Back to School

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement

40015699

2022 BACK-TO-SCHOOL EDITION

FR

Take HEE! o Copy me

Calgarys Child '

We Are Family

2022

BACK TO SCHOOL

Your Smart Start Survival Guide 3 positively peaceful mornings 3 too sick for school?

3 top notch lunches

Medicine Cabinet 101 What you need, when you need it

Calgary's Best Sweet Treats Fall is FABULOUS! The Best Places to Bike, Hike & Explore

SIGN ME UP! find the right sport for your little sport

We match prices so you can just shop! *

Every week, we actively check our major competitors’ flyers and match the price on hundreds of items.

Look for the Ad Match message in store for the items we’ve actively matched.

Plus, we’ll match any major competitor’s flyer item if you show us!

Since we Ad Match, we may not have sold at the After Limit price (and may not in the future). *We’ll match prices if you show us a lower advertised price means that if a major supermarket competitor, advertises a lower price on any identical item we carry in store, show us the original print copy or official digital advertisement and we will sell you that item, up to a limit of four(4) units per item, at that same price but only during the effective dates of that competitor’s advertisement. See in-store for a list of current competitors we ad match against. Identical items are defined as same brand, item type (in the case of unbranded produce, meat and bakery), size and attributes and carried at this store location. We will not match competitor’s private label offers on non-identical items, “spend x get x”, “Free”, “Clearance”, discounts obtained through loyalty programs, or offers related to our third party operations (post office, gas bars, dry cleaners, etc.). We reserve the right to refuse to match a competitor’s item price if their advertising contains errors, typos or misprints or is subject to a correction notice. We reserve the right to identify the major supermarket competitor(s) for each Real Canadian Superstore location. The program will only apply if competitor’s advertising is complete with all relevant information including but not limited to size and price, effective dates, format/weight identified, and in the format specified as either in print or from an official digital source (such as the competitor’s online flyer or website). In no circumstances will the program apply to offers relating to our third-party operations or where prohibited by local, provincial or federal laws or regulations. Major supermarket competitors and geographical trade areas are determined solely by us and are based on a number of factors which can change from time to time. We reserve the right to cancel or change the terms of this program at any time.

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

About Us Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: M. L. Ellen Percival Co-Creator: Sherry Kerr – ABC Assistant Publisher/Managing Editor: Allison Percival Art Director: Amanda Sharp Editoral Assistant: Stacie Gaetz

calgary’s child

Distribution Manager: Cathy Bontje Sales Director: Eilidh Tait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587-888-9556 eilidh.calgaryschild@gmail.com

2022 BACK-TO-SCHOOL EDITION Cover Front & Centre

Starting the school year strong! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

We Love Local

A roundup of local products and services from small, homebased businesses in and around Calgary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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

Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Stephen’s Backpacks Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 My Best Friend’s Closet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Making your perfect homeschool space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Reduce, reuse, and recycle your school supplies . . . . . . . . . . 36 5 active and fun ways to commute to school with kids . . . . 39 High school at home: Options in Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Class & Program Extracurricular activities help children build skills for life . . 42 Encouraging creative writing in children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 CLASS & PROGRAM DIRECTORY – the best programming options from basketball to ballet this fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Is your child in the right sports program? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

CONTESTS - Enter to WIN! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Speech & language delays in young children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 From fall reading to family movie night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Fall Family Fun

Game on! Finding the right sport for your little sport . . . . . . 52

Calgary’s best fall bike rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 History brought to life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Birthdays on a budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 17th Avenue: Calgary’s high street destination . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The best family bike trails to ride around Kananaskis and Canmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 CALGARY'S CHILD CALENDAR - What’s happening? . . . . 16 U-Pick-It farms near Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Calgary’s best sweet treats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 How to make a DIY obstacle course outside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Back-to-School 5 tips to easier mornings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Tips for packing top-notch lunches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Is your child too sick for daycare or school? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 BACK-TO-SCHOOL DIRECTORY – everything you’ll need to get the kids back to class without the stress . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 10 easy ways to help the new kid in school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Christina Katz Tanya Koob Dr. Cathryn Kuzyk Christine Latreille Janeen Lewis Sarah Lyons Dr. Brent MacDonald Cara Poppitt Jan Pierce Susan Scandiffio Karen Ung Margaret Varty Katharine Watts

Ages & Stages

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

Recognizing and labeling feelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Hitting, pushing and biting: What’s up with that? . . . . . . . . . 55 Grow (together) Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Look for our link on your School’s Website and/or Monthly Newsletters:

Parent Connection Helping your kids “find their people” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Things to do with your toddler when you’ve got a baby too . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Medicine cabinet 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 The six best parenting podcasts for every age and stage . . 60

Home & Lifestyle Do you have a fire escape plan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Putting down roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Next Issue 2022 AUTUMN EDITION

Ad Booking Deadline: Sept 14, 2022 Release Date: October 5, 2022 Fall is fun in Calgary! Our Autumn Edition is packed full of everything families will need as the leaves start flying, including our Health & Wellness Directory, Inclusivity Directory, and (of course) tons of great ideas for things to do as a family this fall!

Find us on

Contributors Mali Anderson Judy Arnall Lori Beattie Jason Chan Remillard Katy M. Clark Ashlee Ellerbruch Ashley Frampton Julie Freedman Smith Stacie Gaetz Samantha Gryba Erika Holter Carol Henke Lisa Kaldenbach

Shy or quietly confident? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Every issue of Calgary’s Child Magazine includes our family-focused features and departments; plus, each issue also includes comprehensive themed directories – designed to provide busy parents with all the information on local products, support & services – all in one place.

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The opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the publishers. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the publishers. Calgary’s Child Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited materials.

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ISSN 1198-6069 Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2022 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement 40015699 Registration Number: 2724960

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Distribution Calgary’s Child Magazine is available at over 500 locations around Calgary including elementary schools through the Calgary Catholic District, Calgary Board of Education, Rockyview District, Foothills School Division and Calgary Public Libraries. You can also find Calgary’s Child Magazine in stands at all City of Calgary Recreation facilities, Safeway, Co-op and Sobeys... just to name a few locations.

front & centre

starting the school year strong!

Conversation starters for parents to help kids get back to school with confidence

By Dr. Brent Macdonald “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” is an old adage that, in some ways, applies to a school year.

Except in addition to a marathon, it’s also like a series of different sprints, hurdles, long jumps, biking, rugby, swimming and a multitude of other events – all happening simultaneously! A school year is about 185 days, and a lot happens during those days. How can parents help their kids get ready for what can be both an exciting and terrifying time of year, the back-toschool season?

We start with the 4Cs that are associated with enhancing mental toughness in both children and adults.

Mental toughness is a well-researched topic that is best described as a personality trait that determines how people deal with challenge, stressors, and pressure. It is not about being “hard,” it is about being vulnerable and open to learning; a great mindset for success at school.

Mental toughness can be learned. So, try the following conversation starters to enhance your child’s mental toughness as they approach the new school year: Control. This refers to what extent we feel that we have control over ourselves and the extent to which we have the ability to control our environment. Ideally, we want kids to feel emotionally in control and have a sense that they have control over what happens to them at school.

“I never lose; I win or I learn” Often, kids feel that they do not have choices at school – they have to do the work assigned to them. Good teachers provide a variety of activities that students can do and parents are encouraged to follow the lead of good teachers. Ask your child what choices are available to them at school, and what are some things that have less (or no) choice associated with them. In really thinking about it, most kids will come to realize that they have way more choice than they previously thought they did!

Commitment. Use the phrase “goal setting” with your child and watch as their eyes glaze over with boredom. Kids tend not to like to talk about goal setting for many reasons – sometimes it’s fear of setting goals they may not achieve (resulting in feelings of failure), or perhaps they feel that the goals being set are not really their goals.

A good way to have them rethink goal setting is to think about commitments. Ask your child “What are some things you are committed to this year?” It could be a sport, a specific academic skill, improved social interactions, or any number of areas, but it should be positively phrased and conceptualized. “I’m not going to get into as much trouble as I did last year” can make the child feel like they are being held hostage to their past behavior. Negative phrasing can lead to negative results. Better would be, “I’m committed to being in control of my emotional reactions in stressful situations,” which leads to a stronger sense of ownership while also focusing on what the child can do (not what they have done).

Challenge. Challenge refers to both risk-taking and learning. I love the expression “I never lose; I win or I

learn” and if this can become your child’s internal motto, then they are far more likely to take on calculated risk – raising a hand to answer a question in class, trying out for the school musical production, even making a new friend are all quite risky behaviors, but ones that we want our kids to take on. Ask your child, “what is a risk you are willing to take this week/month/year?” If they take a risk and it doesn’t work out, then that is where real, meaningful learning happens – so it truly is a winwin situation.

Confidence. Confidence consists of our confidence in our abilities (do we feel confident in what we are doing?) and our interpersonal confidence. We want confident children, and we want that confidence to be earned. Not a false sense of overconfidence or (on the other hand) a lack of confidence that prohibits them from even trying new or hard things. Have your child identify two or three things they are good at (they do not have to be academic at all!) and see if they can describe their feelings of confidence compared to something that they do not feel that they can do well (yet!).

By engaging in these interactions, parents themselves gain insight into their own mental toughness profile. Ask yourself the same questions that have been identified here. In doing so, you may find yourself empathizing with your child in a way that you did not before, which in turn enhances the parent-child relationship, enriching both trust and communication.

And if you get the eye roll, or your child is not interested in having these discussions, try to understand why they might be reluctant. Often, it’s not because you are the “lamest parent in the world.” Instead, it’s a hard conversation for them to have because it may bring up feelings of fear or being judged. Remember that there are no right answers to these questions – be accepting and optimistic and ideally, your children will follow your lead and approach the school year with a hopeful and open attitude.

Dr. Brent Macdonald is a frequent guest on CBC, Global Television, Breakfast Television, and CTV. He is currently the lead psychologist with his own practice, Macdonald Psychology Group (complexlearners.com), which in addition to providing counseling and assessment services, also provides consultation services to educators and parents. CCM

OUR 2nd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVENT with Santa & Alpacas is NOW OPEN for Bookings!

AR L AST YE ST! A L B WAS A excited o s e r We a ut this abo ent! v year ’s e

The cost is $30 per person. It includes: • Admission to our farm • Feed for the Alpacas & Chickens • Visit the Alpacas in the pasture • Access to the playground (weather permitting) • 1 Digital High Resolution with SANTA • Hot chocolate Each child that comes will go home with a treat bag and 2 crafts to make at home.

