3467 Duval Rd., North Vancouver, BC V7J 3E8; 604/929-9201; brocktonschool.com

Children’s Hearing & Speech Centre of BC

3575 Kaslo St., Vancouver, BC V5M 3H4; 604/437-0255; childrenshearing.ca

Choice School

20451 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V5M 3H4; 604/273-2418; choiceschool.org

Collingwood School

70 Morven Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7S 1B2; 604/925-3331; collingwood.org

Cousteau, l’Ecole Française Internationale de Vancouver

3657 Fromme Rd., North Vancouver, BC; 604/924-2457; cousteauschool.org

GRADES

CLASS SIZE

ENROLLMENT

K–12

15

120

10–12

16–20

140

JK–12

20–26

495

8–12

17

Day: 200 Boarding: 160 Total: 360

JK–12

16–20

350

PS–2

6–8

28

K–8

4-16

45

JK–12

15–20

1250

PS–9

16–18

200

bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 13

Independent and Private School Guide SCHOOL NAME Crofton House

3200 West 41st Ave., Vancouver, BC V6N 3E1; 604/263-3255; croftonhouse.ca

Eaton Arrowsmith

213 – 2150 Western Parkway, UBC, Vancouver, V6T 1V6; 604/264-8327, eatonarrowsmith.com

Fraser Academy

2294 W. 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC; 604/736-5575; fraseracademy.ca

Fraser Valley School

19533 64th Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3S 4J3, Langley, BC; 604/427-2282; fves.bc.ca

GRADES

CLASS SIZE

ENROLLMENT

JK–12

18–20

910

2–young adult

10–12

195

1–12

10 max.

260

K–9

16–22

331

K–5

10

13

6–9

17

70

HongDe School

100 – 688 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1P1; 604/416-0386; hongdeschool.ca HongDe Elementary School is a BC Independent Ministry of Education certified not-for-profit Kindergarten-Grade 5 school. HongDe Elementary School uses the BC Curriculum to provide a Mandarin (40%) / English (60%) Bilingual Program. The school’s mission is to foster students’ love for learning about traditional Chinese and Western cultural values, in addition to promoting virtues, or character strengths considered important in society.

Island Pacific School

671 Carter Road, Bowen Island, BC; 604/947-9311; islandpacific org

James Cameron School

20245 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3C9; 604/465-8444 or 604/465-4561; jcs.bc.ca

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School

420 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver, BC; 604/985-5224; kgms.ca

Little Flower Academy

4195 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6 604/738-9016; lfabc.org

Madrona Independent School

2064 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver; 604/499-7303; madronaschool.com

Mia Montessori Academy

Richmond, BC; 604/726-8428; mia-montessori.com

Meadow Montessori Elementary & Preschool 11391 Dartford Street, Maple Ridge, BC 604/465-3492; meadowmontessori.ca

Meadowridge School

12224 – 240th Street, Maple Ridge, BC; 604/467-4444; meadowridge.bc.ca

14 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

2–7 K–12

50 18

8-12

173

480

K–9

8–10

70

PS–7

24

55

PS–7

10-15

68

JK–12

20

650

Independent and Private School Guide SCHOOL NAME Mulgrave School

2330 Cypress Bowl Lane, West Vancouver, BC 604/922-3223; mulgrave.com Mulgrave is a gender inclusive, secular IB World School. As an independent day school with a reputation for academic excellence and for providing a broad, holistic education, we offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum to students from preschool to Grade 12 in a spectacular West Vancouver setting.

GRADES

CLASS SIZE

ENROLLMENT

PS–12

16–20

1025

PS–7

varies

80

K–12

16

90

8–12

10–15

160

K–12

15

45

North Star Montessori

1325 East Keith Road, North Vancouver, BC 604/980-1205; northstarmontessori.ca North Star offers Montessori programs for Infants & oddlers, Preschool & Elementary aged children. Committed to meeting the developmental needs of each child, we foster a love of learning, independence, and respect. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire an intrinsic motivation to ‘learn’ and ‘do’ that students carry with them throughout their lives.

Pacific Spirit School

4196 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC; 604/222-1900; pacificspiritschool org

Pattison High School

981 Nelson Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 3B6; 604/608-8788; pattisonhighschool.ca

Pear Tree School

215 – 2678 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G3 604/355-2155, peartree.school At Pear Tree School, our Why is to guide children in discovering their true calling and developing a deep sense of purpose, empowering them to leave a meaningful legacy that positively impacts the lives of others.

Promoting Virtue Through Learning Traditional Culture

Enroll Today!

