September 10, 2013 by Black Press Media Group

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith

Family

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6

FALL 2013

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

FALL 2013

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 33 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith

Family Table of Contents

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith

Family

The Greater Nanaimo and Ladysmith Early Years Partnerships are pleased to present the 14th edition of the Greater Nanaimo Ladysmith Family. The magazine is a collaborative effort of both communities who have come together to create an awareness of the importance of the early years. It is with great appreciation that the partnerships acknowledge the funding and support provided by Success by 6, Children First and the Nanaimo News Bulletin/Black Press. A total of 41,000 copies of the Greater Nanaimo & Ladysmith Family Magazine will be distributed in Ladysmith and Nanaimo through the Ladysmith Chronicle, Nanaimo News Bulletin and other sources. Copies are also available at parks and recreation, health units, libraries, participating businesses and family agencies. The views expressed by the advertisers do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial committee of this magazine.

4 Strong kids in our community start with you 5 Meals allow fathers to discuss issues 6 Resilient parents make resilient children 7 Young children learn language through conversations 8 Trying vegetarian options good for health, pocketbook 9 Introduce meat to babies at age six months 10 Celebrate children on special day 11 Ladysmith Drop-In Activities 12 & 17 Nanaimo Drop-In Activities 13-16 State of the Child Report 18-19 Resources and services 20 Effective routines make mornings easier 21 Foundation supports children and youth 22 Turn off electronics and eat together 23 Playground connects children with nature 24 Right child care important for family 25 New relationships unsettling for children Little talks help make big progress 26 Triple P Parenting schedule

Cover and inside photography by

CHILDREN FIRST FIRST // SUCCESS SUCCESSBY BY6 6 44 CHILDREN

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

FALL 2013

Strong kids in our community start with you

By Erin O’rEilly As parents and grandparents we want kids in our community to have access to the resources and programs they need to grow up strong and healthy. That help can take the form of identifying developmental delays in a child and connecting a family to key resources or supporting young families as they navigate the challenges of parenthood. Others may face a crisis like a tragic death in the family or must live in a transition house for a short time after escaping violence. United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island ensures that programs to help kids thrive are funded in your community. The United Way funds lifechanging programs for chil-

dren and youth. We raise funds through the generosity of our corporate, workplace and individual donors like you who understand the value of investing in kids. Strong, resilient kids are part of developing a strong community. You can help thousands of kids and families in the community by becoming a donor to United Way at www.uwcnvi.ca. Your gift will fund programs that teach vulnerable families how to shop and cook healthy meals or teach anti-bullying programs in the schools. Last year alone, through donations from people like you, we supported 16 programs from Ladysmith to Bowser for children and youth. In Central Island, 49 children with special

needs gained exercise and self-esteem through therapeutic riding, 480 families found support for the healthy development of their children and 116

vulnerable boys and girls accessed positive adult role models through mentorship. United Way is also one of the lead partners along with Coastal Community Credit Union and the Ministry of Children and Family Development supporting the Success by 6 Early Childhood Education programs. This Parent Magazine is funded through Success by 6, as are the Mother Goose program, Triple P and Healthy Start to Learning. United Way is an integral part of a healthy and strong community. Find out the many ways you can give at www.uwcnvi.ca. u Erin O’Reilly is a communications consultant with the United Way of Central and Northern Vancouver Island.

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FALL 2013

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Meals allow fathers to discuss issues

By Sandy BartOn One morning I decided to stop by the dads’ group for their breakfast drop-in session to see what they were cooking. As soon as I walked in the door I could smell it – isn’t it funny how the smell of bacon can get your salivary glands working? Dale, the coordinator, had just returned with a big, fresh pineapple which would be added to the fruit salad being prepared by his volunteer assistant, Ian, who was busy cutting up strawberries while his little daughter and son played in the play room. Strapped on Ian’s back was the cutest little smiling baby in a baby carrier, quite happily bouncing around. I peeked into the fruit salad bowl and wished I hadn’t had breakfast ear-

lier. I was invited to join food preparation and was them, but had to take a told that they usually help rain check having a prior set the table and with appointment to go to. cleanup. There just isn’t Dale showed enough space me the heaping for more than plate of waffles two to work they had made comfortably and were keepin the kitchen. ing warm in the It’s such a oven along with great atmoit’s such a great sphere, bacon and turkey sausages particularly all the children atmosphere, for first-time seemed to like. particularly for dads to expeYogurt was rience that first-time dads. special time also available as topping for with other the fruit salad, or I supmales and their children, pose, if you wished to put and to have the opportuit on your waffles. nity to ask questions and Ian is one of the attending find out they are not alone dads who has volunteered in this new role as dads. to come and give Dale a As an aside, Dale told me hand with food preparathat one Saturday morntion. ing shortly after Ian began I asked if the other dads helping out, Dale was took part in helping with unable to attend.

“

As luck would have it, that morning saw the largest attendance yet – 29 people for breakfast. Dale assured me that Ian came through with flying colours and everything went as smooth as silk. I felt very welcomed when I went in and spoke with the two little kids who were having a ball in the playroom. There were big nods when I asked if they liked coming here. It’s really hard when you are little to wait so long for everyone to arrive so you can eat. Ian slipped them each a small piece of fruit to tide them over. I wish I could have stayed. It looked like such fun. u Sandy Barton is a volunteer at the Ladysmith Resource Centre.

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Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

resilient parents make resilient children

By april dE VOy If life were an easy journey none of us would need resilience. But we all know that the Road of Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, detours and roadblocks. Resilience is the ability to steer through these obstacles and keep going even when we feel like giving up. Resilience is not something we have or don’t have. It’s something we work on for our whole lives. Over the years, we’ve learned from research and our own work with children and families that there are certain things we need to develop our resilience and keep it up along the way. When we drive a car, there are many things that work together. We need keys to start the car, gas to fuel it, skills to steer it, and directions to find our way safely. Travelling the Road of Life with resilience is like this, too. Some of the things that help are inside us, like thinking skills and

confidence. We call these inner strengths. Other things are outside us, like caring relationships, positive

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role models and community supports. We call these outside supports. These inner strengths and outside supports work together to support resilience just like driving safely involves many things working together – driving skill, directions, roads, traffic lights, etc. And just like a good driving instructor can help you become a better driver, caring relationships and positive role models help children develop their inner strengths. Sometimes parents don’t realize how essential they are in helping their children develop resilience. You are your child’s most important role model. And, of course, learning how to help your child develop resilience helps you at the same time. u This article has been excerpted, with permission, from Intro to Resilience at www.reachinginreachingout.com/ parents. April de Voy is a skills training facilitator and can be reached at aprildevoy@gmail.com.

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

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Young children learn language through conversations

By lynnE patrick My child just said the most amazing thing. I had sent him to the radio to listen to the weather report for the day. We were planning a picnic. He came back saying it was going to snow, for heaven’s sake. Snow in August? When I questioned him about what exactly the weatherman said, he replied, “Well, he said, ‘isolated showers’ and that means snow’.” My son was four-years-old then. I thought he was very clever. Although intelligent, my son grew up to have a significant learning disability. When he was four, I knew nothing about how to help him learn. I knew nothing about how language skills in young children affect their learning, their thinking, their memory, their social skills, their play and even their success in school. I wish I had known more, so that I could have helped him sooner. Even before they can talk, babies are listening and communicating. They learn how to use their voice

and body to gain attention. They are encouraged when adults respond quickly and warmly to their efforts. Children who have adults that talk to them about interesting things have more words and sentences than children that don’t engage in frequent talking with adults. Children who have toys that are interesting and age appropriate learn how to focus and are stimulated to be curious, an important part of learning. However, too many toys can be confusing. Play is important for learning. Children who have interesting books to share with adults learn more words. Talking about the pictures or reading the story over and over builds word knowledge. Allowing your child to participate in the story is even more effective. Children have more ideas, experiences and topics to talk about when grownups take them on outings and do things with them. Children who are allowed to plan and help carry out specific activities have more opportunity to learn the

language that goes with organizing tasks and objects. Parents have a huge impact on children’s ability to talk and listen. Talking and listening skills are learned from important adult models and from play with other children. Young children learn language through many conversations not through videos or television. Children who have challenging behaviors may be telling us that they don’t know how to use language to get what they need. You can play listening games that are fun and that teach children the joy of listening. Rhyming books, nonsense rhymes, nursery rhymes, songs and finger plays are ways to teach children the fun of rhyming. Rhyming is one of the earliest steps toward reading and spelling. If you are uneasy about your child’s communication skills, call your local health unit to speak with a speech pathologist. u Lynne Patrick is a speech language pathologist with Nanaimo Health Unit.