Bookings/more details @ Kirksalpacafarm.ca/ BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 5

WeLove

LOCAL

Alberta Blue – @redbarnbooksca Snuggle up with your little one and enjoy this made-in-Alberta board book, a tribute to our big skies and wide-open landscapes. Marvel at the beauty of our province with rhyming verses by Pat Hatherly and watercolor paintings by Jesse Horne.

Alberta Blue makes an excellent baby gift for new parents and is the perfect little lullaby for every Albertan baby. Listen to the song Alberta Blue by the Travelling Mabels wherever you get your music, or download it at thetravellingmabels.com.

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

tinyFEATS – @tinyfeats Bright educational toys for kids that are handmade in Calgary by local moms.

They make Quiet Books, Small World Play Sets and educational gifts for kids that are under $20 – all handcrafted from felt! Toys are designed to inspire creative play and are an engaging alternative to screen time, which also makes them a perfect toy on the go.

Little Smarties YYC – @littlesmartiesyyc Little Smarties is a Canadian home-based woman-run company. They have an adorable collection of high-quality vinyl stickers featuring animals, plants, bugs, coffee and rainbows. Many of the sticker designs are also on greeting cards that can be found at the Wilder Institute/ Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park, Countryside Landscaping and Main Street Market in Okotoks. These stickers bring a smile to the faces of children and adults alike and brighten up laptops, phones, travel mugs and water bottles. They are all waterproof, fade-resistant and dishwasher-safe.

Are You My Best Friend? – @areyoumybestfriend.book This book is filled with colorful illustrations with a seek-and-find search component where young readers are sure to stay engaged searching for the hidden owl. This is a true story of how Calgary author Cardelle Szego met her husband and it promotes healthy relationships to young readers and caregivers alike.

The story showcases the importance of appreciating the people around you while they journey in life towards friendship and love.

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Find us on

Parents Village – @parentsvillageyyc The village everyone says it takes to raise a child was first started by a local family to help parents get social and create their own village. No matter what stage of parenthood you are in, the need for support doesn’t end.

Through growing an online community on their free mobile app, the Village hosts daily meet-ups to bring the parent community together in fun and social ways that appeal to the whole family and parenthood journey.

Babies & Bottoms – @babies.and.bottoms Babies & Bottoms was born from the owner’s passion for helping newborns and their postpartum moms. Owner Terry Boyle started by creating a postpartum kit and a newborn kit, both with the necessary items to get parents through the first few weeks after birth. Kits include items such as pacifiers, nail clippers, brushes, lotions, bum balm, breast pads, a peri bottle and nipple butter. Boyle also makes flannel swaddles, burp pads, face cloths and baby onesies.

calgary cares

calgary cares

contests

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 share it with our readers.

Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids For over 30 years, Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) has provided free, nutritious lunches to kids in schools. At BB4CK, they believe that every child should have access to the food that helps them learn and grow. The organization works locally at a grassroots level to provide over 5000 lunches to kids in more than 200 Calgary schools each day. The BB4CK School Lunch Program is successful because of the generosity of the community. Donors provide funding, volunteers make and deliver lunches, and teachers ensure food reaches students.

Together with our community, Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids works towards a future where communities ensure no kids go hungry. If you know someone who is looking for food resources or support for their family and kids, email jasmine@bb4ck.org. To join the BB4CK community, visit bb4ck.org. CCM

Stephen’s Backpack Society At age five, Stephen McPhee of Airdrie found out there were children without a home, and he wanted to help them. Facing his own challenges of autism, he was determined to make a difference. Stephen decided to make backpacks filled with items they might need and with the help of over 500 volunteers and corporate sponsors, he went from 15 backpacks in 2006 to an astounding 6000 in 2021.

Sixteen years later, Stephen has touched the lives of over 85,000 children in need, completely furnished 34 homes for families who had lost everything, and provided over 17,000 pairs of new running shoes for children returning to school in the fall. Stephen has also spoken at countless schools to encourage children to give back to their communities. To learn how you can help children in need, visit stephensbackpacks.com. CCM

My Best Friend’s Closet The Making Changes Association’s My Best Friend’s Closet initiative is a youth empowerment program that provides high-quality and on-trend clothing, shoes and accessories to youth who identify as female. Access to these items helps empower teen girls to confidently participate in school and recreational activities. During an appointment, youth participants are connected with a peer-to-peer volunteer stylist/mentor who will help them select items that suit their unique style and individuality.

There is no cost to the participants. They also offer a variety of interactive personal care and development workshops focused on learning new skills and a chance for youth to connect with others across Calgary in a safe space. Learn more at makingchangesassociation.ca. CCM

Lights to Guide Me Home

by Meghan J. Ward This debut memoir is at once a captivating travelogue and an introspective look at what it takes to navigate the unfamiliar and find your way back home.

Meghan takes us on a trip around the world while chronicling her transitions through some of life’s major milestones. Available to purchase on amazon.ca or from Rocky Mountain Books (rmbooks.com).

For your chance to win your own copy, find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: Lights). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System provides a secure and complete look at your baby’s well-being by tracking their breathing motion and growth while providing parents with personalized guidance to help their baby sleep better. It gives you a stunning 1080p overhead view and now features Split Screen and Alert Zone capabilities. Nanit is sold on Amazon, Best Buy, Babylist, West Coast Kids, Snuggle Bugz, Buy Buy Baby and Nanit.com.

For your chance to win the Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System, find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: Nanit). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

Buddha Board This open-and-go mindfulness tool was created to help you live in the moment by tapping into your creative side. Simply begin the process by painting with water and watch as your worries evaporate alongside your brushstrokes – leaving you with a clean slate and clear mind. Check them out at buddhaboard.ca.

For your chance to win one of three Buddha Boards (mini, original or enso size), find our contests on our

homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest codes: Mini, Original or Enso). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

Hydro Flask KIDS Insulated Lunch Box Start the year in style with Hydro Flask Kids lunch boxes, food jars, and bottles! Pack lunches to perfection and keep food hot or cold for hours – and don’t forget leak-free.

Available in Peony, Lake, Canary, and Firefly. Check out the full catalogue at hydroflask.com.

The Kids Insulated Lunch Box features a simple, efficient kid-friendly design and a durable build ready to handle just about anything. A fully lined interior keeps messes at bay and makes for easy cleaning.

For your chance to win an insulated lunch box from Hydro Flask, find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: Hydro Flask). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

Hamilton Beach Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker Enjoy cold brew coffee faster with this rapid cold brew coffee maker by Hamilton Beach. Cold brew coffee is easily made in less than six minutes with the taste you expect from your favorite coffee shop. Prefer hot coffee?

This versatile coffee maker will have a hot cup ready in less than three minutes. With regular or bold settings, brew a single cup of coffee or fill a 16-ounce travel mug for a quick cup on the go. Buy at hamiltonbeach.ca, amazon.ca or retailers across the country.

For your chance to win a Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: Coffee). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

Tabletop Gaming for All Ages from Asmodee Bring the family together for game night with Asmodee Canada, the largest distributor of tabletop games in the country! Asmodee is passionate about Contests – Continued on next page

Find us at calgaryschild.com

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 7

contests Contests – Continued from previous page

great games and the amazing stories they allow us to tell together. To learn more and to browse the huge Asmodee catalogue, visit their website at asmodee.ca!

Enter to win this amazing board game bundle: DIXIT: Dixit is a classic, simple, lighthearted game of storytelling and guesswork where your imagination unlocks the tale.

SPLENDOR: Splendor is a fast, elegant, and intuitive game in which players compete to build Renaissance Europe’s most lucrative and prestigious jewelry business.

For your chance to win all of these amazing games, find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: Asmodee). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

and zestspot.com, Canada’s premier online retailer for premium kitchenware!

Win a bundle of three great kitchen tools:

CUISIPRO SPIRAL CUTTER: Easily create vegetable spirals for stir-fry, salads, garnish or healthy pasta alternatives.

OwlCrate Jr. Box – Three Month Subscription TICKET TO RIDE: With a new map and simplified rules, First Journey is the perfect way to introduce young players to the game of cross-country travel.

CATAN – Junior: A modified playing style of the classic game, giving younger players the opportunity to experience the world of CATAN.

Spark a lifetime love of reading with OwlCrate Jr.’s monthly subscription box for kids ages eight to 12.

Subscribers get more than just a book – they get a whole themed experience including four to six goodies, a hardcover book, at least one usable item or activity to encourage creativity, imagination and exploration, plus an exclusive letter from the author and a collectible monthly sticker. For more information, visit owlcratejr.com.

For your chance to win a three-month subscription to OwlCrate Jr., find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: OwlCrate). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

Kitchen Gadgets from Cuisipro MY FIRST CARCASSONNE: This version of the modern classic, Carcassonne, has been adapted to allow players of all ages to play together.

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Cuisipro’s lineup of more than 200 products offers everyday kitchen must-haves shaped by professional chefs for chefs of all skillsets. Cuisipro (cuisipro.com) products are available at select retailers including Hudson’s Bay, IQ Living, Cookery,

CUISIPRO YOGURT CHEESE MAKER: Create thick, creamy yogurt cheese with this uniquely designed strainer. Just add yogurt and the unique patented design produces yogurt cheese (a great alternative to cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream) in two to 24 hours.

PACK-IT BAGS: Cook-it, store-it or protect-it with the endlessly versatile Cuisipro Reusable Bags! Cuisipro Reusable Bags are a reusable bag that uses zero plastic.

For your chance to win this kitchen bundle, find our contests on our homepage at calgaryschild.com (contest code: Cuisipro). Contest closes October 1, 2022.

fall family fun

fall family fun

11 History Brought to Life

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13 Birthday on a Budget

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15 Bike Trails

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 9

fall family fun

Calgary’s best fall bike rides Top three urban cycle tours to take this autumn

By Lori Beattie; photos: Cody Stuart Joyful, contented, absorbed, satisfied, accomplished, alert, calm and peaceful, confident, powerful, excited – happy. Cycling in and around Calgary is enjoyable for so many reasons – big nature, awe-inspiring vistas, peaceful river pedals, fresh air, the physical challenge, and so many destinations to discover along the way. Here are a few of my favorite fall rides to celebrate the change of seasons.