Mandarin/English Bilingual Program

+1 604-416-0386 HongdeSchool.ca #100-688 West Hastings St., Vancouver bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 15

Independent and Private School Guide SCHOOL NAME Pythagoras Academy

8671 Odlin Crescent, Richmond, BC V6X 1G1; 604/370-0199; pythagorasacademy.ca

Diamond School

18620 Highway 10, Surrey, BC V3S 1G1 604/574-4736; diamondschool.ca

Richmond Jewish Day School

8760 No. 5 Rd., Richmond, BC; 604/275-3393; rjds.ca

St. George’s School

4175 West 29th Ave., Vancouver, BC; 604/221-3890; stgeorges.bc.ca

St. John’s School

2215 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 2J1; 604/732-4434 or 604/629-2458; sjs.ca

St. John’s Academy

369 Boundary Rd, Vancouver BC V5K 4S1; 604/683-4572; sjavan.ca

St. Mary’s School

5239 Joyce Street, Vancouver, BC V5R 4G8; 604/437-1312; bkrivuzoff@stmar .bc.ca

GRADES

CLASS SIZE

ENROLLMENT

JK–8

8–15

225

K–12

K–7

15–20

K–12

20–30

Day: 1040 Boarding: 120

JK–12

14–22

554

8–12

8

100

K–7

25

306

K–5

15

30

K–12

n/a

1500–2500

K–12

16–24

663

K–12

16–24

674

K–12

16–22

545

K–12

20–24

185

JK–12

16–20

400

K–12

30

1,088

7–12

12

15

PS–7

12

PK–7

20–25

250

1–7

18–22

500

PS–12

20–30

300

Saplings Nature School

1390 W. 22nd Street, North Vancouver, BC, V7P 2G4 778/838-0335; saplingsnatureschool.ca Saplings Nature School on Vancouver’s North Shore fosters students’ intimate daily interactions with the natural world combined with the full BC curriculum. Indoor and outdoor classrooms embed hands-on experiences suffused with observations, inquir , critical thought, and active citizenship. Saplings supports students in developing meaningful and life-long relationships with the earth, themselves, and those around them and aims to grow with students throughout their school years.

SelfDesign Learning Community – Distributed Learning School

PO Box 74560, Kitsilano RPO, Vancouver, BC; 1 (877) 353-3374 (1-87-SELFDESIGN); selfdesign.org

Southpointe Academy

1900 – 56th Street, Tsawwassen, BC; 604/948-8826; southpointe.ca

Southridge School

2656 160th Street, South Surrey, BC V3S 0B7; 604/535-5056; southridge.bc.ca

Stratford Hall

3000 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC; 604/436-0608; stratfordhall.ca

Traditional Learning Academy

1189 Rochester Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 2X3;; 604/931-7265 traditionallearning.com

Urban Academy

466 Rousseau Street, New Westminster, BC, V3L 3R3; 604/524-2211; urbanacademy.ca

Vancouver College

5401 Hudson Street, Vancouver, V6M 0C5 BC; 604/261-4285; vancouvercollege.ca

Vancouver Formosa Academy

5621 Killarney Street, Vancouver, BC V5R 3W4; 604/436-2332; vfa.bc.ca

Vancouver Hebrew Academy

1545 W. 62nd Ave, Vancouver, BC; 604/266-1245; vhebrewacademy.com

Vancouver Montessori School

8650 Barnard Street, Vancouver, BC; 604/261-0315; vancouvermontessorischool.com

Vancouver Talmud Torah

998 West 26th Ave., Vancouver, BC; 604/736-7307; talmudtorah.com

Vancouver Waldorf School

2725 St Christophers Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2B6; 604/985-7435; vancouverwaldorfschool.ca

16 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

Independent and Private School Guide SCHOOL NAME

GRADES

CLASS SIZE

ENROLLMENT

8–11

15–20

60

JK–12

22

940

K–7

18 (max)

144

PS–7

20

95

JK–12

16–20

656

VISST – Vancouver Independent School For Science & Technology

#200 - 1490 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4E8 604-566-7836; visst.ca VISST is Vancouver’s first and only dedicated, non-profit TEM high school.

Covering the full BC curriculum and beyond with enriched and accelerated content, top teachers, smaller class sizes, and project-based learning that supports strong student portfolios for use after graduation.

West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue Vancouver, BC; 604/222-8750; wpga.ca

Westside Montessori Academy (WMA)

5550 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC 604/434-9611; westsidemontessoriacademy.ca WMA’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive educational environment that nurtures every child’s natural curiosity for learning. We are committed to providing the tools, the guides, and the prepared environment to allow each child to reach their potential both socially and academically.

Westside Montessori School (WMS)

4157 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N1 3396 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, ​V5Z 2W5; 604/731-6594; westsidemontessori.ca

York House School

4176 Alexandra St., Vancouver, BC; 3274 East Boulevard, Vancouver, BC; 604/736-6551; yorkhouse.ca

bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 17

November 30, 2023

OPEN HOUSE

Grades K-7

5550 FRASER STREET VANCOUVER

BEAUTIFUL NEW LOCATION SAME LOVE OF LEARNING

Westside Montessori Academy

• low student-teacher ratios

• focus on the whole child

• dedicated, longtime staff

• spacious K-7 classrooms

• after-school clubs

• committed, caring families

• multi-age groupings

• nonprofit business model

• child-centered building

• custom-designed facilities

• competitive fees

• a welcoming community

visit our community of families and educators to see what makes us special

Westside Montessori Academy is a registered nonprofit society.

We have been in operation in East Vancouver since 2008.

FRASER STREET

sign up for our Nov. 30 th open house at www.WestsideMontessoriAcademy.ca

41 AVENUE

★

school design

info@WestsideMontessoriAcademy.ca

604-434-9611

www.WestsideMontessoriAcademy.ca

How important is play in the development of our youngest learners?

