Calgary's Child Winter Edition 2020/21

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Calgarys Child 2020 WINTER EDITION

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We Are Family

OH WHAT WINTER & S E S S A L C S M A R G O PR

26TH ANNUAL

Education Directory Preschool, Independent, Charter & Alternative Schools

FUN!

Our Guide to the Holidays WINTER FUN, GIFT IDEAS & NEW TRADITIONS

Take a Hike!

10 FAMILY FRIENDLY TRAILS FAMILY WELLNESS

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Plan an OUTDOOR WINTER PARTY 7 Ways to ENCOURAGE FRIENDSHIPS From a Distance Speed Up Your Little Dawdler NOW HEAR THIS! Improve Your Child’s Listening Skills Now

Directory for every age & stage!

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Contact Us Phone Number: ������������������������������������������������������403-241-6066 Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . calgaryschild@shaw.ca

About Us Publisher/Editor: M. L. Ellen Percival

calgary’s child

Co-Creator: Sherry Kerr – ABC Assistant Publisher/Website Manager: Allison Percival Art Director: Amanda Sharp Copy Editor: Melissa Thomson

2020/21 Winter Edition

Distribution Manager: Cathy Bontje Client & Project Manager: Laura Dupont . . . . . . . 403-969-5901 advertising@calgaryschild.com

Front & Centre Being a stepparent: What you need to know to make it work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Family Wellness Directory Medical, dental & vision care, fitness, counselling and education, nutrition, and more - Calgary and surrounding communities best resources in one place. . . 28

Sales Director: Eilidh Tait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587-888-9556 eilidh.calgaryschild@gmail.com

Cover Tomsickova © Adobe Stock Images

Teach your teen how to manage their anger . . . . . . . 29

Winter Fun & Adventures New holiday traditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ice skating with little ones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Enjoy winter hiking with 10 family-friendly trails in Kananaskis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

8 things to remember when your child throws a tantrum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 How to support your transgender teen. . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Class & Program

Contests - Enter to Win. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

8 tips for being a great sports parent . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Our Guide to the Holidays Take the brr out of winter - cure your family’s cabin fever with events, activities, and holiday fun!. . . . . . . . . 14

Ready, set, goals! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Gifts from the kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Class & Program Directory Your source for information about winter extracurricular class and program choices!. . . . . . . . . . . 36

Planning an outdoor party in winter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Speed up the dawdler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Celebrate New Year’s Eve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Help your budding artist grow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Sledding safety tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8 things you need to know before taking your kids skiing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

We Love Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Turn winter chaos into family fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Calgary Cares Calgary Cares is a free forum designed to match those with needs to those willing to help.

Education Blogs to the rescue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 What’s the deal with learning styles? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Children’s Cottage Society: Your new neighbor in Bowness! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Tips to keep your stay-at-home learner on track. . . . . 46

The Calgary Shoebox Project for Women: 2020 holiday gift drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Education Directory The go-to guide for parents looking for preschool, junior kindergarten, independent, charter, and alternative schools, special needs, and tutoring support and services for their children.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Family Wellness

Don’t give up on virtual learning!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Lessons to raise money-smart kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

10 ways to improve your child’s listening skills. . . . . . 53

Child equipment safety for your baby, toddler, or preschooler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Parents Q&A: How can I help my child overcome homework hurdles? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

7 ways to encourage friendships from a distance . . . . 52

Next Issue Chinook Edition Ad Booking Deadline: January 20, 2021 Release Date: February 9, 2021 With the festive season behind us, the days are starting to get a little longer - but the snow is still flying! What is there to do around the city before it starts to warm up again?

We've got tons of activities to try! Don't miss our Bump, Baby & Toddler Directory full of resources for your new arrival, Early-Bird Camp & Program ideas, and our NEW Community Connections - meet your neighbors.

Find us on

Tanya Koob Sarah Lyons Lisa Martinez Kerrie McLoughlin MindFuel Pam Moore Jenelle Peterson Jan Pierce, M.Ed. Genevieve Yarn Karen Young, Psychologist

CBE, CSSD, Rocky View Schools & Foothills School Division Parents!

Look for our link on your School’s Website and/or Monthly Newsletters: Connect digitally with Calgary’s Child Magazine for parenting and education support, local resources, programs and activities for kids and families. calgaryschild.com (click on current cover)

Is social media cutting into schoolwork time?. . . . . . . 47

What to say to help kids feel calm when the world feels fragile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4 •

Contributors Active for Life Trista Arney Dana E. Baker, Psychologist Kimberly Blaker Katy M. Clark Chantal Côté, R. Psych.

Ann Dolin, M.Ed. Sandra Gordon Christina Katz Tanya Kaynes Shannon Carla King

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front & centre

being a stepparent: what you need to know to make it work Growing your stepfamily into something new and wonderful takes compromise

By Karen Young, Psychologist I’ve done a lot of hard things. I’ve run a marathon (well, technically a ‘fun run’ but it did require running shorts, running, and sweat so I stand firm on ‘marathon’), I’ve given up sugar (not gonna lie - worst two hours of my life), and I’ve travelled (‘Middle East, solo, broke with a backpack’ travelled, not, “May I take your bags, madam? The lift to the 34th floor is just past the atrium” travelled).

Being a stepparent is up there with the hardest. My stepchildren are adults now and even though the fog has cleared, I still claim it’s one of the most difficult things I’ve done.

From the outset, there are things about a stepfamily that would likely hint at trouble if they happened in a biological family: • Another person (the other biological parent) has a hand in some of the big decisions that affect your family - the way the kids are raised (which will always have an impact on your home), weekends, holidays, family rituals, rules. Though you will have a say, there’s a third person with an investment who will potentially want to be heard.

• The alliance between the parent and child in a biological family is potentially stronger (understandably) than the couple. In a biological family, both parents have an equal say and big decisions are made by the couple. In a stepfamily, matters to do with the child will often be between the biological parents, or the biological parent and child. Potentially, the stepparent will have less influence in decisions that impact the family and the individuals in it.

• The stepparent is an outsider. There are years of shared history, memories, connection, and experiences between members of the biological family that the stepparent will never be a part of.

Of course, in time, the stepfamily will grow into something new and wonderful, but first there will be a bit of compromise.

biological family, there would be problems if there was no expectation that you will love your children, they’ll love you back, and all will be close. In a stepfamily, these fantasies set up the potential for profound disappointment. Why? Because all family members come with their own fantasy, some of which are completely incompatible.

Patricia Papernow is a leader in the field of stepfamilies. Her book, Being a Stepfamily, is the best I’ve read. It was a game-changer for me in my own experience as a stepparent.

She identifies the following fantasies, which are typical in a stepfamily: Stepparent: ‘We’ll be one big happy family. The kids will love me. I’ll love them back. My relationship will be solid. I can’t wait for us all to be a family.’

Biological parent: ‘My partner will love the kids as much as I do and the kids will love my partner back. The kids will be so grateful for everything my partner gives this family. I just can’t wait to show everyone how happy we can be as a family.’

The kids: ‘It’s only a matter of time before my parents get back together. They love each other a lot and as soon as they realize that, we can be a family again.’

Letting go of the fantasy allows for greater acceptance of the reality, more respect for what ‘is’ and more of the flexibility that’s needed to get to wherever you’re going as a family. A stepfamily can be as happy and successful as any other, but it will be different. It’s important to let go of the fantasy gently, because your imaginings of what things would be like would have been a big part of the reason you decided to do this. And don’t worry, let go of the fantasy and reality will see to it that eventually something at least as good will take its place.

2. See the rough patches for what they are: a progression, not a fall. There are going to be rough patches and that’s okay. Accept them as a sign of progression toward a new kind of family - one with you in it. Your experience of the stepfamily might be different to what you expected but it doesn’t mean a happy ending isn’t coming.

It’s likely that at some point you will feel like an outsider, as well as jealous, lonely, resentful, confused, and inadequate. You’ll probably experience hostility, indifference, or rejection from your stepkids and more than likely you’ll fight with your partner more than you expected. This is normal. Accept it, let it unfold, and most importantly, don’t take it personally, though I know that’s easier said than done.

It feels like a shakeup, and it is, but it’s all part of the adjustment the family has to go through to get to something better. The family is recalibrating and changing shape to make way for you. That sort of adjustment was never going to be easy. Sometimes things have to fall apart a little so they can come back together in a different way. See the rough patches for what they are: a remaking, a realignment, a progression toward something new, rather than a threat.

3. Understand and respond to the loyalty bind. It’s normal for children to worry that their acceptance of a stepparent might betray their biological parent. They might worry that if they like you, accept you, or love you, their biological parent will be hurt or angry. This may increase their need to show loyalty to the biological parent by rejecting you or being hostile to you to ‘prove’ their love and loyalty to their parent.

Being a Stepparent – Continued on next page

Being the second wife/husband/important person does have benefits, the main one of which is that your partner already has a realistic idea of the work that’s required to make a marriage work. There are no illusions the second time around in relation to the marriage, though there may be a few in relation to the family.

The good news is, there are things that can be done to smooth the bumps along the way, even if you can’t completely disappear them: 1. Let go of the fantasy. It sounds simple enough (it’s not!) but it could be the difference between your relationship working or not. That’s not overstating it.

It really is that important.

An abundance of research has confirmed that unhappiness is caused by the distance between expectations and reality. It’s not so much the situation that causes distress but that the situation is different to what’s expected.

In a stepfamily, everyone comes with their own fantasy. It’s completely normal and inevitable - but if you hang on to the fantasy too tightly, it could very well fail you. Most couples come into a stepfamily thinking that the family will immediately gel, the relationships will be tight, everyone will feel the love, and the family will be a happy one. But it really doesn’t work like that. In a Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 5

front & centre

Being a Stepparent – Continued from previous page

If you suspect a loyalty bind might be at play, see it for what it is and don’t take it personally. Let your stepchild know that you aren’t trying to replace their biological parent and you know nobody could ever do that. Let them know it’s okay to feel as they do and you will work through it together.

Next, gently put the idea out there that they can care about you and love their other parent at the same time. Acknowledge that you know their relationship with their biological parent will always be special and

5. Decide on what’s important, and let the rest go. There will be plenty to argue about. The fact that a stepfamily is in the making means that nobody’s story has ended the way they thought it would. Nobody goes into marriage anticipating divorce and children don’t look forward to the day their parents live in separate houses.

There’s a lot going on: broken hearts, endings, and angry people. People won’t always be on their best behavior.

Decide on the things that are important to you and let the rest go. Push gently for the change that needs

"There are things that can be done to smooth the bumps along the way, even if you can’t completely disappear them." different to anything else. Let them know you would like to try to have a relationship that is good for both you and the child, and you’ll follow their lead as to what that looks like.

4. When your stepchild is ready, work on creating the new relationship. Don’t try to replicate the relationship your child has with their biological parent.

This runs the risk of inflaming the loyalty bind, but it also takes away the opportunity for you to create something new. You have qualities, wisdom, and experience that will be different to those of the other adults in the child’s life.

It may take a while for your stepchild to appreciate that, but be patient. Find new things to share that are different to what the child has with their biological parent.

to happen but at the same time, respect the rest of the family’s need for stability. The balance will get precarious at times but it’s an important part of getting to where you need to be. You won’t be able to function as a new family until differences are worked through and people have enough of what they need not to feel compromised. Without a doubt, your new family can be phenomenal, but it will take time.

6. Appreciate the small stuff. Understand that it may be difficult for your stepchild to accept you or show affection toward you for many reasons, none of which will have anything to do with how they feel about you.

The upheaval, their own grief and loyalty binds, all make for shaky ground. Appreciate the small moments

of contact. It’s easy to overlook them but when they happen, know that it’s big.

7. Respect that it will take time. In her extensive work, Papernow found that stepfamilies take about seven to 12 years to adjust and to exist as a healthy, well-functioning system. Quicker families might do it in four years, but some families never really get there.

I wonder how much of the time frame has to do with the stepchildren reaching independence and establishing a relationship with their stepparents as adults, rather than children.

8. Be open to letting go. Be open to the possibility that you may never be close to all or any of your stepchildren. One child may have less need for another adult in their life or may feel the conflict of a loyalty bind more than the other children. You might also be too different from each other to make it work. The most important thing is that when the kids are younger, you are committed to making it work, but that doesn’t mean it will work out as planned. There is enormous grace and courage in being able to let go, which is different than giving up.

All stepfamilies are different but they share common vulnerabilities. They can be as rich, warm, loving, and wonderful as any other family. No family is smooth sailing all the time but the dynamics of a stepfamily present challenges at the start that are unique. Within that is the potential to rise to the challenge and come out with something extraordinary.

Karen Young has worked as a psychologist in private practice, organizational settings, has lectured, and has extensive experience in the facilitation of personal growth groups. Be sure to check out her blog, heysigmund.com. Reprinted with permission by Karen Young. CCM

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winter fun & adventures

8 New Holiday Traditions

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10 Winter Hiking

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21 Turn Chaos into Fun

winter fun & adventures

new holiday traditions Classic and unique family traditions to start in 2020

By Genevieve Yarn

Christmas Eve pajamas. Let the kids open up one gift on Christmas Eve - and make it PJs every year! Bonus: everyone will look super cute when they wake up on Christmas morning.

Neighbor stockings. Everyone can use a bit of cheer this year, so why not play the role of Santa around your neighborhood? Hang little gift bags filled with holiday items on your neighbors’ door knobs. It’s socially distant and super fun for the kids to help with. Plus, it teaches the gift of giving!

Gingerbread decorating contest. Decorating gingerbread is a classic holiday activity, so why not throw a little spin on things with a family challenge?

Either make your own gingerbread pieces or buy some premade from the store, gather all the decorating supplies, and set up a big space for the family to get messy. Choose the winner by random draw or do blind voting between the participating family members (you can’t vote for yourself, of course!).

Christmas Eve dinner delivered. Who has time to cook all holiday season? Why not start a tradition of ordering food in on Christmas Eve? It saves dishes and valuable time. A win-win!

It’s safe to say the holidays will look a little different this year, and that could mean some of your family’s tried and tested traditions are off the table. With festive events around Calgary limiting their capacity - if running at all - and gatherings are being reduced, it’s the perfect time to start a new close-to-home ritual. If all goes well, in the years to come you can tell the story of how this custom came out of uncertainty and grew into a loved family event.

Here is a list of classic and unique family traditions to start in 2020!

Make a yearly tree ornament. Decorating the tree every year is a family-favorite tradition, so why not up the stakes by making a new ornament with the kids every season? In the years to come when you hang it on the tree, you will reflect on that year and have stories to share with each other.

Do a holiday scavenger hunt. If the weather is good enough, it’s nice to get out and about - even if there aren’t the usual events around the city. Put together a list of things you might see on a walk around your neighborhood, have the kids check them off, and reward everyone afterward for participating by enjoying hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.

Christmas Eve sleepover. Let the kids all sleep in one room on Christmas Eve. Sure, it could be chaos - or it could be the memory they cherish for a lifetime!

Ice skate on a frozen lake. Indoor events may be a bit trickier this season, but it gives light to new ways of doing things. Around Calgary, we have some of the most beautiful lakes in the country, and by Christmas they are usually ready for skating. If the time is right, you can catch a lake with no snow just perfect for a family glide.

My personal favorite is Lake Minnewanka because of the phenomenal methane bubbles frozen into the icy depths.

Read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. You’ve seen it in all the movies - and there is a reason. Reading Clement Clarke Moore’s 'Twas The Night Before Christmas before tucking the children into bed invokes the perfect Christmas memory.

Custom advent calendars. Who needs more chocolate over Christmas? Or wants to spend a ton of money on toy advent calendars that your kids don’t touch the moment they finish opening the daily door?

With enough foresight, you can create your own custom advent tradition. Buy a refillable calendar from a local business or get creative and leave the daily gifts in certain spots around the house for your kids to find every morning until Christmas day. Custom advent calendars allow you to tailor the surprise to your family (and include more than chocolate or cheap plastic toys).

Connect via video conferencing. It might not be an ideal way to see your relatives over the holidays but if all else fails, there are many video-conferencing programs that can connect your loved ones virtually. You can still share a Christmas dinner or watch each other open gifts, even if you can’t physically be together.

Ugly sweater party. Laughter is the best medicine, so why not get the family dressed up in ugly sweaters for a fun night, and take a silly picture while you are at it?

Any excuse for a family photo is a good one; especially when it might make you giggle to look back on in the years to come.

OTHER TRADITIONS TO START IN 2020: • Write a year-in-review email to send to family.

• Work on a large Christmas puzzle over the holidays.

• Research another country’s holiday traditions and incorporate one into your own each year.

• Have a Christmas movie marathon.

• Write a letter to Santa.

• Donate to a charity of your choice.

• Go for a drive to look at Christmas lights.

• Read a different holiday book the 24 nights in December leading up to Christmas.

• Create holiday cards and send them to hospitalized children or nursing homes.

• Go socially-distanced caroling around the neighborhood.

Genevieve is a mom of two, works in marketing, and writes in her (very minimal) free time. Follow her funny mom alter-ego on Instagram @CryItOutMom. CCM

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winter fun & adventures

ice skating with little ones 10 ways to make it fun!

At least once a week I hear a parent comment on how their children never took to ice skating, didn’t find it fun, or showed no interest in learning how to skate.

Meanwhile… I love ice skating and think it’s a great family sport! While there are plenty of other winter sports to choose from, ice skating is affordable (my son will be using the same pair of ice skates for a second winter this year). Ice skating is often free to participate in once you purchase ice skates and helmets for yourself and the kids, and it’s great for developing your children’s gross motor skills and coordination.

The first step to becoming a family who skates together is to find good skates that are comfortable and easy to put on. I recommend checking out local secondhand stores and starting there because your children’s feet will grow, and you don’t want to be buying a brand-new pair of ice skates every year. That being said, while my husband and I both purchased used skates, last winter we chose to purchase new skates for our son, so we could get molded ones with removable liners. They are warmer and more comfortable than a traditional hockey skate, have no laces (hence, much faster to put on), and are expandable over a range of two to three sizes (meaning they last two to three seasons!). There’s not much to dislike about expandable skates.

"Ice skating is great for developing your children’s gross motor skills and coordination."

HOW TO HAVE FUN WHILE ICE SKATING 1. Games, games, and more games!

• Red Light, Green Light. Skate when the leader says “green light”; stop when the leader says “red light” as you race/toddle to the finish line.

• ABC Hunt. Scatter foam or plastic ABC letters around the ice and have the kids search for the letters in alphabetical order. This is good practice for bending over and standing up again to pick up each letter and your kids will be working on early literacy skills, too!

• Chocolate Hunt. Same as the ABC Hunt game, scatter chocolate eggs, kisses, or other candy around the ice for the kids to pick up.

• Stuffed Animal game. Place a bunch of stuffed animals on the ice with a plastic bin at the far end of the ice. Kids have to carry each animal down the ice and place it in the bin; repeat until all animals are in the bin. A plastic bin comes in handy when transporting animals to the ice, as well.

• Set up an obstacle course with pool noodles, hula hoops, pylons, or other objects the kids must skate around.

• Draw lines on the ice and have the kids follow the lines. Change it up with squiggly lines, circles, snails, etc.

• Ice soccer! Set up some nets or pylons and have the kids kick a ball to practice transferring weight from one foot to the other. Ice soccer can be played as a team or individually, kicking the ball up and down the ice.

Photos: Courtesy of Tanya Koob

By Tanya Koob

Skating with a Chariot •

Hockey! Kids love hockey sticks. Bring some plastic hockey sticks or invest in child-sized wooden sticks. Get the kids hitting a soft puck or ball around the ice. Again, hockey can be played as a team or between you and a child.

2. Make sure your children’s skates are comfortable, fit well, and are not too tight. Most preschoolers should be able to tell you if this is the case.

As with most sports, it’s not fun if your feet hurt! If you have any doubts, visit a sports store for a fitting with a skate specialist. Toddlers are lucky because they can wear boots with the classic Bob skates (a blade that fits on to a regular winter boot).

3. Make sure your children are warm enough! As with all winter sports, nobody has fun if they are cold; I know I don’t! For kids learning to ice skate, they should be wearing ski pants. Wearing ski pants will keep them warm and pad their falls (there will be many).

Waterproof gloves are imperative and wearing a helmet liner or a light toque under the helmet is also recommended, even when skating indoors. My son uses a kid-sized Buff, worn like a balaclava.

If you are prone to being cold on the ice, try wearing a long ‘skating coat’ - my term for a jacket that covers your butt. And if it’s made of down, even better!

4. Push smaller children around the ice in a Chariot or jogging stroller and pull older kids around in a sled. This is a great game and you’ll get exercise, too, as you are pushing or pulling them!

5. Keep it short when starting out. Skating is exhausting for young kids! My family went skating this morning and my son could hardly climb a small hill on our afternoon hike.

When first getting started, skating for a half an hour is plenty. Bring a sled and reward the kids with a ride around the pond or rink afterward. Let them climb and play on the snow mountains next to the pond. Let them run around in the trees. Just let them play, and then return to skating another day.

6. Candy, you say? Yes, I’m not above bribing my son to practice ice skating for at least half an hour.

7. Skate with friends (while social distancing).

Everything is more fun with friends. Me and my son go out Thursday mornings as a group of moms and kids - and we are having a blast! I wish every morning was Thursday.

8. Start inside where it’s warmer. This will help you learn to put a child’s skates on without freezing your fingers and allows your child to be more comfortable while learning. No wind chill, no freezing cold fingers or toes - it’s just more pleasant.

9. Skate as a family. Why would your child want to learn to skate if they see you running around the ice in your boots? Just saying.

10. Lessons! It’s amazing what six weeks of lessons can do for your child’s confidence. My son was not exactly a fan of skating last winter. I put him in a month of lessons and suddenly he wasn’t the only one struggling on the ice. There was a whole class of other kids learning how to skate just like him (and the instructors knew way cooler games than I did!).

SAFETY FIRST! The minimum protection you should be using is a CSA-approved hockey helmet. Hockey helmets are tested to withstand repetitive impacts from both large and small objects such as pucks, sticks, and the boards.

For safer skating yet, using a hockey face mask is also recommended when learning to skate and have been known to save teeth!

Hockey Fun

Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain-related.