RIDE 1: Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park Vast and open, Glenbow Ranch hosts 40km of interconnected paved and wide gravel pathways that lead to stunning views, aspen-filled coulees, and grasslands where cattle still graze. Part of the Trans Canada Trail, now called the Great Trail, it is situated along the north bank of the Bow River between Calgary and Cochrane in Rocky View County. Begin with a paved pathway coast downhill before deciding your route. Alberta’s trademark big blue skies are a constant companion when you cycle around Glenbow Ranch.

When you bike here, you follow in the footsteps of the Indigenous Peoples who lived and hunted in the area up to 4000 years ago. Evidence of tipi rings, cairns, and bison kills have been found at the ranch. The area was later established as western Canada’s first big ranch, named the Cochrane Ranche in 1881.

RIDE 2: Bow River Pathway (Shouldice Park – Edworthy Park – Prince’s Island Park – St. Patrick's Island Park) The Bow River begins at Bow Glacier, on the Icefields Parkway, and travels through Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, and eventually into the heart of Calgary. The riverside pathway passes beneath towering poplars, past public art, and has easy access to neighborhoods that host ice cream shops, playgrounds, pubs, and peoplepopulated walking and shopping streets. Serving up the perfect mix of natural beauty and urban energy makes it the most popular pathway in Calgary. And for those who want to cycle through the winter, this path (along with over 500km of other regional pathways) is cleared of snow all winter long.

Cycle to Prince’s Island Park and take a walk along the wetland trails on the east end of the island, stop by the playground, or throw rocks in the Bow River. Continue along the north or south side of the Bow River to the RiverWalk, an energetic spot where walkers, strollers, roller skaters, and cyclists converge at the Simmons Building in the East Village. Continue to St. Patrick’s Island where you can stop at Trout Beach for a picnic.

This natural water park is a favorite with kids. Keep on pedaling to the playground and then loop through Inglewood where you might want to detour for burgers or ice cream, a craft beer, or some strolling and shopping along 9th Avenue before cycling west all the way to Edworthy Park.

Start: Shouldice Park (4900 Monserrat Drive NW), Edworthy Park North (4105 Montgomery View NW) or Edworthy Park South (5050 Spruce Drive SW) LRT: Sunnyside or Bridgeland Stations Facilities: Bathrooms at Edworthy Park and St. Patrick’s Island Distance & Difficulty: Shouldice to Prince’s Island Park return is 18km, Shouldice to St. Patrick’s Island return is 26km (mostly flat, paved pathways) Detours, Destinations, & Suggestions: Delicious detours are a constant along this ride. Ice cream, cafés, pie, cupcakes, tea, lunch stops, and pubs – there are many options to choose from. On warm days, enjoy an ice cream stop at Abbey’s Creations in Montgomery or Inglewood, Lic’s in Parkdale, Made by Marcus in West Hillhurst, or Sweet Tooth in Chinatown.

St. Patrick's Island Here, ranchers discovered their cattle could not withstand the harsh winters as the bison had; a lesson that was critical to the success of future southern Alberta ranches. Cattle still roam the fields, as the park remains a working ranch. Grazing helps maintain the health and vigor of the fescue grassland landscape. In the fall and winter, the cattle eat the tall, protein-rich grasses. Their cropping of the grasses allows sunlight to reach the roots, leading to healthy grass growth in the spring. Interpretive signs along the route provide interesting background on Alberta’s ranching heritage and geological history. Bring a picnic and plan to stay awhile.

Start: Official parking for Glenbow Ranch, Glenbow Road, Facilities: Bathroom at trailhead Distance & Difficulty: Mountain View Loop is 7km. Bow River Loop is 7km. Entire pathway network is 15km (hilly, paved pathways, gravel pathways) Detours, Destinations, & Suggestions: Drive to Cochrane for MacKay’s ice cream, lunch, or a café stop.

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RIDE 3: Fish Creek Provincial Park (Shannon Terrace to Mallard Point) Vast and peaceful, the wilds of Fish Creek Provincial Park recharge and refresh. Stretching 19km from east to west and encompassing over 13km2, the park is the ultimate urban-wilderness getaway. Bordered on three sides by city and on the west side by the territory of the Tsuut’ina First Nation, Fish Creek Park hosts more than 100km of pathways for walking, hiking, and biking. You begin in the forested west end, where a mix of poplar, aspen, and white spruce trees offer shaded relief on a hot day. All the rides follow paved pathways and enjoy mostly flat pedaling throughout, however there are many options to detour and explore along shale paths and single-track mountain bike trails.

Wondering what all the vegetation is around you?

Bunchberry, purple clematis, kinnikinnick (bearberry), buffaloberry, and red osier dogwood are just some of the native flowers and shrubs that cover the forest floor in the far west end of the park. Pass by sandstone cliffs and

Fish Creek Park multiple wetlands and continue under Macleod Trail into wide open grasslands, where wildflowers abundantly bloom from May through September. Listen for the birdlife in wetlands and among the riparian forests and slow the pace to catch a glimpse of one or two of the 200 bird species that have been found in the park. You may also see other wildlife: deer, coyotes, snakes, frogs, beavers, and black bears all call the park home or enjoy the occasional visit. From Mallard Point you can return along paved paths or follow shale pathways along the Bow River. Climb to the community of Parkland, above Annie’s Café, and follow the escarpment pathways, enjoying expansive views of the park below and the Rockies beyond before descending back into the park at Acadia Drive and continuing along the valley bottom into the vast urban wilds that are Fish Creek Park.

Start: Official Fish Creek Park parking lot at Shannon Terrace (13931 Woodpath Road SW) LRT: Fish Creek Station Facilities: Bathrooms at trailheads throughout the park Distance & Difficulty: Entire Park loop is 33km; West End loop (Shannon Terrace to Votier’s Flats) is 14km; East End loop (Mallard Point to Votier’s Flats) is 20km (few hills, paved pathways) Detours, Destinations, & Suggestions: Annie’s Café at Bow Valley Ranch is the perfect pit stop for ice cream, drinks or lunch Mountain Bike Option: See the Fish Creek Park trail maps on the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance website (cmbalink.com) Lori is the author of the new guidebook Calgary’s Best Bike Rides, 50 urban cycle tours and pathway pedals and the best-selling Calgary’s Best Walks, the owner of Fit Frog and the CTV Walks segment host.

She leads walks, hikes, and snowshoe days with her company Fit Frog. Connect with her and get a signed copy of her books on Instagram & Facebook @lorifitfrog and at fitfrog.ca. CCM

fall family fun

history brought to life Four historic places that are fun for kids

By Karen Ung; photos: Karen Ung On our road trips around Alberta, we’ve visited several historic places. While many offer engaging and memorable experiences, others are just a bathroom break in an old building. The sites my kids like best are the ones with hands-on activities and interpreters in period dress who bring the past to life. Bonus if there are horse-drawn wagon rides and ice cream! Here are four of our favorite historic places in southern Alberta: 1. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is an awesome living history museum near Edmonton with over 40 restored buildings. Visit costumed interpreters in their homes and workplaces to learn what life was like for early Ukrainian settlers in east central Alberta. Interpreters are in character, making for some fun and interesting interactions. At the General Store, the shopkeeper will ask what you’d like to buy; at school, you’ll be expected to sit down and participate; and if you ask them to take a photo, they have no idea what a cell phone is!

While you’re there, look for farm animals; go on a horse-drawn wagon ride (free with admission); and get delicious handmade perogies, cabbage rolls, ice cream and more at the red barn. You can easily spend a few hours there!

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

2. On the bank of the Athabasca River, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site protects the remains of an important fur trade post for the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company. The archeological remains of four forts, dating from 1799 to 1875, were found here, and the chimneys of one fort are still standing.

While it’s a pleasant walk to the fort sites (3.2km round trip), if you’re visiting with kids, we recommend starting at the Bison Lookout and looking for plains bison; picking up an activity booklet from the Visitor Centre and checking out the interactive exhibits; playing at the Play Fort, a 1/4 size replica of a fur trade fort; watching an informative and entertaining puppet show about the life of legendary explorer and cartographer, David Thompson (2pm daily); then visiting the Métis Camp, York Boat, and Blacksmith Shop.

On various visits, heritage interpreters have taught us: how to dance a jig, how to start a fire with flint and steel, how York Boats were portaged, and what different furs were used for. My kids enjoyed making a fire without

matches so much that we bought an old school firemaking kit at the gift shop.

Open daily, 10am to 5pm. For an unforgettable weekend, book a Heritage Camping stay in a trapper’s tent, trapline cabin, or tipi!

3. Atlas Coal Mine, near Drumheller, offers “mine blowing” experiences and real stories about real people. On the Train Ride tour, we clickety-clacked down the track in a coal car and learned about Atlas Coal Mine when coal was king in this valley. At the peak of the Drumheller mining industry, the 39 local mines had 1.5 million boxcars; enough to go around the world!

Our guide also shared tales of famous miners and rum running.

On the Processing Plant tour, we met at the Mine Office to get paid (did you know dust-covered miners were recognized by their voices?), then climbed inside Canada’s last-standing wooden tipple to learn how coal was sorted and priced, the hazards of being a tipple worker, and how Wildfire Coal got its orange color. At the Manager’s Office, we heard about ghosts who are known to play mischievous pranks on people.

Next is the Mine Portal hike (ages six and up) where we watched a carbide lamp demo, toured the shower building, then got suited up like a miner to venture into an old mine shaft. It’s a bit of a hike to get there, so our guide paused every so often to point out coal deposits across the valley, and notable buildings below. Between fun facts, true tales, and ghost stories, we learned a lot and had fun!

Open daily, 10 am to 5pm.

from the 1860s to the 1930s on foot, by steam train, in a horse-drawn wagon, or on the S.S. Moyie paddlewheeler.

Save time for rides on the Antique Midway, the 1pm play at the Canmore Opera House, and cinnamon buns from Alberta Bakery.

Some examples of awesome activities/presentations offered daily by Heritage Park include: butter making, rope making, Indigenous games, 1910 gym class in the Schoolyard, bannock making, Voyageur Recruitment, lawn bowling, and street theater. With a new schedule each week, you can see or try something new each visit (local’s tip: an annual membership pays for itself in three visits).

New exhibits this year include Prospect Ridge where you can pan for gold and explore a replica coal mine, and Innovation Crossing’s interactive “Alberta: Lessons for the Future” STORYSEEKER exhibit. The exhibits’ themes complement each other, so it’s recommended you visit both. Make sure you get a copy of the schedule when you arrive so you can plan the the most amazing day!