By Lorrie Holmes

W

e recently spoke with three child development experts about the importance of play in the development of young children. We began with renowned counsellor, scientist and storyteller, Dr. Deborah MacNamara, followed by early childhood education college instructors, Candiss Brown and Nika Jibrael. According to all three, play is where it all begins.

ment, warmth, and delight. The more deeply attached a child is to their adults, the more rest they experience which further promotes healthy growth and development.

BCP: Can you tell me how children learn through play?

Dr. MacNamara: Play works to network a child’s brain in an organic way and helps transform their understanding of the world and their role in it. Play should feel like a safe

BC Parent (BCP): Why is play so important to

the development of young children?

Dr. MacNamara: The research on the science of play finds there are three key areas it serves when it comes to a child’s development. Play is central to overall brain integration, with motor and sensory systems networking with language and emotional centres. In play a child’s sense of agency is enhanced as they explore and make sense of their world, developing as a separate self in the process. The discovery of personal preferences, wants, wishes and desires is based upon this type of examination of the world, up close and personal.

Play also serves emotional development as it allows for the release of emotions without repercussion to relationships. One of the key characteristics of play is that it is not real, so consequences and outcomes don’t apply when they express their stories and ideas (or it shouldn’t anyways). The brain doesn’t differentiate emotional expression that is based on real life events versus imaginary ones, allowing the brain to develop a pattern of emotional response to stimuli. Play also supports attachment between parents/teacher and their kids or siblings/friends, as they share enjoy-

Measuring learning outcomes explicitly, evaluating, and forcing work activities on a young child is likely to court frustration as their brains are only built for play.

space allowing the child to make connections because there are no emotional problems to solve such as separation anxiety and holding onto a loved one. Given the lack of pressure on outcomes, worksheets or being evaluated while in play, more of the child’s attention can go to solving problems and making sense of things, which then helps the child retain what they have explored. Children are natural scientists and when they don’t feel coerced, their emotions are more at rest and able to be used for the purpose of learning.

BCP: Do you feel this is the most effective way to teach young children?

Dr. MacNamara: Play is the most effective way to harness the learning capacity of a young

child. The reason is that the centres of the brain responsible for the delay of gratification, which is an essential element of work, are not developed until between the ages of 5 to 7 years of age, or 7 to 9 years for a highly sensitive child. Measuring learning outcomes explicitly, evaluating, and forcing work activities on a young child is likely to court frustration as their brains are only built for play.

Without the capacity to delay gratification, they are only engaged by what is happening in the moment and this provides intrinsic enjoyment. The more they don’t ‘have to do something,’ the more they have the freedom to engage in activities based on their own will, making play a more effective medium to learn in.

BCP: Can play be used at all ages and stages of child development?

Dr. MacNamara: Play can be used at any age to support learning. The more we are at play, the more our attention can be directed towards putting things together in novel ways. Having an outcome or being evaluated constrains attention and focuses us towards explicit outcomes. Play is the birthplace of creativity, innovation and this can be harnessed across the life span and used in varying contexts.

Dr. Deborah MacNamara is a counsellor and scientist; storyteller and teacher; guide and Mother. She makes sense of kids for adults who care for them believing this to be the path for transforming families and communities, society, and our world as a whole. Learn more about her resources and booking her to speak at your event at www.macnamara.ca

bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 19

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How important is play in the development of our youngest learners?

Next, we talked to Candiss Brown, E.C.E. Instructor and Practicum Supervisor of Sprott Shaw College.

BC Parent (BCP): Why is play so important to the development of young children?

Candiss: Play is how children learn. Playing and absorbing information through their senses is vital for healthy development.

BCP: Can you tell me how children learn through play?

Candiss: They learn through their sight, touch smell, hearing and there are even more senses that Maria Montessori wrote about. There is kinesthetic or muscular sense, baric or weight, thermic or temperature, and stereo­gnostic which is the absence of the other senses—this is where a mystery bag and blindfold would be used.

BCP: Do you feel this is the most effective way to teach young children?

Candiss: Play is truly the best way for children to learn, it’s in our DNA to play as a child.

BCP: Can play be used in other curriculums?

Candiss: Play can be used in other curriculums. It is part of a child; it is who they are.

If a child is not playing, they are not learning.

They play in a Montessori classroom and they play in a Reggio classroom. Inquiry-based learning is following the child’s play and being a detective who listens for clues to children’s interests and then plans play opportunities based on those. So, if a child sees a ladybug in a playground and asks a teacher what it is, the teacher then can plan a lesson all about ladybugs. There could be a science experiment about why ladybugs have spots, an art experience where the children can create their own ladybug, a sensory bin with little and large ladybugs with leaves, sticks etc.

BCP: Can you give me some examples of how you would use play in curriculum development in early childhood education?

Candiss: There are many opportunities to develop curriculum through play. In a playbased classroom there are areas that can be prepared to focus on a specific topic. Let’s take the ladybug example: Science Area: Provide all types and sizes of ladybugs with magnifying glass to observe closely, a clipboard with paper and pencil for the child to draw or write things about ladybugs.

Art Area: Explore lots of red and black paper and loose parts to create their own ladybug.

Block Area: Play with plastic bugs and include pictures of bug homes or nests.

Book Corner: Provide plenty of books about ladybugs like The very Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.