She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. CCM

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 9

winter fun & adventures

enjoy winter hiking with 10 family-friendly trails in Kananaskis

By Tanya Koob Hiking is an affordable family activity, and there are many trails near Calgary that provide safe options. Many popular trails are wide and straight forward to follow, even when they’re covered with snow. These trails are generally well packed down as well, so you often won’t need skis or snowshoes for a winter trip.

Here are some of my family’s favorite hiking trails: 1. PADDY’S FLAT INTERPRETIVE TRAIL. This hike is located off Highway 66 in the Elbow Valley outside Bragg Creek. In winter, park at the gate by the entrance to Paddy’s Flat Campground and hike down toward the river. The loop is 4 kilometres but allows for additional distance when starting from the highway. (Consider bringing a sled for young children as you hike the closed campground roads down to the river and bring snowshoes if you want an easy place to practice this cool winter activity!)

Trail highlights: During winter, you’ll get to explore a deserted campground where you’ll often be the only family around for miles (great for physical distancing)!

The playground at the campground is an added bonus year-round.

2. FULLERTON LOOP. This is another hike located off Highway 66 and great for a short half-day outing near Calgary. The trail starts from the Allen Bill Day-Use Area and is popular with families. It is equally enjoyed by snowshoers in winter (the snow is often packed down enough that you’ll be fine wearing winter boots if it didn’t snow overnight). The hike is 7 kilometres round trip and you’ll gain 200 metres of height. If you don’t have snow shoes, ice cleats are recommended because there are a few steep hills.

Trail highlights: There’s a beautiful viewpoint over the Elbow Valley. Your children might feel like they’ve climbed a mountain when they’ve reached the top to the scenic bench!

3. TROLL FALLS. This hike is located below Kananaskis Village off Highway 40. A 4-kilometre loop follows the Troll Falls and Hay Meadows Trails. These multi-use trails are very wide, perfect for a group hike with extended family or friends. In winter, they’re open for crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and hiking.

Access to the trails is from the Stoney Parking lot (the first parking lot on your right-hand side as you head up to Nakiska from Highway 40).

In summer and Fall, you can extend your hike to the Upper Falls on a relatively new trail that takes you to a beautiful set of two-tiered waterfalls. The trail junction is located a short distance back along the Troll Falls trail and is signed. (While it is possible to visit the waterfalls in winter, the trail is quite steep, so you need to wear ice cleats. I also wouldn’t do it with young children in tow.)

Trail highlights: The waterfalls are beautiful in any season, but I especially like them in the winter when they’re frozen. The Hay Meadows Trail is also a lovely spot for a picnic in summer or Fall where children can play beside the Kananaskis River.

4. RAWSON LAKE. This popular trail starts from the Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park off Highway 40. The hike is an 8-kilometre round trip and you’ll gain 300 metres of height. In winter, the trail offers a great introduction to snowshoeing because it is wide and easy to follow. It’s usually well packed down as well much of the time, so you should be fine wearing winter boots with ice cleats.

In summer and Fall, you can hike around the back of Rawson Lake where there are some large boulders. Your kids

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Chester Lake will have fun playing around here. In winter, stop when you reach the lake to avoid entering avalanche terrain.

Trail highlights: This is one of my favorite snowshoe outings for a winter wonderland experience to a remote location that’s still safe from avalanche risk.

5. CHESTER LAKE. This hike is also located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park but is accessed from the SmithDorrien/Spray Lakes Trail. From Calgary, it’s usually easiest to drive south on Highway 40 before turning on to the rough gravel road heading north toward Canmore. Alternately, if you’re spending the weekend in Canmore, head south from here, driving past the Nordic Centre.

Chester Lake is an easy family hike in summer and Fall for families with school-aged children with 8.6 kilometres of distance round trip and 300 metres of height gain.

Much of the hike follows a wide gravel road that is simple to follow and is great for group outings. In winter, this is a more ‘advanced’ trip and the snowshoe trail feels steep. In previous years, my family has brought a sled for the return trip down from the lake, and my husband guided the sled in front of him with a rope (helmets are highly recommended).

If visiting the lake in winter, use the snowshoe trail (not the wider ski trail). Snowshoes are highly recommended/necessary, and you should not hike any farther than the lake or you will enter avalanche terrain.

Trail highlights: In winter, I find this to be the most beautiful snowshoe hike in Kananaskis on a clear day.

6. BOW VALLEY PROVINCIAL PARK LOOP. This easy loop circles around the Bow Valley Campground off the Trans-Canada Hwy and Hwy 1X. A loop of 3 to 9 kilometres can be completed depending on how many trails you join together. My family usually parks at the Middle Lake Day-Use Area (where there’s a winter gate) and we hike the Elk Flats Trail to the group campground

(where there’s a playground). From there, we hike to the Many Springs Trail and follow the short 1.6-kilometre loop. From there, we hike down to the river for another rest break where there’s picnic tables. The Bow River Trail continues from there and connects to the Moraine Trail for a total of 6.5 kilometres. (If you still want more, you can hike around Middle Lake for another 2.2 kilometres.)

Trail highlights: There is very little height gain on this loop other than the occasional short climb on the Elk Flats and Moraine Trails. The loop is easy to hike yearround and my family especially enjoys this hike in the Spring before the campground opens for the season. The paved roads are also great to bike when the campground is closed.

7. JURA CREEK. This hike is an adventure for families who don’t need signs or official trails. Start from a large parking lot off Highway 1A east of the hamlet of Exshaw (the trailhead shows up on Google Maps). Begin your hike by following random trails from the parking lot until you reach a rocky dry creek (less than 15 minutes away).

Drop down into the creek and continue to a canyon entrance. Here’s where the fun begins as you spend the next half-hour exploring the narrow canyon, filled with ice in winter.

This is a glorious ice adventure in winter. Prepare to wear ice cleats in winter. The hike is short (a couple of kilometres at most to the end of the canyon). Hike as far as you want before returning. The canyon is the highlight and it’s at the beginning of the creek.

Trail highlights: Your kids will have a blast exploring the ice-filled canyon. Gather a group of friends for this one and head out for a half-day adventure.

8. GROTTO CANYON. Continue farther along Highway 1A toward Canmore and you’ll come to the next canyon that’s fun to explore. The hike is 4.2 kilometres return and there is minimal height gain from the Grotto Pond Day-Use Area. In winter, this is one

9. HEART CREEK. This family-favorite is a great hike year-round if you’re prepared with ice cleats for the winter months. It’s blessedly short at 4.2 kilometres return and easily located right off the Trans-Canada Hwy. There is little height gain and children enjoy the bridge crossings over the creek. Look for rock climbers above you during the summer.

Trail highlights: Children enjoy this hike and it’s a great one for preschoolers or young school-aged children as long as you’re ready to offer a hand of support at the bridge crossings.

10. GRASSI LAKES. This is everybody’s favorite summer family hike, but it’s easily enjoyed year-round if you take the ‘easy trail’ that bypasses the waterfall on a wide gravel road up to the first lake. The easy trail is stroller-friendly if you have big wheels and also great if you have a sled during snowy months. The trailhead is located outside Canmore on the way to the Nordic Centre. The trail is approximately 4 kilometres return and most people hike down on the easy trail (even if taking the harder trail on the way up). Both trails start from the same parking lot. Height gain is 244 metres, so make sure you bring ice cleats if hiking in the winter.

Trail highlights: The waterfall is gorgeous in the summer season if you follow the harder trail. The lakes look like they’ve been colored with blue or green KoolAid and you’ll be captivated by their beauty. In winter, this is a great hike for some fresh air on an easy wide trail that’s straight forward to follow. Snowshoes are generally not needed unless it recently snowed.

As a fun family goal, try to hike at least three to five of these trails over the winter months and then visit another few next summer or Fall. Then choose a few that you’ll visit in both seasons to see how they compare. (You’ll find that each trail is quite different with a unique flavor, depending on the season you visit.)

For Kananaskis Trail reports, visit albertaparks.ca/ kananaskis-country/advisories-public-safety/trail-reports.aspx.

OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: All Trails - Trail information and user-based trail reports (download the app to your phone or consult the website before hiking).

Family Walks and Hikes in the Canadian Rockies, Volumes 1 and 2, by Andrew Nugara (available to purchase at local bookstores).

Tanya is a freelance writer and mom to an energetic boy. She loves hiking, camping, skiing, and all things mountain-related.

She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures.com. CCM

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kananaskisoutfitters.com Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 11

winter fun & adventures

of the best ice hikes as the canyon floor freezes into a giant slab of frozen slippery fun! There are two beautiful waterfalls that make a good turnaround point. Ice cleats are required.

Trail highlights: This is one of my family’s favorite winter hikes for ice exploring and the frozen waterfalls are gorgeous! Regardless of the season, it’s an easy hike and if you look carefully, you can search for Pictographs on the canyon walls near the waterfalls.

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winter fun & adventures

contests For Little Ones, with Big Imaginations!

Dough Parlour™ offers premium modelling dough handcrafted with 100 percent non-toxic, food-grade ingredients. Their doughs come in a range of colors and scents, available as individual tubs or in a bundle with fun accessories! The Creativity Bundle™ is an all-in-one set including the Parlour Pack™ of 6, Imagination Mats™, a wooden rolling pin, and a set of mini cutters.

To purchase this and other products, visit doughparlour. ca. Feeling Social?

Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/DoughParlour, and Instagram @doughparlour.

For your chance to win the Creativity Bundle™, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Dough Parlour. Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

Where are you, SCOOBY-DOO?!

With trap doors, secret passageways, and sound effects, the SCOOBY-DOO! Adventure in the Mystery Mansion is the perfect playset for endless imaginative play.

Comes with 3 ghost cards.

For more information, visit playmobil.ca. Available to purchase at most major retailers and independent toy stores. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook. com/PlaymobilCanada, and Instagram @playmobil.

For your chance to win the PLAYMOBIL® SCOOBYDOO! Adventure in the Mystery playset, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Playmobil. Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

Adventures with Mario!

Kids can team up with their favorite character in the real world with this LEGO® Super Mario™ Adventures with Mario Starter Course. The set features a LEGO® Mario™ figure that gives instant expressive responses via the LCD screens and speaker. Players earn virtual coins moving LEGO® Mario from the Start Pipe to the Goal Pole via spinning and cloud platforms, the ? Block, and super battles with the Goomba and Bowser Jr. toy figures. Rearrange the bricks to create new levels to master. A free LEGO® Super Mario app is available for enhanced play. To purchase this and other Mastermind Toys® products, visit mastermindtoys.com. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/MastermindToys, and Instagram @mastermindtoys.

For your chance to win the LEGO® Super Mario™ Adventures with Mario Starter Course, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Mario. Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

Splish, Splash, Mermaid’s Takin’ a Bath!

The BABY Born® Surprise Mermaid Surprise features 20+ surprises. Use water

to wipe away baby’s sleepy eyes, then unwrap her cute mermaid towel to reveal her hairstyle. Give baby a bath in her sparkly seashell bathtub - cold water reveals her color change hair. Feed baby water from her bottle for a diaper surprise - a cute charm. Dissolve the starfish in water to reveal baby’s shimmering swimsuit. For more information, visit babyborn.mgae.com. Purchase at Amazon, EB Games, Indigo, Loblaw, Toys“R”Us, and Walmart.

For your chance to win the BABY Born® Surprise Mermaid, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Mermaid. Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

Plan a Happy Life!

Get ready to welcome the 2021 school year planned and organized with the Happy PLANNER® Teachers Influence Box Kit! The kit includes everything needed to stay productive and happy! Box kit includes 1 big sized planner - 12 months undated, 1 folder, 1 bookmark, 2 rolls of washi tape, 3 punch cards, and 3 stickers sheets. To purchase this and other products, visit thehappyplanner.com. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/planahappylife, and Instagram @the_happyplanner.

For your chance to win the Happy PLANNER® Teachers Influence Box Kit , click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild. com and enter the code: Planner. Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

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With the push of a button, the adorable ears flap while you play an interactive game of peek-a-boo or sing along with the tune, “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” Suitable for newborns to 12 months.

To purchase this and other products, visit buybuybaby. ca. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/ BedBathandBeyondCA, and Instagram @bedbathbeyondca.

For your chance to win the GUND® Flappy the Elephant Plush Toy, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild. com and enter the code: GUND. Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

Got the Music in You?

The Baby Einstein™ Notes & Keys Magic Touch™ Keyboard gives your baby the keys to music appreciation and creative expression! The portable design makes it easy to bring selfexpression wherever and stows neatly away when not in use. To purchase this and other products, visit buybuybaby.ca.

Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/ BedBathandBeyondCA, and Instagram @bedbathbeyondca.

For your chance to win the Baby Einstein™ Notes & Keys Magic Touch™ Keyboard, click on ‘Contests’ at calgaryschild.com and enter the code: Baby Einstein.

Entry deadline is Friday, January 8, 2021.

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We look forward to lighting up our stage and seeing you again when the time is right.

LOOSE MOOSE THEATRE 265-5682 www.loosemoose.com Crossroads Market 1235 - 26 Ave SE

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 13

winter fun & adventures

Our Guide to the Holidays Take the brr out of winter - cure your family's cabin fever with events, activities and holiday fun!

VISITS WITH SANTA Make sure to book your visit ahead and check for any new safety rules before going to see Santa this year!

the lights. Once everyone is in their jammies, make warm winter drinks for the family and watch your very favorite holiday movie together.

BASS PRO SHOPS Website: basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland DEERFOOT CITY Website: deerfootcity.com HERITAGE PARK’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS Website: heritagepark.ca/plan-your-visit/eventcalendar/once-upon-a-christmas SHEEP RIVER HEALTH TRUST Best Western Plus in Okotoks Website: bookwhen.com/healthtrustsanta2020 SOUTHCENTRE MALL Website: southcentremall.com VIRTUAL SANTA CANADA Website: virtualsanta-canada.ca

GIVE THE GIFT OF FAMILY TIME Enjoy a stroll through the Airdrie Festival of Lights (info@airdrielights.com; airdrielights.com) or any of your favorite light displays around town! Distance safely with your favorite hot chocolate recipe and take your family for a magical evening out.

Make the best hot chocolate ever! Arm your kids with flavored syrups, sprinkles, whipped toppings, white milk, dark chocolate chips, and compete for the prize of the best family hot chocolate recipe! Make sure to name and write down recipes for your concoctions.

Support local businesses by buying gift cards for experiences as stocking stuffers! A Calaway Park season pass (calaway@calawaypark.com; calawaypark. com); YMCA Calgary gift card (info@calgary.ymca.ca; ymcacalgary.org); Calgary Zoo day pass (calgaryzoo. com), and pre-purchased tickets for Loose Moose (mail@loosemoose.com; loosemoose.com) make great gifts for all ages!

The City of Calgary (311; calgary.ca/free) offers a range of free outdoor recreational events and opportunities to encourage active daily living and social connection. The City is encouraging physical activity and free play all year long. Visit the website to find a list of events in a community near you!

Film a family update and share it with loved ones.

Instead of sending holiday cards this year, why not ask your family members to share an update to extended family in their own words? If you need help getting the little ones talking, prompt them with some questions and record their answers. It’ll make a wonderful family keepsake and be so fun to watch a few years from now.

Explore the great outdoors this winter! Why not try snowshoeing, tubing, cross-country skiing, or winter hiking? Check out Kananaskis Outfitters (403-591-7000; info@kananaskisoutfitters.com; kananaskisoutfitters.com) and Winsport (info@winsport. ca; winsport.ca) for everything you’ll need to get your family moving!

Have a winter picnic. Bundle up and book a picnic site or have a fire or barbecue right in your backyard!

Ward off the chills with a roaring fire and roast marshmallows, make banana boats, or make your own gourmet hot dogs.

Looking for something special to get your kids off the sofa? Give the gift of a WILD | LIFE Outdoor Adventures (support@jointhewildlife.ca; jointhewildlife. ca) subscription box filled with activities, orienteering gear, tools, and craft materials to enjoy the outdoors this winter and all year round!

When was the last time you went skating? Calgary has large groomed outdoor skating rinks all over the city!

Used skates are always plentiful to purchase online and in thrift stores, or you can rent them from a number of businesses for a small fee. Don’t forget your helmet!

HOLIDAY FUN AROUND CALGARY YMCA CALGARY Email: headoffice@calgary.ymca.ca Website: ymcacalgary.org Host a hygge holiday movie night. Spread out blankets and pillows on the floor in front of the TV, light some LED candles, turn on your Christmas tree, and dim 14 •

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Ongoing; Lighten UP Calgary. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it just wouldn’t be Christmas time without twinkling lights. Share your Holiday Cheer and show Lighten UP Calgary your lit-up homes, nativity, or North Pole scenes. Submit your details through the Web submission form: lightenupcalgary.ca

Ongoing; MARKT. by Spruce Meadows. That feeling of Christmas, delivered! Shop a wide online selection of the International Christmas Market! Take a free holiday family photo through the website, courtesy of TELUS! markt.sprucemeadows.com December 11 to 31; Theatre Calgary Presents, A Christmas Carol. Not even Scrooge can prevent a joyous holiday tradition from taking place! Gather the family around the tree, and your screen, and enjoy a holiday tradition known worldwide. To purchase digital access: theatrecalgary.com Weekends, December 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 21 to 23, 10am to 4pm; Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park Historical Village. Once Upon a Christmas returns to the Park for old-fashioned fun! Guests must reserve a time slot for select capacity-limited activities. These activities remain free with Once Upon a Christmas admission/valid annual pass, but a reservation is required for horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa visits, and live play in the Canmore Opera House (Dr. Billard’s Combustible Christmas). To purchase timed-entry tickets: heritagepark.ca December 22, 2 to 3pm; Drawing Class: What’s in Your Stocking? The Calgary Public Library is drawing a stocking just for you! Do you like teddy bears? Candy canes? And maybe a present - what will it be? Led by Young Rembrandts. For ages 6 to 8. To register for the online class: calgarylibrary.ca Until December 23, 9am to 5pm; Calgary Christmas Market. Warm yourself by a crackling fire, indulge your sweet tooth with a fresh BeaverTail, pick up your fresh Christmas tree, and find thoughtfully-crafted goods from your favorite vendors. Mark your calendars for a Magical Santa Experience*, visit with jolly old elf’s reindeer, and see the mean green humbug during Grinchmas! *Presale timed tickets required for a safe visit with Santa, including virtual photos: calgaryfarmersmarket.ca Until December 31, 6 to 9pm; 25th Annual Airdrie Festival of Lights. With free parking and admission by cash donation, the festival is a low-cost way to bring family and friends together! Enjoy train rides, hot chocolate, fire pits, ice skating (weather-permitting), and walk amongst the many whimsical displays. Dogs on leashes welcome. Certain COVID-19 restrictions. Visit the website for updates: airdrielights.com Until January 3, 5 to 9pm (excludes December 25 & 31); ZOOLIGHTS. The Calgary Zoo is brightening your experience with bigger, brighter, and more magical themes this year! New themed areas include Polar Wonderland, Journey to Wechiau, Enchanted Gardens, and more! Classic activities include a skating rink, rival axe throwing, lovers’ lane, and a (physically-distanced) visit with Santa in his cabin! 2 million twinkling lights bring ZOOLIGHTS to life. The Zoo is expanding their Sensory Sunday experience! Sundays, between 5 and 9pm (excluding November 29), the ZOOLIGHTS

winter fun & adventures

out Check line our ondar calen ORE FOR MNTS EVE

WinSport’s Tube Park is one of the fastest of its kind in Western Canada! winsport.ca Until January 2, check website for showtimes; StoryBook Theatre Presents, Annie the Musical.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. To purchase online streaming to the musical: storybooktheatre.org January 16 (Marlborough Community Centre) & January 30 (710 Poplar Road SW), 11am to 3pm; The City of Calgary Community Nature Adventure Playground. Join for a self-directed, drop-in program that uses natural elements, like tree stumps, branches, twigs, rocks, and other loose part materials, to inspire active and creative outdoor play, connect people, young and old, to nature. Play ambassadors will be onsite to inspire play. Stay and watch your children’s imaginations soar in this new adventure space! calgary.ca/csps/freeactivities.html

experience will be altered to meet the needs of sensorysensitive guests. Timed tickets required and must be purchased in advance online: calgaryzoo.com Until January 8, 6pm to midnight (December 24 & 25, 5pm to 1am); 34th Annual Lions Festival of Lights. The festival will illuminate Confederation Park Golf Course once again this holiday season! Drive by Calgary’s largest free Christmas light showcase. lionsfestivaloflights.ca Until January 10; Legacy’s 6th Annual Lights Parade.

With over 1 million lights, Legacy will be one of the brightest places for your family to enjoy. Drive through the community or bundle up and take a walk along the many lit-up streets and through tunnels of lights! There

CAMPS

3–14 Years

will be over 200,000 lights, new figurines, twinkling Christmas trees, and many other things to do! Take a glide on the skating rink at 412 Legacy View SE. Visit Wolf Willow for free hot drinks from food trucks on December 5, 12, and 19. Legacy Clock Tower, Legacy community: Next to 8 Legacy Circle SE.

Until January 24; Arctic Voices at TELUS Spark.

Discover the majesty and fragility of the Arctic through interactive exhibits, wildlife biofacts from remarkable animals, and diverse stories from dedicated scientists and the resilient people that inhabit the region. Timed tickets required: sparkscience.ca

MORE WINTER FUN Ongoing, weekends starting in December (weatherpermitting); WinSport’s Tube Park. Tubing is the perfect activity for a day with family and friends.

These listings are provided for your reference only. Please research carefully and choose the companies that meet your family’s needs best. CCM

mps a C y a D L A M Amazing ANI rfieldAcres.com or call office 403-239-0638 te

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EARLY REGISTRATION BONUS All campers registered before midnight March 31st get a FREE SEASON PASS! Go to ButterfieldAcres.com for registration information. As always, register early if you are wanting to be with a particular group of friends, or if there’s a special camp week or time you need.

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Goat Milking • Tractor Rides • Pony Rides • Farmyard Fun • Picnic Areas Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 15

winter fun & adventures

gifts from the kids As the holidays quickly approach, are your kids scrounging to buy gifts they can’t afford? If so, offer them these fun ideas to make gifts from the heart.