Open daily, 10 am to 5pm.

4. Here in Calgary, we’re lucky to have Canada’s largest living history museum, Heritage Park Historical Village.

With over 180 exhibits and 55,000 artifacts on 127 acres, costumed interpreters, and a jam- packed schedule of activities, there’s fun for all ages. Journey through time,

Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas.

With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun. CCM

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fall family fun

birthdays on a budget Reuse and repurpose birthday decor

By Sarah Lyons Every parent wants their child’s birthday to be special but the cost of throwing a party can really add up, especially if you have multiple children. Is it really possible to cut party costs without losing the fun and excitement that parents and kids alike have come to love? One way to cut down on costs is by purchasing birthday supplies that can be reused or repurposed year after year.

The easiest way to start saving on party decor is to stock up on items when they are on sale or clearance.

Choose items that are not theme-specific, and select a variety of colors that are gender neutral. Basic birthday signs, party lanterns, and photo backdrops can be reused again and again. You can even make your own decor out of stronger materials like cardstock or cardboard or hit up the dollar store for streamers and signs that can be used repeatedly. As you collect a stash of items, store it someplace that is organized and easily accessible when the next birthday arrives.

When purchasing items for the special day, it may be wise to spend a little extra money on birthday items that you know can be used many times over several years.

Purchase games that can be used every year like bingo, bean bag toss, or yard games such as badminton. These games are fun for any party, and you will see a return on your investment quickly. Chalkboards for birthday signs, cake stands, and punch bowls can also be purchased once and used for many parties.

You can also buy dress up items that can be used for a photo booth year after year, such as hats, silly glasses,

feather boas, or masks. Kids of any age will have a great time posing in different costumes. Many of these items can be purchased at a dollar store, garage sales, or may be laying around your house. Choose a basic birthday backdrop for your photo booth or use a plain sheet or tablecloth to keep things simple and affordable for your photo backdrop. There are also fun apps that allow you to put in different backdrops if you use a green background.

Photos taken in the photobooth can double as ‘thank you’ cards for your guests.

Money can be saved on tableware in a few different ways. Cloth tablecloths and plastic plates can be washed and used again. They will last for years with a one time investment. If the thought of extra cleanup doesn’t appeal to you, try buying a giant roll of white butcher paper and unrolling on the table to be used as a tablecloth. Allow kids to color right on the tablecloth during the party. When the party's over, simply roll up the paper and toss it. One roll of paper will last for years, and because of its neutral color, it can be used for many holidays and birthdays.

Another way to save on birthday expenses is to replace balloons with party lanterns. These can be purchased for about the same price as balloons but instead of one-time use, they can be used over and over again. By choosing a variety of neutral colors you will save money without losing the festive look.

Once the party's over, theme-specific party decorations can be repurposed in many ways. Cards and invitations can be made into wall art, ornaments, gift tags, or garland.

Crepe paper and napkins can be made into confetti or garland. Old ribbons and balloons can be used to make a festive wreath.

The key to saving money by reusing or repurposing party decor is to get creative. Scour the internet or Pinterest for ideas, shop smart by buying generic birthday items on sale, or create your own decor from things you have around the house. Once you have your basic party decor, add small touches to help create a fun birthday theme. Try to find items that can be used more than once. For example, toy sharks and ocean scenes from a pirate party could be reused for an under-the-sea party at a later date. A little creativity can make for a fun, affordable, and environmentally conscious birthday party your child will love.

Budget-friendly party locations: The park • • The pool A local place of worship or community center • • Public buildings such as libraries, museums and nature centers Your home or backyard • • Tour a local fire station or factory

Sarah is a mom of six kids including seven-year-old triplets.

She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors with her family. CCM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 13

fall family fun

17th avenue: Calgary's high street destination Entertainment, retail and food – oh my!

By Samantha Gryba 17th Ave is one of Calgary’s favorite entertainment districts, and for good reason. This iconic street has tons of amazing businesses ranging from award-winning restaurants and local boutiques to luxurious spas and salons, wellness services and more. It’s also home to two city parks, both ideal spots for an afternoon picnic or a little bit of people watching, and oftentimes the host of a variety of family-friendly events. Whether you’re looking to spend an afternoon patio hopping between the many fabulous eateries, treating yourself to a little retail therapy, or enjoying a picnic in the park, you can do it on 17th Ave.

“It’s a community where everything you need is right at your fingertips.”

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When it comes to dining, there’s not much you can’t find on 17th Ave. From mom-and-pop owned bakeries to award winning restaurants, expansive patios, globallyinfluenced cuisine, trendy coffee shops and more, this is one of the most diverse dining sectors within the city.

Within just 14 city blocks, you can find cuisine inspired

by Ethiopia, Mexico, Latin America, Spain, Japan, Korea and more. Plus, there’s a variety of healthy, plant-based options, quick eats, dessert spots, cafes and more. Even the pickiest eater will find something they like on 17th Ave. After you’ve filled up on all your favorite Red Mile eats, be sure to take some time browsing locally owned boutiques, big name brands, funky vintage shops, grocers, record stores, and quirky gift shops. There’s nothing like a little retail therapy, and no better place to do it.

In addition to being known as an excellent retail and entertainment district, 17th Ave is home to numerous different wellness and professional services ranging from

luxury spas and salons to chiropractor and acupuncture clinics, dentists, lawyers, marketing agencies and more.

It’s a community where everything you need is right at your fingertips, whether that’s a new pair of shoes from a local boutique, or a teeth cleaning from the dentist!

And of course, no trip to Calgary’s favorite street would be complete without a stop in Tomkins Park. This storied city park has been around for more than 100 years, and is home to tons of beautiful trees, abundant seating in the form of benches, tables and chairs, and the gazebo, which has seen a number of fantastic live musicians in its day. Fun fact, you can also legally drink alcohol in this park during the summer months between 11am and 9pm. In between the various different events (17th Ave’s “Summer on 17th” festival is on from now until Sept. 21 and features tons of free events) you can also bring a blanket, a picnic basket and your favorite adult beverage, and have yourself a lovely little picnic.

Find everything you need from dining and shopping to professional services and events in this beloved Calgary community. If you don’t have plans for the last few weeks of summer, you do now, and they’re on 17th Ave! Check out these great local accounts for your daily dose of Calgary’s amazing food culture: @yycfoodjunkie @forkyyc @sherly_brack @drinks.withus @eatinggoodinyyc @cheatdayeveryday @cgyliving @sarah.sociables @postyyc @therealaniabasak @foodie.yyc @wanderinginyyc Samantha is the communications coordinator for the 17th Ave Business Improvement Area. CCM

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fall family fun

the best family bike trails to ride around Kananaskis and Canmore Hit the trails!

By Tanya Koob My family loves exploring on our bikes and we’ve discovered many fun trails to ride around Kananaskis and Canmore, some paved, and others perfect for beginner mountain biking. Below are our favorite trails and areas to bike from Calgary as a day trip or while camping near the city. n Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Paved Bike Trail, Kananaskis The paved Lodgepole, Wheeler, and Lakeside trails can be ridden in a 12km outing one way. The trails have gradual hills that can always be walked if riding with young children and the steepest hills are well signed.

For a shorter ride, jump on the Wheeler Trail at the Boulton Creek Campground and ride one way (mostly downhill) to the Canyon Campground with a second vehicle waiting by the playground in the B loop. You can also send an adult back for the vehicle while the kids play. For a fun postbiking treat, stop by the Boulton Creek Trading Post for ice cream. n Troll Falls, Kananaskis Village Most people hike this short easy trail, but we have found it to be an amazing beginner family mountain bike ride with a scenic ride through Hay Meadow by the Kananaskis River, and a great destination to a set of waterfalls. The trails are all wide double-track ski trails with gentle hills.

Families will want to park at the Stoney Trailhead and approach the falls via Hay Meadow. Park your bikes for the final 0.3km hike to the falls. From the falls, bike back via the Troll Falls trail for easy coasting most of the way back to the car. Total loop distance is less than 4km and is manageable with a chariot or bike trailer. It is also a great trip for younger children on balance bikes.

To add on to your ride, lock your bikes up before Troll Falls and carry on by foot to visit the Upper Falls in a short 1km return hike. Children will also enjoy stopping at Kananaskis Village after for ice cream and a visit to the playground. n The Bill Milne Trail, Kananaskis Village This paved trail connects Kananaskis Village with Wedge Pond further down the highway in a total distance of 9.7km one way. Start at the Kovach Day Use Area below the village to avoid the big hill down to the highway. Return trip distance is 17km from Kovach Day Use Area to Wedge Pond and back.

The trail climbs very gradually the entire distance from the Kovach Day Use Area to Wedge Pond with one big hill that can be walked near the pond. Consider setting up a shuttle with younger children so that they only have to ride one way in the downhill direction from Wedge Pond. Stop at the village after for ice cream and a visit at the playground. n Watridge Lake, Spray Lake Provincial Park, Kananaskis This easy mountain bike trail has been a family favorite of ours since my son used to ride it on his balance bike at the age of four. The ride to Watridge Lake is a 7.5km round trip from the Mount Shark Trailhead off the Smith Dorrien Trail out of Canmore. You’ll be riding on a wide

gravel road with a few rough sections and a couple of steep hills. The trail is manageable with a chariot or bike trailer.

From Watridge Lake, lock up your bikes and hike up to the Karst Spring where you can see water shoot out of a hole in the rock. Complete round trip distance with the hike is 9km. After finishing your bike ride, consider stopping in at nearby Mount Engadine Lodge for afternoon tea and goodies. We like to play in the meadow while there and have found frogs in the creek below the lodge. It’s recommended that you call ahead if planning to stop in at the lodge to check for availability. n The High Rockies Trail from the Kananaskis Suspension Bridge to the Lower Kananaskis Lake For a short intermediate mountain bike trail that’s a lot of fun, park beside the trail to the Blackshale Suspension Bridge on the Spray Lakes Road just north of the Kananaskis Lakes. You can find the location of the bridge on the All Trails website/app or on Google Maps. Park along the side of the highway and climb up 50 metres (pushing your bikes if you have to) to reach the bridge.