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FALL 2013

Trying vegetarian options good for health, pocketbook

By EilEEn BEnnEwith Many families are choosing to reduce the amount of meat used in making their family meals. The first recommendation on Canada’s Food Guide under the meat and alternatives food group is to “have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often.” There is no need to go vegetarian. People who enjoy eating meat are just being encouraged to cook meat less often. Meatless meals make sense economically. Many of the meat alternatives such as black beans, kidney beans, split peas, tofu, lentils, navy beans, and nuts or seeds are generally much less expensive per serving. Families who are trying to save money from their food budget will spend less each

time they cook without meat. There are also many health benefits from choosing to eat less meat. Although lean meat is a good source of protein, iron, and zinc, a diet that is high in fattier meat or high fat dairy is also higher in saturated fat. Studies show that a diet that is very high in saturated fat from meat or dairy can lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even some cancers. Having meals made from beans, legumes, nuts or seeds more often will still give you a good source of protein, and iron, along with an excellent source of fibre. By trying a number of different recipes for beans and other meat alternatives, you will be surprised

at how delicious these foods can be. Another reason to reduce the amount of food in the diet that comes from animal agriculture is to help the environment. Animal agriculture produces a large amount of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say are contributing to global warming. The emissions come from methane in animal manure, nitrous oxide from fertilizer used to grow animal feed and from cutting down the forests to make more grazing land for animals. If everyone used a little less meat in their weekly menus, perhaps the progression of global warming could be slowed down. Almost every country in the world has a traditional bean dish. Eating out is a fun way to taste some of

the delicious vegetarian foods. Mexican restaurants will offer bean burritos, or rice with beans. At Middle Eastern places order hummus (chickpea and sesame dip) with pita or falafel (garbanzo bean patties). Go to an Indian restaurant for dhal (lentils), or lentil curry with rice or roti. In China they have tofu stirfries and other soy products. North Americans are actually the only people in the world that rely almost daily on meat or animal proteins, but even our cowboys used to eat baked beans. Whether it is for your health, your budget or to save the environment, there are benefits to eating less meat. u Eileen Bennewith is a nutritionist with Vancouver Island Health Authority.

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Introduce meat to babies at age six months

By EilEEn BEnnEwith Recently, Health Canada released an updated version of Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants. This document is guidance for anyone, from parents to health-care practitioners, on the most evidence-based way to feed a baby. Many people were surprised by the recommendation to start six-month-old babies on meat as a first food. There are several good reasons why meat or meat alternatives like lentils or beans are the best choice for babies. Babies are born with a six-month supply of iron stored in their bodies. As they reach the middle of the first year, this iron supply is becoming depleted. Meat is the highest iron food in the diet so the iron

level can be quickly replenished. Iron is essential to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body. It is a part of haemoglobin in red blood cells. For infants and toddlers, the major need for iron is for brain development. Iron deficiency anaemia in infants and toddlers can lead to poor mental, motor and behavioural function,

which may not be reversible even if the anaemia is corrected. Meat is also recommended this early because of texture. Since we are now feeding babies at six months rather than three or four months of age, babies no longer need pureed foods. Their mouth and throat muscle development and their gag reflex are capable of managing chopped meat. Best of all, babies have not had any solid food yet so they don’t know what to expect. Starting an infant on meat that has been finely chopped to the consistency of chewed meat will give them an opportunity to learn about textures right from the start. Another reason to start with chopped meat, or fork mashed lentils or beans, is because these are easy

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for the baby to feed to themselves. Six-month-old babies are very capable of picking up everything and putting it into their mouths. If you offer small shreds of well chopped moist meat, your baby will be able to feed it to themselves. This way, babies will be fully in charge of feeding themselves right from the first solid meal. Babies who feed themselves are unlikely to over eat. They start when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Spoon-fed babies may overeat to please the person who is feeding them. For more information about food for infants and toddlers, please contact your local health unit. u Eileen Bennewith is a nutritionist with Vancouver Island Helath Authority.

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Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

celebrate children on special day National Child Day highlights issues facing parents and children around the world

By anita MclEOd On Nov. 20, Ladysmith will once again host a variety of activities celebrating National Child Day. Member agencies of the Ladysmith Early Years Partnership are planning parties, a free family swim, and community networking events to better connect families to Ladysmith agencies and other regional services supporting children in their early years. Although there are many opportunities in Ladysmith for children and their families to play and be active, programs are often cancelled due to lack of registration, and yet parents express concerns about the need for more to do. In light of this, and building on input received from parents of young children in a 2012 survey conducted by the partnership in collaboration with the Parenting Education Team, a community forum is planned to identify barriers to active living in the early years. Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, Ladysmith Family and Friends Resource Program, Town of Ladysmith’s Parks, Recreation and Culture department, and other local agencies look forward to engaging local families to plan programs and activities encouraging physical activity and social inclusion. In a recent joint initiative between the two Early Years Partnerships and VIHA Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Hassleback, a State of the Child Report Nanaimo-Ladysmith 2013 attempts to create an

awareness of the importance of the early years, and to encourage all to take action when and where they can. This report highlights the status of children within the boundaries of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools, provides a foundation for future comparisons, and mirrors other reports highlight-

ing the need for children to have healthier habits earlier in life in order to reduce their vulnerability to long-term issues including obesity, social isolation, food insecurity, poverty, and other determinants of health. Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture is joining with NanaimoLadysmith Public Schools

to plan current and future school and park sites, joint-use facilities and community use of school facilities – with the goal of increasing physical activity of our children and community. Ladysmith Coun. Jillian Dashwood, who sits at the partnership table, said, “The Town of Ladysmith is very proactive on behalf of its children, youth, and seniors, and therefore delegates a councillor to all three Ladysmith advisory groups. Ladysmith supports wholeheartedly such groups as LaFF, the Boys and Girls Club, and the LRCA to name just a few. With the ongoing enthusiasm of council and staff, the Town of Ladysmith is proud to be a familyfriendly community.” National Child Day also highlights the plight of children elsewhere in the world, especially in conflict areas, and the challenges faced by children with disabilities. Canada was among the first signatories of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and reminds us all that “a child is not disabled because they cannot walk, hear, or see – they are disabled by a society that excludes them.” On National Child Day 2013, let us all reflect on what we can do to make a difference in the lives of children and families in our neighbourhood, our communities, and beyond. u Anita McLeod is chairwoman of Ladysmith Early Years Partnership.

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*Items marked with an asterisk (*) require pre-registration. Please telephone first to confirm times and locations of all drop-in events or to register for those requiring pre-registration.

Ladysmith Primary StrongStart Centre (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Ladysmith Primary School 250.754.5521 Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF) Family Resource Program Suggested donation $2/family 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (drop-in) Aggie Hall 250.210.0870 Parent Child Mother Goose * (crawling - 30 months) 9:45 am - 10:45 am Ladysmith Resources Centre Association 250.245.3079 LaFFternoon (LaFF) (0-6 year olds) Family Resource Program Suggested donation $2/family 12:15 pm – 1:45 pm (drop-in) Aggie Hall 250.210.0870 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (birth – crawling) 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm Ladysmith Resources Centre Association 250.245.3079 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment* (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Ladysmith Community Health Centre 250.755.3342

FALL 2013

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 11

Ladysmith Primary StrongStart Centre (birth – 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Ladysmith Primary School 250.754.5521 Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF) Family Resource Program Suggested donation $2/family 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (drop-in) Aggie Hall 250.210.0870 Adventures in Early Literacy * (3 – 5 years) 9:45 am – 12:00 pm Ladysmith Resources Centre Association 250.245.3079 Born Healthy Prenatal/Postnatal Individual Program 10:00 am - 1:30 pm Ladysmith Resources Centre Association 250.245.3079 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment* (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Ladysmith Community Health Centre 250.755.3342 LaFF’s Family Frolic Drop-in Gym Time (walking – 6 years) Suggested donation $2/family 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm Oct - May Frank Jameson Community Centre 250.245.6424

* Parent Child Mother Goose® Program. This group experience for parents and their babies and young children focuses on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together. * LRCA Volunteer Counselling Program. Please call 250-245-3079 for more information or to schedule an appointment. * LRCA Family & Youth Support Services. Please call 250-245-3079 for more information or to book an appointment. * Please also check with Ladysmith Parks & Recreation & Culture for additional recreational programs for parents and preschoolers. 250-245-6424 * Please also check with Ladysmith Regional Library for additional programs for parents and preschoolers. (250) 245-2322

