May 28, 2013

A GUIDE FOR

TODAY’S PARENTS

inside

• Join the Kerplunks at Filberg Park • Kids need nature • Hiring a babysitter

2013 Cover to cover on-line at comoxvalleyrecord.com

332-5th Street 250-338-1233

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CHILD’S PLAY

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

MAY IS CHILD CARE MONTH

The B.C. government has proclaimed May as Child Care Month to celebrate the work of thousands of caring and committed child-care operators and early childhood educators throughout the province.

Every day, child-care providers are helping chil-

dren climb on jungle gyms, introducing the joy of music through songs and reading children’s stories that pique young imaginations. Childcare providers offer babies, toddlers and children safe, high-quality care environments where they can learn through play.

Aboriginal child-care centres provide cultural programming — such as singing, drumming and language-learning opportunities — to help connect aboriginal children to their cultural roots.

The child-care and early learning system is actively

supporting parents of young children to work or go to school.

Parents can decide from a range of child-care options that meet their needs, including group child care (centre based), family child care (based in a family home), preschool, before- and

after-school care and care in their own home.

If you are a parent and you want to find available child care in your neighbourhood or you’d like more information on the childcare subsidy program, go to www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ parents.htm.

If you are a child-care operator and would like more information on funding and services offered through the government, go to www. mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/providers.htm.

— Ministry of Children and Family Development

Chimo Gymnastics Funded by the Government of BC

Enhancing Quality Child Care Call PacificCARE Child Care Resource & Referral

“The Valley’s Gymnastics Club”

PacificCARE assists parents in finding child care for children (newborn to 12 years of age) at no cost. Based on the parents’ specific needs, the computerized registry selects a list of providers for parents to choose from. In addition, parents have access to: • information and brochures pertinent to child development and child care selection • education opportunities such as workshops and printed information • information on child care subsidy and application forms • access to the Internet for a child care-related business

Are you someone who: • • • •

Loves children?

Is nurturing?

Is interested in starting a home-based business?

Is currently caring for children and would like some support?

We Offer: • • • • •

Support and Training Resources, Toys, Equipment and Theme Packs Access to enhance Child Care Subsidy payments Access to low-cost business liability insurance Referrals to parents who are looking for child care

PH: 1-888-480-CARE

www.pacific-care.bc.ca

Gymnastics Summer Camps!

Half day (3 years+) and full day (6 years+) camps available all summer long.

Spaces fill quickly – register NOW! Located at Comox Recreation Centre, 1855 Noel Ave., Comox For Detailed Info, See the “Comox Valley Recreation Reporter”

www.chimogymnastics.com

250-339-2255

child’s play

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • tuesday, may 28, 2013

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Join The Kerplunks for fun at Kids Day in the Park Record Staff Back by popular demand, The Kerplunks will take the stage at this year’s Kids Day in the Park.

The Kerplunks “have a very good reputation in the Valley,” says Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association volunteer co-ordinator Kirra Gullickson. “They’ve played at MusicFest before and people love them — and there was requests to have them back.”

Kids Day in the Park happens from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22 on the upper lawn of Filberg Park in Comox. The Kerplunks will perform their popular music show at 12:30 p.m. at the main stage, and they are excited to see their fans.

“The Comox Valley is one of our favourite places to perform on Vancouver Island,” say Dinah D (Big D) and Tina Jones (Madge).

“We are excited about rocking out with some of our little fans... and looking forward to meeting new fans too!”

POPULAR CHILDREN’S entertainers The Kerplunks will perform at this year’s Kids Day in the Park event Saturday, June 22 in Comox’s Filberg Park.

PHOTO SUBMITTED The Kerplunks also include Aaron Cadwaladr (Caddie) and Phil Wipper (Chillups). The group has been nominated for a Juno

Award for Children’s Album of the Year three times, and is known for its high-energy performances.

Kids Day in the Park will also

for Healthier Children NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN Thursday June 6, 7:00 pm Dr. Deidre Macdonald

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Learn about the safe, non-drug naturopathic approaches for: • Preventing colds & flus • Ear infections • Food allergies & digestive issues • Asthma, eczema & allergies • Learning disorders and ADHD • Nutrition for infants & children • The antibiotic dilemma

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Admission by donation for the Boys and Girls Club

wrtier@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Help create a caring community

NATURAL MEDICINE SEMINAR Crown Isle Clubhouse

feature door prizes, food, games, face painting and “lots of bubbles,” says Gullickson.