From the bridge it is a fun, flowy 4km downhill ride to the Peninsula Day Use Area on a relatively wide singletrack trail. I suggest having a second vehicle parked at the bottom or send one adult back uphill to get the vehicle while a second adult hangs out by the lake with the kids. And if you drive home via the lakes, a detour to the Boulton Creek Trading Post can be made for ice cream. n The Canmore Town Trail Network There are over 15km of easy trails starting from the downtown area of Canmore that can be hiked or biked.

Personally, we prefer to bike them because we can link the trails together to take us all the way from the town skate park to the bike park, restaurants downtown, and to numerous playgrounds.

Millennium Park is a good starting point where you’ll find a large parking lot along with a bike park and dirt pump track. From Millennium Park, we like biking to the West Canmore Playground, which is directly opposite the park on the other side of the river. (Just follow

the pathway west to the bridge, cross the river, and then head back east to reach the playground.) From the playground you can continue biking on the Three Sisters Pathway towards a beautiful meadow and historic mine site. A ride from the playground to the Three Sisters Mountain Village is about a 10km return.

Alternately, from Millennium Park, bike west without crossing the river until you come to Engine Bridge. Cross the river here and return on the other side for a beautiful 2km easy loop. We also like parking at the town skate park located on 8 Avenue beside the Canmore Collegiate High School.

From here, you can access the easy trail network that follows the Bow River towards downtown.

The Canmore trails are mostly wide dirt/ gravel paths with a few paved sections. All trails are relatively flat. They are great with a Chariot or bike trailer and very doable by youngsters on balance bikes. n Canmore Nordic Centre Bike Trails Banff Trail is an easy 6km round trip ride to a beautiful meadow from the Canmore Nordic Centre Day Lodge.

You’ll be riding on a wide cross-country ski trail that parallels the paved Roller Skiing trail and aside from a few gentle hills, it is a great ride for young children.

We first rode this trail with our child on a balance bike when he was four years old and had few difficulties. We enjoyed a lovely picnic in the meadow and then headed to Canmore for ice cream. Banff Trail is manageable with a chariot or bike trailer.

Single track mountain bike trails also depart from the day lodge for those wanting more excitement, and the green “get in, get out” loop is only 2km in distance. From here, try the Baby Beluga blue loop as an add on for an extra 700 metres. There is also a fun mountain bike skills park at the Nordic Centre with progression options for all abilities of riders.

Note that there are no trail fees in place at the Nordic Centre in the summer so you can bike on any trail you want without paying for a day pass. There are also bike rentals available at the Trail Sports Centre on site and you can rent a Chariot as well. n Safety notes when biking in Kananaskis Please remember that you will be biking through bear country and possibly sharing the trails with wildlife (even on the town trails in Canmore). Check trail reports before heading out, stop in at a Visitor Centre for the latest updates, and consider staying off trails with wildlife warnings.

Other things you can do to stay safe: Bring bear spray with you, make lots of noise when riding (especially beside creeks and rivers or around blind corners), and travel in a tight group with children in the middle between adult riders.

Tanya is a freelance writer, and mom to a spunky seven-year-old. 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

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 15

fall family fun

calgary's child calendar For the most up-to-date calendar of events check out our website at calgaryschild.com August 12; Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo - Corks For Conservation. Join for an adults-only evening full of wine tasting, food pairings, classical music, and activities.

Each ticket includes: admission to the zoo, wine tasting, chef attended food stations, classical music, games, and education. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com/events/corksfor-conservation.

August 12 to 13; Carifest. A Caribbean celebration of music, culture, traditions and costumes at Shaw Millennium Park. Learn more at carifestcalgary.com.

August 12 to 14; Lucent Festival. Hosted at Camp Adventure in Kananaskis. A weekend of yoga and movement classes of all kinds, holistic workshops, arts and crafts, free play, a marketplace, live music, relaxation, meditation, bonfires, nature hikes and dancing. Follow @lucentfestival on Instagram for more information.

August 12 to 21; Alberta on the Plate. Every August during Alberta Local Food Week, Alberta on the Plate hosts a 10-day, province-wide dine around festival. For those 10 days, participating restaurants offer multicourse, fixed-price menus highlighting local producers, growers, distillers and brewers. Show your support of Alberta food! Learn more at albertaontheplate.com.

August 13; Chestermere Summer Music Fest.

Celebrate summer on the lake at Chestermere’s annual Summer Music Fest (formerly Chestermere Water Festival). Come down to John Peake Park and enjoy the wide variety of family friendly activities. Learn more at chestermere.ca/176/Events.

August 13, 11am to 3pm; Picnic in the Park. Heart Home Network (HHN) is thrilled to introduce the firstever Picnic in the Park! Join the family-focused event in Riley Park, which will be a summer-fun filled afternoon of games, activities, a picnic lunch and connecting with the community. Learn more at brendastraffordsociety.com/ picnic-in-the-park.

August 13, 11am to 5pm; Calgary Japanese Festival “Omatsuri.” “Omatsuri'' is the Japanese term for a “traditional festival.” Visitors to the festival will be treated to Japanese cultural demonstrations, food, traditional music, dance and song, martial arts and more. Learn more at calgaryjapanesefestival.com.

16 • Find us on

August 13, 11am to 6pm; Cochrane Food Fest 2022.

Enjoy delicious food and drinks crafted by local vendors, along with live entertainment, and family-friendly activities at Mitford Park. Learn more at cochranefoodfest.com.

August 13, 11am to 7pm; Franco Festival Calgary. The Calgary Franco Festival promotes and shares the cultural richness of Calgary’s large Francophone community in all its diversity with the general public. The festival will offer cultural performances, a marketplace, a children’s village and cuisine at Olympic Plaza. Learn more at francofestcalgary.com.

August 13 to 14; Alberta Open Farm Days. More than 100 farms, ranches, and ag-tourism operators open their gates and invite visitors to share in local stories, see on-farm demonstrations and purchase locally grown and produced products. Learn more at albertaopenfarmdays.ca.

August 14, 10am to 5pm; Marda Gras Street Festival.

Marda Gras is a free family-friendly event in the heart of Marda Loop. The longest running street festival in Calgary. Take part in a pedestrian friendly, car-free day with your friends and family – shopping local and reconnecting with the community. Learn more at visitmardaloop.com/mardagras.

August 18 to 27; GlobalFest @ Elliston. GlobalFest is an annual celebration of Calgary’s multiculturalism, featuring pavilions, performances, international food, children's programming and fireworks. Fireworks presentations are produced by world-class pyro musical artists from around the world with a Canadian-produced finale. Learn more at globalfest.ca.

August 19 to 21; Summer Skirmish. Enjoy an exciting weekend of historical re-enactments, food trucks, and more at the 2022 Summer Skirmish. There'll be plenty going on inside The Military Museums. Learn more at themilitarymuseums.ca.

August 19 to 21; Field the Rhythm. A free three-day experience for musicians aged 12 to 18 who will get the experience of what it is like to be a part of a premiere marching ensemble in Canada. Learn more at campus. calgarystampede.com.

August 19 to 22; Expo Latino. Calgary’s hottest festival, Expo Latino creates experiences of discovery and learning through the celebration of people, music and dance. World-class performers, sizzling dancing, exotic foods, arts, crafts and so much more. Celebrate Latin culture at Prince’s Island Park. Learn more at expolatino.com.

August 19 to September 10; Storybook Theatre's Legally Blonde The Musical. A fabulously fun awardwinning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes in pursuit of her dreams. Learn more at storybooktheatre.org.

August 20 to 21; Annual Priddis and Millarville Fair.

A full weekend of old-fashioned, country-style family fun that draws our extended community together on the third weekend in August. The Fair is suitable for all ages and includes a wide variety of competitions, contests, displays and entertainment. Learn more at millarvilleracetrack.com/priddis-millarville-fair.

August 20 to 21; Granary Road’s Annual Family Fun Fair. Enjoy a carnival-themed day with games to play, delicious fair-themed food and fun surprises. Meet the animals at the Farm Friends exhibit, take rides on the rover train, and shop from amazing vendors. Learn more at granaryroad.com/familyfunfair.

August 20 to 21; Monster Jam. Monster Jam is an action-packed motorsport with world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-tohead battles for the Event Championship. Learn more at monsterjam.com.

August 21, 11am to 2pm; Back to School Event at Country Hills Village Shopping Centre. What better way to wrap up an amazing summer and prepare for the new school year! Drop in for a fun family event including food samples, free kids activities, and amazing retail offers.

Don’t miss giveaways, coupons and gift cards up for grabs! Free of charge and a perfect way to enjoy the last days of summer.

fall family fun

August 21; Tango 2 Echo Fest. Showcasing over 150 classic cars, rare finds, and beautiful builds at Greenview Industrial. From the local arts and vendors market to the beer garden, food trucks, live entertainment, mural tour, and car show – Tango 2 Echo has something for everyone in the family. Learn more at greenviewindustrial.com/ tango2echofest.

Until August 21; Sunflowers at Calgary Farmyard.

Experience sunflowers at the Farmyard! Experience beautiful blooms, 35 attractions and the biggest corn maze in Southern Alberta – all in one day. Learn more at calgaryfarmyard.com.

August 26 to 28; Calgary Medieval Faire & Artisan Market. Walk with brave knights, rub shoulders with vikings, wander the medieval market. Get ready for a weekend of epic excitement and treasures from throughout the realm including performers, magic, photo ops, face painting, balloons and more. Learn more at calgarymedievalfaire.com.

August 26 to September 5; 2022 Calgary Pride Parade and Festival. The Calgary Pride Parade and Festival is an annual event where thousands gather to celebrate the diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. A variety of events will run throughout the event, concluding with the Calgary Pride Parade & Festival on September 4 at Prince’s Island Park. Learn more at calgarypride.ca/pride-2022.

August 27 to October 15; Jubilations Junior's A Birthday Toy’s Story. A production written for kids, and a meal designed with kids in mind! Join us for a fun-filled morning of laughter, music and food! Visit jubilations.ca for more information.

Until August 28; Rosebud Theatre presents: Songs for a New World. Enjoy a soaring musical song cycle about a series of moments in the lives of a startling array of characters who not only survive but thrive in the face of adversity. Rosebud Theatre anchors its 2022 Season with a summer musical all about hope! Learn more at rosebudtheatre.com.

August 29 to 31; Squonk: Hand to Hand. Grab a blanket, a snack, and the whole family for some fun at Olympic Plaza! For three days of catchy music and spectacle, Squonk is taking over Arts Commons’ front yard with their wildest open-air show yet, Hand to Hand.