Dramatic Play Area: Include costumes to dress up like a ladybug and other bugs.

Snack Time: Create edible ladybugs by using a strawberry, blueberry and some chocolate sauce: view this recipe here: https://thesoccer momblog.com/fruit-ladybugs/ Next Nika Jibrael, E.C.E. Instructor, Founder of Educator Connect & Language Arts Early Learning Private Pre-Kindergarten, added to our conversation.

BC Parent (BCP): Why is play so important to the development of young children?

Nika: We have to think about play as intellect.

When children are playing they are building intellect. Each time a child interacts through play, they are creating and strengthening neural pathways in the brain. This is why educational pedagogy is changing because we understand that play is integral in building intellect in cognitive, social, emotional, physical and language development.

BCP: Can you tell me how children learn through play?

Nika: We often forget that children are new to the world! When children are playing (building intellect) they are doing a multitude of things. They are discovering, investigating, challenging prior knowledge, building their confidence, self-esteem, resilience and positive feelings towards learning, all essential skills.

Through play, the brain is creating a network of knowledge, learning how to problem solve, think critically, and creatively. Through play, children are building a strong base for future success.

BCP: Do you feel this is the most effective way to teach young children? How about inquiry based learning?

Nika: If a child is actively involved in their learning then it becomes meaningful. When it’s meaningful the child is engaged and connected to the moment. Brain work is happening here!

With inquiry-based learning children have the opportunity to actively engage in meaningful learning by being curious, asking questions and thinking about things that they are discovering. Inquiry-based learning gives

the educator the ability to scaffold, instigate thought processes, provoke new ideas, extend learning to other developmental domains and initiate discussion and problem solving.

To inquire is to gather more intellect and at a time where the brain is so receptive an inquiry-based curriculum can provide an excellent framework to support early learning and development.

BCP: Where should play be prioritized in early learning curriculums?

Nika: Play is at the heart of most curriculums. It is how the curriculum is implemented and how the environment is set up and incorporated.

This also depends on the educators experience and their personal teaching philosophy. This is why it is really important for educators to find programs that meet their teaching style and help them grow as a teacher. Centers also need to consider how well the teacher will be able to execute their program based on their program goals. Continuous reflection is required because as the educators’ experience increases they begin to develop a more enriched perception of how children play and learn and what exactly their role is in the learning process.

BCP: Can you give me some examples of how you would use play in curriculum development in early childhood education?

Nika: Environment and classroom layout is really important. The classroom should be built around Learning Centers, for example a Music Center, Art Center, Reading Center, STEM Center. When children enter the space it feels like a magical garden of exploration.

The brain is stimulated and engaged, building its strong and healthy framework. Children take lead and explore, discover and thrive.

This is play.

WestPoint PointGrey Grey Licensed Licensed Preschool West Preschool at (30Months—5 Months–5Years) Years) atAberthau Aberthau (30

Spotsavailable availablefor forthe the2023–2024 2019-2020 school school year Spots year 4397 West2nd 2ndAve. Ave.Vancouver Vancouver 604.257.8140 604.257.8140 4397 West www.westpointgrey.org www.westpointgrey.org @westpointgreycc @westpointgreycc

bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 21

Guide to

Casa dei Bambini – Westside Montessori Academy (WMA) 5550 Fraser Street, Vancouver (NEW ADDRESS) 604/434-961 westsidemontessoriacademy.ca Ages 3–5 yrs WMA’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive educational environment that nurtures every child’s natural curiosity for learning. We are committed to providing the tools, the guides and the prepared environment to allow each child to reach their potential, both socially and academically.

North Star Montessori North Vancouver, 604/980-1205 northstarmontessori.ca Ages 0–6 yrs

North Star offers Montessori programs for Infants & Toddlers, Preschool & Elementary aged children.

Committed to meeting the developmental needs of each child, we foster a love of learning, independence, and respect. Practical experiences build confidence and inspire an intrinsic motivation to ‘learn’ and ‘do’ that students carry with them throughout their lives.

Rothewood Academy Richmond, South Surrey, White Rock 604/279-1818 rothewood.com Ages 1–5 yrs The Rothewood Educational Method is dedicated to teaching the whole child – head, hands, and heart.

Our holistic approach to early learning is what makes Rothewood unique. Visit us today at rothewood.com for more information.

Saplings Outdoor Program 1380 West 22nd Street, North Vancouver 778/838-0355 saplingsoutdoorprogram.ca Ages 0–6 years Saplings Outdoor Program provides an educational experience that connects children with the natural world, fostering respect, curiosity, and creativity.

Through holistic, experiential and inquiry-based learning, our approach nurtures children’s whole selves, developing their minds, bodies, and spirits.

West Point Grey Preschool Vancouver, 604/257-8140 westpointgrey.org/programs/licensed-preschool [westpointgrey.org] Ages 30 months to 5 yrs West Point Grey licensed preschool at Aberthau offers care for children 30 months to 5 years old in a learning through play environment. Uniquely located in a mansion with large outdoor space this preschool is a hidden gem on the west side of Vancouver.