Admission is $5 per person, and

kids under two are free. Tickets can be picked up at Whale Tale Toys, Podlings and Planet Kids in Courtenay, or at Benino Gelato and Planet Kids in Comox.

Tickets are also available online at www.filberg.com or at the Filberg Heritage Lodge Gift Shop from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

Gullickson notes the event will help raise funds to care for the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park.

The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association is a non-profit organization in charge of taking care of the heritage building and grounds.

“So it’s half fundraising for us but also community support, you know, just supporting our family community,” she continues. “So we don’t want to make it very expensive; we want to make it so that everybody can come and just have a great time.”

For more information, visit www.filberg.com

Develop the skills for two career paths in one program: community support in the field of human services and education assistance in school classrooms.

Length: 10-month certificate Tuition: $3,045 approx

For a full list of programs, or to apply, visit www.nic.bc.ca or call 250-334-5000 today.

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child’s play

tuesday, may 28, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

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Kids learn best by being active outdoors, having fun and learning as they go

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SCD helps kids succeed

Lorraine Aitken

Special to the Record Liam is a curious, friendly four year old who loves to build with blocks and play with trucks in the sandbox.

At his preschool he is keen to play with other children but he has a hard time joining in to play. He misses the social cues that most children naturally learn through play and he has difficulty communicating due to a speech and language delay.

Fortunately there is help for children like Liam who require extra help to successfully participate in child care. The Supported Child Development program (SCD) at the Comox Valley Child Development Association (CVCDA) offers a range of supports for children attending child care.

Supports include consultation with the family to establish goals for their child. An SCD consultant works directly with the child-care staff to turn the goals into action, and to support the child to be fully included in all aspects of daily activities at the child care centre.

For example, the staff may need additional training or information. The child may need adult help to facilitate peer interactions, to ensure a smooth transition from one activity to the next, or to help with feeding, dressing or toileting.

SCD can arrange for extra staffing, if needed, and can also provide child specific equipment. A variety of specialized toys, equipment, books and videos may be loaned to care providers and to parents.

SCD supports families with children up to 12 years of age who have special needs such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy or communication delays. Supports are offered

LEARNING IN GROUPS can be hard for some children. The Comox Valley Child Development Association’s Supported Child Development program helps them succeed. in all types of child-care settings including group day care, family child care, preschool, after-school care or in-own-home care.

Referrals can come from child care staff, public health nurses, family doctors and parents themselves. There is no charge for the program which is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Kathy Yendall, manager of the Supported Child Development program, has been with CVCDA for 25 years.

“We work in collaboration with families to provide support for their child as well as accommodate the family’s needs,” she says. “It’s a family package.”

The SCD program is connected to more than 40 local child-care facilities and provides services to over 150 children each year.

Spring is a busy time as SCD consultants meet with parents and the school

district to plan a smooth transition for those children starting kindergarten in the fall. And SCD staff are looking ahead to summer as they plan for school-aged children who need supports while attending child-care programs during the summer months. School-aged child care is an invaluable resource over the summer for working families with children with special needs.

CVCDA provides services for children with developmental delays and disabilities including physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional and behavioural needs. Family-centred services include assessments and individualized supports and intervention. For more information visit the CVCDA website at www.cvcda.ca or call 250338-4288.

— Lorraine Aitken is executive director of the Comox Valley Child Development Association.

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

CHILD’S PLAY

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

Kids need nature The building blocks for developing responsible human beings are laid in the early years.

Sue Warren

high can I climb? Do I dare climb a little higher?

How will I By providget down? ing children a To learn love of nature about the and a respect natural for all living world, the things, by child must allowing them experiment to explore and with the to become environment involved with around them. their outside They are world, the keen to learn: more likely What does they are to it feel like to develop a run in the strong apprecisand? Can I ation for their roll on grass? environment.