Ladysmith Dads’ Group (Drop-in breakfast for dads & their children) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Ladysmith Resources Centre Association 250.245.3079

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6

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FALL 2013

Island Treasure Box Family Literacy Program* (birth – 6 years) (Tillicum Lelum Health Centre) As per the participating families request. At the participating families home. 250.753.6578 Fairview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Fairview Community School 250.754.5521 McGirr StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am McGirr Elementary School 250.754.5521 Rutherford StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Rutherford Elementary School 250.754.5521 Georgia Ave. StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Georgia Avenue Community School 250.754.5521 Bayview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Bayview Elementary School 250.754.5521 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:00 am - 11:00 am Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3342 Infant to School Age Immunizations Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Family Place (parent and tot (birth-6years) drop-in) 9:30 am - 11:30 am Chase River Boys and Girls Club 250.753.2464 PacificCARE Drop - In Playgroup (birth - 5 years) 9:30 am - 10:30 am Woodgrove Centre (near food court) 250.756.2022 Woodbank StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Woodbank Primary School 250.754.5521 Baby Rhyme Time Drop - In (birth - 17 months) 10:30 am - 11:00 am Harbourfront Library 250.753.1154 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (birth – 4 years) 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Gabriola Island HOPE Centre 250.247.8730 Building Better Babies (drop-in pre-natal class) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Cooking Out of the Box (one Tuesday per month) 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Nanaimo Women’s Centre 250.753.0633 Building Better Babies (home visits & drop-in pre-natal class) 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Quarterway StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm Quarterway Elementary School 250.754.5521 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment * (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Princess Royal Family Centre 250.739.5845 Preschool Storytime * (3 - 5 years) 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Wellington Library 250.758.5544 Healthy Beginnings (prenatal - 12 months) (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3388 Young Moms Group * 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (6-24 months) 3:15 pm – 4:15pm Little Ferns Early Learning Centre 250.753.1783 (Amy) Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Group* (Little Ferns Early Learning Centre) 3:15 pm – 4:45pm John Barsby Secondary School Room 300 250.753.1783 (Amy) Parent-Child Mother Goose * (2-4 years) 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm Cilaire Elementary School 250.756.5200 Family Storytime * (all ages welcome) 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Wellington Library 250.758.5544 Dads Make a Difference 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre 250.716.1551

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

Island Treasure Box Family Literacy Program* (birth – 6 years) (Tillicum Lelum Health Centre) As per the participating families request. At the participating families home. 250.753.6578 Fairview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Fairview Community School 250.754.5521 McGirr StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am McGirr Elementary School 250.754.5521 Rutherford StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Rutherford Elementary School 250.754.5521 Georgia Ave. StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Georgia Avenue Community School 250.754.5521 Bayview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Bayview Elementary School 250.754.5521 Woodbank StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Woodbank Primary School 250.754.5521 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (12-24 months) 9:30am - 10:30 am Nanaimo Aquatic Centre 250.756.5200 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Family Place (parent and tot drop-in) 9:30 am - 11:30 am Lantzville Boys and Girls Club 250.390.4001 La Leche League Meeting (breastfeeding support) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (Second Wednesday of the month) Call for location. 250.754.5853 (Bridget) PacificCARE Drop - In Playgroup (birth - 5 years) 10:00 am - 11:00 am Country Club Centre (near the Coles bookstore) 250.756.2022 Toddler Storytime Drop-In (18 - 35 months) 10:30 am - 11:00 am Harbourfront Library 250.753.1154 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (6-12 months) 11:00am - 12:00 pm Nanaimo Aquatic Centre 250.756.5200 Moms, Dads and Babes Drop-In (pre-natal & postpartum) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Baby Rhyme Time Drop - In (birth - 17 months) 11:15 am - 11:45 am Harbourfront Library 250.753.1154 Prenatal Lunch Bunch (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Princess Royal Family Centre 250.739.5845 Quarterway StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm Quarterway Elementary School 250.740.3516 Moms, Dads and Babes Drop-In (home visits & drop-in) 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Breastfeeding Centre Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3388 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment * (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3342 Cultural Recreation (birth – 24 years) 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Neutral Zone info-Tillicum Lelum Education Centre 250.753.8291

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CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BYBY 6 6 13 13 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS

State of the Child Report Nanaimo-Ladysmith 2013

Children thrive within healthy families and supportive communities The Greater Nanaimo and Ladysmith Early Years Partnerships have produced this State of the Child Report

on children from newborn to six years old to create an awareness of the importance of the early years and to encourage all to take action when and where they can. This report highlights how young children within the boundaries of Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools are doing and provides a foundation for future comparisons.

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Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

Family and Economic Well-being Demographics The 2011 Census population for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area was reported as 113,570, of which 22,975 – or about 20 per cent – of the population are children under 20 years old. Children under five years old make up 4.6 per cet of the population. From the 2011 Census, 49.6 per cent of family households have at least one child; one-third of these are led by a lone parent, of which 78 per cent are single mothers.

Family economics In the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area, the median family income for 2006 was $59,790. Thirty-one per cent of families earned more than $80,000 and 7.7 per cent of families earned less than $20,000, with 11.3 per cent of people living in poverty. The average female lone-family income was $39,136 in 2006. More than six per cent of children younger than 15 years of age in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area were receiving income assistance in 2011.

Food security One thousand families per week are served by Loaves and Fishes community food bank. They estimate that 1,400 bags of groceries are handed out every week. Nanaimo Food Share distributed more than 7,000 lunches during their Summer Lunch Munch Program to local children. Ladysmith Food Bank hands out 130 bags of groceries per week, which serves about 375 people – 38 per cent being children. Cost of food for a family of four on Vancouver Island per month amounts to: $873 in 2011, compared to $858 in 2009 and $695 in 2007.

Child protection Fiften of every 1,000 children newborn to 18 years old were living in care as of 2001. Furthermore, 12 of every 1,000 children from newborn to 18 years old were reported to be in need of protection.

Housing The average cost for a house in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area in 2012 was $352,052. Based on the 2006 Census, the average rent was $783 with 48 per cent of renters and 21 per cent of homeowners spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing.

Education According to the 2006 Census data, 87 per cent of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith population between ages 25-54 have a high school certificate or equivalent. Between 2008 and 2011, 68 per cent of 18 year olds graduated. The 2009-11 EDI found that 86 per cent of kindergarten children were rated as not vulnerable for language and cognitive development and 87.4 per cent as not vulnerable in communication and general knowledge skills.

Aboriginal There are three First Nation communities

in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area: Snuneymux’w, Stz’uminus and Snaw-naas. Based on 2006 data, the aboriginal population is at least 6.4 per cent of the total Nanaimo-Ladysmith population. Twenty-seven per cent of the First Nation population is less than six years old. September 2011 saw a total of 2,040 aboriginal students enrolled in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. Currently there are 144 kindergarten students in the system, which is up 26 per cent from the previous year. While the overall number of children in the school district is dropping, the aboriginal numbers are rising steadily.

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Health and Wellness Prenatal health

Audiology

More than 44 per cent of first-time mothers and 41 per cent of second or greater time mothers received prenatal education. More than 86 per cent of pregnant mothers reported being smoke free during their pregnancy in 2011.

Out of 1,280 births at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in 2011-12, 98.7 per cent received appropriate hearing screening. Of those screened, 23 or 1.8 per cent were referred for further testing and four or 0.3 per cent had a permanent hearing deficit.

Newborn health

Aboriginal health First Nation communities are currently working with Vancouver Island Health Authority to encourage research and reporting on the health of their communities.

Child health In 2010-11, 1,052 children, newborn to 14 years old, were hospitalized in the nanaimo-Ladysmith area. Thirty-four per cent were less than five years old. Hospitalization rates for children with respirator disease were 10.1 per 1,000 locally and 4.44 per 1,000 children were hospitalized due to injuries and poisoning in 2010-11. According to a 2009-10 survey of Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, 85.4 per cent of kindergarden children had no visible tooth decay.

Immunization rates In 2001, 1,107 babies were born in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area; 3.8 per cent of those babies were born with a low birth weight (less than 2.5 kilograms), which is lower tha 5.7 per cent in 2010. Eighty per cent of mothers were within the age range of 20-35 where healthiest baby outcomes are expected. More than 25 per cent of the babies born in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area were born via cesarean section, which was below the provincial average of 31.4 per cent. More than 83.5 per cent of mothers breastfeed their babies initially after birth. More than 47 per cent were still breastfeeding their babies after six months.