Tell a story with photos. Create a memory page to add to a friend’s or relative’s scrapbook. Buy a package of blank scrapbook pages, then choose a theme such as ‘my best friend,' ‘sports car shows,’ or ‘when I was little.’ Design each page using stickers, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, photos, magazine pictures, and fun sayings or descriptions that fit the chosen theme.

Service coupons. Offer members in the family a free evening of babysitting, a week of taking out the trash and recycling, making a sibling’s bed for a week, pet-sitting or cleaning the cat litter for a week, snow shovelling, ironing, or other household tasks your children can do.

Shape decorative soaps. Grate bars of inexpensive white soap, then mix approximately half a cup of warm water with a cup of shredded soap. Add food coloring to the water to create colored soap. Knead the mixture.

Add additional warm water, as necessary, until it forms like dough. Next, fill cookie cutters with the mixture or flatten it on a sheet of waxed paper, and trim into shapes. Let the soap dry slightly, then press with small leaves or other designs. Allow the decorative soaps to dry for 24 hours, flipping them occasionally.

Design your own pens and pencils. Purchase sheets of large white labels and cut them into one-and-a-half inch strips. Design the pieces with colored markers, then wrap the design around the length of the pens or pencils. Personalize them by adding a smaller label to the centre of the pencil with ‘World’s Greatest Grandma’ or another catchy phrase. To protect your pencil design, wrap it with transparent scotch tape.

Personalized gifts they can make and give that won’t break the piggy bank

By Kimberly Blaker

Make a placemat. Choose a subject of interest to the gift recipient, such as model cars or Barbie dolls. Clip pictures from magazines and catalogues, then glue them to an 11” x 17” sheet of paper. Overlap the images to create a collage or spread them apart and share details about each. When complete, laminate the design with self-adhesive laminating sheets or have it laminated at an office supply store.

Create bookmarks. Cut colored paper into 2” x 7” strips, then design the pieces with colored pencils and markers, or clip fancy borders from magazines. Find out your gift recipient’s favorite author, artist, or historical figure, then look the person up in a book of quotations or search online. Select a quote, type or write it out, and add it to the bookmark. Laminate the personalized bookmark for protection.

Give magnetic photos. Cut a piece of cardboard from a cereal box to match the size of your photo, then glue it to the back of the photo for support. Last, glue a small magnet to the cardboard. Now you have a photo magnet!

Fashion a holiday pin. Buy a package of large safety pins and a small bag of multi-colored beads. Open one safety pin, then dangle several safety pins onto it through the eye at the bottom of the safety pins. Close the open pin, then thread colored beads onto the dangling safety pins. You can design a Christmas tree, heart, flag, or whatever your imagination desires!

Construct a puzzle photo frame. Cut a piece of firm cardboard to your desired size of the frame, then have an

adult trim out the centre with a razor knife, leaving a 1” to 2” thick frame. Next, trace the outside edge of your frame onto another piece of thin cardboard, and cut it out. Place a sheet of colored paper between the two pieces of cardboard. Next, glue the paper and two pieces of cardboard together. Glue jigsaw puzzle pieces around the frame, overlapping each other to cover the entire thickness of the frame. Let the frame dry, then brush a layer of glue over the puzzle pieces to prevent them from falling off. Stick your photo in the opening of the frame with double-sided tape.

Give a poster. Find out your friend’s or sibling’s favorite musician, actor, athlete, etc., then tear three or four full-page photographs or pictures from magazines or print from the Web. Trim the tattered edge, then laminate for a durable glossy poster.

Compose a memory book. Buy a composition book from an office supply store. Cover it with construction paper, then design and decorate the cover. Inside, write your memories of special times you’ve had with the person to whom you’ll present it. Memories might include a trip to the zoo, a favorite holiday celebration, a special gift, something funny, and lots of other experiences you’ve had together.

Produce glitter pens. Buy a package of pens and different colors of glitter. To get started, pour glue onto a sheet of waxed paper, then roll one side of the pen lightly in the glue, leaving one inch from the tip without glue.

Coat the pen with glitter, and then let it dry. When the glue dries, repeat these steps on the other side of the pen.

Kimberly is a freelance lifestyle writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, kbcreativedigital.com. CCM

YMCA WINTER BREAK

Day Camps

Keep your kids active this winter break!

CAMP YMCA day camps take place at Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge and Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton. Your child(ren) will participate in physical literacy activities, creative exploration and more! www.ymcacalgary.org 16 •

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Fun (and safe!) gathering ideas

By Jenelle Peterson Winter is here (again). It’s a long season - and the current health restrictions can make you feel like hibernating until Spring. But we’re strong, tough Canadians - we don’t let cold or snow get in the way of a good time. An outdoor kids’ party can be a lot of fun.

So, embrace your inner ‘Elsa,’ I’m going to guide you on how to throw the best outdoor winter party ever!

The autopilot option First, if you 100 percent do not (or cannot) do anything more than order individual pizzas and cupcakes, then think about having the birthday party at a nature centre, City park (one with picnic sites and fire pits), a conservation area, or hosting the party in your own backyard. Some businesses will even throw the outdoor party for you, complete with nature themes.

Another great option is renting a local community outdoor skating rink. Lastly, you could check out a Tube Park for some downhill thrills in or outside of the city.

Outdoor activities will be more popular this year, so make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

The hands-on option Sure, wrangling kids outdoors is more effort than throwing them in an indoor play gym, but the effort is totally worth it.

Here are a few tips on how to make your outdoor party simple, fun, and memorable.

We like to move it, move it! Get your birthday party guests moving! Have a few games ready. You may need to improvise at the last minute depending on the weather and your guests. If your guests are under the age of five or if your outdoor area isn’t enclosed, pair younger kids with older kids or adults.

• Snowball fight. Pre-make a stash of snowballs and use food coloring and spray bottles to paint snowballs different colors to represent the teams.

Take cover and let them go wild!

• Snow cake. Who can build the tallest cake out of snow? Preparation is minimal. You can use natural decorations like carrots for candles, strings of cranberries to loop around the cake, and bird seed for sprinkles.

• Ice bowling. Fill water balloons (you can add food coloring) and allow them to freeze. Once frozen, remove the balloon plastic and voila! You have bowling balls. Set up water bottles for pins (add glow sticks to the water bottles for glowbowling after the sun sets).

• Scavenger hunt. Check Pinterest for free printable winter scavenger hunts or create your own bingo card and give out bingo dabbers.

Think about scavenging for wintry things like lichen, acorns, squirrels, bird tracks, and pinecones.

Weather or not. Have a back-up date for the party (but most of the time, you should be able to work with the weather). Remember, if needed, set up a tent or tarp to provide a bit of shelter for your party guests.

Snow on the ground? Hello, sledding, snow-painting, building snowmen, and snowball target practice. No snow? No problem. Try ice-blocking in lieu of sledding, creating ice bubbles or ice pants (it’s a thing!), participating in a winter obstacle course, or creating stick forts.

The sky’s the limit! One winter bonus for stargazers is it gets dark earlier in the day. Consider a ‘Night Sky’ theme for older kids. Think glow sticks, flashlight

tag, and stargazing. You can even rent a highpowered telescope, set out good binoculars, if you have them, or ask the kids to bring them to the party if they have them.

Stay warm. This is the most important part of having fun outdoors: making sure everyone is dressed properly.

Have a packing list of layers on the birthday invitation.

During the party, periodically do ‘layer breaks’ with the kids to ensure they don’t get too hot and sweaty and

can’t do a fire, borrow some patio heaters from friends or neighbors and host in your backyard.

Give out ‘goodie bags’ at the beginning. Instead of typical loot bags, think about how to help your guests have a good time outside this winter. Think hand warmers, insulated mugs, neck warmers. Stick to the outdoor theme with goodies like a snowball maker, smaller Field Notes journal, trail mix, flashlight, or a little first-aid kit.

"We’re strong, tough Canadians we don’t let cold or snow get in the way of a good time!" end up with wet clothes. The purpose of layer breaks is to check in with the kids to see what needs adjusting.

Get the kids to unzip their coat or remove their toque if they’re too hot and when they get cold again, layer it back on!

Serve simple snacks. Once you’ve pushed your party guests to the limits of their winter play, stoke up a fire and bring out some blankets for a cozy winter hangout.

Start your fire early, so it’s really going by the time your guests gather ‘round and have hot chocolate, coffee (for any adults), or cider ready. Too cold to serve cake? A hot chocolate or s’mores buffet is a good replacement. If you

Embrace the chaos. The outdoors brings out the wild in the wilderness. Expect the unexpected and roll with it - bring extra warm clothes, blankets, and lots of hot chocolate. It’s been said that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.

Jenelle is the President and Co-Founder of Wild | Life Outdoor Adventures, a Calgary-based company that delivers outdoor adventure kits for kids. Each kit contains outdoor gear, tools, toys, and activity cards with over 10+ hours of adventure ideas, skill-building lessons, and crafts. For more information, email support@jointhewildlife.ca or visit jointhewildlife.ca. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @thewildlifeca. CCM

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 17

winter fun & adventures

planning an outdoor party in winter

winter fun & adventures

celebrate New Year's Eve Bring on 2021!

By Tanya Kaynes It is a huge understatement that this year has been difficult, so everyone deserves to celebrate! Your family has made it through 2020, and 2021 will soon be here.

Don’t think about the past; look to the future! How is your family going to welcome the New Year? Skating at your local rink? Tobogganing? Enjoying a nice fire and watching your family’s favorite movies? These are all great options to celebrate New Year’s, but let’s add a little visualization to the mix!

Perhaps your family’s resolution is to take another family trip (when safe to do so) and cross it off your bucket list. Maybe it’s a trip to Walt Disney World or Mexico or Europe. On New Year’s Eve, get everyone involved by creating a theme party to represent your ultimate family vacation goal at home.

First, to create an atmosphere of being on vacation, search online to find photos of the desired locale, print them off, and place them around the room where you will be celebrating New Year’s Eve, like the living room or kitchen. With the family, discuss the activities and attractions you’d like to do while on vacation that maybe could be recreated in the comforts of home. Serve food in the theme of the locale, add some music, dancing, a few fun activities, and bam! You have yourself an easypeasy party!

Here are some ideas on types of vacations and what you can do to create a fun, themed party: Walt Disney World. Recreate Disney magic by placing printed photos of the rides and attractions you’re dying to experience around your living room and visit the Virtual Disney World channel on YouTube. It has tons of footage of various attractions from around the world - all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride!

Create a magical ambiance by playing some park tunes (“It’s a Small World After All”) or have a dance party! There are many Disney songs to choose from like,

“I Wan’na Be Like You” (The Monkey Song) from The Jungle Book, test the family’s Disney Park knowledge with a trivia quiz, make custom homemade Mickey or Minnie ears, binge your favorite Disney movies.

Half the fun of taking a trip to Disney is the food!

Recreate the iconic Mickey Mouse logo using Oreo cookies for ears and attach them to oranges, Rice Krispies Treat balls, cupcakes, or place on top of a cake. Other Disney park-themed food to serve? What about tiger tails, Dole pineapple whip, corn dogs, mickey-shaped pizza, grilled cheese and tomato soup, etc.

"Don’t think about

the past; look to the future! How is your family going to welcome the New Year?"

Mexico. If your family has already vacationed in Mexico, find those vacation photos and have a little slide show to reminisce about the awesome time your family had and to get excited about your next trip. If you have never been to Mexico, think about which area you would like to visit and research what activities are offered:

Swimming with turtles or tropical fish, snorkeling, enjoying the sun and sand on a relaxing beach, exploring the various ancient Mayan ruins, etc.

Make fun and colorful Luchador paper masks or Cinco de Mayo sombreros, make Mexican tissue paper flowers to add some indoor color for the winter, hang a piñata, make egg carton maracas, have the kids paint pictures of what they think they will see under the sea or ocean.

Add mariachi music and a Mexican Hat Dance and you are transported to Mexico!

If you have younger kids, prepare a nacho bar where everyone can add their own preferred toppings, serve quesadillas or tacos, and blend non-alcoholic cocktails.

Of course, authentic Mexican food is more diverse than tacos and salsa. If you have older kids, there are many Mexican dishes to choose from to serve: Carnitas Huevos Rancheros, homemade Churros, Chicken Tamales, Mole Poblano, grilled corn with chipotle-lime butter, to name a few.

Europe. With the kids, get crafty, draw, or paint some famous monuments in Europe your family would like to visit like the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, the Parthenon. Have a fun quiz with the family asking trivia questions about top European destinations or together, research different things to see and do in Europe and which ones appeal most to each family member.

If dreaming of jetting off to France, bring the bistro to you and serve French Onion Soup, quiche, or Beef Bourguignon. If finger foods are more your style, serve croissants, a variety of French cheeses like Brie, Roquefort, Camembert with crackers (for the kids), and sweet French pastries or Crème Brûlée. If going Italian, make your own pizzas or set up a pasta station with a palette of sauce, pasta, and toppings. Add a side of simple Caesar salad and have gelato for dessert!

Camping. Maybe it’s a great family camping trip you all want to take in 2021. Pitch the tent, pull out those sleeping bags and pillows, turn on the fireplace (if you have one), drink some hot chocolate, and get those indoor s’mores going. If the tent doesn’t fit in your living room, I am sure your kids will be eager to make a fort out of sofa cushions, blankets, and sheets (you can also use cardboard and if safe to do so, add some twinkling lights).

Once everyone is cozy under the fort, play games, sing your favorite camp songs, read your favorite bedtime stories of 2020, share scary or funny stories, look at the “stars” (for younger kids, use a flashlight covered with a piece of tinfoil with holes poked in it to create mini constellations. Can they find the Big Dipper?), watch for animals (hide some of your little one’s stuffed animals around the living room and let your little one go searching for “wild animals”). For older kids, weatherpermitting, do an outdoor scavenger hunt.

Sick of s’mores? Serve classic camp food like hot dogs, ants on a log, tinfoil dinners.

Dream big, get creative, and transport yourself this New Year’s Eve! 2021 can only get better.

Happy safe and healthy 2021, everyone!

Tanya is the Head Curator at Menagerie Parties & Cakes, handcrafting boutique party experiences through custom décor, engaging activities, and show-stopping sweets for people living full, productive lives wanting to celebrate life to its fullest. It’s a Party in a Box! For more information, call 403-890-4803, email tanya@menagerieyyc.ca, or visit menagerieyyc.ca. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @menagerieyyc. CCM

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sledding safety tips Avoid the bumps and bruises

By Katy M. Clark

There is no better way to spend a winter’s day than swooshing down a sledding hill with your family. While sledding may be a fun rite of winter, it sends thousands of children and teens to emergency rooms every year.

Injuries range from the serious, like head injuries, to the less serious, like cuts, bumps, and bruises. Check out the following tips to make your family’s next sledding adventure as safe as it is fun.

Location, location, location Choose a hill that does not end in a parking lot, to avoid colliding with vehicles and light poles, or a pond, which may not be solidly frozen enough to sled onto.

Likewise, make sure the hill is free of rocks, trees, any other debris, or poles that can cause physical injury when sledding.

Toboggan during daylight hours or choose a slope that is well-illuminated at night. Again, you want to make sure any potential obstacles or dangers are visible before tobogganing down any hill.

What to wear If it is cold enough to sled, it is cold enough to wear a winter coat, snow pants, toque, boots, and gloves. If your kids are older and serious about their sledding fun,

they should dress in layers, so the layers can be removed as the kids work up a sweat.

Safety first! Always remember, helmets on heads.

Your children should not wear scarves. Scarves can get caught or tangled and increase the chance of a potentially fatal injury, like being strangled.

"Check out these tips to

make your family’s next sledding adventure as safe as it is fun."

How to sled Teach your kids to ride down the middle of the hill and return to the top by walking up the sides of the hill.

Walking up the sides of a hill avoids collisions between those riding down and those walking back up.

Ride one at a time, unless your kids are younger than

Big Marlborough Park Dry Pond: 755 Madeira Drive NE Bridlewood: 26 Bridleglen Road SW Confederation Park: 2807, 10 Street NW Deerfoot Athletic Park: 1503, 16 Avenue NE Glendale Park: 2225, 45 Street SW Hidden Valley: 10504 Hidden Valley Drive NW Kingsland Dry Pond: 505, 78 Avenue SW Maple Ridge Dry Pond: 1127 Mapleglade Drive SE Marlborough Community Association: 636 Marlborough Way NE McKenzie Towne: 160 McKenzie Towne Drive SE Monterey Park: 2707 Catalina Boulevard NE New Brighton: 1750 New Brighton Drive SE Prairie Winds Park: 223 Castleridge Boulevard NE Richmond Green: 2539, 33 Avenue SW Royal Oak: 9100 Royal Birch Boulevard NW Rundle Dry Pond: 4120 Rundlethorn Drive NE Sacramento Dry Pond: 10404 Sacramento Drive SW Scarboro: 1737, 14 Avenue SW Signal Hill: 2063 Sirocco Drive SW St. Andrew’s Heights: 2504, 13 Avenue NW Stanley Park: 330, 42 Avenue SW Thorncliffe/Greenview: 5600 Centre Street NE five. It is best for young riders to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

On the sled, sit feet first and do not sled while standing or going face first. Going down a hill face first greatly increases the risk of head or neck injury.

The safest type of sled can be steered by hand and includes brakes to come to a safe stop. Avoid using substitute sleds, like cardboard boxes.

Your kids should be coached on how to fall off the sled to avoid a crash. If the sled is going too fast or a collision seems imminent, teach them to roll off the sled and let it go.

Important reminders Always supervise your kids (and their friends). If someone gets injured, you will be there to administer first-aid or take them to the doctor or hospital, if needed.

Never pull a sled behind a motorized vehicle, such as a car or ATV. Speed and being on a trail or roadway can be a fatally dangerous combination. Use common sense.

Don’t forget to have fun! Sledding is a terrific way to celebrate winter and enjoy the outdoors. Plus, most sledding days conclude with a warm cup of hot cocoa indoors - yum! If you keep these sledding safety tips in mind, you and your family should have a frosty good time.

Katy is an award-winning author who has appeared on Scary Mommy, Your Teen, and Mamalode, as well as in other numerous parenting magazines. Check out her blog, which celebrates her imperfections as a mom, experiencedbadmom.com. CCM

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Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 19

winter fun & adventures

TOBOGGANING & SLEDDING City of Calgary

winter fun & adventures

We Love LOCAL

By Trista Arney

KENT OF INGLEWOOD: Located in Inglewood, this unique shop is completely focused on men’s skin care and shaving needs. They offer safety and straight razors, as well as shaving creams and beard-care products. Facial care needs attention now more than ever with facemask use, so it is a great time to visit Kent of Inglewood for yourself or someone you love. They have social distancing in-store shopping and a robust online store presence. For more information, visit kentofinglewood.com.

Rea for a c d on round urrent -up holida of local yg favori tes fo ift & par r kids ents!

For even more local picks check out our blog at calgaryschild.com

BURWOOD DISTILLERY: This local distillery offers a range of products for the adults in your life. Burwood offers a variety of spirits and mixed beverages, including a vodka soda quite similar to this year’s smash hit, White Claw, as well as Kombucha Cocktails. For a more practical gift, you can also purchase hand sanitizer and refills or a gift certificate to their restaurant. For more information, visit burwooddistillery.ca.

METAL GALAXY SOCIAL GAMES & BISTRO: If your child is interested in any of the collectible card games like Pokémon™, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or Magic: The Gathering, this locally-owned gaming café can help you out. You can purchase sealed cards, individual special cards, or pre-built decks. As an added bonus, the friendly staff are always happy to help teach your child (or you) how to play the game.

Metal Galaxy is also a family-friendly board game café with no cover charge or hourly rate. Events, tutorials, and the Board Game library are currently unavailable due to current health precautions (hoping it will be available again soon!). For more information, visit metal-galaxy.com.

HELLO FRECKLES!™: Created by a local Calgary mom, Hello Freckles!™ is a small business focused on fun, colorful, and high-quality hair accessories. Find hair bows, scrunchies, headbands, and more.

They also sell bowties and face masks! Local pickup is available in Calgary or there are shipping options if you would like to send something special to family. For more information, visit hellofreckles.ca.

Trista is a stay-at-home mom and loves to share her discoveries about how to make life in Calgary work for families of all kinds. CCM

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CAKEIFY STUDIO: All the fun of baking and decorating with the kids, without the prep work! CAKEify Studio has lots of different DIY kits, from simple to stunning. Decorate cookies, cake pops, or full cakes by following their DIY videos. Your kit includes the baked goods and all the decorating gear you will need including buttercream, fondant, sprinkles, and more - depending on the design you choose. Many of their DIY kits have vegan or gluten-free options available. For more information, visit cakeifystudio.com/shop.

HIPPO HUG: A locally founded and owned company, Hippo Hug was built on a passion for helping people! Weighted blankets can have benefits for people of all ages with a variety of conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, menopause, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Hippo Hug also offers crash mats, sensory products, and cotton face masks.

For more information, visit hippohug.ca.

FIRE ESCAPE® POTTERY PAINTING AND CERAMIC ARTS STUDIO: Let your creativity flow, even if you are staying home with a Studio in a Box! Fire Escape® offers a package where you can pick your favorite pottery pieces to customize and they will loan you the paint brushes, palettes, paint, and tools. When you return the painted pieces, they will fire them in their kiln for you. For more information, visit fireescape.com/cpr-kit.

CROCHETTY ROSE: Handmade locally in Calgary, Crochetty Rose offers a variety of hand crocheted items. Find the perfect stuffed toy, including some based on popular characters, warm wearables, home décor items, and spa-quality bath accessories. I particularly love their play food collection, perfect to inspire imaginative play! For more information, visit crochettyrose.ca.

Get cozy and celebrate at home

By Lisa Martinez Life is challenging enough during a pandemic. Adding minus-degree temperatures and snow to the mix could be a recipe for disaster… unless you plan ahead for winter boredom. This article is designed to help you do just that! While each child in your family is different, you know your children best. I suggest you start with an overall family plan, and make sure to include individual picks for each child. Get the entire group involved in the process; it can also be a fun activity to pass the time and stir up latent creativity. So, grab a notebook or use your note-taking app, and let’s get started!

Prepare some snacks or hot cocoa and invite the family to the kitchen table for a brainstorming session.

Start by asking your kids some open-ended questions like: “What is your favorite winter memory?” or, “What is something you love to do when it’s cold outside?”