What hapNature can pens when be appreciated I throw a wherever you stick into the are. Whether pond? What you live in a does mud feel city or in a like? rural commuAn essennity, observe tial task of birds nesting, development or dandelions is appreciatstruggling to ing how we grow through TO LEARN ABOUT the natural world kids must experiment fit into the the cracks of a with the environment around them.

PHOTO SUBMITTED natural order concrete paveof things — ment. animals, plants, the weather. We all need When you show your passion and sense a sense of belonging. We can discover this of wonder for nature, your feelings will be relationship with the natural world only by contagious; they will inspire and sustain experiencing and interacting with it as we a child’s love of nature. Give children an grow up and develop. opportunity to learn about insects and aniHow can a child grow to respect and be mals, how they live, and the part they play in awe of nature if he has never experienced in our ecosystem. With knowledge, respect the joy of sitting by a pond and watching develops. something as simple as a tadpole growing Children of all ages love to be outside into a frog? where they seem more relaxed and uninhibThe children of today are the future stewited in their play. They learn how the weathards of our beautiful and amazing world. er changes and how animals and plants are Just go outside and play! affected by these changes.

— Sue Warren works for PacificCARE, Natural landscapes can provide children a Child Care Resource and Referral the opportunity for physical challenge and program located at risk taking. They learn about their own emo237 Third St. in Courtenay. tional and physical capabilities by pushing Call 250-338-4288 for more information. their limits and asking themselves: How Special to the Record

SIGN UP FOR SWIMMING LESSONS AND LEARN MORE THAN SWIMMING,

LEARN WATER SAFETY! THE PROPER USE OF LIFEJACKETS With swim lessons, your children learn more than just how to swim. They learn water safety skills that will last their lifetime.

In addition to traditional swimming skills, all CVRD swim lessons cover vital water safety topics - including the proper use of lifejackets, or personal flotation devices (PFDs). When children learn to identify the risks early on, they tend to not participate in unsafe activities that can lead to drowning.

Learning how to choose and wear a lifejacket is just as important as learning the strokes.

And the best way to learn about the proper use of lifejackets is to enroll in swim lessons through the CVRD. Registration is now open for summer swim lessons at the CVRD’s aquatic centre.

For a complete schedule, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/rec.

To register, call 250-334-9622, ext. 2.

Follow comoxvalleyrd

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CHILD’S PLAY

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Keeping kids active once the school year ends In many ways, today’s kids have busier schedules than any previous generation of youngsters. Many extracurricular activities, including sports, require a nearly year-round commitment, and the dual-income household has landed many kids in afterschool programs where kids tend to their schoolwork or engage in various activities that keep them from resting on their laurels.

Swimming is a fun and healthy exercise to keep kids physically active throughout the summer.

But those busy schedules get a lot less hectic when the school year ends. Once school is out, kids used to a full schedule might find themselves with lots of time on their hands. Though it’s good for kids to squeeze in some rest and relaxation during their summer break, it’s also important for kids to stay active so they don’t develop poor habits as the summer goes on. In addition, the American Psychological Association notes that kids who are physically active are more capable of coping with

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stress and tend to have higher self-esteem than kids who do not include physical activity as part of their regular routines. The following are a few suggestions for parents looking for ways to keep their kids active throughout the summer while still allowing them to recharge their batteries after a long school year.

Plan an active vacation.

Summer is when many families go on vacation, so why not choose a vacation that involves more than napping poolside?

Though it’s still good to leave some time for relaxation, find a locale where you can embrace activities like snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, or other adventures that get you and your youngsters off the poolside chaise and out exploring. Such a trip might inspire kids to embrace an activity more fully, getting them off the couch not only while they’re on vacation but also when they return home for the rest of summer.

Continued on page 7

Summer Fun Under The Sun! All Day Programs

• Parktime • Adventure Daycamps • Exploration Art Camp

Plus

• Early Years Mini Camps • Sewing & Stained Glass • Tennis & Volleyball • Gymnastics & Trampoline • Sailing Programs • Leadership Training • LINC Drop-in

Courtenay Recreation http://www.courtenay.ca/recreation.aspx

Courtenay & District Memorial Outdoor Pool

• Water Fitness • Lessons • Lengths • Rentals • Public Swim • Birthday Parties • Special Events • Private Lessons • Leadership Courses

Lewis Centre

250-338-5371

The LINC

250-334-8138

Filberg Centre 250-338-1000

CHILD’S PLAY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com Continued from page 6

Teach kids to garden.