More than 61 per cent of two year olds are complete for immunizations; 55.2 per cent of seven year olds are complete for immunizations.

Physical activity Fifty-four per cent of Canadian children and youth are getting more than three hours of active play each week, including weekend days. Kids are spending 63 per cent of their free time after school and on weekends being sedentary. The 2008 McCreary Adolescent Survey

looked at central Vancouver Island high school students and found that 18 per cent of males and 12 per cent of females were overweight. They also found that eight per cent of males and 10 per cent of females did not exercise. Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture is joining with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools to plan current and future school and park sites, joint-use facilities and community use of school facilities, with the goal of increasing physical activity of our children and community.

Acknowledgements The success of this State of the Child Report is due to our community partners at the Greater Nanaimo and Ladysmith Early Years partnerships. For more information about this report, please contact Amber Bruner, Children First Early Years community coordinator for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, at mthrgoos@ telus.net or 250-816-1699.

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Early Learning and Child Care EDI

The Early Development Instrument measures children’s development up to kindergarten using five domains: physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development and communication skills. Sixty-six per cent of children in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area were not considered vulnerable on any of the development scales in 2011. This was seven per cent better than 2009. The provincial average is 69.1 per cent. Physical health and wellbeing had the highest level of vulnerable children at 17 per cent, whereas only 12 per cent of children were vulnerable in communication skills. The provincial goal is to increase children

without vulnerabilities to 85 per cent by 2015.

from newborn to six years old in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area.

Licensed Child Care

Aboriginal communities

There are currently 1,692 licensed day-care spots available in the NanaimoLadysmith area. In addition, there are 100 preschool-only spots, 140 preschoo/before and after care, and 632 school age before and after care spots. The lowest availability is found in infant/ toddler care with 16 centres waitlisted, two closing and one reducing spaces due to recruitment difficulties.

The three First Nation communities each provide a wide range of early childhood and aboriginal head start services with more than 80 spots available for childcare. All of the early childhood programs support Hul’qumi’num language learning. Children learn so quickly and bring the language home to their families, in turn increasing the number of Hul’qumi’num speakers in the community. Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Centre offers ECD programs such as early literacy, building better babies and a new early childhood, kindergarten transision program, which is supported by local partners.

Family Resource Centres There are currently eight StrongStart Centres and three Family Resource Programs, all free to families with children

Child-friendly Environments Library statistics

Parks and playgrounds

An average of 208 children attend 10 regular weekly programs across four branches in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area. Ladysmith circulated about 33,000 children’s books in 2012 More than 7,000 children’s books were borrowed from Nanaimo Harbourfront Library in January 2013.

Ladysmith offers 13 parks with nine playgrounds and about 26 km of hiking and walking trails. The Town of Ladysmith supports a plan where every household would be within 500 metres of at least one category of park, specificially within 1 km of a neighbourhood park and 2 km of a community park. Nanaimo offers 60 playgrounds with four water parks and more than 630 park trails, The city supports development and acquisition of a neighbourhood park/ playground within a five-minute walk.

Low-cost recreation Programs and events encouraging exercise and activity that are free and up to $2 per person: u Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture offers three programs; u City of Nanaimo offers 17 programs; u Town of Ladysmith offers a Leisure Access Card to eligible resident entitling them to parks and rec program discounts; u City of Nanaimo offers Leisure Economic Access Program to eligible residents entitling qualified family members for parks, recreation and culture program discounts.

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

Aboriginal communities A number of First Nation communities have engaged their members in creating rich opportunities for outdoor exploration and play including nature walks and study of traditional plants, allowing children to explore their culture and the traditional teachings. Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Centre offers a Walking with Elders program for children.

Sources: B.C. Vital Statistics 2011: www.vs.gov. bc.ca/stats/annual/2011/ Census 2011: www.bcstats. gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/ Census/2011Census.aspx Chemainus First Nation: http:// cfnation.com City of Nanaimo: www.nanaimo.ca Cost of Eating: www.dieticians.ca/ Secondary-Pages/Public/The-Cost-ofEating-in-British-Columbia.aspx EDI: http://earlylearning.ubc.ca/ maps/edi/nh/ Ladysmith Food Bank: www.lrca.bc.ca Loaves and Fishes community food bank: www.nanaimoloavesandfishes.org McCreary Adolescent Survey: www. mcs.bc.ca/fact_sheets_and_powerpoint_ presentations Nanaimo and Ladysmith LHA profiles: www.viha.ca/mho.stats/lha_profiles.htm Nanaimo Food Share: www. nanaimofoodshare.ca Socio-Economic profiles (B.C.Stats): www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/ StatisticsBySubject/SocialStatistics/ SocioEconomicProfilesIndices/Profiles. aspx Snaw-naw-as First Nation: www. nanoose.org Snuneymux’w First Nation: www. snuneymuxw.ca Town of Ladysmith: www.ladysmith.ca

Island Treasure Box Family Literacy Program* (birth – 6 years) (Tillicum Lelum Health Centre) As per the participating families request. At the participating families home. 250.753.6578 Fairview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Fairview Community School 250.754.5521 McGirr StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am McGirr Elementary School 250.754.5521 Rutherford StrongStart (birth – 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Rutherford Elementary School 250.754.5521 Georgia Ave. StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Georgia Avenue Community School 250.754.5521 Bayview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Bayview Elementary School 250.754.5521 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment * (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:00 am - 11:30 am Princess Royal Family Centre 250.739.5845 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Family Place (parent and tot (birth-6years) drop-in) 9:30 am - 11:30 am Chase River Boys and Girls Club 250.753.2464 Woodbank StrongStart (birth – 5 years) 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Woodbank Primary School 250.754.5521 Rug Huggers (parent and tot drop-in, birth - 4 years old) 10:00 am - 11:45 am Gabriola Island HOPE Centre 250.247.8730 Healthy Beginnings (prenatal - 12 months) (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 10:00 am - 11:30 am Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3388 Toddler Storytime* (18 - 36 months) 10:15 am – 10:45 am Wellington Library 250.758.5544 Preschool Storytime Drop-In (3 - 5 years) 10:30 am - 11:15 am Harbourfront Library 250.753.1154 Building Better Babies (drop-in birth - 6 months) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Baby Storytime* (birth - 18 months) 11:15 am - 11:45am Wellington Library 250.758.5544 Cooking Out of the Box (one Thursday per month) 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Nanaimo Food Share Centre 250.753.7470 Quarterway StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm Quarterway Elementary School 250.754.5521 Building Better Babies (home visits & drop-in birth - 6 months) 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm 3:30 pm Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3342 Connections: Young Parents Support Group (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Princess Royal Family Centre 250.739.5845 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment* (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 3:30m – 7:00 pm Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3342

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Fairview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45am - 11:45 am Fairview Community School 250.754.5521 McGirr StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am McGirr Elementary School 250.754.5521 Rutherford StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 8:45 am - 11:45 am Rutherford Elementary School 250.754.5521 Georgia Ave. StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Georgia Avenue Community School 250.754.5521 Bayview StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Bayview Elementary School 250.754.5521 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (12-24 months) 9:30am - 10:30 am Oliver Woods Community Centre 250.756.5200 Building Better Babies

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Father Circle of Friends 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic by Appointment * (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (every other Saturday) Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3342 Family Storytime Drop-In 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (last Saturday of the month) Harbourfront Library 250.753.1154 Cultural Recreation (birth – 24 years) 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Neutral Zone info-Tillicum Lelum Education Centre 250.753.8291

(home visits and drop-in) 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Breastfeeding Centre Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:30 am - 11:30 am Nanaimo Health Unit 250.755.3388 Infant to School Age Immunization Clinic Drop-In (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Family Place (parent and tot drop-in) 9:30 am - 11:30 am Lantzville Boys and Girls Club 250.390.4001 Woodbank StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Woodbank Primary School 250.754.5521 Gabriola Island Monthly Infant to School Age Immunization Clinics by Appointment* (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 10:00 am – 11:30 am (last Friday of the month) Gabriola Island HOPE Centre 250.755.3342 Walking With Elders * (birth – 6 years) 10:30 am – 12:30pm Tillicum Lelum Health Centre 250.753.6578 Parent-Child Mother Goose * (6-12 months) 11:00am - 12:00 pm Oliver Woods Community Centre 250.756.5200 Quarterway StrongStart (birth - 5 years) 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm Quarterway Elementary School 250.740.3516 Kindergarten to Grade 12 Immunization Clinic by Appointment * (Vancouver Island Health Authority) 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Nanaimo Health Centre 250.755.3342 Cultural Recreation (birth – 24 years) 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Neutral Zone info-Tillicum Lelum Education Centre 250.753.8291