Learn more at squonk.org/hand-to-hand.

Until August 31; Museum of Failure. The worldwide touring exhibit, The Museum of Failure (MOX) will be popping up in Calgary at Southcentre Mall this summer.

This immersive walk-through exhibition showcases a collection of over 130 failed innovations from major brands, including Apple, Amazon, Nintendo, and more.

Learn more at museumoffailure.com.

SEPTEMBER September 3; Calgary Highland Games. Organized by the Calgary United Scottish Games Association, these games are among the most prestigious Highland events in North America. Attracting competitors and spectators from around the world, you will watch some of the world’s top pipers, drummers, dancers, and heavy event athletes compete and perform.

September 3 to 4; Railway Days. Heritage Park’s extraordinary rail collection takes center stage for two

days with hands-on activities and exciting exhibits. Catch a rare glimpse of the turntable in action, enjoy special demonstrations of a double-headed steam engine and spend some time with the Park’s very own Telegraphy club. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

Until September 4; Wagonstage 2022 presents: Bee-trayal. Bee-trayal features bees, wasps and hummingbirds in a hilarious and interactive performance where our creatures vie for the top spot as Pollinator Extraordinaire. Wagonstage Children’s Theatre is part of the University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts. Learn more at arts. ucalgary.ca.

Until September 5; Open Aircraft Days at the Hangar Flight Museum. Everyone wants to see and sit inside the aircraft at the Hangar Flight Museum – now’s your chance! There will be Open Aircraft Days on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be available to answer your questions.

Learn more at thehangarmuseum.ca.

September 7 to 11; Spruce Meadows Masters.

The ‘Masters’ includes iconic events such as the CP International, presented by Rolex, BMO Nations’ Cup, Name the Foal, presented by TELUS, ATCO Electric Six Bar, WestJet Evening of the Horse, fireworks, live music, and more. Learn more at sprucemeadows.com/masters.

September 10; Springbank Old Tyme Fall Fair. The Fall Fair is a great day where Springbank families have the opportunity to gather together and celebrate our agricultural roots and community spirit. Come out for a day of fun, fellowship, and festivities for all ages. Learn more at springbankpark.com.

September 10; Chestermere Country Fair. The Chestermere Country Fair is the oldest ongoing annual event at the Chestermere Recreation Centre, held every year in September. Learn more at rvcagsociety.ca/ country-fair.

September 10 to 11; Garlic Fest at Granary Road. A very aromatic affair with garlic vendor specials. Garlic foods, garlic games and prizes! Visit granaryroad.com for more information.

September 11; RBC Race for the Kids. After two years of operating as a virtual event during the pandemic, RBC Race for the Kids is back with a day of in-person fun that includes a 6km family walk/run, race T-shirt, pancake breakfast, as well as all-day parking and access to Heritage Park. Learn more at childrenshospital.ab.ca/ event/rbc-race-for-the-kids.

September 17, 10am to 4pm; Marda Loop MADE SeptemberFest Outdoor/Indoor Festival. Shop Marda Loop MADE's Outdoor/Indoor Festival showcasing 85 Alberta artisans, makers and foodies at the Marda Loop Communities Association Hall.

September 23 to 25; Beakerhead. Engineers show their creative side, artists get technical, science hits the street, and everyone gets ingenious. Find yourself immersed in engineered art, international ingenuity competitions, public performances, community challenges, backyardbuilt contraptions, and creations of your own making.

Learn more at beakerhead.com/events.

September 24 to 25; Applefest at Granary Road.

Crazy to the core fun for families, friends & foodies! Visit granaryroad.com for more information.

Until September 30; #YYCBlockParty – Roller Rink on the Boulevard. Block Party is back for the third summer, bringing the same vibrant energy to Deerfoot City with a new twist – say hello to the Roller Rink on The Boulevard. Dig out your vintage roller skates (or rent some vibrant wheels) and live your best retro ‘70s summer life. Learn more at deerfootcity.com/eventspromotions/block-party.

September 30; National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. This solemn day honors the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. There are a number of events planned in various locations throughout the city.

September 30 to October 2; Calgary Fall Home Show. The Calgary Fall Home Show is a vibrant marketplace where you can shop for home-related products and services at the BMO Centre. Learn more at calgaryfallhomeshow.com.

OCTOBER Until October 1; Summer on 17th. Visit 17th Ave retail and entertainment district this season for Summer on 17th. There will be live music, fitness classes, DJ and drag shows, outdoor movies, and more in Tomkins Park throughout the summer, and all of the events are free.

Learn more at 17thave.ca/summer.

Until October 1; Bow Habitat Kids Can Catch Trout Pond. This pond is stocked with rainbow trout raised in the fish hatchery for you to catch and release. Learn more at bowhabitat.alberta.ca.

October 7 to 8; Disney in Concert: Frozen. This Thanksgiving, experience Disney’s Frozen like never before! See the film on the big screen as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra performs Christophe Beck’s catchy score live. Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

October 14 to November 5; Storybook Theatre's The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he's a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. Visit storybooktheatre.org for more information.

October 22 to 23; Pumpkin Fest at Granary Road.

There's a patch full of fun things to do at Granary Road for Pumpkin Fest! The Farmer's Market vendors will have pumpkin specials at every turn and there will be fun Pumpkin Fest activities for all! Visit granaryroad.com for more information.

Until October 26; Dinosaurs Awakened. Get ready to marvel at the sights and sounds of these magnificent life-like creatures and see for yourself what Alberta might have looked like when dinosaurs reigned supreme. Entry included in admission to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

For the most up-to-date calendar of events, check out our website, calgaryschild.com. Times and dates are accurate at time of printing; however, changes can occur. CCM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 17

fall family fun

u-pick-it farms near Calgary Fresh fruit for the whole family Looking for a fun adventure to take with your kids?

What if we told you there was a way to get them outside, teach them the value of hard work and bring home some tasty treats?

Local u-pick farms are the answer!

Grab your bucket, sunscreen and bug repellent and check out these five fruit fields that you can frolic in this fall.

PLEASANT VIEW U PICK BERRIES The family-run farm northeast of Crossfield has a very “pleasant view” of the Rocky Mountains and a person can see for miles on a clear day. Picking by appointment only.

The Pickings: Haskaps, raspberries, saskatoon berries The Place: Site 2 Comp 6 Range Road 2, Crossfield Contact Info: 403-946-5400 Website: pleasantviewupickberries.com SWEET LIFE SASKATOONS This farm is perfect for warm summer days with clear air scented with ripe berries and freshly mowed grass. A beautiful setting for families to enjoy a simple activity together.

The Pickings: Saskatoons, honeyberries, sour cherries, raspberries

The Place: 281114 Symons Valley Road, Rocky View County Contact Info: 403-948-6252, 82mjtaylor@gmail.com Website: sweetlifesaskatoons.com SASKABERRY RANCH A regenerative and sustainable farm, with summertime u-pick and year-round farm store.

The Pickings: Saskatoons, raspberries, strawberries, sour cherries, rhubarb, cherry tomatoes, wheat berries The Place: Site 9 Box 15 Range Road 2, Olds Contact Info: 403-507-8994, phil@saskaberryranch.com Website: saskaberryranch.com SOLSTICE BERRY FARM Located 30 minutes northwest of Calgary this 40-acre plot of land has ten acres set aside for you to pick fresh fruit. Also check out their pies, jams, jellies and syrup made from their premium fruit.

The Pickings: Saskatoon berries The Place: 29250 Range Road 34, Crossfield Contact Info: 403-946-4759 Website: solsticeberryfarm.com

EAGLE CREEK FARMS You will find a collection of traditional grain crops alongside vegetables, fruit, flowers, animals and activities for families who want to get out of the city and reconnect with where food comes from.

The Pickings: Flowers, potatoes, carrots, beets, peas, beans and zucchinis The Place: 34530 Range Road 14, Bowden Contact Info: 403-224-3995, fresh@eaglecreekfarms.ca Website: eaglecreekfarms.ca. CCM

Disney in Concert: Frozen 7 October / 7:30PM 8 October / 2:30PM + 7:30PM Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium This Thanksgiving, experience Disney’s Frozen like never before!

See the film on the big screen as the Orchestra performs Christophe Beck’s catchy score live.

Kids Art Parties

Tickets available from 21 June at ticketmaster.ca.

Book your next pARTy at Vin Gogh Paint Studio. We do a variety of creative parties for kids. In-studio or mobile. Create fun art and memories!

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved.

18 • Find us on

www.vingogh.ca

• www.vingogh.ca • (403) 475-4644 • info@vingogh.ca

fall family fun

Calgary’s best sweet treats Just a few of our favorite things Dessert at Sugar Marmalade - sugarmarmalade.com With a slogan like “the taste of heaven made with love”, there’s a lot to live up to! Sugar Marmalade brings the goods. Every creation at this Hong Kong-style dessert café is carefully created with a modern twist on a classic taste. With a wide range of excellent bubble tea flavors, shaved ice, parfaits, jellies, bubble waffles, tong sui and more, you’re guaranteed to leave happy.

If you have a sweet tooth, Calgary is the perfect spot to satisfy it! From cool creamy confections to piping hot pastries to Instagrammable creations, our city has many choices for decadent desserts. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic favorite or a new over-the-top experience, check out this list of some of our favorite sweet spots in and around town for whatever you’re craving!

Soft serve at Luke’s Drug Mart - lukesdrugmart.com Calgary’s oldest independent pharmacy may seem like an unlikely place to find the best soft serve ice cream in the city, but this Bridgeland treasure has house-made soft serve with rotating monthly flavors that do not disappoint.

A trip to Luke’s makes a great outing all by itself! Both the Bridgeland and Killarney locations feature excellent cafés, small-batch coffee, soft drinks and chocolate to take home, and an unusual assortment of house plants, gifts, games, vinyl records, skin care, stationery and (of course) other conventional drug store items. The Bridgeland location also has a grocery and housewares section full of imported and unique products downstairs – don’t miss it!

Funnel poutine at D Spot Café - dspotdessert.com It’s poutine! It’s funnel cake! What’s not to love? A mountain of funnel cake french fries are loaded with decadent toppings like marshmallows, fudge sauce, cookies, toffee sauce, strawberries, white chocolate, cheesecake bites and more! We recommend sharing this one, but it’s a not-to-miss experience on our list.