Gardening might be seen as a peaceful and relaxing hobby, but it still requires a lot of elbow grease and hard work that pays physical dividends. A garden must be planted, hoed, weeded, and watered, and gardening gets kids out of the house to enjoy the great outdoors. When growing a vegetable garden, kids might embrace the chance to be directly involved in the foods that will eventually end up on their dinner tables. Parents can embrace this as an opportunity to teach the value of eating locally-produced foods and the positive impact such behavior has on the environment.

Go swimming.

Few adults who work in offices haven’t looked out their windows on a sunny summer day and thought how nice it would be to be spending that afternoon making a few laps in a lake, at the beach or in a pool.

Kids have the same daydreams during the summer, so take a day off every so often and take the kids for an afternoon of swimming.

Swimming is a great activity that exercises the entire body, including the shoulders, back, legs, hips, and abdominals. In addition, swimming helps kids and adults alike maintain a healthy weight while also improving

their cardiovascular health. It’s hard for some people to find a place to swim once the warm weather departs, so take advantage of the summer weather and go swimming as often as possible while the kids are not in school.

Limit how much time kids spend watching television, playing video games or surfing the Internet.

Many of today’s kids are as tech savvy as they are busy. But it’s important that kids don’t spend too much time online or on the couch watching television or playing video games. Such activities are largely sedentary, and they can set a bad precedent for the months ahead, even when the school year begins once again. Parents should limit how much time their youngsters spend in front of the television or the computer during summer vacation, keeping track and turning the TV or computer off if they suspect kids are spending too much time staring at the screen instead of being active. Kids might not love it when you turn their video games off or minimize their access to social media, but explain the limitations at the onset of summer and let kids know you expect them to be physically active even if it is summer vacation.

Your Swimwear Destination Poly Suits • Goggles • Caps Masks • Snorkels • Fins Serving the Comox Valley for over13 years

Courtenay Swim Shop CV Aquatic Centre 250-338-8465 Open 7 Days a Week, Closed Stat Holidays

J. PUDDLEDUCK PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE Ages 3 to 12

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

(established in 1978)

Licensed Group Daycare Out of School Care Program

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CHILD’S PLAY

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

★ BIRTHDAY PARTIES ★ FAMILY FUNCTIONS ★ COMPANY PICNICS ★ COTTON CANDY INFLATABLE PLAY AREAS FOR CHILDREN Ages 12 and Under

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SUMMER

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Register now for Fall 2013 classes!

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Courtenay Recreation http://www.courtenay.ca/recreation.aspx

One of the primary roles of parents is ensuring their children are safe and well-cared for and receive the necessities in life. But sometimes parents need time away from the kids to recharge their batteries. In such instances, parents often fret over finding reliable childcare. Hiring a babysitter is not always easy, and many parents take extra steps to ensure the babysitter they hire is the right match for their children.

Parents are understandably uneasy about leaving their children in the hands of a stranger. That is why so many parents rely on relatives, including grandparents and aunts, to act as babysitters.

But many people no longer live in close proximity to their relatives, forcing parents to look outside the family for a babysitter.

Finding a babysitter should begin with a careful consideration and investigation of applicants. Although horror stories of children being mishandled while in the care of nannies and sitters are few and far between, parents still worry that something can happen to their children when the kids are left in the hands of someone other than Mom and Dad. Here are some tips parents should keep in mind before hiring a babysitter.

Mommy online forums, church clubs and social groups associated with your child’s school are good places to network with other parents and find out about good babysitters in the area. Many parents have hired the son or daughter of a close friend to babysit their children.

If that is not an option, many Web sites offer free or low-cost listings of local sitters. These services often use third parties to vet the applicants and may offer everything from background checks to identity confirmation.

Nursery School Play Create Socialize Celebrate

Hiring a babysitter takes careful consideration

Start your search within your own community and network of friends.

Cozy Corner

Lewis Centre

250-338-5371

The LINC

250-334-8138

Don’t hire a sitter who is too young.