While a cherished memory for the kids might be a holiday ski trip or a beach vacation, you maybe cannot do that exact same thing this year, but you can take some elements of that cherished memory and recreate it at home. For instance, if skiing was the kids’ answers to

"Get the entire group involved to pass the time and stir up latent creativity!"

something they love to do when it’s cold, turn the heat down in the house (yes, you read that right), bundle up in warm clothes, and use balled-up socks to engage in a mock snowball fight indoors. Use some of those shipping boxes we all have around the house from months of online shopping to build two base camps, choose teams, and then let the sock balls fly!

What about the beach vacay as the kids’ favorite winter memory? Crank up the heat, whip up some tropical pineapple-mango-coconut smoothies, have

everyone dress in their favorite beach attire, and watch a fun summer movie - maybe something classic your kids might not have seen yet as this keeps it fresh. You could try watching Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown, where the Peanuts gang go to summer camp. Or maybe go with one of my most-beloved films: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (I could watch this movie a hundred times and still find something new to love about it). Being cooped up indoors will bring out the inner Ferris Bueller (read: the rebel) in all of us.

But what if my children are so bored they can’t think of anything to add? You ask. All parents know how the complaint goes: “I’m boooooored. Give me something to do.” We are probably far too well acquainted with this sentiment since, oh, about mid-March 2020. Am I right?

And you might feel like you have exhausted your entire repertoire of fun activities to do, but I encourage you to dig a little deeper. You can do it. I believe in you!

Here is a list of possible options and/or brainstorming talking points of fun winter indoor activities: • Challenge the family to a Nerf war. (Always fun!

I’m known as the sniper in my house.)

• Read or reread all the Harry Potter books. Those who can read take turns narrating the book (to make this last the entire winter, after you have

•

read each novel, sit down and watch the movie together before moving on to the next in the series). Before you know it, the birds will be chirping, and little blades of grass will be peeking out of the ground after a long winter slumber.

Search for family-friendly YouTube cooking videos and let each family member choose one meal to cook together. Each family dinner can be a new adventure! Try theme nights like Mexican, Thai, or even something new like ‘Meatless Mondays’ where you can veganize some of your family’s favorite foods like burgers, pizza, and mac ’n cheese.

The list is endless if everyone puts on their thinking caps - even brainstorming indoor winter activities becomes a fun activity. And there is no shame in using Google to see what other parents have done to avoid the chaos and insanity of a long winter spent indoors.

Trust me, you’ve got this. You can turn winter chaos into family fun.

Lisa is a Calgary-based freelance writer, editor, and writing coach. Find out more on her website, lisadmartnez.com, Facebook, facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Dawn-Martinez/ 144664948878700, and Twitter @LisaDMartinez. CCM

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 21

winter fun & adventures

turn winter chaos into family fun

calgary cares

calgary cares Calgary Cares is a free forum designed to match those with needs to those willing to help. If you work for, volunteer for, or know of a charity that needs some support, please let us know so we can tell our readers.

Help is Just a Phone Call Away!

211 Community Connection (24 hours) Dial 211 to get connected to the community services you need �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������211 AADAC Help Line (24 hours) Phone ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1-866-33AADAC (2-2322) Adult Counselling and Prevention Services �������������������������������������������� 403-297-3071 Youth Services ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������403-297-4664 Alberta Children’s Hospital Child Abuse and Mental Health Program Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-5959 Alberta Health Services – HEALTHLink Alberta 24-hour line providing health information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811 Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse 24-Hour Crisis Line and support for people who have been sexually abused/assaulted and their families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-237-5888 CCIS Parent Link Family Resource Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-6686 Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery 24-hour child care for parents in crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-233-2273

Children’s Cottage Society: Your New Neighbor in Bowness!

Provided by Children’s Cottage Society Children’s Cottage Society is excited to be a part of your neighborhood with a brand-new service called the Calgary West Family Resource Network. This is a wonderful collaboration of agencies providing a range of free programs for families with children under the age of 18. If you are looking for resources and support around parenting, child development, counselling for you and your family, and to make connections within your community, the Children’s Cottage Society is here to help!

At the Family Resource Network, they are committed to supporting and connecting families to community resources and programs, and they look forward to meeting you!

Hub contact: 7930 Bowness Road NW Phone: 403-830-3153 Email: westfrnintake@childrenscottage.ab.ca Hub hours: Most often, the hub is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. However, they will do their best to ensure they are flexible and there for you during other times.

Communities served by the Family Resource Network (FRN) Calgary West Southwest - Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Coach Hill, Cougar Ridge, Crestmont, Currie Barracks, Discovery Ridge, Glamorgan, Glenbrook, Killarney/Glengarry, Lake View, Lincoln Park, Parkdale, Patterson, Signal Hill, Richmond Hill, Rosscarrock, Rutland Park, Shaganappi, Spring Bank Hill, Sprucecliff, Strathcona Park, Westgate, and Wildwood.

Northwest - Bowness, Greenwood/Greenbriar, Montgomery, Silver Springs, Scenic Acres, St. Andrew Heights, Tuscany, Valley Ridge, West Springs, University Heights, and Varsity.

Children’s Cottage Society is honored to serve families in Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

Due to COVID-19 and physical-distancing precautions, services may be offered virtually or by appointment. For more information, visit childrenscottage.ab.ca/main/family-resourcenetwork-programs, email westfrnintake@childrenscottage.ab.ca, or call 403-830-3153. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/childrenscottagecalgary, and Instagram @childrnscottage. CCM

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The Calgary Shoebox Project for Women 2020 Holiday Gift Drive Provided by The Shoebox Project for Women For women who have been displaced from their homes and estranged from their families, special occasions can be particularly challenging. Often, women report feeling disconnected from society, invisible, and alone. A Shoebox gift is a powerful reminder for a woman that she has not been forgotten and that she remains a valued and respected member of her community.

Due to the risks associated with COVID-19, The Shoebox Project for Women is unable to accept physical Shoebox donations this holiday season, but they are committed to spreading joy and a sense of belonging to women impacted by homelessness. Now, more than ever, they need your support. You can help a local woman in a shelter by creating a virtual Shoebox!

What is a virtual Shoebox?

A virtual Shoebox is a fun and thoughtful experience of putting together a gift for a local woman in need. The items you select are representations only (meaning, your purchase is considered a monetary donation to The Shoebox Project).

100 percent of your purchase will go directly toward supporting women in your local community.

How it works Design your gift and select the items you would like to include with a few clicks!

Step 1. Choose your gift wrap. Select one fun wrapping paper design for your virtual Shoebox.

Step 2. Choose something useful. Select at least two essential items: bar soap, deodorant, hand cream, hand sanitizer, lip balm, shampoo and conditioner, Taylor Jay Face Cover, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Step 3. Choose something warm. Select at least one seasonal item: KYSO Socks, mitts, scarf, winter hat.

Step 4. Choose something luxurious. Select two little luxuries: body lotion, Cheekbone lipstick, eyeshadow palette, mascara, Oh So Paper Journal, PC Chocolate, People of Color Nail Polish, Reusable mug.

Step 5. Choose a gift card. Add a gift card to help her with additional daily essentials: PC gift card, Shoppers Drug Mart gift card, Tim Hortons gift card.

Step 6. Checkout. After you have created your Shoebox, complete your purchase. At checkout, include a brief message for volunteers to transcribe into a holiday card.

For something more personal, include a handwritten note: an e-card, something you’ve made, a photo of yourself, or a video greeting. It will be distributed directly to a local woman in need. Share your personalized greeting on social media using #VirtualShoebox!

Be the reason someone feels celebrated this holiday season.

Start creating your holiday Shoebox today at shoeboxproject. com/calgary.html. Feeling Social? Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/TheShoeboxProjectCanada, and Instagram @shoeboxproject. CCM

Child Abuse Hotline Report child abuse-24 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-387-KIDS Community Resource Team 24-hour mobile crisis team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-299-9699 Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary Offers a number of respite options for families with a child with a disability 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, voice message after hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-240-3111

Distress Centre Calgary 24-hour crisis line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-HELP (4357) ConnecTeen – 24-hour youth support line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-264-TEEN (8336) Early Start Support for Families with New Babies Seven days a week, 24-hours a day support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-244-8351 Families Matter Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-205-5178 Hospice Calgary Grief Counselling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-263-4525 Kids Help Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-668-6868 La Leche League Breastfeeding Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-242-0277 Mental Health Help Line 24 Hour Help Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-303-2642 Mental Health Crisis Line (Mobile Response Team) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-1605 Canadian Mental Health Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-297-1700 Suicide Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-297-1744 Missing Children Society of Canada Organization dedicated to the search for abducted and runaway children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-661-6160 Parent Support Association 24-hour self help for parents of children nine and up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-270-1819 Poison Centre Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-1414 Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-332-1414 Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta A home away from home for out of town families with seriously ill children in the Calgary Hospitals – 9 am to 9 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-240-3000 Shelters (all 24 hour access) Calgary Drop-In Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-3600 Children’s Cottage Crisis Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-233-2273 Women’s Emergency Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-234-SAFE (7233) Sheriff King Family Support Centre Crisis Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-0707 Awo-taan Native Women’s Shelter Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-531-1972 Wheatland Communities Crisis Society Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-934-6634 SIDS Calgary Offers support to families who have lost a child to crib death . . . . . 403-265-7437 West Central Communities Resource Centre One-stop approach for family services in the SW communities in regards to early intervention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-543-0555 Women’s Health Resources Women’s Health Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-2270 YWCA Sheriff King Family Support Centre Non-crisis information - 8 am to 4 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-266-4111

Hospitals Alberta Children’s Hospital 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-7211 Foothills Medical Centre 1403, 29 Street NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-944-1110 Peter Lougheed Centre 3500, 26 Avenue NE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-4555 Rockyview General Hospital 7007, 14 Street SW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-3000 Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre - Urgent Care 1213, 4 Street SW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-955-6200 South Calgary Health Centre - Urgent Care 31 Sunpark Plaza SE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-943-9300 South Health Campus - Emergency Department 4448 Front Street SE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403-956-1111

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26 Child Equipment Safety

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30 Temper! Temper!

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31 Transgender Support

family wellness

what to say to help kids feel calm when the world feels fragile You don’t need to look for the answer to their anxiety; you are the answer

By Karen Young, Psychologist When their days come with spikes, your children turn to you. You won’t always be able to fix the breakages, but you don’t need to. You don’t need to do very much at all. As the important adult in their world, you have a profound capacity to soften the sharp edges and bring their world back to safe enough. Whatever is happening around them, whether it is a global crisis or world or family trauma, your words and your presence can heal and strengthen them like nothing else.

Sometimes it’s hard to know the right things to say, but even if the words don’t land as you expected, you can always put things right again. What’s important is creating space for the conversations to happen.

Silence can be scary for children if they are filling in the gaps themselves or if they believe everything they see and hear, without having you to help make sense of things for them. There is no wrong way to have the conversation. Just start, and let the words come. Here are some things that might help.

HOW TO HELP KIDS FEEL CALM Ask them what they know and make space for more. Children will hear all sorts of things that sound like the truth but are really blockbuster versions of something that is nothing like the truth. Even if they have heard the facts, those facts might be frightening if they aren’t in context or if they aren’t softened and contained by your calm and wisdom. Once you’ve found out what they know, explore how they’ve made sense of it. “There’s a lot of talk about what’s happening. What have you heard? What do you think it means? Is there anything you’d like to ask me? You can ask me anything.” Some kids might not want to talk, and that’s okay. Let them know you are there, if needed.

Anxiety will focus them on the similarities; steer them toward the differences. To get a sense of what it all means for them, their minds will tend to focus them on the similarities between themselves and the people who have been affected. You can help them feel safe by steering them to the differences. It might be that people who have been affected live in a different place, have a less responsive health system, or are more vulnerable because of age or health factors. The big difference is that with every day that goes by, the world learns more about what’s happening and how to keep people safe, so the response becomes stronger and wiser. “We have information today that we didn’t have yesterday, and every day we are learning more about how to stay safe and get through this. We are going to be okay.”

If you can’t normalize the event, normalize how they feel about it. Whether they feel anxious, confused, frustrated, angry, or nothing at all, it’s important their response is normalized. Research has found that children are more likely to struggle with traumatic events if they believe their response isn’t normal. This is because they tend to be more likely to interpret their response as a sign of breakage. “What’s happening is scary. There’s no ‘right’ way to feel and different people will feel different things. It’s okay to feel whatever you feel.”

Be their brave. However scary the world feels, the safety of you will always feel bigger to your kids. When your heart is calm and brave enough, your children will catch this. If you are uncertain or anxious, try to tap into that part of you that knows your kids are safe enough.

Before reassuring them, it’s important to acknowledge 24 •

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whatever they are feeling. When you open your heart to what they are feeling, you can hold those feelings with strength, help them make sense, and hand them back in a way that feels more manageable. “I know this feels scary, and I know we will be okay. I know that with everything in me.”

Feel what you feel, and ‘add in.’ This is not about ‘not feeling’ but about ‘adding in’ - adding in courage, strength, confidence, gratitude. To anxiety, add courage.

To uncertainty, add confidence that everything will be okay. To sadness about what’s wrong, add gratitude for what’s right. It’s okay for them to see you feeling anxious, uncertain, or frustrated, as long as this is done from a position of strength. In fact, it can be healing for them because it opens the way for their own big feelings to breathe. “Sometimes I feel anxious about what’s happening, especially when things are changing so often. I also know that we are going to be okay. I know that for certain. We are going to get through this together, and we are going to be okay.”

Sit with them where they are, without needing it to be different for a while. Whatever they are feeling, if you can sit with your children in it for long enough for them to feel you right there, in it with them, they will be more likely to follow you into calmness. The message you are sending by doing this is, ‘I can see the world the way

what you are going through now, but whether it’s a natural disaster or a global trauma, the world has been through tough things before, and we’ve got through.

“We will get through this, too.”

You see, it’s like seat belts... During a crisis, the protective measures that are put in place can feel scary.

"Whatever is happening around them, whether

it is a global crisis or world or family trauma, your words and your presence can heal and strengthen them like nothing else." you see it, and feel it the way you feel it, and even with that, I know we will be okay.’ Our reassurance becomes more believable when we start from where they are.

Let them know they are held by many. Let them feel the strength and safety of being part of something bigger - our common humanity. With this, they can feel held by collected wisdom and the will of all the world’s people to protect each other and make things better for everyone.

“There are experts who are really good at protecting us from things like this. They are working around the clock to make sure we are safe, and I trust them.”

Continue to put their anxious anger to work. Anxiety will focus them on what they can’t do, which will fuel a sense of helplessness. Counter this by focusing them on what they can do. With the persistence of COVID-19, this includes continuing to wash their hands frequently, wearing a mask, coughing or sneezing into their elbow, and sleeping and eating well to keep their bodies strong.

Remind them that the actions they are taking to protect others remain important. “By continuing to be careful with where we go and what we do, we are doing something really important to help others.”

Remind them that they’ve been through tough times before, and they will always get through tough times. You might not have been through anything like

The more extreme the protections, the more they might feel as though they are evidence that trouble is coming.

Explain these as the things we do ‘just in case,’ not confirmation that we are in trouble. “You see, it’s like seat belts. We don’t wear seat belts because we expect something terrible to happen, but to keep us safe if something should happen. We’re really lucky to have things that help keep us safe.”

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOU You don’t need to look for the answer to their anxiety; you are the answer. You might look for the right things to do or the right things to say to make things better for your kids, but the truth is, the answer has always been you. The world will always feel calmer and gentler in the space that exists because of you because of your presence, your calm, your courage, your words, your wisdom. Everything you need to help them feel safe enough and brave enough is in you.

Karen Young has worked as a psychologist in private practice, organizational settings, has lectured, and has extensive experience in the facilitation of personal growth groups. Be sure to check out her blog, heysigmund.com. Reprinted with permission by Karen Young. CCM

family wellness

lessons to raise money-smart kids Raise smart money managers

By Christa Melnyk Hines When it comes to teaching financial literacy, you play a vital role in how your kids will manage their money in the future. Here are ways to raise smart money managers.

Teach them to save. Many families are only one job loss, medical crisis, or legal issue away from falling into serious financial trouble. Understanding the value of saving is a simple first lesson in personal finance. Provide a piggy bank for your youngster to collect change. Later, open a personal savings account in your child’s name for them to squirrel away half of all of their earnings and monetary gifts.

Budget together. Demonstrate to your kids how you manage expenses like groceries, bills, mortgage and car payments, while still setting some money aside for savings like university, retirement, and emergencies (a rainy-day fund). If your own financial history is spotty, talk about how poor budgeting decisions have caused you problems.

"Understanding the

value of saving is a simple first lesson in personal finance."

“There is nothing wrong with being honest with children and letting them see you improve yourself. It’s a very valuable and humbling teaching opportunity,” says Tonya Jensen, a financial adviser.

Discuss the importance of living within (some experts recommend below) your means by prioritizing necessities and carefully choosing the types of items that you purchase on credit. Stress the importance of paying off credit cards to avoid getting saddled with long-term debt.

Help them understand debt. Does your child receive a weekly allowance? Next time they ask you to borrow money, create an I.O.U. and bill them for your loan.

“When it’s payday, lay out the money they are to receive. Then, go back to the debt they owe you and take it away,” recommends economic educator Latoya Goree. For example, if your child receives a $10 allowance and owes you $7, lay out 10 loonies and take away seven to collect on the loan. Your child will realize that they’ll have to manage on $3 until next payday.

“This gives them a visual example of what it means to be in debt and how it feels in the moment,” says Goree.

Teach them to plan ahead. Maggie Root says that any money her sons, ages 12 and 17, earn or receive is divided three ways: 50 percent toward extras, 30 percent for education, and 20 percent for charity.

Offer incentives. Root’s oldest son, Jack, uses a portion of his earnings from his part-time job toward his car insurance. “We agree to pay for his vehicle and tags as long as he meets our requirements for academic and leadership performances,” says Root.

Balance a cheque book. Open a chequing account for earnings that will cover expenses like gas, insurance, and entertainment. Although many people use debit cards and banking online, kids should still learn how to write a cheque and balance a cheque book.

Borrow smart. If a kid gets in the habit of only making the minimum payment on a credit card during their university years, they’ll start off their career under a burden of debt. Plus, the accrued interest can negatively affect their credit score, making it harder for them to buy their first home or car.

Student loan debt is another area where young adults can get into trouble. Encourage your child to only borrow what they need, even if they qualify for more. “If they borrow too much, it affects their ability to maximize their income later,” says Goree.

Raise an investor. Root helped Jack set up a small investment account to manage. “He really took to it and has used this in his high school business class,” says Root. “He has a good understanding of the stock market compared to his peers,” she says.

Give back. Help your child understand the value of giving back to their community. “Charitable giving builds character,” says Goree. It builds commitment to the community and it builds integrity as you are producing productive citizens for society.”

FINANCIAL LITERACY BY AGE n Kindergarten to Grade 6 - Learn to save. Make choices: “What purchases are you willing to give up in order to have what you want most?” Consider offering allowance for extra household chores at around age 10. n Junior High - Learn the basics of budgeting.

Manage first-time earnings into savings and weekly expenditures. n High School - Budget earnings, discuss credit cards. Plan for future needs like education or for a new or used car. Learn about investing and the importance of charitable giving.

Source: Latoya Goree

Christa is a nationally-published freelance writer and mom of two sons. CCM

HERE TO MAKE GOOD DAYS BETTER, AND TOUGH DAYS EASIER. Our flexible dental, drug and extended health plans are designed to provide you with coverage for every kind of day.

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family wellness

child equipment safety for your baby, toddler, or preschooler What to look for when you're choosing equipment

By Kimberly Blaker Regardless of your personal approach to parenting, one thing all parents can agree upon is child safety.

It seems like new recalls on child equipment and news of another young child injured by equipment occur regularly. Parenting can be stressful enough without having to worry about the equipment you use every day with your baby, toddler, or preschooler. To alleviate stress and ensure your child is safe and secure, keep the following in mind when buying and using child equipment.

Car seats One situation that parents worry about is driving with their baby or child on board. Car seats offer your child the best protection in the event of an accident, so it’s essential you have the right equipment and use it correctly.

Alberta Health Services recommendations Buy the car seat early and practice placing it securely in your car. The team at Alberta Health Services has developed how-to videos showing car seat installation; view at healthyparentshealthychildren.ca.

When traveling at low speeds, holding your baby on your lap is not safe. To provide the best protection for your baby in a sudden stop or crash, use a rear-facing car seat, as it protects your baby’s head, neck, and back. Use a rear-facing car seat until your baby is at least two years old, or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for the seat.

Always check that the car seat is approved for use in Canada and has a visible CMVSS label. Register new car seats with the manufacturer and read the instruction booklet and your vehicle owner’s manual to make sure you install it correctly.

Buying or borrowing a used car seat isn’t recommended. Used car seats might be damaged, have missing parts, recalled or expired, and that means they don’t meet current safety standards.

"It isn’t possible to

eliminate all potential risks to children, so the best way to keep children safe is for an adult to be present and aware when equipment is in use."

• • •

Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind if you buy or borrow a used car seat: • Find out the history of the car seat. Check that it’s in good condition, with no loose or worn parts.

• Check for a CMVSS sticker, model number, and the date of manufacture.

• Check that it has not passed its expiry date.

• Ask for the instructions. If it’s an older car seat, contact the manufacturer to check for recalls or to replace lost instructions.

• Don’t buy or use a car seat if it has been in a crash. There may not be any signs of damage, but any cracks or weakened areas can make it unsafe to use.

• Don’t use a car seat made before January 1, 2012 because it may not meet today’s safety standards.

Babies born preterm or with a low birth weight need extra care Check that the lowest shoulder slot is less than 10 inches from the bottom of the seat and the slot for the crotch strap is less than 5.5 inches from the back of the seat. Your baby might need support to stay in the centre of the car seat. You can place a small, rolled-up towel or receiving blanket on both sides of their body.

To stop them from sliding down in the seat, check with 26 •

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the manufacturer to find out if a small, rolled-up towel or receiving blanket can be placed between their legs and the crotch strap.

Cribs Babies and toddlers spend at least half their day sleeping, often in a crib, so crib safety is vital.

Adhere to the following to keep your child safe: • Don’t use a crib with drop-down sides. These were banned as of June 2011 for safety reasons.