Cannoli at Sauce Italian Kitchen and Market sauceitalianmarket.com If you are looking for authentic cannoli, look no further than Sauce Italian Kitchen and Market on 17th Avenue.

Nothing can compare to the crunch of perfectly fried dough followed by the sweet creamy filling! With a selection of more than 24 flavors that range from lemon to peanut butter to Mojito, there is something to satisfy everybody in the family.

Milkshakes at REGRUB - regrub.ca REGRUB lives up to their motto of “crazy food for everyone,” especially when it comes to their over-thetop milkshakes. Flavors like Oreo Mania, Cookie Monster and Krusty the Shake are gigantic treats topped with everything from ice cream sandwiches to cheesecake and fluffy mounds of cotton candy. They also offer five dairyfree vegan shakes for those with dietary restrictions!

Cookies at Chunk’d in Kensington - chunkd.ca These cookies are like nothing you have ever seen before. They are huge and absolutely packed with goodness – candy-coated chocolate, chocolate chips, chocolate bars, and even other cookies! They rotate

WORTH THE DRIVE TREATS

Photo: courtesy of Stacie Gatz

Anything at Diamond Bakery - facebook.com/DiamondBakery-YYC-109733900802382 For decades, this small, unassuming Chinese-style family bakery hidden in the Opulence Centre has been serving up some of the best baked goods in Calgary. With a surprising variety of pastries, sweet and savory buns, tarts and more, any choice is a good one. You always end up with way more than you meant to, but that’s part of its charm! Bring your treasures home to eat them right away or stay and explore Chinatown. Diamond Bakery is cashonly, so don’t forget to hit an ATM before you visit.

Taiyaki ice cream cone at Uzu Taiyaki - instagram.com/ uzutaiyaki Taiyaki is a Japanese sweet waffle in the shape of a fish, usually filled with custard or sweet red bean. Uzu takes taiyaki one step further and uses a whole fish waffle as an ice cream cone for their delicious rotating soft serve flavors like Dunkaroo®, ube, matcha and more. Finish your creation with toppings like Pocky®, Teddy Grahams® or sour candy and enjoy!

through different flavors every week, so come back often!

If you’re looking for a special occasion dessert, Chunk’d offers “pienormous” cookies (feeds ten to 12 people).

Chocolate bon bons at Cōchu Chocolatier - cochu.ca These gourmet chocolates are simply incredible, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Cōchu Chocolatier has won 61 national and international awards including 34 world final medals. Now with a flagship store in the East Village (newly opened in July 2022!) it’s easier than ever to get your hands on their famous bon bons, bars and other delicious chocolate confectionery.

Cheese buns at Glamorgan Bakery - glamorganbakery.com Okay, they’re not sweet, but we had to put one in here for the savory food fans! Cookies, pastries, cakes, buns, loaves – Glamorgan Bakery makes a staggering variety of baked goods each and every day. Glamorgan Bakery has been bringing joy to every occasion for 43 years. Get lost in their creamy cheesecake that comes in a chocolate cup, float on their fluffy flan, or carve into their handcrafted carrot cake, but you can’t leave without some of their famous cheese buns (trust us).

Pastries at Yann Haute Patisserie - yannboutique.com Chef Yann Blanchard grew up in France and studied in Paris, so it is no surprise that he knows how to make a great pastry! Their amazing croissants and turnovers will transport you to France one bite at a time. With the perfect combination of dough, butter and natural ingredients, their croissants are perfect for a treat, a business meeting or at home with friends and family. Try their macarons, too – you won’t regret it!

Afternoon tea at the Noble Teahouse in High River instagram.com/thenobleteahouse This beautiful little spot in a converted Edwardian home is only open for limited hours (Thursday to Sunday), but it’s well worth the drive to High River.

You’ll need to order ahead, but the Noble Teahouse has the best afternoon tea spread around! Regularly rotating features make the most of seasonal flavors and include cakes, tarts, sandwiches, macarons and scones among other sweet treats. Perfect for a special birthday or just because, this special tea house offers women in recovery a place to work and profits go directly to local rehabilitation programs.

Kieth’s Cinnamon Bun from Roy’s Place Restaurant in Claresholm - roysplace.ca If you have time to sit down and enjoy your treat, this massive cinnamon bun is worth the drive. Featured on Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here, this sweet treat can only be described as “the size of your head.” It covers most of a dinner plate and comes to the table topped with caramel and a giant scoop of cream cheese frosting! Everything at Roy’s Place is great, so if you need something to balance out the sugar coma, don’t hesitate to come in for a full meal.

Anything from Donut Man in Crossfield - thedonutman.ca Although they offer a number of other sweet treats, their name says it all. The donuts at this bakery and coffee shop that is located about 40 minutes north of Calgary are exceptional. There is no mistaking how fresh these ring-shaped delicacies are, and the warm smell of baked dough will lure you in before you even reach the door!

Cupcakes at 94 Take the Cake in Okotoks - ninetyfour.ca Step into this bakery and café in an unassuming house in Okotoks and be transported inside a black-and-white painting! A great spot for a coffee and a pastry, cinnamon bun or one of their absolutely incredible cupcakes, kids love the fun interior and it’s a perfect place to take some photos together.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 19

fall family fun

how to make a DIY obstacle course outside Let them create their own adventure

By Christine Latreille, Active for Life I love our child-friendly neighborhood. In the spring, the streets are usually filled with kids playing street hockey, playgrounds ring with the squeals and calls of children, and fields fill with throngs of kids enjoying orange slices after evening soccer games. Getting the kids outside for free play and fresh air is well worth the effort, even if it’s for ten minutes at a time between conference calls.

Active play helps uncertain and lonely kids recover a sense of normalcy and ease anxiety, helps them meet Canada’s 24-hour movement guidelines (csepguidelines. ca), and develops their movement skills, which is one of the key components of physical literacy.

Even knowing how great it is for their mental and physical health, it’s not always easy to motivate my kids.

In fact, sometimes it’s next to impossible just to get them to put on shoes and get out the door, and my optimistic suggestions for activities are often met with groans.

One idea my two boys didn’t (completely) grumble about was creating a DIY obstacle course in the backyard.

They didn’t have access to piles of wood pallets, ziplines, or enough lumber to build a warped wall, but they did find abandoned stumps that we hadn’t picked up before winter (oops!), searched under the porch for planks of sturdy wood, dragged out old pool noodles, and rolled a quartet of tires out of the garage.

They planned, constructed, problem-solved, and came up with a meandering maze of items that had them jumping, climbing, balancing, ‘swimming,’ and dancing.

And surprise of all surprises – they were cooperating!

10 things you can use to create a DIY obstacle course To get kids outside, help them flex their creative muscles, and have them get an all-over workout, here are some inexpensive everyday items that you can use to get your kids started creating an obstacle course of their own: 1. Pool noodles Crab walk or bear crawl through a rainbow of hoops, practice movement skills while hopping on one foot or jumping through taped-together rings on the ground, zig-zag through vertical noodles stuck in the ground, and work on throwing with a giant target game.

2. Scrap lumber Get ready to walk the plank! Or maybe it’s a tightrope, a gymnastics beam, or a log over a ravine. Place a beam

across a round stump and make a seesaw to walk across.

These activities will challenge kids’ coordination and vestibular system.

3. Tunnels Crawl-through fabric tunnels make a perfect obstacle.

If you don’t have one at home, a large cardboard box or a blanket draped over two chairs is also fun.

4. Stumps Place a pool noodle across two stumps and create kidfriendly (and short!) hurdles to run and jump over. Step, step, step across them, or roll one through the grass. Use the stumps as anchors to create a rope maze to belly crawl under.

5. Any kind of ball Use a bat, hockey stick, or even a broom to help develop hand-eye coordination while coaxing the ball across a finish line. Want a bigger challenge? Try using a balloon.

“Get kids outside, help them flex their creative muscles, and have them get an all-over workout!”

6. Ninja Warrior quintuple steps If you have plywood, 2x4s, tools, and time, these slanted steps look amazing. I’m going to scour the garage and see if we can build a set.

7. Bean bags Sew your own at home with dried beans or rice and some scrap fabric, and toss them onto a board painted with numbered circles, or try to get the most into a bucket or laundry basket. Toss all your bags and then move on to the next obstacle!

8. Skipping rope A skipping rope can be the starting line for a standing broad jump, an easy tightrope when placed on the ground, or used in a game of riverbank.

9. Water bottles Fill up plastic water bottles or milk cartons to use as bowling pins. Place the bottles in two rows and use any

Fall family fun Back to School

large round ball to try to knock them down. It’s a great activity for building arm strength, coordination, and fine motor control.

10. Hula hoops Tie a hula hoop to a tree branch or clothesline to jump through, lay hoops on the ground in a row or pattern where kids must hop or step from one to next, or hold the hoop in two hands and skip with it. You can even try making your own hoops.

Try these variations to make your obstacle course more challenging: • Change directions and start from the finish line.

• Time children (or yourself!) to see how long it takes to complete the course.

• Balance a marble or plastic egg on a spoon and weave your way back through the course.

• Use your non-dominant hand for any throwing activities.

• Try completing the course while carrying a water balloon or a stuffie.

If you don’t have the luxury of a yard or grassy area, you can still work on balance, jumping, and agility using chalk to make an obstacle course on a driveway or an (empty) sidewalk. There are so many ways to get active and have fun outside.

Safety tips Make sure your yard is free of sharp stones, and clear the course of any loose or broken material.

While my kids are older (seven and 11) and fairly selfsufficient in our yard, younger children will need help and supervision when searching for loose play items, as well as to construct and maneuver through the course.

Remember that water and snow can make your course slippery and unsafe, so steer children to other activities in wet weather.

Move any objects that you don’t want kids to play with.

Your antique bird bath may not make a good obstacle.

Wear proper footwear. Though my kids would rather be in flip-flops or barefoot, when playing on wood or leaping across tires, it’s best to wear closed-toe shoes with a non-skid sole.

Reprinted with permission from Active for Life. Active for Life is a non-profit organization committed to helping parents raise happy, healthy, physically literate kids. For more articles, visit activeforlife.com. CCM

What's next at at Granary Granary Road Road

Garlic Festival September 10 & 11 Apple Fest September 24 & 25

Scan me!

Contact Us!