* Items marked with an asterisk (*) require preregistration. Please telephone first to confirm times and locations of all drop-in programs or to register for those requiring pre-registration. * Parent Child Mother Goose® Program. This group experience for parents and their babies and young children focuses on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together. * Prenatal Classes. Free classes are offered at the Nanaimo Health Centre (VIHA) throughout the year. Please call 250-7553342 for information and to register. * Infant to School Age Immunization Clinics are offered at the Nanaimo Health Centre (VIHA) throughout the week. Please call 250-755-3342 to make an appointment or for drop in times. * Gabriola Island Monthly Infant to School Age Immunization Clinics by appointment. Call 250-755-3342 for an appointment. * Please also check with Nanaimo Parks, Recreation & Culture for additional recreational programs for parents and preschoolers. 250-756-5200

FREE

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Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Early Years Resources & Services Breast Feeding Gabriola Island HOPE Centre �� 250-247-8730 www�gabriolahopecentre�com Healthlink BC (24hr Nurse Line) ��811 www�healthlinkbc�ca Ladysmith Community Health Centre - Switchboard �� 250-739-5777 www�viha�ca La Leche League Breastfeeding Support ��250-754-5853 www�lllc�ca Public Health Nursing ��www�viha�ca Nanaimo Health Centre�� 250-755-3342 www�viha�ca Nanaimo/Ladysmith Nursing Intake Line �� 250-755-3388 www�viha�ca Princess Royal Family Centre �� 250-739-5845 www�viha�ca Snuneymuxw First Nation Health Centre ��250-740-2337 www�snuneymuxw�ca Stz’uminus First Nation Health Centre ��250-245-8551 www�cfnation�com Tillicum Lelum Health Centre �� 250-753-6578 www�tillicumhaus�ca Child Care Child Care Subsidy Program ��1-888-338-6622 www�mcf�gov�bc�ca Community Care Facility Licensing Program �� 250-739-5800 www�viha�ca/mho/licensing Ministry of Children and Family Development ��250-741-5444 www�gov�bc�ca/mcf Ministry of Education ��1-800-663-7867 www�bced�gov�bc�ca/ged/gedwhere�htm PacificCARE Child Care Resource and Referral �� 250-756-2022 www�pacific-care�bc�ca Supported Child Development ��250-753-0251 www�nanaimocdc�com Community Early Years Initiatives/Partnerships Children First Initiative �� 250-816-1699 www�bcchildrenfirst�ca Greater Nanaimo Early Years Partnership 250-739-5845 ext� 57563 www�sd68�bc�ca Ladysmith Early Years Partnership �� 250-245-6427 www�sd68�bc�ca Success By Six® Initiative ��www�successby6bc�ca Vancouver Island Early Years Network ��250-741-5247 Early Learning and Development Adventures in Early Literacy – Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver IslandFamily Resource Programs �� 250-754-3215 www�bgccvi�com Early Years Program, School District #68 / StrongStart Centres�� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Bayview Strong Start �� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Fairview Strong Start�� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Georgia Avenue Strong Start�� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Ladysmith Primary Strong Start �� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - McGirr Strong Start�� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Quarterway Strong Start �� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Rutherford Strong Start �� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca - Woodbank Strong Start �� 250-754-5521 www�sd68�bc�ca Island Family Information �� 250-756-2022 www�islandfamilyinfo�ca Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Adventures in Early Literacy�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Dads Group �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca LaFF Ladysmith Family Resource Program �� 250-210-0870 www�familyandfriends�ca Literacy Central Vancouver Island �� 250-754-8988 www�literacycentralvi�org Nanaimo Child Development Centre ��250-753-0251 www�nanaimocdc�com Parent -Child Mother Goose Program�� www�nald�ca/mothergooseprogram - Gabriola �� 250-247-8730 www�gabriolahopecentre�com Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca - Nanaimo �� 250-816-1699 www�sd68�bc�ca

Snuneymuxw First Nation Administration ��250-740-2300 www�snuneymuxw�ca Speech and Language Pathology/Nanaimo Health Centre 250-739-6827 www�viha�ca Stz’uminus First Nation �� 250 245 7155 www�cfnation�com Tillicum Lelum Health Centre �� 250-753-6578 www�tillicumhaus�ca Vancouver Island Regional Libraries: ��www�virl�bc�ca - Gabriola Island Library �� 250-247-7878 www�virl�bc�ca - Ladysmith Library �� 250-245-2322 www�virl�bc�ca - Nanaimo Harbourfront Library �� 250-753-1154 www�virl�bc�ca - Nanaimo Wellington Library �� 250-758-5544 www�virl�bc�ca Food and Nutrition Healthlink BC - Dietitian Services��811 www�healthlinkbc�ca Ladysmith Community Gardens Society �� 250-245-5772 www�ladysmithcommunitygardensociety�weebly�com Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Community Food Bank �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Good Food Box �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Born Healthy Prenatal Nutrition Program�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca LaFF Ladysmith Family and Friends Food Programs �� 250-210-0870 www�familyandfriends�ca Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank �� 250-754-8347 www�loavesandfishes�org Meals on Wheels ��250-753-1300 www�mealcall�org Nanaimo Community Gardens Society �� 250-816-4769 www�nanaimocommunitygardens�ca Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society �� 250-753-7470 www�nanaimocommunitykitchens�org Nanaimo Food Share Society��250-753-9393 www�nanaimofoodshare�ca Salvation Army Meal Program / Community Services �� 250-754-2621 www�salvationarmy�ca Tillicum Lelum Health Centre �� 250-753-6578 www�tillicumhaus�ca VIHA Community Nutrition Program – Nanaimo Health Centre�� 250-739-5845 www�viha�ca 7-10 Club Society – The Family Soup Kitchen �� 250-714-0917 www�nanaimo710club�com Health BC Poison Control �� 1-800-567-8911 www�dpic�org Child and Youth Mental Health ��250-741-5444 www�gov�bc�ca/mcf Aboriginal ��250-741-3600 www�gov�bc�ca/mcf General ��250-741-5444 www�gov�bc�ca/mcf Healthlink BC (24hr Nurse Line) ��811 www�healthlinkbc�ca Nanoose First Nation Head Start Program �� 250-390-0003 www�bcfnhs�org Snuneymuxw First Nation Health Centre ��250-740-2337 www�snuneymuxw�ca Stz’uminus First Nation Health Centre ��250-245-8551 www�cfnation�com Tillicum Lelum Health Centre �� 250-753-6578 www�tillicumhaus�ca Vancouver Island Health Authority ��www�viha�ca Ladysmith Community Health Centre �� 250-739-5777 www�viha�ca Nanaimo Health Centre�� 250-755-3342 www�viha�ca Nanaimo/Ladysmith Nursing Intake Line �� 250-755-3388 www�viha�ca Nanaimo Regional General Hospital �� 250-754-2141 www�viha�ca Princess Royal Family Centre �� 250-739-5845 www�viha�ca Public Health Nursing Appointments �� 250-755-3342 www�viha�ca Family Services Adoptive Families Association of BC �� 1-800-ADOPT-07 www�bcadopt�com Autism Society of BC ��250-714-0801 www�autismbc�ca BC Centre for Safe School & Communities �� 1-888-224-7233 www�ufv�ca Big Brothers and Big Sisters �� 250-756-2447 www�bigscvi�ca

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CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 19