If buying a previously-used crib, check for this feature (drop-down sides) if you’re not sure when the crib was made. When buying a second-hand crib, also make sure there are no missing parts or issues with the paint, splintering, or loose connections.

• When your child is in their crib, follow age-based recommendations to avoid SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Babies should be placed on their backs, and mattresses should be flat and firm with a tight-fitting sheet. The mattress must fit snuggly, leaving room for no more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib. There should be nothing loose placed in the crib, such as blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys.

• Make sure cords from baby monitors, lamps, and

other electronics or strings are nowhere near the crib, which increases the risk of strangulation.

Cords should be at least three feet away from your child’s crib. Products with cords should be placed near wall outlets, so the cords can be tucked away where your crawling and walking baby can reach them. Cordless blinds are affordable and a worthwhile investment for your baby’s nursery and elsewhere in your home.

Do not hang hard-edge, glass-encased pictures over the baby’s crib or changing table. Hang these items on the wall somewhere else.

Mobiles should not have small parts that could become a choking hazard and should be hung out of baby’s reach.

One of the most significant hazards with cribs as your child grows is the risk of falling. Ensure the mattress height is appropriate so your child can’t roll or climb out of their crib. When your toddler can climb out, the crib is no longer suitable or safe, and it’s time to change your child’s sleeping arrangement.

Changing table As babies grow and can roll around, sit up, stand, or play around, it’s more challenging to change their diaper. A safe changing table is essential to keep your baby secure and reduce the risk of falls. The table should have a guardrail at least two inches high around it, and the changing pad should have raised sides to prevent easy rolling. A strap with a buckle is recommended to keep your baby secure, but don’t solely rely on a strap with a buckle; always keep a watchful eye. Keep all diaper supplies within reach under the changing table, so you never have to leave your baby’s side. Like any equipment, make sure the changing table is put together correctly and sturdy and be aware of the manufacturer’s recommended weight limits.

Swings and rockers Swings and rockers can help soothe a fussy or sleepy baby, especially if they have issues with lying flat or need

family wellness

a soothing motion to calm them. Swings and rockers are also a handy place to entertain babies while you get things done. But only put a baby in a swing when you’re able to see and be aware of your baby.

This type of baby equipment has had many recalls.

Some rockers and swings are advertised for sleep and to help with naps. But according to manufacturers and organizations, swings and rockers aren’t safe for sleeping without supervision.

The safest way for babies to sleep is flat on their back.

This type of equipment puts a baby’s head and neck at an angle, which can negatively impact their breathing.

Discontinue the use of swings and rockers when your baby can sit up or roll. Always follow the recommended weight and height limits.

Furniture Anchor top-heavy furniture in your child’s room and elsewhere in your home to your walls, including any piece of furniture taller than 30 inches as well as any TVs. Heavy-lidded toy chests are another hazard. Children can crush their fingers under the toy chest lid or become

trapped inside a toy chest and suffocate. Purchase an open-topped chest or remove the lid.

Strollers Strollers are a useful way to transport children. But anything on wheels carries risk. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s stated weight limit and use strollers according to their directions.

Use only jogging style strollers for running or faster activity. Also, make sure your stroller is set up correctly, and re-tighten bolts and other parts as needed, as well.

Check tire alignment and inflation levels regularly, if applicable.

If using a car seat with the stroller, only use car seats that are made to go with your specific stroller. Then, make sure the seats are correctly installed and securely clicked before using. Never leave your child unattended in a stroller, and always buckle them in correctly.

Allow only one child per seat and make sure they’re sitting down at all times (unless the stroller has an area designed specifically for standing).

When not in motion, use the stroller locks to prevent it from rolling away. Many strollers, particularly jogging strollers, have a wrist strap you should wear in case the stroller does start to move for any reason.

For information on incident reporting, recalls and alerts, an industry guide to second-hand children’s products, and more, the Government of Canada is a great resource, canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/ consumer-product-safety.html.

It isn’t possible to eliminate all potential risks to children, so the best way to keep children safe is for an adult to be present and aware when equipment is in use. Be sure to check regularly for product recalls. New purchases should come with postcard forms to send back to the company for alerts of any recalls with the product. Periodically check equipment to make sure it’s in good shape, and don’t leave young children unsupervised.

Kimberly is a freelance parenting writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, kbcreativedigital.com. CCM

We Make Smiles Happen...

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 27

family wellness

Family Wellness Directory Medical, Dental & Vision Care, Fitness, Counselling and Education, Nutrition, and more Calgary and surrounding communities best resources in one place.

ASSOCIATIONS, SUPPORT, EXTRACURRICULAR SERVICES ALBERTA ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS Phone: 1-800-272-8843 Website: optometrists.ab.ca ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES Phone: 811 Website: albertahealthservices.ca ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES PERINATAL EDUCATION Phone: 403-955-1450 Website: birthandbabies.com CALGARY BIRTH ESSENTIALS Phone: 403-803-7467 Email: info@calgarybirthessentials.com Website: calgarybirthessentials.com CHILDREN’S COTTAGE SOCIETY Phone: 403-233-2273 Website: childrenscottage.ab.ca COMMUNITY LINKS - AIRDRIE Phone: 403-945-3900; 1-866-945-3905 Email: info@nrvcl.ab.ca Website: nrvcl.ab.ca LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA (LINC) Email: linc@ywcalgary.ca Website: ywcalgary.ca/programs/yw-languageinstruction-for-newcomers-to-canada LA LECHE LEAGUE CANADA - CALGARY Phone: 403-242-0277 Website: lllc.ca NORTHERNSTAR MOTHERS MILK BANK Email: contact@northernstarmilkbank.ca Website: northernstarmilkbank.ca ROWAN HOUSE EMERGENCY SHELTER Phone: 403-652-3311 Website: rowanhouse.ca SUMMIT LEGAL GROUP Phone: 587-356-0356 Email: admin@summitlegalgroup.ca Website: summitlegalgroup.ca WELLS FAMILY LAW Phone: 587-356-4342 Email: info@wellsfamilylaw.com Website: www.wellsfamilylaw.com YOUTH SINGERS OF CALGARY Phone: 403-234-9549 Email: yscadmin@youthsingers.org Website: youthsingers.org YW CALGARY Email: ywca@ywcalgary.ca Website: ywcalgary.ca

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COUNSELLING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT CENTER BY NORUM PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Phone: 587-392-1777 Email: office@norumpsychservices.com Website: norumpsychservices.com

THERAPY, CARE, MEDICAL & SUPPORT SERVICES - SPECIAL NEEDS

FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY PLACE (THE), NORTH Phone: 587-316-9173 Email: staffnorth@familypsychologyplace.com Website: thefamilypsychologyplace.com

BAYSHORE HOME HEALTH Phone: 403-776-0460 Website: bayshore.ca

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Acknowledging and working through big, scary feelings

By Dana E. Baker, Psychologist Anger is a typical, healthy, emotional response to the stress your teen experiences at this stage in life. You need to give your kid the right to feel and own their anger - as well as the tools to do so. After all, anger helps us understand when our buttons are being pushed, when our values are not being respected, or when someone else is ignoring our boundaries.

But how can you help your teen feel and express that anger without going overboard and throwing a fit? The starting point in dealing with angry feelings is to acknowledge them. Without being judgmental, say to your teen, “I can see why you’re angry.” This helps your teen feel validated, so they can accept these strong emotions and begin to work through them. It also keeps you from becoming another source of that anger or the target of that anger and puts you in a better position to help your teen cope.

The next step is for your teen to figure out the triggers for their anger. What is the root of the emotion? For instance, if a friend shares a secret with someone else, yes, your teen is probably mad. But what other emotions is that anger masking? Are they hurt that a friend broke their trust; embarrassed that someone else knows and is worried it might result in being laughed at or judged? It is often more complicated than ‘just anger.’ The emotion of anger lets us know that something is wrong, but it also involves thoughts, feelings, and actions. When your teen can take control of any one of these, they are in a better position to manage their anger in a healthy way.

Understanding anger in our teen also means understanding our own relationship to anger. Growing

up, I was often told, “You’re not mad, you’re just hungry. Or tired. Or…” And now as a mom, I totally get where that was coming from - ‘hangry’ has been around for a very long time! But to dismiss all of your teen’s intense feelings with a Snickers bar sends the wrong message. As a teen and into adulthood, I closed up when I was angry. I tamped down my feelings because I was told that wasn’t what I felt; so much so that I stopped recognizing anger altogether in myself.

One time in university, I was on the phone with my boyfriend after taking a long run, and he asked me what was wrong. I was confused - nothing was wrong. But then he said something I will never forget. He said, “You always run when you’re mad. It’s what you do. You clean, and then you go for a run.” When I thought about it, he wasn’t wrong. I was lucky my outlet had been running when I was younger. But too often, nowadays, when young people find a way to avoid feeling angry, the outcome can be negative. They may get depressed or use drugs or alcohol to push away or cover up emotions that they think aren’t valid.

It’s also important that you are dealing with your own anger in productive ways because then you can better serve as a role model for your teen. Be willing to talk about your feelings in an acceptable way, to show your teen how to healthily cope with their emotions, and if you lose it (which you will because you’re raising a teen), apologize and talk with them about what you could have done better. If my husband and I argue in front of the kids (it happens!), we later apologize and explain that though we’re angry and fighting, we still love each other.

While you teach your teen what anger is, how to identify it, and that anger is okay, you also need to teach them how to express it appropriately. Anger can pass as quickly as it comes in a hormonal teenager. So, suggest simple tricks, like leaving the room to be alone or walking outside. Sometimes, just a change of scenery or listening to music is enough to change a mood. Another approach is teaching them mindfulness and slow, deep breathing - this is a lifelong skill that will help them with almost any intense emotion.

But remember, even once you’ve given them these tools for handling their anger, it doesn’t mean they won’t act out. It’s easy to get caught up when your teen is angry or in a funk, so remind yourself that these behaviors are a way of expressing or dealing with a more complex issue. Their actions and moods are often masking something else that’s going on - quite likely unrelated to whatever may have triggered them with you. The best thing you can do is listen to them openly or, if they are really having a moment, leave the room.

Sometimes your teen may need a little space before they are ready to tell you what’s wrong. For me, the best time to find out what was going on with my teen was at night.

Bedtime allowed some quiet space for us to connect. No pressure, often no light to see them even. That dark, quiet place allowed them to open up or just be.

Dana E. Baker, Psychologist, offers coaching and parenting advice from the trenches: a non-judgmental ear and tips/ feedback based on the science, psychology, and reality of parenting. Her writing has been published by Huffington Post, TODAY parents, Your Teen Magazine, ADDitude Magazine, Scary Mommy, and others. Reach her at parentinginreallife.org. CCM

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Contact David or Machelle from our Wills & Estates Team Suite 1900, 639 5th Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 0M9 (587) 356-4342 • info@wellsfamilylaw.com • www.wellsfamilylaw.com Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 29

family wellness

teach your teen how to manage their anger

family wellness

8 things to remember when your child throws a tantrum How to get through it peacefully

By Sarah Lyons When your child throws a tantrum, it is easy to get frustrated, overwhelmed, angry, and embarrassed, especially if the tantrum happens in public.

Unfortunately, the occasional tantrum cannot be avoided, they happen to every parent. But while your child is in the throes of a fit, try to remember these tips.

1. Tantrums are normal. The first thing to remember when your child has a tantrum is that the behavior is normal. Tantrums are a normal way for kids to express their frustration when they may not be able to communicate their feelings appropriately. While this fact doesn’t make the tantrum any easier to deal with, it does help to know that, developmentally, this is a normal stage of your child’s development.

"When your child throws a tantrum, it is easy to get frustrated, overwhelmed, angry, and embarrassed, especially if the tantrum happens in public."

2. Do not engage. During a tantrum, the temptation can be to lecture, yell, or reason with your child. They cannot hear you or comprehend reason when they are in the middle of a fit. The best thing to do is to wait it out.

If you feel the need to discuss the situation with your child, wait until later when they are calm and ready to listen to you.

3. Leave the scene. When your child starts to throw a tantrum at home, make sure they are safe, and then leave the room. Typically, if they don’t have an audience

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to get a reaction from, the tantrum will cease. If you are uncomfortable leaving your child alone, get busy doing other things and pretend to ignore them. If the tantrum happens in public, take your child to the bathroom or your car so they can calm down. If the tantrum continues and your child is unable to calm down, buckle them safely in their car seat and drive home.

4. Consider triggers. Think about what triggered your child to get so upset in the first place. How can frustrating situations be avoided in the future? Of course, not all tantrums can be avoided but certain triggers can be removed.

When armed with this information, you are better prepared to use distraction to lessen or avoid future tantrums.

5. Don’t give in, except once in a while.

Giving in to your child’s tantrum will do nothing but encourage future tantrums. If your child is throwing a tantrum because they want to eat a cookie before dinner, do not give your child a cookie. It is also not a good idea to use bribes to stop a tantrum. Saying to your child, “If you stop crying, I will buy you a toy” only rewards your child for the tantrum. However, if your child is in the middle of a tantrum and the only way to help calm them down is by listening to the same song over and over again on the car ride home, this is an exception to the rule.

6. You are not alone. Although it may feel like you are alone while your child has a fit at the grocery store, all parents have been there. It is likely your child will have a tantrum in public at some point. No doubt it will be embarrassing and inconvenient, but it is generally unavoidable. Remind yourself that it is normal for kids to have tantrums, leave the store, if needed, and try to laugh about it later.

7. Use distraction, humor, and hugs. During a tantrum, kids are not able to listen to reason, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try to wrap up the crying quickly. Try using a distraction like, “Where is the ball?” or, “Do you want to read a book?” Make a silly face to lighten the mood or turn on some music and do a silly dance together. For some kids, a tight hug helps them

to calm down when they are upset. Trying to help your child move past the tantrum can teach them methods for calming themselves down in the future.

The situation that caused the tantrum can be discussed later, if needed.

8. Don’t doubt yourself. One time my daughter had a horrible tantrum and I blamed myself. ‘What am I doing wrong? Am I a terrible mom?’ After expressing these feelings to a friend, she reminded me that I am not a bad mother, I was just having a bad day. It happens to all of us. Remain confident in your parenting skills and remind yourself that you are doing the best you can.

Tantrums happen to all parents.

The next time your child has a tantrum, try to stop and remember these tips. Eventually, the tantrums will end, and your child will grow and learn to communicate more effectively.

Sarah is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom of six children, including triplets. CCM

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family wellness

how to support your transgender teen Start with the very basics, knowledge is key

By Chantal Côté, R. Psych.

Your teen girl says they are a boy and has been telling you consistently for months that they are transgender.

Of course, you love them and want them to live an authentic life by supporting them but you’re not quite sure how to navigate this new territory. Read on for effective ways you can support them.

Start with the very basics. Knowledge is key.

Transgender (sometimes shortened to Trans or Trans*) is a general term used to describe someone whose gender identity is different than the sex assigned at birth.

An * is placed at the end of the word Trans to expand the word to include all people with nonconforming gender identities. The word transgender should only be used as an adjective. For example, “Jane Doe is a transgender woman.”

Respect the words your teen uses to describe themselves. Transgender and gender-nonconforming people use many different terms to describe their experiences and not all terms fit all people. It’s important to ask your teen what language they want you to use.

Ask them for their preferred name and pronouns and always use the name and pronouns they choose.

"Create a safe

environment where they can openly express their thoughts and feelings to you."

Open communication. Keep communication with your teen open and continuous. Have meaningful conversations with them to learn and to understand more about their personal experiences and what being transgender means to them. Create a safe environment where they can openly express their thoughts and feelings to you. Ask them about and get to know their circle of support. Consider support for yourself, too, by seeking professional guidance.

Tap into resources. Connect to organizations that lead the way in areas of sexuality, healthy relationships, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, equality, and more.

There are many local resources and services available right at your fingertips!

Some include: • The Centre for Sexuality: centreforsexuality.ca • Skipping Stone Foundation: skippingstone.ca • Alberta Health Services: LGBTQ+/Sexual and Gender Diversity: albertahealthservices.ca/info/ Page15590.aspx • AlbertaTrans*org: albertatrans.org For a comprehensive list of resources and services, visit the Alberta Health Services’ Family & Community Resource Centre page, fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/ health-information/library/information-prescriptions/ gender-identity.

Other things you can do? Join support groups, online or in person. Connect with a health team that is knowledgeable, who can answer your questions and provide relevant information (e.g. doctor, pediatrician, psychologist, etc.). Ask your teen’s school what it is doing to support and affirm gender diversity and/or how your teen can set up student GSAs (Government of Alberta Gay-Straight Alliances).

Get educated. Find reputable resources and start learning. Read articles and books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries. Cross-reference what you are learning with your teen to see if it fits their personal experiences. Although you don’t want to rely solely on your teen to educate you, you do want to make sure you are guided by their experiences.

There are several books available to borrow at the Family & Community Resource Centre in Calgary. For example, you can borrow Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents by Irwin Krieger and The Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals - Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens by Stephanie Brill and Lisa Kenney. You can also check with your local library or with the Alberta Library, thealbertalibrary.ca, for availability of these resources.

Check your values and beliefs. You are likely experiencing a lot of mixed emotions. Mixed emotions may make it harder for you to support your teen. Give yourself time and compassion as you navigate this experience alongside them. Reach out for your own support, as needed.

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This experience can be emotionally huge for you and your teen but at the end of each day, the most important thing you can do to support your teen is to send them a consistent message of unconditional love.

Chantal Côté (she/her), R. Psych., is the owner of Pyramid Psychology, helping teens (and their parents) build bulletproof mindsets. Learn more by calling or texting 403-812-1716 or checking out pyramidpsychology.com. CCM

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8 tips for being a great sports parent Redefine success

By Active for Life Here are eights things you can do to increase your child’s chances of finding success and fulfillment in their sport (that won’t cost you a penny). The best part is, these tips will help you fulfill your role as a parent of an athlete while at the same time making it all more enjoyable.

1. Model positive behaviors. Be a positive role model for your child. Sport should be an extension of your familial values and behaviors, not a suspension thereof.

Be an encouraging parent. Don’t talk badly about competitors or loudly second-guess the coach. It’s okay to appreciate the athletic skill of a competitor and you are not a traitor for acknowledging another athlete who has talent. There are enough uninformed critics in the stands hurling insults at kids playing a game, so instead, set the example for others. You are looked at just as

3. Encourage risk-taking and find the joy in the effort. Competing leads to winning and losing; thus, competing is inherently risky. Don’t downplay the importance and challenge of risk-taking by saying to your young athlete, “Great job out there! Maybe you’ll get it next time.” This statement is vague encouragement and not helpful to an athlete’s development. Instead, say to your young athlete, “I love how you really went for it out there on that one play. You didn’t get it, but I was so proud that you didn’t give up!” Strong, specific words of encouragement remind an athlete that it’s okay to take a risk and fail so long as they did all they could to be successful.

4. Celebrate the competitor above the winner. The difference between losing and getting beat is in the effort expended during competition. A competitor never loses;

"Sports goes by way too quickly,

so enjoy every moment. Do so by simply saying to your child, 'I love watching you play.'" much by other parents as your athlete is, so be the fan your child needs you to be.

2. See the future but enjoy the present. Are you consistently looking toward the next level, the next team, the next season? If you are, you’re missing out on the most important game, the one being played today! If you’re not enjoying the present moment, your child will grow up before you realize it. If you don’t squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their development as a person, you’ll regret it.

Be a parent who enjoys the now, and let the coach be the one who is looking to the later. Leave your child alone on the ride home from games. Take them to the court and let them teach you something. Throw the ball around the yard while you swap stories and get to know the social side of each other. Lots of smiles with no judgment during fun play will relieve stress for you and your athlete and also create special bonding moments between you.

they get beat. And getting beat fuels the competitor to improve. In every game, there is a winner and a loser.

Defeat can be the seed of discontent your athlete needs to be motivated to work harder and smarter next time.

5. Foster independence by allowing your athlete to take ownership. Autonomy is one of the three key ingredients of long-term athletic success. Goals and expectations are great tools, if used properly. However, if your young athlete is constantly trying to live up to your expectations, it could lead to them believing your happiness depends on their performance.

By taking a step back, you give your child the room to step forward and claim the sport for themselves.

Allowing and fostering independence is critical. There’s no escaping the mean, evil-spirited opinions, rude comments, and difficult situations that will confront an athlete. The sooner your child learns to stand on their own and not always have you to lean on or hide behind, the better.

6. Treat the coach as an ally, not as an adversary.

If you treat your child’s coach as an adversary, how do you think your athlete will treat the coach? You and the coach want the same thing: for your athlete to be successful (though you might see different paths to making that happen). Once you know that the coach values your child, not just as an athlete but as a person, then step back and let the coach coach. You won’t always agree with every decision and your child may struggle at times, but instead of saying, “What’s wrong with this?” try, “What’s good about this?” There is always learning to be had if you look close enough.

Working with your child’s coach by keeping them informed and respecting boundaries gives your child the best chance of success.

7. Encourage academics. Eventually, all athletes have to one day turn in their jersey and find a new passion in life. Very few elite athletes play beyond university and an infinitesimal number make decent money playing professionally. An education is not a backup plan if athletics doesn’t work out; it is the foundation from which your athlete will build a life upon, athletics or not.

8. Just love watching your kids play. Sports goes by way too quickly, so enjoy every moment. Do so by simply saying to your child, “I love watching you play.”

It changes everything. If you have given your best and you can say to yourself, ‘I have done what I can while maintaining sanity, health, and the well-being of my family and relationships,’ then by all means you are a successful sports parent.

Take a step back, let the athletic journey belong to your child, and give your best effort. Just do your best, and have fun doing it. Not only will your kids notice it, they will love you for it! And that is the ultimate reflection of success.

activeforlife.com Active for Life is a national initiative created to help parents raise physically literate children. At activeforlife.com, parents, educators, and coaches will find fun activities, engaging articles, and free resources to get kids active, healthy, and happy. Sign up for Active for Life’s monthly newsletters, activeforlife.com/ active-for-life-enewsletter-sign-up. Connect with Active for Life on Facebook, facebook.com/activeforlife, Instagram @activeforlifeca, and Twitter @activeforlife. CCM

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ready, set, goals!

7 ways to teach your kids to focus and tackle new challenges

By Christina Katz We are living in an age of constant interruption.