Guide to

Music Education Colourstrings Conservatory of Music 129 East 8th Ave, Vancouver colourstrings.ca Music & Movement Group Embark on a lifelong musical journey at Colourstrings Conservatory of Music. Explore Joyful Music & Movement Group Classes (3 months to 6 yrs) and unlock your musical potential with expert instrumental and choir lessons for 5 yrs to adult. Visit us at colourstrings.ca or 129 East 8th Ave, Vancouver.

Lights Up Musical Theatre Locations throughout the Lower Mainland. lightsuptheatre.ca Classes (3-18yrs) At Lights Up Musical Theatre, we see music as a key to unlocking the power of a child’s creativity – and once that door is open, a world of possibilities is in reach. Music is a language that speaks to the soul, a medium through which emotions are expressed and a gateway to imagination.

Evergreen Cultural Centre 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam evergreenculturalcentre.ca 2023–24 Season of Events We believe that access to the arts is the foundation for healthy kids and a vibrant community. Join us for a show and explore music in a welcoming, accessible space! Our dedicated Family Series features special $10/ person, pay-more-if-you-can admission to help more families experience the arts together, close to home.

Long & McQuade Music Lesson Centres long-mcquade.com/lessons All ages Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Courtenay, Kamloops, Langley, Nanaimo, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, White Rock With 15 locations across British Columbia, visit our website to find the store nearest you. We offer private one-on-one lessons custom-tailored to the needs and goals of the individual student. Our students range from children just beginning their journey in music, to seniors who enjoy music as a hobby. Lessons for every age, level, and style.

Gateway Academy 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond gatewaytheatre.com/youth-academy/ At Gateway Academy, we believe music helps our students, ages 6–18, develop self-expression, grow in confidence and gain an understanding of themselves and others. Working together in song and dance, our Musical Theatre students learn to tell their own stories through movement and the expression of music and lyrics.

22 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

North Shore Music Together Locations in Lynn Valley, Edgemont & Coquitlam northshoremusictogether.com Early Childhood Music & Movement Program (newborn to 5 years with caregiver) Music Together® is a joyful music and movement class

for newborn to 5 years that is loved by families around the world! Research-based program includes singing, dancing, drumming and playing instruments. Classes include take-home music and illustrated songbooks.

Place des Arts 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam placedesarts.ca Classes (6 months to 18 years) Place des Arts music programs offer a warm, friendly learning environment where experienced instructors teach a variety of instruments and styles. Over 40 faculty members offer group classes and private lessons to accommodate a variety of schedules.

Surrey SPARK Stages Surrey Arts Centre,13760 88 Ave, Surrey surrey.ca/spark Performing Arts for Kids (ages 0–12) Surrey SPARK Stages presents quality performing arts experiences for children and families to share. From year-round shows to our annual three-day celebration in May, SPARK introduces kids to the magic of the performing arts! See what’s on at surrey.ca/spark.

Can all kids become musical?

And how can we best support them to develop these skills?

By Lorrie Holmes

A

s each child is unique, exposing them to explore many genres of music and types of instruments in their early years can play an instrumental role in sparking a connection to music for them. We have had the pleasure of speaking with two authorities on the subject of how to best provide your children with opportunities to connect with music—Expressive Arts Therapist and Director of North Shore Music Together, Heidi McCurdy, and Regional Lessons Manager of Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Doug Beer.

BC Parent (BCP): Can you tell me how you

approach teaching children music?

Heidi: My approach to teaching music to chil-

dren is open-ended, playful, and creative. I believe that we are all born with the gift of music, and it needs to be encouraged in a safe space—and the earlier we can start, the better!

When children are offered a non-judgmental, playful space to experience music-making and explore participating in their own way, it helps develop their innate skills. This is how

children all over the world learn to sing, dance and drum. They develop rhythm by observing people in their family and community dancing and drumming to the beat, and having opportunities to try joining in. They develop the ability to sing in tune when their loved ones sing to them and with them, and by having a lot of exposure to music-making over time. It’s very similar to how children learn language.

From my perspective, it is also important to include opportunities to create original music rather than only copying the teacher or learning songs that already exist. Encouraging people to improvise and make up their own tunes, patterns, and sounds expands their confidence, offers a means of healthy selfexpression, and helps them to learn to value their own voice as they grow.

BCP: Where do you start—do you start with the connection between the child and the music?

Heidi: Our body is our first and primary instrument. We experience music through our ears (hearing the sounds), eyes (observing

how it is made and seeing the beat), bodies (moving to the music and feeling how it affects us), and our hearts (the emotions that music stirs up and helps us to express).

So all positive experiences with music—listening to meaningful albums, watching live concerts, having caregivers sing lullabies and silly songs—are a valuable part of music education. These ways of enjoying music foster that personal connection and appreciation, and allow us to understand internally how music works.

For children to discover and develop their own music-making abilities, we really want to give them fun experiences where they can participate by singing and dancing along in their own way. So we start with the primary instrument—the body—with playful singing and dancing. All other musical skills that develop later on, need to be rooted in that primary awareness of how music is made.

BCP: Can you explain how this works as an expressive art therapist and how much fits into this?

Heidi: One of the principles of expressive bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 23

Can all kids become musical? arts therapy that really resonates with me is that we all have an innate drive that leads us towards happiness, wholeness and fulfillment (called “self-actualization” in psychology terms.) I often call this sense our “inner wisdom.” This inner wisdom is activated when we listen to our heart and express ourselves creatively—especially when we express ourselves in ways that feel good, rather than trying to impress others.