Filberg Centre 250-338-1000

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Parents should avoid hiring sitters who are younger than 13 or 14. According to the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention, accidental injuries in the home are one of the leading causes of death for children more than 12 months old. Therefore, sitters should be physically and mentally capable of reacting should an accident or incident that requires emergency action occur. Babysitters who are knowledgeable in first aid or CPR are particularly attractive.

Ask for references.

When narrowing down candidates, parents should ask for references and be sure to follow up. Ask pointed questions about the candidate’s skill set, including the type of care they provided, how many hours the sitter was capable of working and if there were any incidents, positive or negative, that stood out. Inquire about the sitter’s temperament and ability to follow directions and how well children responded to the sitter.

Let prospective candidates interact with your children.

Once potential candidates have been vetted, let them spend time with your kids to see how they interact with the children and how the kids react to each candidate. The most qualified individual will not work out if he or she does not have a rapport with the children.

Observe the sitter with your kids even after he or she has been hired.

Upon hiring a sitter, plan a day when he or she can come over and stay with the children while you supervise from another room. Gradually work up to leaving the kids alone for a certain period of time.

As the relationship between the sitter and your children becomes more comfortable, you can stay out for longer periods of time. The sitter should be aware of all rules and expected conduct while in the home and caring for children.

When hiring a sitter, many parents trust their gut instincts. But no matter how reliable your instincts are, it still helps to vet candidates as thoroughly as possible.

CHILD’S PLAY

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

9

PHONE: 250-338-8445 E-MAIL: toddlers@telus.net

Little Friends Early Learning Centre

A 4R’S EDUCATION CENTRE student practices handwriting outside to learn in a different way.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Slow down & listen

In today’s world of speed and general busyness — where we are bombarded with information, where instant communication and immediate gratification is expected and constant sound surrounds us — both children and adults are wound up like tightly coiled springs, ready to jump at the slightest touch.

What can we do to stem the cascade that assaults us? How to stem the flow to take better control of our over-extended lives?

Daily pressures, assaults on our senses, demands to conform, keep up and satisfy every individual or societal whim may cause us to lose sight of an important reality – as adults, it is our responsibility to provide secure, nurturing spaces for our children as they grow.

We need to remind ourselves that, like every living creature, children must be fed, watered, protected

and given space in order to mature into healthy, strong and resilient adults. Do we expect animals to become full-grown or plants to produce fruit immediately? No, but often, against our better instincts, we are swept into what may seem a never-ending stream rushing into a distant but looming, yet ever-receding, end.

The demands of growing children, running a home, part- or full-time work, and keeping a balanced perspective and maintaining some sort of personal life is daunting indeed.

What can be done?

Is there a solution? Is it achievable?

Yes! Remember traffic lights. STOP, WAIT until everything clears. PROCEED SLOWLY. Incorporate learning games into daily life; have fun together; remember that learning to lose is just as important as winning; games provide

modelling of social skills, like shaking hands at the end of a game.

Remember to teach by example rather than words but respect your child’s need to do things their way. Your children may need reminding that you, too, have a life.

Communication, and keeping lines open to discuss problems, is the most effective way to deal with stress.

Aggressive behaviour can result when there is no outlet and/or ability to express feelings.

Remember – it’s as important to listen as it is to talk. Make sure to create a safe ‘listening post’ and gear your responses appropriately, avoiding extra detailed information.

— Submitted by 4R’s Education Centre (Soc.), a non-profit organization operating out of 581 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay (www. facebook.com/4RsEducationCentre). Call 250-338-4890

Licenced Group Childcare for children 3-5 years old Located at 4830C Headquarters Rd., Courtenay 250-338-8446

Teddies ‘N Toddlers Childcare Centre Licenced Group Childcare for infants and toddlers -birth-36 months.

Located at 4830B Headquarters Rd., Courtenay

Today N’ Tomorrow Young Parent Program

A program supporting educational, social and health needs of expectant and parenting students wishing to complete their grade 12.

Located adjacent to Vanier High School.

Phone 250-338-8445 for information.

Comox Recreation COME PLAY WITH US!

HANDS ON FARM

at the Filberg Park, COmOx

A family oriented petting zoo, located on the fabulous Filberg Park grounds!