When it comes to setting and accomplishing goals, kids who learn how to focus and concentrate have a distinct advantage over those who cannot. You need to help your children learn when to put their blinders on, so they can apply goal-setting to challenges of their choosing.

Achieving personal goals helps kids channel their energy productively and inspires them to become more confident action-takers.

Kids are not lazy or unmotivated; it is easier than ever before for them to become distracted and disengaged.

Encourage your children to practice healthy goal-setting.

Follow these suggestions and you will notice your kids stepping up to set and meet new challenges that bring smiles to their face. As for your role, get ready to cheer them on and give them credit for their accomplishments as any good coach would.

1. Let them steer. Encourage each child to choose an age-appropriate, just out-of-reach goal. Be careful you don’t interject your own desires into this process. For a child who is unsure about what goal to set, be patient and offer choices until something appeals to them. You play a supporting role helping your child accomplish whatever goal is chosen, so it must be your child’s goal, not yours.

2. Emphasize fun. If your child is overweight, nagging them about weight loss is not going to help them choose losing weight as a goal, and you might scar them. Forget the problems you think your child needs to solve. Instead, emphasize the fun of setting and reaching a goal. Let children who have become too sedentary in the past come up with their own goal, like joining a team or training for a race for the fun of it, not merely to get a nagging parent off their back. Share stories of goals you’ve set and met to inspire your child, but don’t be pushy.

3. Embrace strengths. Every person has strengths and weaknesses. There are no exceptions to this rule.

If you only mirror your child’s negative qualities and mention them often, perhaps you have not spent enough time considering your child’s best qualities.

There are not merely five or 10 positive qualities that describe people; there are hundreds! Pick up a little book called StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. Go through the book and circle the words you think describe your child.

Mention these qualities often and watch your child’s confidence blossom.

4. Assist with challenges. Offer yourself as a sounding board when kids run into challenges reaching goals, but don’t solve their problems for them. Instead, listen to their concerns and ask them questions. Get them thinking about various approaches they could try. Instead of telling them what to do, ask if they think any of your ideas are helpful. Don’t give in to internal pressure to unstick a stuck child. Brainstorm with them and then let them motivate themselves.

5. Praise progress. If a child is continually focused outward, measuring where they stand in comparison to others robs a child of personal power. Instead of encouraging your child to be the generic best, encourage your child to achieve their personal best.

Celebrate the fruition of this expression, no matter how it measures up to others. A ribbon for ‘Most Improved’ can be viewed just as valuable as ‘First Place’ or ‘MVP.’

6. Uncover silver linings. Just as strengths can be discovered and flexed for increasing success, weaknesses should be acknowledged and honored, too. Respecting weaknesses rather than denying them or trying to correct them may seem strange but consider whether or not the investment of time and energy to turn weaknesses around is worthwhile. Sometimes flaws teach kids valuable things they need to learn. For example, a forward who can’t score might make a better midfielder on the soccer field. A dancer who can’t do acrobatic tricks might have a strong sense of showmanship on stage. A scattered student in the classroom might be a talented artist in the studio. Teach your child to forgive weaknesses and pursue undervalued abilities they may be pointing toward.

7. Play the long game. As your child focuses on setting and reaching personal goals, things may not

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class & program As your children get older, encourage them to set goals that are just beyond what they think they can accomplish like:

always go quite the way anyone expected. Life has a way of bringing twists and turns to the table. This means shortterm victories don’t always pan out as expected, even after time and energy has been invested. When disappointments happen, and they will, help your child focus on the big picture. Getting personal satisfaction out of the process and achieving personal growth while making valuable contributions to the whole can never be emphasized enough. Encourage kids to stay the course and things will usually work themselves out in the long-run.

• • • • • •

n Double-dog dares for younger kids You can help prepare kids to meet life’s challenges by turning everyday tasks into fun double-dog dares: • • • • • • • •

Complete a chore in a specific amount of time Find the groceries on the shopping list Create a to-do list for something they already learned how to do Teach something they learned to another family member Complete a puzzle all by themselves Build something they have never built before Make up an invention that solves a problem around the house Cook something using a new recipe

n Goals to challenge older kids Helping tweens and teens choose goals that suit their aptitudes can increase their willingness to take safe risks in the future.

• •

"Cheer them on and

give them credit for their accomplishments as any good coach would!"

Running a 5K Installing an exhibit of their art Creating a healthy-eating plan Submitting writing to a contest Raising money for a cause they support Trying out for something they are not certain they are good at Sticking to a new plan for one month Saving money to make a dream come true

n Books on goal-setting for kids • What Do You Stand For? For Teens: A Guide To Building Character by Barbara Lewis • Every Kid’s Guide to Goals: How to Choose, Set, and Achieve Goals That Matter to You by Karleen Tauszik • Strengths Based Parenting: Developing Your Children's Innate Talents by Mary Reckmeyer, Ph.D., and Jennifer Robison • StrengthFinder 2.0 From Gallup and Tom Rath

Christina is an author, journalist, and writing coach who has learned that joy follows genuine interest, no matter the age of the goal-setter. She encourages her daughter to build her schedule around daring to do the things she loves. CCM

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 35

class & program

Class & Program Directory Your Source for Information about Winter Extracurricular Class and Program Choices!

ART, MUSIC, DANCE & THEATRE ALBERTA BALLET SCHOOL Phone: 403-245-2274 Email: calgarystudios@albertaballet.com Website: albertaballetschool.com ALIKI’S ART HOUSE STUDIO Phone: 403-667-7020 Email: info@alikisarthouse.com Website: alikisarthouse.com CALGARY YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE Various Locations Phone: 403-242-7118, Ext. 1 Email: cypt@cypt.ca Website: cypt.ca CANTARÉ CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-685-1132 Email: cantarechildrenschoir@shaw.ca Website: cantarechildrenschoir.org CANTARÉ CHILDREN’S CHOIR: KODÁLY MUSIC EXPLORERS Phone: 403-685-1132 Email: cantare.catherine@shaw.ca Website: cantarechildrenschoir.org CHINOOK SCHOOL OF MUSIC & MUSIC KIDS Phone: 403-246-8446 Email: info@chinookschoolofmusic.com Website: chinookschoolofmusic.com

FREE HOUSE® DANCE PLUS LTD. Phone: 403-282-0555 Email: fhdp@telusplanet.com Website: freehousedance.com KEYBOARD ACADEMY OF MUSIC Phone: 403-277-2987 (North); 403-255-0010 (South) Website: keyboardacademy.ca LONG & MCQUADE MUSIC LESSON CENTRES Three Locations in Calgary Phone: 403-252-8506 (South); 587-296-6648 (East); 587-794-3196 (North) Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons MUSICA ACADEMY YAMAHA SCHOOL LTD. Two Locations Phone: 403-681-3117 (North); 403-619-9990 (South) Email: info@musicaacademy.com Website: musicaacademy.com QUEST THEATRE Phone: 403-264-8575 Email: admin@questtheatre.org Website: questtheatre.org YOUTH SINGERS OF CALGARY Phone: 403-234-9549 Email: yscadmin@youthsingers.org Website: youthsingers.org

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA Email: any-calgaryac@girlguides.ca Website: calgarygirlguides.com SCOUTS CANADA Phone: 1-888-855-3336 Website: scouts.ca SPECIAL OLYMPICS CALGARY Phone: 403-735-1022 Email: info@specialolympicscalgary.ca Website: specialolympicscalgary.ca TRELLIS (Formerly Aspen and Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary) Phone: 403-276-9981 Email: earlyeducation@bgcc.ab.ca Website: growwithtrellis.ca

EDUCATION, STEM, TUTORING & DEVELOPMENT BRICKS 4 KIDZ Phone: 403-457-5530 Email: calgary@bricks4kidz.com Website: bricks4kidz.com/calgary CALGARY OLYMPIC MATH & COMPUTER SCHOOL Phone: 403-397-8289; 403-383-6703 Email: coms@olympicmathschool.ca Website: olympicmathschool.ca

CITY OF CALGARY (THE) ARTS CENTRES Two Locations Phone: 403-249-3773 (Wildflower); 403-221-3682 (North Mount Pleasant) Website: calgary.ca/csps/recreation/arts-centres.html

BETHEL 23 JOB’S DAUGHTERS INTERNATIONAL Phone: 403-807-3831 Email: bethel.23@albertajdi.com Website: bethel23yyc.ca

FOOTHILLS ACADEMY - ESTELLE SIEBENS COMMUNITY SERVICES Phone: 403-270-9400 Email: intake@foothillsacademy.org Website: https://www.foothillsacademy.org/ community-services

CREATIVE EXPRESSION DANCE ACADEMY Phone: 403-809-6931 Email: admin@creative-expression.ca Website: creative-expression.ca

CALGARY HUMANE SOCIETY Phone: 403-205-4455, Ext. 6544 Email: educator@calgaryhumane.ca Website: calgaryhumane.ca

LIFT LEARNING INC. Phone: 403-919-7427 Email: lindsay@liftlearning.ca Website: liftlearning.ca

36 •

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GYMTASTICS GYM CLUB Email: inquire@gymtastics.ca Website: gymtastics.ca

MASTER RIM’S TAEKWONDO Two Locations Phone: 403-460-2472 (South); 587-535-6560 (North) Email: info@masterrim.com Website: masterrim.com

WYMBIN Phone: 403-452-2549 Email: hello@wymbinyoga.com Website: wymbin.com

CALGARY JCC Phone: 403-253-8600 Email: rshore@cjcc.ca Website: calgaryjcc.com

REPSOL SPORT CENTRE Phone: 403-233-8393 Email: info@repsolsport.com Website: repsolsportcentre.com

HIRO’S JUDO CLUB Phone: 403-250-3177 Email: info@hirosjudoclub.com Website: hirosjudoclub.com

WINSPORT Phone: 403-247-5452 Email: info@winsport.ca Website: winsport.ca

RECREATION GROUPS & CENTRES

CITY OF CALGARY RECREATION (THE) Phone: 403-268-3800 Website: calgary.ca/categories/subcategoryrecreation-grid.html

MARTIAL ARTS, SPORTS, AND GYMNASTICS

SOGO ADVENTURE RUNNING Email: info@sogo.run Website: sogo.run

class & program

MAD SCIENCE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA Phone: 403-263-4140 Email: madscsab@telusplanet.net Website: calgary.madscience.org

SEE FULL Company Listings ONLINE

TRICO CENTRE FOR FAMILY WELLNESS Phone: 403-278-7542 Email: guestservices@tricocentre.ca Website: tricocentre.ca VIVO FOR HEALTHIER GENERATIONS Phone: 403-532-1013 Email: guestservices@vivo.ca Website: vivo.ca

YMCA CALGARY Email: headoffice@calgary.ymca.ca Website: ymcacalgary.org

This listing is provided for your reference only. Please research carefully and choose the company that meets your family’s needs best. CCM

Registered PROGRAMS From Swim Lessons for all ages to Aquatic Leadership Courses to Active Living Programs, you’ll be sure to find something to keep the kids busy this Winter.

forever active. forever strong.

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 37

class & program

speed up the dawdler Help your slow mover get going!

By Sarah Lyons Is your family always running late? Do you find yourself frustratingly repeating phrases like: “Hurry!”, “Let’s go!”, or “Come on! We are going to be late!” every day? Like many families, you may have a dawdler living in your house. Getting kids ready for the day and out the door, especially on busy days is challenging for any parent but when you have one (or more) children that seem to take their sweet time getting anywhere on time can seem impossible.

Here are some tips to help you speed up a dawdler in your family: Set limits. Typically, a dawdler is easily distracted.

Many times, I have sent my son upstairs for some socks and he has come back downstairs barefoot, carrying a toy plane. Reduce distractions by limiting toys and screen time (for both parents and kids) in the mornings.

Remind your kids that there will be plenty of time for play after school when their homework and chores are complete.

Make it a competition. Many parents have success getting their dawdlers to pick up the pace by creating a game or competition for them. Holly Searls, mom of four, says, “We set timers for everything. There is usually a motivator connected to the timer. For example, if they beat the timer, they get to stay up later. A negative

consequence may be losing TV time.” DeAnne Turley, mother of three, uses a sticker chart to motivate her kids.

For example, if they are ready on time, they get a sticker and if they collect 30 stickers, they get a date night with the parent of their choice. Creating a competition or game out of each task in the morning is a great way to keep a dawdler on task.

Be prepared. There are many things to remember during school mornings: Is there orchestra today?

Sports practice after school? What’s for lunch? Does a child have their math homework in-hand? The stress of these last-minute questions can be greatly reduced by preparing the night before. “Choices seem to slow my family down the most,” says Krystal Laws, mother of seven. “We pick out clothes the night before and lay shoes by the door. This makes the mornings run smoother.” Loading backpacks, packing lunches, and setting out any sports equipment or instruments the night before will help everyone in the family feel more prepared the next morning and focus on the goal of getting out the door on time.

Get up earlier. For children who need a little extra time, rising earlier in the morning may give them the time they need to keep on task. “My daughter needs time to wake up and adjust to a new day. So, we had

Hi, We’re Trellis!

Trellis was born when Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary and Aspen Family & Community Network Society joined forces. Together we are one organization with countless ways to help.

We serve people across their full life span from infancy through parenthood and beyond.

To learn more visit: www.growwithtrellis.ca 38 •

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"Teaching children

that if they are late, they may face consequences or miss out on something helps them become responsible for how they manage their time."

class & program

to start getting up earlier,” says Daniale Lakin. For other families, if the parents are able to wake up earlier and get themselves ready and prepared for the day, the whole family has a more relaxed morning because there are fewer people who need to get ready at the same time.

Face the consequences. Even the most prepared family is sometimes late. Older children who tend to dawdle may benefit from facing the natural consequences that go along with being late or forgetful.

“After years of arguments, I decided to put the ball in their court. If they are not prepared or punctual, then they suffer the consequences the school gives,” says Jessica Bright-Schaben, mother of three. “If they forget homework or to charge devices, they may have to stay after school. Tardies get them benched at games.”

Teaching children that if they are late, they may face consequences or miss out on something helps them become responsible for how they manage their time.

“They could block out my nagging, but when they couldn’t play or attend practice because of detention, they picked up the pace immediately,” says Bright-Schaben.

A dawdler can slow the whole family down or make them late. Try to encourage your dawdler to prepare as much as possible the night before and to get to bed

on time. Kids who get a good night’s sleep have better focus the next day. If the dawdling continues, let them face the natural consequences of their pokey pace. While some of us tend to move slower than others, especially in the mornings, teaching your child these skills will help them manage their mornings.

WHAT NOT TO DO Lose your temper - Try to remain calm. Yelling at and nagging your child will only train them to tune you out.

Overuse phrases, such as “Hurry up!”- Telling your child to “hurry” usually does not speed them up. Try setting a timer for each task or giving them specific instructions.

Set a bad example - Are you an adult dawdler? If you tell your child it’s time to go and then stop to check your email, use the restroom, and grab one more thing before you go, you are modeling that dawdling is the norm.

Give vague instructions - Instead of saying, “Get ready to go” try, “Put your shoes and socks on right now” or, “It’s time to get in the car.” Kids need to know exactly what they are supposed to be doing at that moment.

Sarah is a wife and keeps quite active as a mother of six children. CCM

KEYBOARD ACADEMY OF MUSIC ORGAN

PIANO

Reasons why students love being at Banbury 7

1. Academically innovative 2. Individualized one-on-one teaching 3. Self-directed learning 4. Interest based projects 5. Small class sizes (1:10) 6. Comfortable homey environment 7. Mixed aged groups We offer full day Pre-K to Grade 12. Call us at (403) 270-7787, and check us out on Social Media.

KEYBOARD

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www.keyboardacademy.ca Southwest • 403-255-0010 8411B Elbow Drive SW

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Northeast • 403-277-2987 #203 - 4803 Centre Street N

Find us at calgaryschild.com

www.banburycrossroads.com

#201, 2451 Dieppe Ave SW, Building B1, Calgary, AB T3E 7K1 Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 39

class & program

help your budding artist grow Do you have unconscious biases about children and art?

By Shannon Carla King Remember your first coloring book... the first time someone mentioned, “you need to stay within the lines, sweetie” or mentioned with surprise, “oh, I didn’t know that trees were pink!” We nurture arty children from day one to try to fit in to conform to what we consider correct. We subconsciously nudge children to discover what is normal - all in pursuit of possibly having a child prodigy artist in the family.

If I may, I’d like to test you a bit to step outside your comfort zone, as I ask you the question: do you have unconscious biases about children and art? Young artists need some direction as they explore. However, we need to be careful to equip them with only a backpack and a walking stick instead of a clearly paved path leading to familiar destinations!

The top four mistakes I see adults make are: 1. Stop giving children instruction or advice unless you are an established artist. If a child asks for feedback on their art, ask them three things: • “What do you like about your picture/painting/ sculpture?”

• “What do you think is missing?”

• “Who would you talk to or where would you go to find the answer?” (to the second question)

You do not have permission to tell a child that something is ‘wrong’ with their work unless you are willing to guide them on how to fix it and you are willing to take responsibility for the lack of confidence you will instill in them in that split second when you criticize their work. I’m not asking you to be soft with them, art is tough - it’s political and competitive. The time will come when they have the skills and grit to deal with that side of art. Grade 5 art class is not that time.

"We need to be careful

to equip young artists with only a backpack and a walking stick instead of a clearly paved path leading to familiar destinations!"

2. Avoid comparing a child’s work to others (their friends’, their siblings’, or an established artist’s work) unless, of course, the goal is to raise a fine art forger. Every artist learns new techniques by trying something that is completely unique. It is okay to copy others to learn something new, but it is a dangerous habit to compare emerging work to others. There is enough room in this world for a new technique and new style from every budding new painter. Give them the space to try something new without the weird stress of knowing they are being compared to someone else in your eyes.

3. Lock up the credit card and do not buy expensive art supplies unless a child brokers a deal with you (first born or first masterpiece). I understand you think it might encourage them to paint more. I know many kids that stopped painting as soon as their parents bought them supplies. It is the expectation and commitment that comes with the supplies. It can be unbearable for a child.

Imagine the true commitment to explore when a child earns their own money and buys the supplies they want to work with. Letting them save up also teaches them an early lesson on calculating the return on investment (ROI) of a painting if they decide to be a professional artist one day.

4. Art is supposed to be fun and serious. If you want your child to improve, provide opportunities for them to learn in many different ways. In addition to art at school, be sure to explore: • Community art shows • Museums • Internet instructional videos. (Bob Ross lives on YouTube and he is still as lovely as ever. Find the episode where he paints with a baby squirrel in his pocket. It’s a win-win!)

Whether you think you have a child prodigy painter in your family or have a cool niece or nephew who asks you to color, don’t be afraid to take it one step further to support them. Just remember, they are on a unique journey and you can supply them with some tools, but you can’t tell them which path to take.

Shannon has been creating and selling art since she was 13.

She was recently featured on the Canadian Energy Centre site for her series on Reclamation to help educate a new audience on responsible environmental management and reclamation in the energy industry. Check out her online gallery, Whiskey Jack Gallery, at shannoncarlaking.com. CCM

40 •

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class & program

8 things you need to know before taking your kids skiing Where, when, and how to start

By Pam Moore The idea of skiing with your kids may feel daunting.

But, as the parents I interviewed for this piece agreed, it’s worth it. With a lot of planning (and maybe a little bribery) it’s totally do-able. Here are some things to consider before hitting the slopes.

1. When to start. The parents I spoke to agreed, the earlier kids start skiing, the more confident they’ll be and the more fun they’ll have. Mom Ellen Nordberg got her twins in ski lessons by age four and says, “Our kids are 13 now and committed skiers for life for having started so early.” Ian, a dad, recommends not rushing, but instead, waiting until your kids are “excited about skiing so they’re self-motivated.”

You may be wondering if your child is ready to ski. If that’s the case, Nate Chesley, a former ski instructor and dad, recommends asking yourself the following question: ‘How confident am I that my child will have fun [skiing]?’

According to Chesley, success is less about skiing and more about kids having the confidence to be separated from their parent(s), bundled up in bulky outerwear, trying to learn a new sport with foreign objects strapped to their feet. The key to a successful experience is making sure your child is having fun because “learning stops when the fun stops,” says Chesley. Even if your child spends half the lesson eating snowballs, if they’re smiling at the end and excited to try again, you can call it a win.

2. Manage expectations. Be honest with yourself about why you want your children to ski and what you hope they will accomplish. “Your motivations and expectations, and whether they’ve been met… will shape your child’s comfort and engagement [in skiing]. Push too hard, and you’re fighting against fear and discomfort.”

High expectations lead to disappointment. Mom Rebecca Johnson says kids “don’t care that you spent $80 to take one whiney run on the kiddie hill.”

Moreover, if you pressure them, “they may not take another run in spite of you.” One of the dads I spoke to lets his kids choose whether to ski after their morning lesson in order to avoid meltdowns and to keep it fun.

3. Planning. From scheduling to packing a bag, planning saves stress, time, and money. Being organized means avoiding paying resort prices for a forgotten mitten. If possible, ski on weekdays. Crowds are lighter, and prices may be lower. Also, enroll your child in lessons in advance, as ski lessons can fill up quickly.

Arrive 15 minutes early for your child’s ski lesson to allow for unexpected delays and the inevitable bathroom stop once all of their gear is zipped and buttoned.

Remember, kids pick up on your anxiety. If you’re stressed about running late, they will be, too.

4. The elements. Dressing in layers is key to staying warm. While kids’ bodies generally heat up faster than adults’, kids are more likely to complain about being too cold than too warm. If you can’t justify the cost of quality items your kid will wear for one season, try borrowing items or shop for good quality secondhand items.

Musts: • Long underwear • Ski socks • Warm sweater or fleece jacket • Warm pants • Snow pants • Ski jacket • Neck gaiter • Mittens • Ski goggles • Ski helmet (doubles as a hat) Remember to apply sunblock and chapstick with SPF 30. The combination of UV rays reflected off the snow and altitude make skin especially vulnerable.

5. Gear. Most parents recommend renting skis and boots each season. Inquire at your local ski shop whether or not they have a trade-up program where you can trade last season’s gear for a bigger size at a discounted price the next season or trade out for the next size mid-season at no extra cost. If you rent skis for the day, prices are generally lower at a local ski shop than renting at the mountain. Renting locally also saves time at the ski resort.