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Early Years Resources & Services Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver IslandFamily Resource Programs �� 250-754-3215 www�bgccvi�com - Family Place ��www�bgccvi�com - Chase River �� 250-753-2464 www�bgccvi�com - Lantzville �� 250-390-4001 www�bgccvi�com Parent-Child Mother Goose Program��www�bgccvi�com - Chase River �� 250-753-2464 www�bgccvi�com - Lantzville �� 250-390-4001 www�bgccvi�com Crisis Society for Central Vancouver Island �� 1-888-494-3888 www�cvics�ca Family & Youth Support Services – Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Foster Parent Support Services Society�� 250-390-9686 www�fpsss�com Gabriola Island HOPE Centre �� 250-247-8730 www�gabriolahopecentre�com Haven Society and Transition House ��250-756-2452 www�havensociety�com Help Line for Children �� 250-310-1234 www�mcf�gov�bc�ca Immigrant Welcome Centre �� 250-753-6911 www�cvims�org Kids Help Phone �� 1-800-668-6868 www�kidshelpphone�ca Kw’umut Lelum Child & Family Services ��250-591-0933 www�kwumut�org Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Adventures in Early Literacy�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Born Healthy Prenatal Nutrition Program�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Dads Group �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Family & Youth Support Services �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Parent-Child Mother Goose Program�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Volunteer Counselling Program �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca LaFF Ladysmith Family Resource Program ��250-210-0870 www�familyandfriends�ca Little Ferns �� 250-753-1783 www�littleferns�ca Parent-Child Mother Goose Program�� 250-753-1783 www�littleferns�ca Young Parent Program�� 250-753-1783 www�littleferns�ca Ministry of Children and Family Development ��250-741-5444 www�gov�bc�ca/mcf Nanaimo Child Development Centre ��250-753-0251 www�nanaimocdc�com Nanaimo Community Hospice Society �� 250-758-8857 www�nanaimohospice�com Nanaimo Family Justice Access Centre��250-741-5447 www�ag�gov�bc�ca/justice-access-centre/nanaimo Nanaimo Family Life Association�� 250-754-3331 www�nflabc�org Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Circle �� 1�877�345�9777 www�parentsupportbc�ca/grandparents�html Nanaimo Family Resource Programs ��250-753-2177 http://clbc�cioc�ca/record/CLB8004 Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre �� 250-716-1551 www�nanaimomen�com Nanaimo Women’s Centre �� 250-753-0633 www�nanaimowomen�com Nanaimo Youth Services ��250-754-1989 www�nysa�bc�ca NARSF Programs Ltd� (Nanaimo and Area Resource Services for Families)�� 250-754-2773 www�narsf�org PacificCARE Child Care Resource and Referral � 250-756-2022 www�pacific-care�bc�ca Parent Support Services of BC �� 1-877-345-9777 www�parentsuportbc�ca People for a Healthy Community (Gabriola) �� 250-247-7311 www�phc-gabriola�org Rainbows Children’s Grief and Loss Support Group �� 250-751-7888 www�rainbowsnanaimo�blogspot�com - Nanaimo �� 250-751-7888 www�rainbowsnanaimo�blogspot�com - Ladysmith �� 250-245-8921 www�rainbowsnanaimo�blogspot�com Snuneymuxw First Nation Health Centre ��250-740-2337 www�snuneymuxw�ca SOAR Mentoring Program for women – Intertribal Health Authority ��250-753-3990 www�intertribalhealth�ca Stz’uminus First Nation Health Centre ��250-245-8551 www�cfnation�com Tillicum Lelum Health Centre �� 250-753-6578 www�tillicumhaus�ca Triple P Positive Parenting Program �� www�triplepvip�ca Vancouver Island Crisis Line�� 1-888-494-3888 www�vicrisis�ca Vancouver Island Heath Authority��www�viha�ca Brooks Landing – Crisis Counselling Clinic �� 250-739-5710 www�viha�ca Welcome Wagon �� 250-756-9794 www�welcomewagon�ca

Pregnancy (Pre to Post) Birthright Information Help Line �� 1-800-550-4900 www�birthright�org Cross Roads Crisis Pregnancy Centre of Nanaimo (faith based) ��250-716-1633 www�pregnancynanaimo�com (24 hour Helpline / Appointment line) ��250-714-2191 or 1-866-714-2191 Gabriola Island HOPE Centre �� 250-247-8730 www�gabriolahopecentre�com Healthlink BC (24 hour Nurse Line) ��811 www�healthlinkbc�ca Ladysmith Community Health Centre �� 250-739-5777 www�viha�ca Ladysmith Resources Centre Association �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Adventures in Early Literacy�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Born Healthy Prenatal Nutrition Program�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Dads Group �� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Parent-Child Mother Goose�� 250-245-3079 www�lrca�bc�ca Maternal Health Program – Inter Tribal Health Services ��250-753-3990 or 1�877�777�4842 www �intertribalhealth�ca Midwives �� www�bcmidwives�com Nanoose First Nation Head Start Program �� 250-390-0003 www�bcfnhs�org Options for Sexual Health ��250-753-9511 www�optionsforsexualhealth�org Public Health Nursing ��www�viha�ca Nanaimo Health Centre�� 250-755-3342 www�viha�ca Nanaimo/Ladysmith Nursing Intake Line �� 250-755-3388 www�viha�ca Princess Royal Family Centre �� 250-739-5845 www�viha�ca Snuneymuxw First Nation Health Centre ��250-740-2337 www�snuneymuxw�ca Stz’uminus First Nation Health Centre ��250-245-8551 www�cfnation�com Tillicum Lelum Health Centre �� 250-753-6578 www�tillicumhaus�ca Recreation Beban Park Recreation Centre �� 250-756-5200 www�nanaimo�ca Bowen Park Complex �� 250-756-5200 www�nanaimo�ca Ladysmith Parks, Recreation & Culture�� 250-245-6424 www�ladysmith�ca Nanaimo Aquatic Centre �� 250-756-5200 www�nanaimo�ca Nanaimo Ice Centre �� 250-756-5200 www�nanaimo�ca Oliver Woods Community Centre �� 250-756-5200 www�nanaimo�ca Services Available for “Fee for Service” (Some services may be covered by the Ministry of Children & Family Development funding) Dianne Martin & Associates – Stepfamily Support �� 250-591-8184 www�DianneMartinAndAssociates�com Go Between Consulting ��250-714-8754 www�gobetweenconsulting�com Nanaimo Family Life Association�� 250-754-3331 www�nflabc�org Additional Resources for Families (Many organizations and agencies publish newsletters and a calendar of events� Please visit the websites for more information�) BC Association of Family Resource Programs ��604-738-0068 www�frpbc�ca Crisis Society Resource Book ��250-753-2495 www�cvics�ca Surviving in Nanaimo ��250-754-4251 The Community Dental Clinic (CODE) �� 250-591-0771 www�codeclinic�org

20 20

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6

FALL 2013

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

Effective routines make mornings easier

By Matt SandErS For many families the morning rush hour is the most stressful part of the day. So how can you and the kids get out the door on time? The key is organization – and the place to start is your own organisation. Set up an effective routine – if you need to leave by 8:15 a.m., don’t get out of bed at 7:30 a.m. when you know it takes an hour to get ready. The rule is to get yourself ready first before your child. To avoid lastminute rushing, prepare some things the night before and go to bed at a reasonable hour so you’ll wake up early. I also recommend against having the television on first thing in the morning when preparing to go out. Better to make sure the children are dressed before breakfast and make any television watching dependent on being fully ready to leave. Let your child know ahead of time that you’ll be going out and explain exactly what the day’s activities will be and their time requirements. Younger children can learn the importance of organization by becoming involved in the process of

getting ready rather than having everything done for them. Teaching children to get

Jean

Crowder

Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Cowichan

dressed by themselves is a chance to practise independent skills and it also saves you time.

You may like to try the “beat the clock” game. Your child’s goal is to be ready before the alarm clock sounds off. If your child wins, he or she earns a small treat or reward, such as a favourite snack in his or her lunch box. Tell your child exactly what tasks he or she must do to be ready to leave and thus win the reward. Make sure you set the timer for a reasonable amount of time and avoid giving repeated instructions or nagging your child to hurry up. Often it will only take a two-week period of beating the clock before the rewards and the clock are phased out. Remember to always praise your child’s achievements in learning better organization. While you never want to become too time conscious, good organization, particularly in the mornings, certainly helps. Everything runs smoother if all family members know how to pull their weight. u Matt Sanders is founder of the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. Please visit www.triplep.net.

MGS Pre-School to Class Clas 8

✸ Balances Academics with Art, Music, Nature & Outdoor Activities ✸ Blends the best of Waldorf ideals with BC curriculum Please call for more information or to arrange a classroom visit

www.jeancrowder.ca jean@jeancrowder.ca Tollfree: 1-866-609-9998

Proud to support opportunities for early childhood development!

Our Pre-school pprogram g encourages g child-directed creative play in a warm and inviting environment

250-752-2722

861 Hilliers Rd., Off Hwy 4, just minutes from Qualicum Beach

mgs@shawcable.com ~ www.morninggloryschool.ca NON-PROFIT, NON UNIONIZED GROUP 1 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

FALL 2013

21 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 21

Foundation supports children and youth

group gives to organizations that help youth.