Open 10am - 4pm, June 17 - August 16.

Drop in for $2, Children under 6 $1, School groups $25, (Reservations begin June 3)

Call 250-339-FARM

HANDS ON FARM PROGRAMS Fairies & Farmers (3 – 5 years)

Junior Farm Hand (6 - 8 years)

Farm Club (9 – 12 years)

Call 250-339-2255 Comox Community Centre COME PLAY WITH US! info@comoxrecreation.com 250-339-2255

1855 Noel Ave, Comox www.comox.ca

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child’s play

tuesday, may 28, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

Comox Valley Youth Music Centre JUNIOR STRINGS JULY 1 - 6, 2013 with Susan Colonval-Klazek Michael Klazek Open to kids 6 - 12 with one year’s experience on a violin or viola or cello.

Chamber Music Ensembles

Register at cymc.ca

27 Annual Nautical Days th

BULLHEAD DERBY

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When a local child or expecting mother requires medical services outside the Comox Valley, Y.A.N.A. is there to help. Donations to Y.A.N.A. allow our community to provide a home away from home for local families and funding to help ease the financial burden.

www.yanacomoxvalley.com

• 250-871-0343

Getting good food into your kids

PHOTO CREDIT VIC KIRBY

NEW THIS YEAR!

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Dr. Deidre Macdonald Special to the Record Parents all want their children to be as healthy and happy as possible.

We know that good nutrition is essential to achieving those goals, but getting children to eat healthy foods can be a challenge in a world of junk food.

These tips will help your family to set up good nutritional habits that will help establish a lifetime of health for your children.

Drinks: The only drink kids really need is water. I encourage parents to minimize the use of juice, as juice is high in sugar and not nearly as nutritious as eating fruit.

A great Dr. Deidre Macdonald way to get fluids into kids on hot summer days is to make herb tea, chill it and sweeten it with Stevia. A nice tea to try is Celestial Seasonings’ black cherry berry (it has no artificial flavours). Stevia is a safe, natural sugar substitute that comes from a plant whose leaves taste sweet without having any sugar or calories. It is very concentrated so a few drops go a long way.

Fruit: Whole fruit is rich in antioxidant nutrients, enzymes and fibre.

Fruit juice, dried fruit and fruit leathers just concentrate the sugars and do not have the nutritional value of the whole, fresh fruits.

It is a good idea to make fresh fruit readily available for snacks and ‘dessert.’ Home-made fruit popsicles and smoothies feel like a treat!

Vegetables: Many parents struggle to get enough vegetables into their children. Creativity and persistence

pay; you need to keep exposing kids to a variety of vegetables to allow their taste buds to get used to them.

Try mashing broccoli or other vegetables into spaghetti sauce or fill celery with peanut butter, cheese, humous, or canned salmon or tuna. Sneak in more vegetables by putting a veggie dip out before dinner when everyone is hungry and try starting dinner with a salad course.

Whole grains and beans: Brown rice and quinoa have nutrients and fibre while white rice has very little.

Make these whole grains a staple in your house and the kids will never know what they are missing. You can make them more interesting by serving a rice pilaf or quinoa salad.

Nuts and Seeds: Raw, unsalted nuts and seeds are nature’s perfect nutritious snack. Having a bowl of trail mix on the counter will help your kids, (and you), stay away from less nutritious munchies and are easy to add to cereal or salads. Make your own nut and seed mix, because most trail mixes include dried fruits which are hard on teeth. Break out of the peanut butter rut and try almond, cashew or sunflower butter.

Protein: Protein is needed to provide the building blocks for growth and development. It is also important for stabilizing blood sugar and avoiding low blood sugar meltdowns.

Good protein choices include: Salmon, (its oils are proven to enhance brain development), chicken, lean beef and bison. Eggs are handy when hard boiled. Have kids draw on the cooked eggs with crayon or you can write notes to them on the shells and pop the eggs into their school lunch. Nuts, seeds, beans and quinoa also are rich sources of protein.

In general I recommend children’s diets also be supplemented with a quality multivitamin, a purified fish oil and Vitamin D. Now is the time to start your children out with excellent eating habits.

Have fun with these ideas!