That said, if you have multiple children, buying could make sense. Joy Jackson, mom of three, buys her kids’ equipment. “It gets handed down to the next child and I tune them better than the rental stores do.”

6. Proper nutrition. Allow time for the kids to eat a well-balanced breakfast. For picky eaters, consider serving them a favorite food (exception: Twizzlers). You could also pack something for them to munch on in the car, like a breakfast burrito or a sandwich.

Encourage your child to drink water, starting the day before skiing. Hydration is particularly important at altitude. But don’t force them to drink when they report feeling sick. When they puke, you’ll feel like the worst parent ever (that was my experience, anyway).

Snacks will help keep your child’s energy and mood up, plus they’re motivating. Parents cited candy, granola bars, and cheese sticks among prizes they keep in their pockets. Mom Joelle Wisler advises, “Don’t underestimate the power of bribery.”

7. Lessons. Parents overwhelmingly recommend turning kids over to professionals. If you plan to ski regularly, enroll them in a lesson that meets repeatedly with the same kids and instructors, so they get comfortable and make friends. Kids’ lessons also give you time to ski with your partner.

8. Fun factor. Parents and professionals agreed, for kids to enjoy skiing, it must be fun.

Strategies parents offered for upping the fun factor include: • Play Eye Spy while on the chair lift • Sing on the chairlift • Keep candy in your pocket • Plan something fun at the end of the day, like going out for hot chocolate • Let them wear helmet stickers and mohawks • Plan a special grocery run and let them pack whatever they want (within reason) for lunch I’m not going to sugar-coat it. Taking kids skiing is a lot of work and it is not cheap. As with any family activity, there are no guarantees against throwing tantrums, whining, or puking. But the rewards of sharing this sport with your kids more than make up for the hassles. And if you maintain low expectations, keep little toes warm, remember to bring candy, and focus on fun, you’ll be one step ahead of the game.

Pam is a freelance writer, occupational therapist, and certified personal trainer who helps women push through fear to become their best selves. To get her free guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome, visit pam-moore.com. This article was originally published on nuglow.com. CCM

This year

STEAL back

the season

with winter drama classes for kids!

cypt.ca Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 41

education

44 Learning Styles

|

50 Encourage Virtual Learning

|

52 Distance Friendships

education

blogs to the rescue Use ideas from other parents to make your life easier

By Jan Pierce, M.Ed. There are hundreds of blogs created by parents that share creative ideas for kid activities. Blogs are excellent sources for hands-on activities in science, art, literacy, and more. Here are some good ones, but feel free to do your own search to find others. Many of these blogs have added new sections designed specifically for stayat-home learning times.

Buggy and Buddy. Buggy and Buddy, buggyandbuddy.com, is a fantastic site run by an elementary school teacher named Chelsey. She shares art, science, STEM, and STEAM projects for toddlers through teens. The site is user-friendly. You can search by age to find great activities, supply lists, and free printables to make setting up projects easy. There is also an excellent section on activities based on your child’s favorite book. Try the color walk scavenger hunt, make a balancing robot, or do the apple math pattern projects.

"Blogs are excellent

sources for hands-on activities in science, art, literacy, and more."

TheDadLab. TheDadLab, thedadlab.com, is a bit of a work in progress, but it does have some great kid/parent science projects. It also links to a book by the same title that offers 50 science projects for parents and kids.

Cool Mom Picks. Cool Mom Picks, coolmompicks. com, is run by two ultra-cool moms. Their site is chockfull of ideas for food and menu-planning (how to make that cool whipped coffee), crafts, ideas for Mother’s Day, and a huge section on timely topics for pandemic parenting. There is also a podcast available. This is a comprehensive site to search for activities for all ages.

No Time for Flash Cards. No Time for Flash Cards, notimeforflashcards.com, is another site rich in fun ideas for kids of all ages. It focuses on crafts, books, and all sorts of educational activities. It is searchable by age. Like most good blogs, it adds articles and suggestions from a

Does your child have a Learning Disability?

Foothills Academy is here for you!

Find Understanding FOOTHILLS ACADEMY

Build Confidence Maximize Potential

www.foothillsacademy.org Also check out our Community Services programs

Check out this link to find top mom blogs, mymommyneedsthat.com/ best-mom-blogs-you-can-find.

wide variety of other moms who love to share their good ideas. If you are doing school at home, there is a section for teachers.

Busy Toddler. Busy Toddler, busytoddler.com, offers a gazillion ideas for cool activities to do with your toddlers.

From sensory play to tasks highlighting fine motor skills, you’ll find simple but creative and educational tasks to do with your young children.

The Activity Mom. The Activity Mom, activity-mom. com, is a site presented at three levels: baby, toddler, and elementary-aged children. It focuses on hands-on activities and offers free printables. Want to make some moon sand or create a hide-and-seek bottle for your baby? Check out this blog!

Happy Hooligans. Happy Hooligans, happyhooligans.ca, is filled with hundreds of ideas for arts and crafts and play. Great for craft ideas for every holiday and fun hands-on activities for kids of all ages.

There are so many great blogs filled with articles, parent musings, and practical activities for your kids.

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher, reading specialist, and freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find her at janpierce.net. CCM

* Full-time school program for students with Learning Disabilities in Grades 3 - 12 * Teachers with ongoing specialized Learning Disabilities training * Individualized accomodations and supports to provide success * Small class sizes * Wide variety of extracurricular activities Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 43

education

what's the deal with learning styles?

Explore your child's (and yours!)

By Christina Katz School should be an adventure in learning, and so should life. But if you have not taken the time to observe how your child learns best, your child might be struggling in school (traditional, homeschool, distance education, etc.) unnecessarily. Identifying prominent learning styles in your children is crucial in helping them identify their strengths and overcome their weaknesses as they progress into a more diverse spectrum of courses grade after grade. Parents often needlessly separate creativity from learning. But when you help your children understand their dominant learning styles, you and your children can use this knowledge to improve their experiences, not only in school, but also in life.

Most people use a combination of learning styles. Do you know yours? Generally speaking, there are six types of learning styles you want to explore: visual, auditory, verbal, kinesthetic, tactile, and logical. Knowing my own learning styles helps me become a better lifelong learner and a better learning coach for my child.

You might think your children will possess the same proclivities as you. Even though there may be some overlap, each person’s learning style is uniquely their own. For example, my daughter seems more visual than me and more auditory, is likely equally kinesthetic, but maybe not quite as verbal. Logic and tactile probably fall

lower on both of our lists, whereas my daughter’s dad, my husband, likely dominates these last two learning categories in my home, as well as being highly visual and auditory.

You don’t have to go get tested to find out what kind of learners are living in your house. You simply have to be willing to reflect on what makes each of you tick.

Where do you see a family member leaning in, and where do you see a family member leaning out? This is usually enough information to help you experiment with learning styles and see how they benefit each member of the family.

Under each category, I’ve listed approaches for testdriving each type of learning style. Why not invite the

We proudly offer quality Catholic education in supportive, inclusive communities to meet each child’s unique needs.

We recognize the new realities of living in a world with COVID-19. The health and safety of students and staff remains our top priority. Together, we can overcome any challenges.

To register, contact your local Calgary Catholic school. All families are encouraged to inquire.

Students born outside of Canada will need to first schedule an appointment at the St. John Reception Centre by calling 403-500-2007.

Visit ccsdinfo.ca/registration for more information.

Find us on

n Visual • Draw pictures, doodle, or color.

• List both sides of an argument.

• Make a mind-map on paper to spoke off associated words or ideas.

• Draw the shape of an idea or consult a chart or a graph.

• Use flashcards for memorizing.

• Make a lesson into a comic strip.

"When you help your children understand their

dominant learning styles, you and your children can use this knowledge to improve their experiences, not only in school, but also in life."

Register your child today

44 •

whole family to explore their learning styles and report back on what they discover? You’ll learn things about yourself and each other that will make your adventures in life and learning more enjoyable.

education

• • • •

Search for and read fun, visual blogs.

Research topics online with an eye out for colorful infographics.

Watch videos with a steady stream of images or drawings.

Do something visual, like playing a video game or flip through a magazine as a break from learning.

n Auditory • Use music in the background while learning.

• Read work out loud into a recorder or to the dog.

• Listen to lectures or stories in audio format.

• Write down what you notice as you listen or after you listen.

• Listen to yourself read out loud.

• Listen to the opinions of others to help sharpen your point of view.

• Enjoy discussion, dialogue, and debating.

• Turn what you are learning into a rhyming poem or song lyrics.

• Listen to some upbeat or moving music while taking a break from learning.

•

Build a model or bake some cookies as a break from learning.

n Logical • Notice patterns in whatever you are studying.

• Classify or categorize things.

• Break information out into small chunks.

• Use ‘if/then’ or ‘if/when’ statements.

• Set goals and track your progress.

• Make a to-do list.

• Use examples, stats, and research.

• • • • • •

Pose a word problem and solve it.

Use a spreadsheet to track progress.

Appreciate timelines, diagrams, and flowcharts.

Tidy or organize things as a break from learning.

Play word games like crossword puzzles or word search puzzles.

Keep a jigsaw puzzle going for relaxation.

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina loves to take a creative approach to learning and a learning approach to creativity. She can increase her productivity by paying better attention to flexing her dominant learning styles. CCM

n Verbal • Read up on topics of interest, highlighting any points to remember.

• Look up word definitions to spark ideas.

• Write out thoughts and rewrite thoughts to clarify what you think.

• Talk through your thoughts with another person.

• Build an argument on an opinion you feel strongly about.

• Play with acronyms (make up a story using every letter in one word as the first letter in a part of the story).

• Turn written words into spoken words and vice versa to increase memorization.

• Play with verbal forms such as stories, poetry, articles, lists, commercials, etc.

• Immerse yourself in reading as a break from learning. n Kinesthetics • Physically act out ideas you are trying to understand. Play all the parts.

• Draw your ideas out on large sheets of paper or on a whiteboard.

• Memorize information while you are in motion.

• Use storyboarding techniques.

• Get outside and get your hands dirty to integrate thinking.

• Engage in pantomime or improvisation.

• Teach other students what you’ve learned.

• Use your whole body for learning as with dance or theatre.

• Take frequent breaks when sitting for long periods to stretch or to move.

• Clear your mind by going for a walk or a run or by doing chores. n Tactile • Incorporate art projects into your assignments.

• Pull together a bunch of seemingly disparate parts into a collage or sculpture.

• Build an argument the way you would build a log cabin.

• Create a 3D visual representation of lessons.

• Use flashcards for memorizing.

• Keep your hands and fingers moving while learning.

• Trace words or images to help you study.

• Watch video demonstrations for greater understanding.

• Work with clay, putty, or dough when stuck or integrating ideas.

• Take frequent breaks to stretch or move when sitting for long periods of time.

Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 45

education

tips to keep your stay-at-home learner on track Help keep your child engaged, even if they’re learning online Provided by MindFuel Alberta’s schools and teachers are doing their best to minimize COVID-19 outbreaks during the 2020/21 school year, but you need to be prepared to assist in your child’s learning should they be required to isolate at home.

“Online learning requires more than just putting the curriculum onto tablets, we need to find engaging ways to teach kids and ensure they are learning and having fun,” says Cassy Weber, CEO. To further assist parents and educators, we have compiled a list of tips to help keep your kid engaged, even if they’re learning online: 1. Limit distractions and make sure the space is functional. Removing distractions, like other electronic devices and screens, will go a long way in helping your child find success learning online. The space should be comfortable, well-lit, and quiet to help your child concentrate.

2. Encourage regular breaks and stretching, and remember, mental health is just as important as physical health. It can be hard to stay focused when looking at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time, so make sure your child is taking frequent breaks throughout the day to rest their eyes and stretch their muscles. The pandemic has caused undue stress in all of our lives, so ensure your child is practicing healthy habits,

such as eating well and sticking to a regular bedtime routine to help reduce this stress. Also, encourage your child to find healthy and positive ways to release their stress. This could look like taking time to play a game, diving into a new book, playing outside, or finding other activities you can do together.

3. Turn learning into a game for a change of pace.

We know how hard it can be to get students excited about learning, so we have developed programs through a gamebased platform, designed to challenge students to think critically and apply their lessons to real-world scenarios.

Is there a certain topic your student is struggling with?

Explore thousands of queries and topics at wonderville.org to reignite your child’s passion for learning.

4. Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and class.

Though your child may be learning from home, it is still important to remember they are part of a class with a teacher ready to support them, as needed. Make a point of emailing your child’s teacher to ensure they’re staying on pace and encourage your child to schedule online study sessions with their friends to help keep their spirits up.

5. Encourage your child to enhance their learning and try to learn something new. You can pair your child’s lesson plan with a range of related topics and games thanks to student-approved resources. Do they have

a particular interest in one of the topics their class is learning about? We have built an extensive library of science videos, animations, games, and interactives to allow students to deep dive into the areas they want to learn more about.

Why not encourage your child to pursue a new interest and topic? We are offering free registration for Codingville, codingville.ca, a game-based platform dedicated to teaching youth the foundations of coding.

6. Allow for flexibility in your child’s learning schedule. While they will still have set class times, the benefit of learning from home is that your child can take advantage of a flexible schedule when completing assignments. By allowing them to switch between topics and take them at their own pace, their odds of success will drastically increase. For example, they could focus better in the mornings, so that might be a good time to tackle the subjects they struggle with.

"Online learning requires

more than just putting the curriculum onto tablets, we need to find engaging ways to teach kids and ensure they are learning and having fun."

7. Setting goals and rewarding success goes a long way. When it seems like isolation will never end, a good way to keep your child motivated is to find ways to reward them. Maybe they get some extra time on the computer if they complete their reading on time. Or they get to pick what the family will do together that evening since they did well on a quiz. Take the time to celebrate their successes, even the little ones, and you will notice a big difference in your child’s attitude toward school.

8. Find ways to do things together throughout the day. If you’re also working from home, another benefit of distance learning is the increased quality time with your child. Plan to take your lunches together and check in with them on your coffee break. Your child will appreciate the company and it’s a good way to see how they are coping with learning from home.

9. When possible, take your child’s learning outside.

While the delivery of your child’s learning will be online when they are at home, you can find ways to supplement your student’s learning in the backyard or community.

Maybe they’re learning about the lifecycle of a certain bug, so why not try to find one for yourself? If they are learning about shapes, see if any occur naturally in the area.

10. Incorporate regular classroom activities into your child’s day. Children thrive on routine. Chances are there are regular activities your student’s teacher plans throughout the week. Maybe there’s a theme for certain days of the week or a certain activity they do together, such as reading a book chapter at the end of the day. Ask your child’s teacher if they have any recommendations to make your child’s at-home learning a little easier!

At-home learning is a new reality that students may face due to COVID-19. MindFuel, a nonprofit pioneer in the online learning space and STEM programs, is committed to helping families adapt their learning during these uncertain times. For more information, visit mindfuel.ca. CCM

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is social media cutting into schoolwork time?

Scrolling and notifications can be really distracting

By Sandra Gordon When 14-year-old Ellie Rosic does her homework, her phone is ‘crucial,’ says her dad, Andy, an IT specialist.

“But as I see it, 2 percent of the time, Ellie is asking friends about homework and 98 percent of the time she’s texting random emojis, checking Facebook and Pinterest, and taking Buzzfeed quizzes.” Ellie also has her iPad propped up next to her laptop to watch YouTube or stream music. “Homework takes three times as long because of the distractions,” says Andy.

He’s right. Although some teens would argue their generation is just ‘better’ at multitasking, don’t buy it.

The problem: technology can distract “Multitasking makes you more distracted,” says Jodi Gold, MD, author of Screen-Smart Parenting and director of the Gold Center for Mind, Health and Wellness.

Multitasking or using multiple devices won’t cause attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. “That’s a myth,” says Dr. Gold, but it can make teens more inefficient.

“When your brain switches back and forth, your ability to attend to both activities decreases. It’s more tiring for your brain, too,” she says.

Moreover, managing social media can be a big responsibility. If teens are worried about not responding or needing to respond to texts or keeping up a SnapChat streak, the resulting anxiety can draw them away from their homework.

Still, “technology is here to stay, and we have to find a place for it,” says Katie Duffy Schumacher, author of Don’t Press Send: A Mindful Approach to Social Media.

After all, Facetiming or video chatting with someone while doing your homework together can be productive.

But the challenge then becomes not taking a detour on social media, YouTube, or Netflix.

What can you do to help your teen stay on task? These smart steps can help you help your teen get the job done: Delegate the device policing - Lots of parental control apps are available that limit screen time, so teens can get their homework done distraction-free. For example, “We installed the OurPact app on our teens’ phones because it will shut down access to social media and apps during homework time,” says Amy Carney, mom to 15-year-old triplet sons Kade, Aidan, and Cole, a 14-year-old daughter, Morgan, and a 10-year-old son, Phoenix. “We don’t always have the schedule turned on, but we’ll do so if we see our teens trying to juggle homework and socializing online,” says Carney.

“There are times when parents need to take charge,” says Dr. Gold. But an even better idea for the long haul is to do just the opposite and avoid being the middleman.

“One of the biggest challenges in parenting today is helping teens to self-regulate. The truth is, teens are growing up in a world where they’re going to have to deal with the distraction of technology. They have to

learn how to modulate it,” says Dr. Gold. When using technology-blocking apps, Dr. Gold recommends talking to your teen about the myth of multitasking and suggesting that they learn how to use these apps to block specific distracting sites for certain amounts of time during homework sessions.

"Although some teens

would argue their generation is just ‘better’ at multitasking, don’t buy it."

Create some distance - In lieu of technologyblocking apps teach your teen to get into the habit of putting their phone in another room while doing their homework. Your teen doesn’t need to use their phone to get their homework done. Distancing your teen from their phone creates a physical barrier that minimizes

tech temptation to check TikTok, for example, and helps teens move away from multitasking.

“Often teens will say, ‘Fine. I’ll just finish this before I go and check my phone,’” says Dr. Gold. Keep your distance, too. “Don’t say your teen isn’t allowed to check their phone,” advises Dr. Gold. Let your teen check their phone, if they want to.

Take device breaks - While your teen’s phone is in another room or a technology-blocking app is on, encourage your teen to set a timer. When the timer goes off after 20, 30 or 45 minutes of homework, they can take a 10-minute TikTok or SnapChat break. “Studying for small amounts of time but with more focus and taking breaks maximizes efficiency and helps teach time management,” says Dr. Gold. A device break can also boost motivation when it becomes a reward for accomplishing specific tasks.

Whatever the method, it’s an important life skill for teens to learn how to manage the distractions that technology can present. As most of us grown-ups know, this isn’t exclusively a teen problem, but the teenage years are a great time to build good tech habits.

Sandra is an award-winning freelance writer who delivers expert advice and the latest developments in health, nutrition, parenting, and consumer issues. CCM

EXPLORE. CREATE. FLOURISH. At River Valley School, we cultivate and facilitate experiences that inspire and support academic excellence, creativity and personal growth for our students.

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Education Directory The go-to guide for parents looking for preschool, junior kindergarten, independent, charter, and alternative schools, special needs, and tutoring support and services for their children.

SCHOOL BOARDS

KINDERHOUSE PRESCHOOL CALGARY Three Locations Phone: 403-975-0103 Email: info@mykinderhouse.org Website: mykinderhouse.org

CALGARY BOARD OF EDUCATION (CBE) Phone: 403-817-4000 Website: cbe.ab.ca CALGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT (CCSD) Phone: 403-500-2000 Website: cssd.ab.ca FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DIVISION Phone: 403-652-3001 Website: fsd38.ab.ca ROCKY VIEW SCHOOLS Phone: 403-945-4000 Website: rockyview.ab.ca

PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN & JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN BEHAVIOUR THERAPY AND LEARNING CENTRE (BTLC) Phone: 403-205-2749 Email: admin@btlc.ca Website: btlc.ca BELLA CASA MONTESSORI SCHOOL/DAYCARE Phone: 403-313-7235 Email: bellacasamontessori@shaw.ca Website: bellacasamontessori.com BRAINEER ACADEMY LTD. Phone: 403-453-9696 Email: info@braineer.ca Website: braineeracademy.com CALGARY ACADEMY Phone: 403-686-6444 Email: info@calgaryacademy.com Website: https://calgaryacademy.com

CALGARY JEWISH ACADEMY Phone: 403-253-3992 Email: info@cja.ab.ca Website: cja.ab.ca

CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL Phone: 403-287-1868 Email: info@calgarywaldorf.org Website: calgarywaldorf.org EDELWEISS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Phone: 403-282-4220 Email: epschool@telus.net Website: epschool.ca FUN 2 LEARN PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-239-2033; 403-880-6711 (After Hours) Email: anita@fun2learnpreschool.com Website: fun2learnpreschool.com G.R.I.T. CALGARY SOCIETY Phone: 403-215-2444 Website: gritcalgarysociety.com

KINDERVALLEY MONTESSORI ACADEMY (ALTADORE) Phone: 403-454-6889 Email: info@kindervalleyacademy.com Website: kindervalleyacademy.com KING’S KIDS PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-285-4855 Email: preschool@kingskidsfoundation.com Website: kingskidsfoundation.ca LEARNING ADVENTURES PRESCHOOL (AT CALGARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL) Phone: 403-242-2896, Ext. 312 Email: admissions@calgarychristianschool.com Website: learningadventures.ca

GLENBROOK COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-686-6868 Website: glenbrookpreschool.org HEART SMART MONTESSORI Phone: 403-284-4510 Email: heartsmartmont@yahoo.ca Website: heartsmartmontessori.com HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Phone: 403-219-3201 Email: HCA_info@pallisersd.ab.ca Website: hcacalgary.com JOSO’S PLAY AND LEARN CENTRES INC. Two Locations Phone: 403-767-9922 (North); 403-727-5991 (South) Email: info@josos.ca Website: josos.ca KALEIDOSCOPE KIDS PRESCHOOL Three Locations Phone: 403-547-1020 Email: office@kalkids.com Website: kaleidoscopekidspreschool.com

LYCÉE LOUIS PASTEUR Phone: 403-243-5420, Ext. 123 Email: admissions@lycee.ca Website: lycee.ca NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOL & LEARNING SERVICES Phone: 403-240-1312 Email: info@newheightscalgary.com Website: newheightscalgary.com PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Email: Register@PreKindergartenEd.com Website: Pre-KindergartenEd.com RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-2275 Email: admissions@rivervalleyschool.ca Website: rivervalleyschool.ca THINK SUN PRESCHOOL ACADEMY (THE) Phone: 403-240-4466 Website: thethinksunpreschool.com

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Please visit glenbrookpreschool.org for all registration details.