BCP: How natural is creative expression for children—is this innate in them from birth?

Heidi: Creative expression is very natural for children but it can be oppressed in so many ways by well-meaning people who only know what they’ve been taught. Lots of people have the belief that someone is either born with or without a singing voice, or talent as a painter, the ability to dance, or write beautiful poetry. Certainly some things come easier to some than others, but the skills of creative expression through different art forms can be learned (through safe exploratory spaces as noted above). Sadly, many are shut down at a young age by caregivers who tell them

they are not “good enough.” These negative voices become internalized as the inner critic, and show up as blocks in many areas of life.

When people grow up ashamed or embarrassed about their voice for example, they stop singing, and often feel like they are missing

The important thing is to never, ever shut down or discourage children from singing and exploring music and the arts.

a genuine part of themselves. Expressive arts therapy helps people to reconnect with their inner child—their sense of self that is able to play and explore and create without worrying what others think. They then feel more able to express their emotions, have true self-esteem, and reach their potential.

Music also has many other therapeutic benefits that humans have known about for thou-

With 15 locations across British Columbia.

Visit our website to find the location nearest you!

sands of years, and scientists are just catching up. Participating in music through singing and drumming has been shown to increase health, reduce pain, improve depression and anxiety, and generally enhance quality of life and well-being. Creating music in group settings also promotes a sense of connection and belonging, which are vital for a healthy world.

Imagine a world where all children (and adults) are encouraged to be musical and express their beautiful voices and creativity!

Everyone would be emotionally and physically healthier and happier. They would feel more connected, valued, resilient and confident. Expressive arts would be a normal part of life, and we wouldn’t collectively need as much therapy.

The important thing is to never, ever shut down or discourage children from singing and exploring music and the arts. Encouraging them helps them to learn how to make themselves happy and calm through creative expression. These are life skills that will support them their whole lives.

Continued on page 26

ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS Music & Movement 0–6 years Choir 5.5–12 years Instrumental 5.5 to adult

24 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

WINTER CLASSES SIGN UP NOW!

Performing Arts for Kids

little moments, big memories

Experiences the whole family can share.

See what’s on at surrey.ca/spark

Sing, Dance, Act, Shine!

Classes and Camps for 3yrs and up

1-888-502-5253 lightsuptheatre.ca

Calling all educators!

Join us for a School Field Trip!

Led by our knowledgable art educators, our exciting visual and performing arts workshops will have your students sculpting, weaving, acting, singing, dancing and more!

Scan the QR code to visit our website to view our current workshops & register online!

www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca/educate Box office: 604.927.6555 @evergreenarts | @artgalleryevergreen Visit us: 1205 Pinetree Way, coquitlam BC | Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station

Can all kids become musical?

Heidi McCurdy is a singer, songwriter, sound healer, voice coach and Expressive Arts Therapist. She helps others to free their voice, and bring the healing joys of music into their daily life. She also runs North Shore Music Together family classes for 0–5. Learn more about Heidi’s expressive arts and voice coaching here: www.heidimccurdy.com.

One of the best places to start is the instrument the child expresses the most interest in.

Connecting the Child to their Instrument of Choice

So, where do we begin to support our kiddos and their connections to their musical instrument(s) of choice? There are many factors to consider including budget, and fitting another activity and practice time into an already busy schedule.

According to Doug Beer, Regional Lessons Manager of Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, “We often will be asked the question, what instrument should we start with? There really is no one correct answer to this, and there are various factors involved in deciding.One of the best places to start is the instrument the child expresses the most interest in. The genre of music they find most appealing can also play a part. And of course, physical size of both the child and the instrument need to be taken into consideration. It would be almost impossible for a 5-year-old to try to hold, or have the developed breath and diaphragm control needed, to play a tuba!

There are always exceptions to every rule, but size definitely plays a determining factor. A variety of instruments are available in fractionable sizes to better accommodate different physical needs.

26 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

Some examples of these include violins, guitars, and drum sets. If a young child shows a definite interest in the violin, we can make that happen! Keyboards could potentially be an optional starting point for those without the space, or budget for a piano, however, getting fingers onto weighted, full-size keys is also important for proper technical development.”

Doug continues with, “If a young child has been exposed to a number of different instruments, either via video, or live performances, they may have a genuine interest in an instrument they have heard or seen. Perhaps a child is not really sure of the instrument they would like to learn. This is perfectly normal as well.

We do not need to make a lifetime choice for them. Most instruments can be rented short term, or on a monthly or yearly basis

so you can have your child try a number of different instruments to help discover where their connection really lies, without making a big commitment.

Piano is always a great choice as a beginner instrument as we learn the basics of melody and harmony, and can be a great jumping off point to another instrument if interests change.”

Doug Beer is the Lessons Regional Manager for Long & McQuade Western Canada and as such he works to ensure that every L&M lesson centre from Manitoba to BC provides a fun and professional learning experience for all students. His past includes being both a full time music instructor and L&M Lesson Centre Coordinator, granting him the knowledge required for this unique position.

Overwhelmed and receiving little support?

Have you considered applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)?