— Dr. Deidre Macdonald is a naturopathic physician with a natural family practice in Courtenay.

For information call 897-0235 or check out www.getwellhere.com.

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Kids’ vitamin deficiency signs A healthy diet is supposed to provide all of the essential vitamins and minerals necessary to sustain a body. But thanks to finicky eating habits and limited choices, many children are not getting the vitamins and minerals they need to grow up healthy. Although many foods are fortified with certain vitamins, they still may not be enough to provide the level of nutrition required for a growing body. Parents may be well informed of a child’s needs of vitamin C to boost immune system function, but they may not be as readily informed about other vitamins that are essential to human health.

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A promotes a healthy immune system and proper eyesight function. A child lacking in vitamin A may be tired and weak and experience weight loss.

Other symptoms include dry eyes, skin scaling and respiratory infections.

• Vitamin B6: Hyperactivity and impulsiveness are often blamed on an underlying medical condition, such as ADHD. But such conditions may be the result of a deficiency in vitamin B6.

• Vitamin B12: Nervous system function is largely governed by proper levels of vitamin B12. Children who do not receive enough vitamin B12 may experience weakness, insomnia, edema, and abdominal pain.

• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” because it is produced in the body after exposure to the sun. Children who spend many hours indoors or wearing thick layers of sunscreen may not get enough vitamin D. Irritability, muscle cramps and even late teething could be tied to vitamin D deficiency.

Parents should consult with pediatricians about the proper levels of vitamins children need.

COMOX VALLEY RECORD • tuesday, may 28, 2013

New Patients Welcome

101 - 389 12th Street • 250-338-5011 www.orcadental.com

1974 – 2013

The Comox Valley Child Development Association is proud to be celebrating 39 years of service to children and families of the Comox Valley.

Programs and Services for Children and Youth

THE RCMP MUSICAL RIDE Hosted by the Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society

August 13 & 14 • 6PM GATES OPEN 4PM

PRE-SHOW: Aug 13 Kenny Shaw Aug 14 Sue Medley & the Back Road Band

TICKETS

Advance $10 At The Gate $12 Kids 6 & Under Free!

Tickets Available at: RCMP Courtenay; Roxanne’s Fashions/Comox Mall; Blue Heron Books; Whale’s Tale Toys; both Royal Bank branches, Coastal Community Credit Union Ryan Road branch; Sid Williams Theatre www.sidwilliamstheatre.com 250-338-2420 Ext. 1

FMI www.cvtrs.com

• The Autism Program • Early Intervention Therapies Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy Speech Language Pathology • Infant Development Program • JumpStart Preschool

LOOK US UP www.cvcda.ca

Ministry of Children and Family Development Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

• • • • • •

Supported Child Development Program Community Integration Program Vancouver Island Children’s Assessment Network Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group Out of School Care (co-locator) PacificCare Child Care Resource & Referral (co-locator)

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Phone: 250-338-4288 237 – 3rd Street, Courtenay, BC, V9N 1E1 Email: info@cvcda.ca

Children and youth programs funded by: Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch

ACCREDITED

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child’s play

tuesday, may 28, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

TICKETS ON SALE NOW at ticket locations, online at www.filberg.com or at the Filberg Gift Shop Friday-Sunday 11-4

SATURDAY June 22nd 11 am to 2 pm

Featuring:

Door Prizes

Food and Fun

Performing at 12:30 on the Main Stage

The Kerplunks are multi-award winning children’s entertainers bringing high-energy, colourful performances to the stage This three-time JUNO nominated band provides a unique live performance with a full four-piece multi-instrumental band, playing a variety of upbeat musical styles that even parents enjoy and guaranteed to get you groovin’.

Tickets

ON SALE NOW

Available Online or at:

Face Painting

by Magical Faces

Admission:

5

$

Courtenay: Whale’s Tale Toys • Podlings Planet Kids (downtown)

Comox:

Games

Bubble Tank

per person

Benino Gelato • Planet Kids

(under 2 FREE) S P O N S O R E D B Y:

Dr.Terry Blasco D.M.D. Inc.

Ocean Pacific Realty Dave Procter • Ryan Williams • Cindy Armstrong • Bryce Hansen