By JESSica wOOllard “Children mean the world to us,” reads the tagline of the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. We believe every child deserves access to services and programs that will help them develop to their potential. Since the 1920s, when fundraising started for the Queen Alexandra Solarium in Mill Bay, our mission has been to raise funds so we can improve the health and well-being of children and youth with special health needs and their families. Through our community grants program, which started more than 20 years ago, we grant up to $1 million per year to Island organizations whose programs support children and youth. This year, 15 of the 30 programs that received funding are north of the Malahat, including the Ladysmith Family and Friends Resource Program (LaFF) and the Nanaimo Child Development Centre. Here’s how our 2013 grants will help kids in the Greater Nanaimo and Ladysmith area: LaFF’s Children’s Time – Children’s Time is an earlyintervention and prevention program for the area’s most vulnerable families. Based on the successful FUNdamentals program, Children’s Time will address healthy eating, active living, positive body image, positive parenting skills, and community connections, delivering early intervention and preven-

tion of obesity, diabetes and disordered eating among children. By embedding the proven FUNdamental curriculum into all of LaFF’s established family resource programming, Children’s Time will succeed in reaching hundreds of families in the mid-Vancouver Island region who are at risk of poor mental health and poor nutrition. For more information, please call 250-210-0870 or visit http://familyandfriends.ca.

Nanaimo Child Development Centre Summer Camp

– This summer camp is available for families with a child/youth from 5 to 19 years of age with identified special needs. It will offer a continuation of opportunities for

children and youth to increase the knowledge and skills they learned during the school year, as well as maximize their independence at home and in the community. For children and youth with special needs, summer can be a challenging season as individualized support is not traditionally provided. This program will provide a routinebased, individualized continuation of support through the summer season. For more information, please call 250-753-0251 or visit www.nanaimocdc. com. Bear Essentials – Another way the generosity of our donors allows us to help families in Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith is through our Bear Essen-

tials Program. Through Bear Essentials, we help families cover unexpected or extraordinary expenses related to their child’s health and special needs when their resources are inadequate to cover them and other community resources cannot be mobilized. For more information, please call 250-519-6977 or visit www.childrenshealthvi.org. If you would like more information or wish to donate in support of children’s health on the Islands, please visit www. childrenshealthvi.org or call 250-519-6977. u Jessica Woollard is a communications officer for Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.

22 22

CHILDRENFIRST FIRST//SUCCESS SUCCESSBYBY CHILDREN 6 6

FALL 2013

Greater Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Family

Turn off electronics and eat together

By EilEEn BEnnEwith We live in a world of electronic gadgets designed to keep us engaged all day long. The greatest loss that results from this form of constant communication is that no one has time to talk to one another anymore. The family meal is an ideal time to sit face-to-face and share not only good food, but good conversation. Good conversation involves active listening and thoughtful response. If every sentence is being interrupted by a text message chime, a loud television commercial, or the ringing of someone’s cellphone, it is impossible to communicate effectively. When preparing to sit together for a family meal, turn off all devices and focus on the most important people in your life – your family. When children are at the table this is an excellent place to teach manners. Children learn not just manners around eating, but how to communicate and engage in conversation. Children will learn to listen

and should be encouraged to share ideas at the table. Longer conversations with children lead to a greater vocabulary and may improve school performance. The family table is where you pass along your values and have important discussions about making wise choices. Studies have shown that frequent family meals may reduce the risk that a teen will smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Teen girls who eat regular family meals in a structured and positive environment are less likely to use extreme weight control measures such as chronic dieting or diet pills. Family meals are even attributed to lower suicide risk. Family meals are not the time to discipline your children. Children and teens are more positive about eating together as a family if they do not view meals as a time when they will be criticized or punished. Nutritionally, both children and their parents eat better when they eat family meals together. Research

shows that family meals tend to provide a better intake of fruits, vegetables and milk. This translates into a better intake of calcium, iron, vitamins and fibre. There may also be a lower intake of fried foods and soft drinks that are often associated with the rise in obesity. At the table, children learn to enjoy a variety of foods by watching what parents eat. They may not try a new food the first time, but if they see it at the family table over and over again, it will be recognized as a family food and will slowly become accepted. Try to eat together as often as possible. Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, take time to relax, enjoy each other’s company and savor the good food of a shared family meal. Don’t forget to unplug the outside world by shutting off all distracting devices. u Eileen Bennewith is a nutritionist with Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

23 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 23

FALL 2013

Playground connects children with nature

nature. The natural world is a large part of the cultural teachings that the Elders share with our children here at Nutsumaat Lelum. The deer, elk and moose must have a healthy environment in order to thrive and provide us with our meat. The children are learning to respect the forest and care for it to ensure it is safe for our food. The area has become an outdoor teaching area where Elders can share the teachings of native plants and medicine. There are many berries and plants that will be dried and used for teas. Our children are always eager to learn from our Elders and the space will provide the necessary plant life used in some of our teachings. u Carey Clint is manager of Stz’uminus First Nation Nutsumaat Lelum Childcare Center

By carEy clint Have you ever stood under the trees in the forest? What would you hear? What would you see? This past spring Stz’uminus First Nation/Nutsumaat Lelum Childcare created an extension of our play space that goes into the forest behind our child care backyard. The space is 80 feet of fenced forest. There is no fake and no plastic. The trees and plant life have been left for the children to find as it would be in any forest. It allows the children to play naturally in an environment that is non-conforming and promotes their sense of wonder. It has created the opportunity for physical activity combined with an outdoor experience in an environment that is as natural as possible and thus will contribute to setting the course for ecological awareness and a healthy relationship with

Funded byy the ggovernment of BC Child Care Resource & Referral

PROMOTING QUALITY CHILD CARE PacificCARE assists parents in finding child care for children (newborn - 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 & brochures pertinent to child development & child care selection • Education opportunities such as workshops & printed information • Information on child care subsidy and application forms • Access to the Internet for 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 & would like some support?

We Offer:

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

Nanaimo Parks, Recreation & Culture Fall/Winter Activity Guide is now available at the following locations: •

Our 5 main recreation facilities

•

Nanaimo City Hall

•

Vancouver Island Regional Libraries

•

Thrifty Foods

•

Quality Foods

•

Country Grocers

•

Woodgrove Centre

•

Country Club Centre

Or check the guide out online at www.nanaimo.ca. Registration has begun!

Call PacificCARE Child Care Resource & Referral

CITY OF NANAIMO T H E

PH: 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-CARE www.pacific-care.bc.ca

H A R B O U R

C I T Y

PA R K S R E C R E AT I O N & C U LT U R E

www.nanaimo.ca

ireg.nanaimo.ca

250-756-5200

24 CHILDREN CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS 24 FIRST / SUCCESS BYBY 6 6

FALL 2013

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

right child care important for family

By kirStEn BarlOw Looking for child care can often be a daunting task; there are so many different sources of information that may not always be the most reliable. While Internet search engines, social media sites and even classified Internet ads may seem quick and convenient, as a parent, you want to ensure that your child is receiving the most quality child care available. Your children are your most precious commodity; it is so incredibly important to their development that you find qualified individuals with experience, training and a safe child care setting, so that your child may flourish in an enriched and loving environment. There are many steps to selecting quality child care and to ensure that you find the right match for your family, it is important to be familiar with these steps. PacificCARE Child Care Resource and Referral can assist you in navigating through these steps. Our child care consultants are available to explain the different kinds of care options available and to support you in your quest to find a child-care arrangement that works for you and your family. We have a database of care providers either licensed through Vancouver Island Health Authority, or registered through their local Child Care Resource and Referral. The booklet Parents Guide to Selecting and Monitoring Child Care in BC and other helpful resources can be found at the following two web sites:www.mcf.gov.ca/ childcare/parents.htm or www.pacific-care.bc.ca. Our services to families in the Ladysmith and

Nanaimo area include the following: u Assistance with childcare related questions and referrals to child-care providers listed in PacificCAREâ€™s region for families looking for daycare via telephone, e-mail, mail or in person at our Nanaimo office. u General assistance with sending off child care subsidy applications: free photocopying, faxes, telephone and computer access from our Nanaimo office. u Workshops and train-

ing opportunities in the Ladysmith and Nanaimo communities. u Assistance, support and training to individuals becoming registered license not required care providers; training and support for opening a childcare business. u Access to resources and our toy lending library with PacificCARE membership. u Two drop-in play groups for families and care providers of children aged infant to five years.

For more information about our programs and services, please contact a PacificCARE child care consultant at 250-756-2022, e-mail mailbox@pacific -care.bc.ca or visit our Nanaimo office at 3156 Barons Rd. Current office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. u Kristen Barlow is a child care consultant with Pacific CARE.