INDEPENDENT, CHARTER & ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS ATLAS LEARNING ACADEMY - AIRDRIE Phone: 403-912-1133 Email: enrolment@atlaslearningacademy.com Website: atlaslearningacademy.com

NORTH POINT SCHOOL FOR BOYS Phone: 403-744-5214 Email: info@northpoint.school Website: northpoint.school PHOENIX FOUNDATION Phone: 403-265-7701 Email: info@phoenixfoundation.ca Website: phoenixfoundation.ca

CALGARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Phone: 403-242-2896 Email: admissions@calgarychristianschool.com Website: calgarychristianschool.com CALGARY FRENCH & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Phone: 403-240-1500 Email: admissions@cfis.com Website: CFIS.com

CALGARY JEWISH ACADEMY Phone: 403-253-3992 Email: info@cja.ab.ca Website: cja.ab.ca

CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL Phone: 403-287-1868 Email: info@calgarywaldorf.org Website: calgarywaldorf.org CLEAR WATER ACADEMY Phone: 403-240-7924 Email: admissions@clearwateracademy.com Website: clearwateracademy.com FOOTHILLS ACADEMY Phone: 403-270-9400 Email: intake@foothillsacademy.org Website: https://www.foothillsacademy.org HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Phone: 403-219-3201 Email: HCA_info@pallisersd.ab.ca Website: hcacalgary.com JANUS ACADEMY Phone: 403-262-3333 Email: contact@janusacademy.org Website: janusacademy.org

BRAINEER ACADEMY LTD. Phone: 403-453-9696 Email: info@braineer.ca Website: braineeracademy.com FAMILIES MATTER Phone: 403-288-1446 (South); 403-205-5178 (North) Website: familiesmatter.ca

QUEST THEATRE Phone: 403-264-8575 Email: admin@questtheatre.org Website: questtheatre.org RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-2275 Email: admissions@rivervalleyschool.ca Website: rivervalleyschool.ca RUNDLE COLLEGE SOCIETY Phone: 403-291-3866 Email: contactus@rundle.ab.ca Website: rundle.ab.ca ST. GERARD SCHOOL Email: stgerard@cssd.ab.ca Website: cssd.ab.ca/schools/ stgerard

SEE FUL Compan L y Listings ONLINE

MRS. CHANDLER TEACHES Phone: 403-813-9499 Email: mrs.chandler.teaches@gmail.com Website: mrschandlerteaches.wixsite.com/abcs YMCA PRESCHOOL Email: info@ymcacalgary.org Website: YMCACalgary.org YW FAMILY RESOURCE NETWORK Phone: 403-262-0497 Email: familynetwork@ywcalgary.ca Website: ywcalgary.ca/programs/familyresource-network This listing is provided for your reference only.

Please research carefully and choose the company that meets your family’s needs best. CCM

Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) ages 2.5 - 5 Kindergarten Enhancement (KE) 1/2 day Program Out of School Care (OSC) PLAY: Explore our child-centered room environment.

LEARN: Nurture emergent literacy by encouraging interest in reading & early writing.

Registration for 2021-2022

begins on Monday, January 4th, 2021 for all programs.

Virtual classroom tours available.

EMAIL THE REGISTRAR TO: • register • go on a wait list • request a virtual tour link CAPTAIN JOHN PALLISER SCHOOL 1484 Northmount Drive NW Kindergarten Enhancement & Out of School Care Gr. K-6

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT HOPE LUTHERAN

3527 Boulton Road NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 21/2 - 5 years

MARION CARSON SCHOOL

LYCÉE LOUIS PASTEUR Phone: 403-243-5420, Ext. 123 Email: admissions@lycee.ca Website: lycee.ca

WEBBER ACADEMY Phone: 403-277-4700 Email: hblake@webberacademy.ca Website: webberacademy.ca

TUTORING, SUPPORT & SERVICES

BANBURY CROSSROADS SCHOOL Phone: 403-270-7787 Email: general@banburycrossroads.com Website: banburycrossroads.com CALGARY ACADEMY Phone: 403-686-6444 Email: info@calgaryacademy.com Website: http://calgaryacademy.com

STRATHCONA-TWEEDSMUIR SCHOOL (STS) Phone: 403-938-8326 Email: admissions@sts.ab.ca Website: strathconatweedsmuir.com

5225 Varsity Drive NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 21/2 - 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement Out of School Care Grades K/1

SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL

211 – 7 Street NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 21/2- 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement Out of School Care Gr. K- 6

PRE-KINDERGARTEN ACADEMY AT GENESIS CENTRE 7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE Pre-Kindergarten for ages 21/2- 5 years

BRAESIDE SCHOOL

1747 – 107 Ave. SW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 21/2- 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement

Email: Register@PreKindergartenEd.com

Website: www.Pre-KindergartenEd.com Winter Edition • calgaryschild.com • 49

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TOT SPOT PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-271-8894 Email: info@totspotpreschool.ca Website: totspotpreschool.ca

education

On Going Registration

www.fun2learnpreschool.com REGISTRATION FOR SEPT. 2021 Past & Present Families Starts Jan.12th New Families Starts Jan.19th OPEN HOUSE Jan.19th 9-2:30pm EVENING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Dalhousie Community Church

403-239-2033 or 403-880-6711

don't give up on virtual learning!

Address common issues and encourage engagement

By Ann Dolin, M.Ed. Do you remember the early days of parenting, trying to get your child to take a bottle or consistently use the potty? When your child struggled to master an essential skill back then, you likely felt helpless, overwhelmed, and anxious. And with the switch to virtual learning, many parents find themselves feeling these difficult emotions all over again.

If you feel like your child is ‘bad’ at virtual learning, you may be worried there’s nothing you can do to help your child, your child will inevitably fall behind in school, or nothing will get better until the pandemic is over and school returns to normal. If you are having these negative thoughts, take a deep breath. Remember how your child eventually mastered the skills that seemed impossible for them to accomplish in the infant and toddler years? They too can master the skills they need for virtual learning, but they need your support.

Read on for practical advice to help you inspire confidence in your child, so they can tackle virtual learning and succeed: Step 1: Reframe the problem. When your child is unmotivated or unfocused with online classes, it’s easy to feel like the problem is they are ‘bad’ at virtual learning.

But saying these words in front of your child will erode their confidence and make things worse. In my opinion, the real problem is large Zoom classes of 25 to 30 students that allow for little to no personalized support.

Given the circumstances, teachers can no longer glance around the room, see who is struggling, and provide extra help.

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For young students, in my opinion, online classes aren’t sufficient. Young students need personalized attention, interaction, and support to thrive in school. It’s unrealistic and inappropriate to expect young children to spend six to seven hours a day on virtual platforms.

(Of course, you may not have much say or choice in the matter, so I’ll share tips to help your young student.)

Older students can figure out how to succeed online, but these kids have spent most of their lives learning the skills needed for in-person school. It’s going to take time to learn the skills needed for virtual school, too. Teens will need extra support from you as they figure out a new academic approach that works for them.

Reframing the problem takes some of the pressure off of your child (and you) and allows you to find solutions that work. And that starts with setting them up for success.

Step 2: Set them up for success. When a child attends school in person, structure and routine helps their brain switch to ‘learning mode.’ At home, you will have to create structure and routine for you and your family.

Here are a few things you can do to help your child focus on virtual learning: • Create a study space. Teenagers are prone to work on their beds, but this environment does nothing to spark the motivation needed to get schoolwork done. Create a designated workspace for your teen that signals to their brain that it’s time to work. Students don’t necessarily have to spend all of their school time at their desk, but a good workspace will prove helpful when it’s time for them to work on challenging subjects or projects.

• Let little kids wiggle and doodle. Young children can’t be expected to sit at a desk for hours. Provide little kids with a few comfortable options to rotate among throughout the day, from non-traditional ball seats to makeshift standing desks at your kitchen island. During synchronous learning time, provide a notebook and colored pencils so your child can doodle while they listen. You may worry that doodling is a distraction, but research shows doodling can improve a child’s ability to focus and retain the material.

• Ditch the phone. Phones are designed to capture and keep our attention. If your child’s phone is right beside them and constantly lighting up with notifications, they’ll never be able to focus on their schoolwork. Have them put their phone in another room when it’s time to work.

• Keep a printed schedule nearby. Seeing what they’re working on now, next, and later helps students stay focused. Older kids can use whiteboards or an agenda to plan for the day and strike through completed tasks. Young kids love Velcro schedule boards and whiteboards. They can use removable stickers or dry erase markers to decorate tasks they’ve completed. For students of all ages, working through a schedule provides a sense of accomplishment to power them through their day.

• Allow for brain breaks. In particular, young kids need regular breaks to play and get some exercise. For older students, seeing scheduled breaks on the calendar can keep them motivated.

Encourage your child to take scheduled breaks for a healthy snack, time to text friends, or to go outside and walk the dog. Giving the brain some downtime allows it to come back refreshed and ready to work again.

Step 3: Encourage engagement. If the problem is not that your child is ‘bad’ at virtual learning, but that most virtual learning is de-personalized, the question then becomes: How can you make virtual learning more personalized for your kids? How can you get them off the sidelines, so to speak, and into the game? Here are a few things you can do to encourage that critical engagement that will help your child progress: • Make time to connect with classmates. Zoom classes don’t provide space for the meaningful peer interaction kids crave. If you’re comfortable, allow your child to meet in person for small study groups with two to three peers. If you want to keep interactions online, encourage your child to set up small online study sessions to go over study guides, review for a test, or discuss notes with their friends. Talking about the material with

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"Reframing the problem takes some of

the pressure off of your child (and you) and allows you to find solutions."

•

•

peers helps provide some social connection and increases the likelihood of understanding and remembering the material.

Encourage your child to ask for help. The longer a child puts off asking for help, the more intimidating the ‘ask’ can become. But as kids reach out and ask their teachers for assistance, whether it’s in class, in a private chat, or over email, they’ll get an encouraging response from their teachers. This creates a positive feedback loop in their brains and encourages them to keep reaching out for help as the school year goes on.

Consider getting a tutor for more personalized support and accountability. Even kids who hate virtual learning can thrive with a virtual tutor. Why? Because the problem isn’t the virtual platform but the lack of personalized attention and support. Virtual tutoring allows tutors to provide shorter, more frequent sessions. Instead of meeting once a week for 90 minutes, they

can meet with your child multiple times a week for 30 or 45 minutes. The tutor becomes an accountability coach and learning partner, helping your child plan ahead, follow through, and build confidence with virtual learning.

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YEARS

Remember, your child isn’t ‘bad’ at virtual learning, just like they weren’t ‘bad’ at taking a bottle or potty training. They just have to learn an entirely new skillset.

Hang in there, provide support where you can, and above all, cheer them on! They need to know you believe in them before they can believe in themselves.

Ann Dolin, M.Ed., is the founder and president of Educational Connections, Inc., a tutoring, test prep, and consulting company. In her award-winning book, Homework Made Simple: Tips, Tools and Solutions for Stress-Free Homework, Dolin offers proven solutions to help the six key types of students who struggle with homework. Numerous examples and easy-toimplement, fun tips will help make homework less of a chore. As seen on ectutoring.com. Learn more at ectutoring.com. CCM

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education

7 ways to encourage friendships from a distance How to keep their social lives active when things are always changing

By Kerrie McLoughlin The ‘new normal’ is disorienting and frustrating at times. Your kids have friends who they have only seen physically from the end of the driveway. Your parents may have been staying inside since the COVID crisis began, and your kids miss seeing Nana and Poppy in person. Lessons, camps, and even school are being done in front of a screen. But this is no time to despair!

At first, my kids were super sad about not being able to do as many social things in person, but soon they got busy and crafty (oh, the lovely paintings hanging on my walls!) while also finding creative ways to keep in touch with friends and family. Check out some of these ideas!

1. The drive-by birthday celebration. Make sure your child’s birthday is recognized while staying safe and healthy. Secretly organize a group of friends to meet at a close-by location (like a mall parking lot) and then they can caravan by your house honking and waving balloons and streamers. Friends and family can drop a gift or card by but remind them to make sure it’s something nonperishable, which can be set aside for up to 72 hours if you hard-core need to avoid germs (you have an elderly

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family member living in your home, a family member is immuno-compromised, etc.).

2. The social-distancing playdate. Unfold those comfy camping chairs on the driveway or in the yard for some six-feet-apart chat sessions. My family does short visits when we are out and about to drop something off or pick something up at a friend’s house, and the kids also get to give each other some shout-outs from afar.

Consider coming together for a book club for kids or a sewing/knitting circle. Melissa R., mom of three, says they do “meet-ups at local creeks. With neighbors, we play outside, distanced with FaceTime going, so we don’t have to yell across the space. We try to get a group together of similar risk tolerance levels for outdoor activities.”

3. Video chatting. Cathie Maschler, mom of four, says, “My kids are staying in contact with friends through Zoom meetings and FaceTime chats mostly.” Don’t forget about Skype, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and any other supervised way kids can connect ‘face to face.’ This is easier for my teens, who have their own phones. The other three kids take turns using my phone for their social visits, and I appreciate the screen break. My daughter does origami tutorials with her friend, after another friend has taught her some new things to make. Katie D., mom of four, shares that they “visit with friends electronically while they craft, watch a show, or exercise.”

"The ‘new normal’ can be disorienting and frustrating at times."

4. Snail mail. Now is the time to send those things made in the sewing circle and during the video socializing tutorial sessions to the grandparents and other friends and relatives! Old-fashioned letters and surprises in the mail are such a treat! One of my daughters went nuts with some 12 x 12 blank canvases and painted pictures for her grandparents, which I will be popping in the mail or dropping on their porches.

5. Words. Texting, emailing, blogging, oh my! There are so many ways to stay in touch without touching.

Bonus: It helps kids practice their reading, writing, grammar, graphics, editing, and typing skills.

6. The Marco Polo app! Check out the Marco Polo app for a FaceTime-meets-voicemail experience where you get to leave and receive video messages, and they don’t disappear! You can save them on Marco Polo indefinitely and also save them to your phone or forward them to other family members.

7. Online activities. Melissa R. shares, “We are doing online summer camps, which are going well. Sleepovers, chats, and playdates with friends are all done virtually.”

I know families who are continuing activities like ballet, Irish dance, and karate online - and loving it!

Kerrie’s special kind of chaos can be observed at thekerrieshow.com. CCM

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10 ways to improve your child’s listening skills

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They may be hearing, but are they listening?

By Jan Pierce, M.Ed. Listening is more than hearing.

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will learn.

Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships, and eventually in their career. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned.

What can you do?

First, listening is much more than hearing. It is a given that you will have your child’s hearing checked by medical professionals and follow up with any problems discovered.

Occasionally, a wax build-up, ear infection, fluid behind the eardrum, or other relatively minor ear problems must be addressed. If your child has hearing loss, be sure to do all you can to maximize their hearing. Good listening requires not only the ears, but engagement of the mind and body, as well. It is a series of decisions made by the listener and it can break down quite easily. Even children who want to ‘pay attention’ and ‘follow directions’ may be unable to if their attention is pulled away by background noise, movement, or other competing thoughts and sounds.

Children need practice in focusing their attention, receiving the message, understanding the message, and then responding in the appropriate way.

You can help your child be a better listener. Here are 10 simple ways to build active listening skills:

"Children with strong

listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships, and eventually in their career."

1. Model active listening. Build listening motivation and success by intentionally gaining your child’s attention before expecting them to listen to you.

Whenever possible, make eye contact before speaking to them. When your child responds to you, maintain eye contact and repeat the content of the message or model good listening by using appropriate body language, such as nodding.

2. Encourage conversations on topics of your child’s choice. Model good listening and show your appreciation for their ideas. With today’s busy schedules, it is surprising how little conversation takes place in our daily lives. Mealtimes are often good times to engage in conversation.

3. Read to your child every day. A 10- to 15-minute read aloud session is one of the most powerful strategies you have to build your child’s listening skills. Select books they enjoy reading and stop often to predict what will happen next or to ask their opinion about the action in the story.

4. Build your child’s inner language by having them repeat back what you’ve said to them. Or ask your child to explain what they are doing or what they plan to do. This will help your child to focus on the steps in the process and will help them with listening to receive information and follow steps sequentially.

5. Do the peanut butter and jelly sandwich game.

Ask your child to write down the directions for making a PB&J sandwich and then you model following those directions exactly. Chances are there will be some gaps in the directions, which make for a funny and a bit of a messy activity; but the point will be made: listening and following directions is an exact skill if you want a good end product.

6. Play the ‘add one more’ game. Give one direction to your child, such as, “Touch your nose.” Then add a second direction and ask your child to do both in sequence. They will need to remember to touch their nose and then go on to the second command. Keep adding directions and see how many they can remember in sequence. Children love this game!

7. Cook together. Find a simple recipe and enjoy time in the kitchen together. Reading the directions aloud and then following them carefully is great practice in building active listening Skills.

8. Take a listening walk with your child. Go for a nature walk with the express intention of noticing sounds, “Shhh. What do you hear? Where is the sound coming from? What is making that sound?” You might want to keep a listening log and record the things you hear.

9. Play sound pattern games. Tap on a drum or clap hands in a variety of different rhythmic patterns and have your child repeat the sounds. You can play the same game by counting and clapping the syllables in words.

10. Play the old standby: “Simon Says.” This game is not only fun for children, it also builds great listening skills. Your child cannot respond unless the leader says, “Simon says.”

Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher, reading specialist, and freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find her at janpierce.net. CCM

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Many parents who we speak with ask us similar questions about the obstacles they face when it comes to their students and completing homework. Whether your child struggles with motivation, procrastination, or study skills, there are many different ways to tackle it all.

Here is a list of FAQs regarding these struggles and our recommendations of how to help.

Q: My child does not write down their assignments since they think they can remember them. What are some tools to work on this?

A: This is a very common obstacle for students. The best way to handle this obstacle is to allow your student be the one to choose how they record assignments.

Whether that is by paper and pencil in an agenda book, or by using an app on their phone, when kids choose the method by which they will remember their homework, they are much more likely to follow through with recording it somehow.

Here are some suggestions for your student: • Use an app. iHomework2 and iStudiez Pro are great for students to electronically record homework assignments.

• Use an agenda. You can purchase an agenda or one may be provided through your child’s school.

If your child likes pencil and paper, this is a great route to take.

• Take a picture of the homework. Have your child pull out their phone right before or after class and take a quick photo of the homework listed on the board. This way, your child can easily check it once getting home.

• Check the online system your school uses. These are great homework portals for students to ensure that they know what is due and when.

Writing down assignments is an important habit to develop, but this skill can only take you so far without learning how to get organized and prioritize.

Organization starts when students get home: they should not immediately be focusing on a subject such as math, science, or English. Rather, they should take a few minutes to get organized with a schedule of what they are going to do. Organization should be the very first subject they work on, and creating a task list of what they need to do for the night can be very helpful.

Additionally, it is best to acknowledge when you see a student writing something down, as it will encourage them to continue the practice.

Q: My child puts no effort into studying, but still gets good grades. I am worried that they don’t have good study skills for the future. How can they develop these skills?

A: This is a common issue for many bright kids, and we see many students who get by with putting little or no effort into studying early on in their schooling. As the content gets harder, they have to put more time into studying. Students need to understand that studying for a test is, in fact, homework. You can help your student understand this by asking your child how they plan on studying or preparing for their exam. Talking out different options signals to your child the importance of creating a study plan before jumping right into reviewing.

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If they do not have a plan, study guides and study partners can help. Here’s how: • Study guides. Have your child create multiple copies of their study guide. They should copy the study guide at least three times, which leaves them with blank copies to use. When a student fills out (not just reads) a study guide at least three times, they tend to do better on their tests.

• Study partners. Another great idea is to have your student use Zoom or Facetime with a study partner. This helps create accountability for both students and does not make them rely on their own notes. Furthermore, it forces them to speak aloud the content and hear the content repeated back to them, which will solidify their knowledge of the material.

Q: My child struggles with tackling long-term assignments, so they procrastinate. How can I help them start their projects early?

A: We see many students who procrastinate, especially with long-term projects. These students feel overwhelmed, underprepared, and are not sure how to get started. This is where a parent can help!

How? Make Sunday family dinners the jumping-off point for planning. Schedule 20 minutes before or right after Sunday dinner to review any upcoming assignments for the week. You can ask, “What is due this week and what is coming up?” If your child says, “I have a test on Friday” or “I have a science project due in two weeks,” that is a great way to suggest forward thinking and backwards planning. You can then ask, “What might you do to break down that project into smaller tasks?”

Helping them get started on Sunday nights can reduce procrastination and help your child feel less overwhelmed.

Q: It takes my student a long time to complete their homework because they are not focused on it.

How can I help them stay focused?

A: Kids who toil for hours to do a simple assignment can be frustrating. We like to call these kids ‘Super Bowl Kids’ - the game is on for four hours, but they only play football for an hour. Your student may have a half-hour writing assignment, but they are toiling away for hours working on it with no result. Sound familiar?

It is not that the student is not working diligently during that time - they are just distracted. Research shows that when projects feel big for kids, they often procrastinate more.

If you have a ‘Super Bowl Kid’ on your hands, a timer is your best ally. You can use the timer on the microwave oven, on your phone (but be careful with this - that could be distracting, too!), or a specialty timer. Set the timer for 15 or 20 minutes and encourage your child to work as hard and as focused as they can for just that amount of time, and to take a break when that is done.

It is best for students to focus on work for a set amount of time and then take a break.

Ann Dolin, M.Ed., is the founder and president of Educational Connections, Inc., a tutoring, test prep, and consulting company. In her award-winning book, Homework Made Simple: Tips, Tools and Solutions for Stress-Free Homework, Dolin offers proven solutions to help the six key types of students who struggle with homework. Numerous examples and easyto-implement, fun tips will help make homework less of a chore for the whole family. As seen on ectutoring.com.

Learn more at ectutoring.com. CCM

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