T.J. Firenze

A

s parents, it is our innate nature to do all we can to support and nurture our children’s development. There are so many stresses, hurdles, and concerns.

Parents with children with disabilities or medical conditions have overwhelming pressure, both emotionally and financially, as they struggle to find support and put in place early interventions.

Getting access to testing, assessments, and therapies takes years to navigate and at every turn the costs take your breath away–everything costs money. In the endless search for resources, don’t overlook the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)—it is a federal benefit that opens the doors to several monetary benefits.

Most families’ budgets are stretched so that recommended support services are often out of reach or delayed. Accessing the DTC helps put money back into the family’s pocket, opening doors to making decisions that positively and directly affect their children. Imagine being able to afford to skip the lengthy waitlist and get a child tested privately, actively look for a tutor or occupational therapist, and help set them up for their future. Families are needing relief and validation! The DTC is not necessarily a forever benefit, but a benefit that can help individuals right now is just as important. The federal government has this benefit available for those who are approved.

Who should think about applying?

Any Canadian, young or old who has a disability or a medical condition that affects their daily life can apply. Whether it is a physical disability or a mental disability, individuals who have difficulty with vision, hearing, speaking, walking, eliminating, feeding, dressing, and mental functions necessary for everyday life are all eligible in the eyes of the CRA. Navigating around the word disabil-

Navigating around the word disability is often the first hurdle and can be very difficult for many.

How does your child compare to their peers? Do they require extra parent or teacher support? Does it take them longer to complete the same task as their peers? Do they struggle with self-regulation? This is not only about highlighting what your child can’t do, this is about acknowledging the extra steps, time, or care your child requires in order to achieve the same things as their peers.

Is a diagnosis needed to apply?

No, a diagnosis is not necessarily needed to apply for the Disability Tax Credit. You don’t need to wait for an assessment or diagnosis before applying. A diagnosis is helpful, but the daily struggles are the same regardless of if it is diagnosed or not.

What are the benefits of applying for the Disability Tax Credit?

ity is often the first hurdle and can be very difficult for many. Our language, and preexisting biases around many struggles skews our perception of what most consider to be, a ‘disability’. When we are thinking about children, we often don’t categorize struggles like dyslexia, ADHD, ODD, anxiety, sensory processing under the term of disability, but for the Disability Tax Credit it encompasses everything that affects an individual’s everyday life when comparing them to their peers.

There are several very beneficial reasons to apply. An approval grants you the ability to apply the DTC to your personal yearly income tax filing, therefore reducing the amount of income tax due. It typically is approximately $1500–2000/year. The unbelievable part is not only is the credit for current and future years, but the opportunity to go back up to 10 years and receive those credits back as a lump sum refund!

In addition, an approval opens the door to receiving the Canada Child Disability Benbcparent.ca • education issue 2023 27

Overwhelmed and receiving little support? efit (CDB). The CDB is a tax-free monthly payment for approved children under the age of 18. This amount is added to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) that the family receives monthly. This benefit can also go back retroactively for all applicable years, up to a maximum of 10 years.

Lastly, when approved for the DTC, you will be able to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). This is an incredible option for those wanting to save for their loved ones, this is a long-term savings plan with generous matched contributions from the federal government by way of bonds and grants.

How do you apply?

Most individuals find the task of applying overwhelming. Form T2201, is a whopping 16 pages, and it is generic for all disabilities.

When first reading through it most individuals and doctors assume you must be severely disabled, and that you must qualify in several areas to get an approval, this is simply not true.

3 Benefits to applying and receiving a DTC approval.

1. Annual Tax Credit 2. Annual Child Disability Benefi 3. Opportunity to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan

Many doctors have not had success with the application, therefore often do not suggest applying. If you google DTC assistance, you will find many companies that provide support across the country. Taking steps to apply for this program is worth the effort and will help to alleviate some of the financial challenges you face raising a child with a disability T.J. Firenze is a BC mother of 3 teenagers.

She has successfully supported Canadians since 2017 in applying for the Disability Tax Credit. Her passion project of DTC Advocates

Some common disabilities in children that can qualify: Autism Anxiety Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorde Depression Development Coordination Disorder Dyslexia Dysgraphia Dyscalculia Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Learning Disabilities Oppositional Defiance Disorde Obsessive Compulsive Disorder PANDAS Sensory Processing Disorder Slow Processing Speech Delay Speech Impediment

(dtcadvocates.ca) is a generous giveback and there are no fees for the service she provides, the priority is to get money back into Canadian’s pockets.

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䌀䠀䤀䰀䐀刀䔀一ᤠ匀 䔀夀䔀 䔀堀䄀䴀匀 䴀夀伀倀䤀䄀 䌀伀一吀刀伀䰀 嘀䤀匀䤀伀一 吀䠀䔀刀䄀倀夀

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28 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

10 Tips to Keep You & Your Family Healthy This Winter

by Kimberly Blaker

T

he medical field has long known people are more prone to catching colds and the flu during the cold winter months.

Previously, scientists primarily attributed this to people living and breathing together in enclosed environments. But cold temperatures also make our immune system sluggish and prevent our bodies from fighting off infection, according to a 2015 PBS report, “Scientists Finally Prove Why Cold Weather Makes You Sick.” Since the COVID-19 pandemic, taking extra precautions during the winter to maintain health is incredibly vital.