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Family

CHILDREN FIRSTFIRST / SUCCESS BY 6BY 625 25 CHILDREN / SUCCESS

FALL 2013

New relationships unsettling for children By diannE Martin Five-year-old Susan was scared, angry, and upset. She and her mom, Laurie, had been living together in their own apartment for a long time. Her mom had just told Susan that she was going to marry her boyfriend, Ryan. Susan liked Ryan. He teased her a bit, brought her ice-cream, and took her and her mom for rides and stuff, but she didn’t want him to be her daddy. Like many children of divorced or separated parents, Susan had hoped that her mom and her dad would someday get back together. They would all live in the same house and be a family. Susan’s world crumbled and her hopes were shattered when she was told about Laurie and Ryan’s wedding plans. She was frightened and anxious and did not know what to expect after her mom and Ryan married. Many parents are stunned by their child’s intense fear and anger when they learn their mom or dad is getting remarried. Happy and in love,

few parents understand that the wedding announcement often triggers a tidal wave of grief, despair, and sadness in their children. Few parents have an understanding of the powerful impact their happy news has on their children. Few children want to have another parent figure in their lives. When Laurie asked why she was sad, Susan didn’t know how to explain her feelings. Some children are not able to put their thoughts into words: Why do you have to remarry? We don’t need him. Everything is fine. Will Daddy still be my daddy? Will I still go to see Daddy at his house? Moms and dads who plan to remarry are placed in a painful position. They want to have a satisfying, happy, and loving companion. They also want their children to share in their joy. How can you help your kids? Tears are a way many children express their fears, pain, disappointment and confusion. It is important

to encourage your kids to talk about their feeling and the changes they will experience. Will they move to a new home? Will they change schools? Will they share a bedroom? Will they see their dad, grandparents, and their aunties and uncles? Will they keep their pet? Tikes, toddlers, tweens and teens often worry that their mom or dad will stop loving them when they remarry. Talk with your kids about the many different types of love, such as the love between a parent and child, the child’s love for their grandparents, the love kids have for their pets, and the feelings they have for their own friends. Explain to your kids that grown up love is not same love you have for your children. Above all remember that kids need to be told – often – that you will always love them. u Dianne Martin is a stepmom, birth mom, professional social worker and certified stepfamily counsellor.

Jr. Kindergarten 3 + 4 years

ASPENGROVE SCHOOL

Why parents and children choose Aspengrove School: • • • • • •

full & half day programmes PE, French, library, art, music IB Primary Years Programme caring community specialist teachers small class sizes

• • • • • •

Kindergarten readiness outdoor environment play based learning ECE/IB trained faculty affordable rates community field trips and sports

Now accepting applications

To inquire about our Junior Kindergarten Programme please contact the Admissions Office at: 250-390-2201

AspengroveSchool.ca

26 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 26 CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6

FALL 2013

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

little talks help make big progress

By lynnE patrick Your child is starting to talk. Maybe single words are emerging from her baby babble. Or perhaps he uses short sentences or even tries to tell you stories. How fascinating as this new and wonderful window opens into his or her thinking. One morning, my three-year-old son discovered the mundane, yet surprising, visual phenomenon of perspective. Curious, I quietly watched as he slowly moved forward and then backward in the hallway observing his own image change size in the bathroom mirror beyond. He repeated the procedure several times, muttering to himself: “bigger-smaller, biggersmaller.” It was a delight to watch him learning that when you are farther away you look smaller. Equally exciting was the observation that he was using words to articulate his thoughts. Children learn about life and life skills during play and from their experiences. They review and practice what they observe again and again often within the context of play. They also learn how to talk about thoughts

and ideas during play. Have you ever heard a toddler babbling to himself in his bed or talking out loud to himself during play? He is learning how to encode ideas in words. He is practising talking about what he experiences. He is formulating conversations. Sometimes we forget that children need to hear language repeatedly before they can use it for themselves. If adults are talking about daily activities and new events, children will learn how to put words to their own thoughts and experiences using the adult’s language model. If adults are talking about their day, children will learn how to talk about their day. If adults problem solve out loud, children will learn the language needed for problem solving. Children also need opportunities to try it for themselves, slowly and in small steps. As they grow and develop their communication skills, their need for increasingly sophisticated language models also grows. Simple conversations can be so powerful for a child’s learning. When adults have extended conversations with their children, around topics of

great interest, children learn how to put their ideas into words using more detail or better organization. So, how does one have an extended conversation with a small child? Talk about your child’s interests. Watch and listen to your child and you will find specific details that could expand the topic. Help your child take at least five turns in a conversation with you. Use comments and questions equally to keep the conversation going. Your child learns just as much from your comments – perhaps more. Consider using interesting and unusual vocabulary. Your child will learn new words. Link your conversation to past experiences or to future events. Have a conversation about the pictures in a favorite book. Add a new idea to your child’s thought. Remember that conversations take time and focus. Your presence and your words are gifts to your child that last forever. u Lynne Patrick is a registered speechlanguage pathologist.

co Va n u v e r I s l a n d

seMiNArs: Parents of 2-12 year olds power of positive pAreNtiNg: Sept. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. at Ladysmith Resource Centre; Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre; Oct. 9, 6-7:30 p.m., at Grant Avenue Health Centre; Oct. 31, 10-11:30 a.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre. CApAble CoMpeteNt ChildreN: Sept. 24, 6-7:30 p.m., at Ladysmith Resource Centre; Oct. 16, 6-7:30 p.m., at Grant Avenue Health Centre; Nov. 5, 6-7:30 p.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre; Nov. 7, 10-11:30 a.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre.

rAisiNg resilieNt ChildreN: Oct. 8, 6-7:30 p.m., at Ladysmith Resource Centre; Oct. 23, 6-7:30 p.m., at Grant Avenue Health Centre; Nov. 26, 6-7:30 p.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre; Nov. 14, 10-11:30 a.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre.

Thursdays (Sept. 26-Nov. 21), 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre. Contact Cheryl at 250-755-6265.

teeN seMiNArs: Parents of 11-14 year olds. Sept. 11, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, 6-7:30 p.m., at Grant Avenue Health Centre. Contact Cheryl at 250-755-6265.

group teeN: Level 4

groups: Level 4 (2-12 years old) Thursdays (Sept. 19-Nov. 14), 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Ladysmith Resource Centre. Contact maike@lrca.bc.ca

Tuesdays (Oct. 1-Nov. 19), 6-8 p.m., at Princess Royal Family Centre. Contact Beth at 250-739-6824.

Wednesdays (Sept. 25-Oct. 23), 6:30-8:30 p.m., location to be announced. Contact Denise at 250-713-6102 or djantzen@ sd68.bc.ca

– Please visit www.triplepvip.ca for more information.

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

FALL 2013

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6 27

Go LocalfirBC! st. We pick BC

BC farmers produce some of the tastiest fresh food available. Enjoy the fruits and vegetables of their labour! Help support sustainable, vibrant communities throughout our province.

Port Place

650 South Terminal Avenue 250.729.2937

Longwood Station 5801 Turner Road 250.729.4950

thriftyfoods.com

Brooks Landing 2000 Island Highway 250.729.2933

CHILDREN FIRST / SUCCESS BY 6

FALL 2013

Greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith Family

StrongStart Early Learning Centre A School-Based Early Learning Program

A free drop-in program for newborns to 4 year old children and their parent, grandparent or caregiver. There are eight StrongStart Early Learning Centres in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools. When registering, please bring your child’s birth certificate. • • • • • • • •

Bayview Elementary School 250 754-3231: Fairview Community School 250 753-3418: Georgia Avenue Community School 250 753-1044: Ladysmith Primary School 250 245-3912: McGirr Elementary School 250 758-8946: Quarterway Elementary School 250 754-6845: Rutherford Elementary School 250 758-5331: Woodbank Primary School 250 722-3644:

You and your child will: ☻ Explore with sand and water

Explore art through a variety of activities Develop all the senses Learn songs, enjoy music Learn fingerplays Listen to stories Play dress-up Climb and slide Build with blocks Pretend play with toy animals, puppets, trucks, and dolls ☻ Play with natural and real materials ☺ Parents must remain with their child during the program ☺ ☻ ☺ ☻ ☺ ☻ ☺ ☻ ☺

Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday Monday

to to to to to to to to

Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday

9 a.m. to 12 noon 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. 9 a.m. to 12 noon 9 a.m. to 12 noon 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This program is designed to work in partnership with parents, their children, an Early Childhood Educator, and community partners. Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools acknowledges the financial support from the Ministry of Education who fully funds the StrongStart Early Learning

Centre.

For program details contact your neighbourhood school.