Keep your home warm

Maintaining warmth is essential to ward off winter-related illnesses. So keep your home temperature comfortably warm by setting your thermostat between 68 and 75 °F. Optimum daytime temperatures for living areas are 70 to 72 °F. At night, set the thermostat just a couple of degrees cooler for your bedrooms. What’s comfortable varies from person to person. So if you feel cold at 72 °F, turn it up a notch or two. The idea is to remain comfortable.

Dress in layers

Layer your clothing, whether you’re at home or heading out. Wear a t-shirt or cami, long sleeve shirt or blouse, and a sweater over the top. This way, you can set your thermostat at a moderate temperature and peel off layers to maintain the perfect comfort level. Layers will also ensure you maintain comfort if you go out.

When you do leave the house, wear warm boots, gloves, and a hat even if you’ll be outside just briefly. We lose most of our body heat through the extremities. So it’s vital to keep those areas warm.

Eat healthily

A healthy diet is essential year-round. But during the cold winter months, certain foods are particularly beneficial to the immune system.

The much-criticized starchy potato is an excellent source of nutrition. It’s high in vitamins B6 and C, both of which boost immunity.

Collards, kale, and chard, among other dark leafy greens, are high in vitamins A, C, and K. Winter squash, including pumpkin, butternut, spaghetti, and acorn, is high in betacarotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, another vital source that boosts the immune system.

Several fruits are also particularly beneficial and protect against winter-related ailments.

Citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C. Kiwi packs even more of a ‘C’ punch than oranges. Other fruits that help keep your immune system strong include pomegranates, blueberries, cherries, and even bananas.

Drink plenty of water

Dehydration causes a host of health complications. Despite this, most people don’t drink nearly enough water. As a result, health experts say they’re in a state of chronic dehydration. According to the report “Prevalence

of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/ Ethnicity: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2012” half of all children are dehydrated.

So how much water should you drink each day? A commonly repeated recommendation is eight 8-ounce glasses per day. But why would a 100-pound inactive woman need the same intake as an active 220-pound man?

It turns out there’s a formula to determine how much water you should consume. Divide your weight (in pounds) by 2.2. Next, if you’re under 30, multiply by 40; between ages 30 to 55, multiply by 35; if older than 55, multiply by 30. Now divide your result by 28.3 for the number of ounces you should drink daily.

Divide this by 8 to determine the number of cups.

Wash your hands

One of the best ways to reduce the spread of germs is by washing your hands regularly.

This not only reduces the risk of transferring your bacteria to others. It reduces the chance that you’ll transfer bacteria to yourself.

When someone with a cold, the flu, or coronavirus touches a doorknob, handrail, gas pump, or other objects, their germs get transferred to the object. Bacteria can survive this way for several hours to days. If you come along and touch the germ-ridden object, the bacteria transfers to your hands. Then when you scratch your nose or grab a cookie to eat, you become infected.

So when you wash your hands, use soap bcparent.ca • education issue 2023 29

10 Tips to Keep You & Your Family Healthy This Winter and warm water. Rub between your fingers and underneath your fingernails. Then rinse your hands for 20 seconds and dry them thoroughly. In public restrooms, use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the restroom door after you’ve washed your hands.

Keep active

An active lifestyle is crucial to a healthy heart, lungs, and bones. But a moderately active lifestyle also improves your immune system, according to a 2010 study cited in “Exercise and Respiratory Tract Viral Infections.”

Prolonged intense exercise suppresses the immune system, however.

So the key is to exercise regularly but in moderation. Unless you’re trying out for the Olympics, a 20-mile run won’t likely serve you well. Instead, opt for a brisk walk for 30–60 minutes each day. If you want to do something more vigorous, do 20–30 minute runs or aerobic workouts 3 to 4 times a week with weight lifting in between.

30 bcparent.ca • education issue 2023

Avoid public places during outbreaks

If we learned anything during 2020, it’s important to avoid public places and to practise social distancing during a pandemic.

When you hear of the flu or virus outbreak in your area, stay home if possible. This will serve double-duty by keeping you out of the cold that makes you more susceptible. When you go out in public, wear a mask, and maintain at least 6 feet of distance.

Get vaccinated & take an antiviral medication

Start the season by getting up to date on your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. If you’re exposed to the flu, be proactive and nip it in the bud with a prescription for Relenza or Tamiflu. The only catch is there’s a short window of opportunity for these medications to be effective. These treatments must begin within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

So as soon as you feel signs of the flu coming on, call your doctor. If your doctor can’t see you right away, go to an urgent care.

Get a massage

According to a 2010 study for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Swedish massage increases lymphocytes, improving the immune system’s effectiveness. So now you have the perfect excuse to exchange massages with your partner to help stave off illness.

Get your z’s

When we sleep, our bodies release cytokines, which promote sleep. Specific cytokines also ward off infection. When we don’t get enough sleep, we’re deprived of the protective cytokines, leaving us more susceptible to infection.

Sleep requirements vary from person to person. But children should get at least ten hours of sleep each night. Teens require nine to ten hours and adults seven to eight.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online store, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first edtions and fine bindings at sagerarebooks.com

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