20 • Find us on

Field Trips, Active Learning Park, Farmer's Market, Tractor Rides, Mini Golf & More! www.granaryroad.com

info@granaryroad.com

403-453-ROAD (7623)

Pumpkin Fest October 22 & 23 @granaryroad

back to school

24 Too Sick?

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33 Homeschool Space

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36 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

back-to-school

Helping Parents Find Their Voice

5 tips to easier mornings “When things go wrong: Use words that show you believe it can go right.”

By Julie Freedman Smith Mornings seem to be a tricky time for families. It feels like everyone should know the process, but each morning, something goes wrong, and many parents feel absolutely frazzled just getting the kids to school, never mind moving through the rest of the day. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are five tips to make mornings work more smoothly and leave you with a bit more energy for the rest of the day!

1. Get clear on all the things that must happen each morning. Remove anything that doesn’t have to happen at that time. What could be done the night before: Choosing the kids clothes, packing lunches, signing permission forms? Working these things into the afternoon or evening routines creates extra time for the necessities.

Why does this matter? This is all about communication.

If you know exactly what needs to happen, you can clearly communicate it to your kids. They cannot read your mind and right now, they think that arguments, nagging and power-struggles are all part of what needs to happen in the morning.

2. The order of events matters. Do your kids rush to the breakfast table but take forever to get dressed? Take note! If they are hungry and ready to eat in the mornings, let that motivate them to get dressed quickly so that they can eat. Whatever it is that they love to do, schedule the slower activities in advance so that they have a reason to get them done.

3. Plan with the kids, not for the kids. Now that you know what needs to happen and an order that could work, involve your kids (even three-year-olds can work with you on this.) Get a pad of sticky notes and ask your child to tell you all the steps in the morning game-plan.

Draw one on each sticky note. Then, have your child help you put the sticky note in order on a bigger piece of paper. Give them most of the control, but make sure that the slow activities happen before the ‘want to’ activities so that there is motivation to keep moving.

Now you’ve got a morning game-plan for each child.

Add a timeline to this as well, working backwards from the time you have to get out the door. Write them in the way your digital clock shows the numbers so that your little one can match the numbers to the clock in their room or on the microwave.

22 • Find us on

Why does this step matter? This part is about letting the kids feel that they are problem-solvers. They want to help, and they DO NOT want to be bossed around. When we involve them, they feel seen and heard. Now, they have a plan and can tell us what to do by following the written plan.

4. Give attention for behavior you want to see. Often, our kids end up not doing what needs to be done so that they can pull us into the room to get us to help them.

Instead of giving them attention for NOT doing it, go to them in advance and give them attention for doing it when it is supposed to happen. It might feel like that will take more time, but you are saving the ‘nagging time’ so it will work out and you can notice them getting things done, and have fun by helping them: “Do you want me to help with your socks before or after you get your own shirt on?”

Why does this matter? We won’t have to do this forever, but we do need to break the old habit of getting rewarded with attention for not doing a task. When we go there in advance, we turn the old habit on its head.

5. When things go wrong: Use words that show you believe it can go right. Kids believe that parents know everything. When we say, “We are never going to get out of here on time!” they believe us. When we say, “I know we can do this, let’s work together to race the clock!” they still have hope. Arguing to fix the problem (or win the power) in the moment never works.

Empathize, keep moving forward, and practice on the weekends with your kids telling you the order of getting things done.

Undoing a habit may take some time for both parents and kids. If you need any help, I’m always here.

Want insight into your parenting? Find your Healthy Parent Score: jfs-parent-education.scoreapp.com Author, blogger, podcast host and parenting expert, Julie Freedman Smith has been supporting parents across North America for 20 years. Through her company JFS Parent Education, she helps parents find relief from their everyday parenting challenges.

Want to know how she can help you? Email her today: julie@juliefreedmansmith.com. CCM

back-to-school

tips for packing top-notch lunches Avoid that lunchbox fatigue and keep your kids happy

By ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen We know that making lunches for school can be challenging especially when family members have different likes and dislikes, or have food allergies. We can help you avoid that lunchbox fatigue and keep your kids happy. We have put together some helpful tips and tasty recipes to add some variety and excitement to your lunches: • Use a variety of tasty and visually interesting bread for sandwiches. For example, use pitas, mini bagels, tortillas, English muffins, hamburger, hotdog or submarine buns.

• When shopping, choose an assortment of ripe and less ripe fruit. The less ripe fruit will be ready to eat in a few days.

• Pack an ice pack, freeze a water bottle or juice box, or freeze a yogurt tube and place any temperaturesensitive foods close by.

• It’s easy to forget utensils; try to pack them the night before in your insulated lunch bag.

• Small food is often fun food. It is easy to convert your favorite muffin recipes to mini: spoon 1 Tbsp of batter into each 24 greased or paper-lined mini muffin cups. Bake at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove from the pan or cool on a rack.

•

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If time allows the night before, set out washed vegetables like a salad bar and let kids build their own salads or choose their vegetable stick mix.

Offer vegetables such as snap peas or snow peas, red, yellow or orange peppers, jicama, zucchini, carrots and celery. Hummus makes a great dip for vegetables.

A lot of kids won’t eat sliced fruit if it has started to brown. When preparing lunches, slice fruit and let it soak in a mixture of 4 cups of cold water and 2 Tbsp lemon juice for five minutes. Drain and store in a sealed container.

LUNCH BOX MINI BAGELWICHES INGREDIENTS 8 oz (250 g) spreadable light cream cheese 1/4 cup shredded carrot 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds, optional 1 Tbsp orange juice 1/2 tsp grated orange peel 10 mini bagels, halved

DIRECTIONS • Combine all ingredients except bagels until blended. Spread cream cheese mixture on bottom halves of bagels. Cover with top halves of bagels.

FUNKY MONKEY SNACKS INGREDIENTS 1 banana, peeled and mashed 1/4 cup salted butter, softened 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/3 cup sweetened coconut DIRECTIONS • In a medium bowl, cream together banana, butter and sugar until smooth.

• Stir in rolled oats, vanilla and cocoa powder; mix until everything is combined.

• Using a 1 Tbsp cookie scoop, shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in coconut until coated.

Refrigerate snack balls until firm, about 30 minutes.

For more great recipes, cookbooks, classes, meals and more, visit atcoblueflamekitchen.com. CCM

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 23

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is your child too sick for daycare or school?

How to know when to keep them home

By Dr. Cathryn Kuzyk It is sometimes quite difficult for a parent to know if their child should be kept home from daycare or school and when their recovering child can be sent back. The decision is made much more difficult when alternate childcare arrangements are not easy to make or when a parent must stay home from work to care for the child. This article will outline some common scenarios and will offer some guidelines to follow in making the decision. Remember that these are just guidelines and that numerous other factors may need to be considered as well.

Whenever a child has a significant fever (38.5 degrees Celsius) they should not go to daycare or school, even if they are acting relatively normal. This is because fevers indicate that an infection is present. Even though the most common infections are relatively benign viral infections such as colds, the child should rest, be kept well-hydrated and be kept away from other children and adults to prevent the spread of the illness. When the fever has been gone for 24 hours and the child is no longer lethargic, they may return to daycare or school.

If the fever disappears but they still have a cough they should be kept home until the cough is infrequent and not excessively “wet” or “chesty” sounding. A runny nose alone is not an indication to need to stay home.

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Children who have been vomiting should be kept home until they have been able to keep food and liquids down for 24 hours and they are back to their usual energy level. When they have had diarrhea, they may return when they have not had a loose bowel movement for 24 hours and are eating and feeling well.

COVID-19 infections can occur at virtually any age.

When a child has any COVID-type symptoms, which are usually fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal, they should remain out of daycare or school until they are

“When in doubt it is usually better to err on the side of caution, both for the child’s comfort and for the health of their classmates and teachers/caregivers.”

better, as outlined above. Longer periods of time at home, if mandated or recommended by the government and public health, need to be followed. These recommendations change frequently so it is a good idea for parents to periodically review the “Alberta Health Services COVID-19 Information for Albertans” website.

“Pink eye” or conjunctivitis is an eye infection in which the white of the eye becomes red and there is a

back-to-school

discharge. Regardless of whether it is viral or bacterial it is highly contagious. If it is viral, the child may have other cold-like symptoms. In both types, the discharge is most noticeable upon awakening (with the eyelids “stuck shut”) and either one or both eyes can be affected.

In bacterial conjunctivitis there is usually a much greater amount of discharge produced continually throughout the day. Despite the fact that the majority of conjunctivitis is viral and therefore antibiotics are not useful, it is difficult to determine whether the cause is viral or bacterial. Therefore, many daycares and schools insist on the child being kept out until they have received at least 24 hours of an antibiotic eye drop or ointment.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very contagious viral illness, which causes multiple small, painful blisters and sores mainly on the areas of the body listed in its title. It is most common in pre-school and kindergartenaged children. The sores in the mouth often contribute to poor appetite and difficulty keeping the child hydrated.

In addition, the child will often have a fever. They should be kept home until there is no fever, their appetite and hydration are normal and there are no open sores which would still contain infectious viral particles that can cause others to get ill. Unfortunately, like a lot of viral infections, transmission to others has often already occurred in the few days prior to the child becoming ill.

However, it is important to not increase exposure to noninfected children.

Sprained ankles, wrists and knees are more common in older children. In general, if there is a significant amount

of pain and swelling the first decision to be made is whether they need urgent assessment and if so, to access it. If that is not needed, the child will still likely need to stay home from school for a while to elevate the injured area, apply cold packs and receive pain medication if needed. When the joint pain has improved to the point that function is largely restored (e.g. the child can walk with very little limping) they may return to school.

Sometimes a child will awaken just not feeling well.

They may not have a fever or any other obvious sign of illness but may just be somewhat lethargic or have a poor appetite. Whether or not that child is kept home from school depends on how unusual this behavior is for them. Gently enquiring about things that may be bothering them is helpful in determining whether this is school-avoidance behavior from something that needs to be addressed. Overall, giving them the benefit of the doubt and arranging for them to have a day away from school to see how things play out is probably worth it.

In conclusion, there are indeed some circumstances when a child should stay home from daycare or school because of illness or injury. When in doubt it is usually better to err on the side of caution, both for the child’s comfort and for the health of their classmates and teachers/caregivers.

Dr. Cathryn Kuzyk has been a family physician for 41 years and is a mother of four and grandmother of three. CCM

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Visit ChildrensEyeHealth.ca to learn more.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 25

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Children are screened and assessed to determine whether they are eligible to receive free Government support for developmental areas deemed important to success in early learning and beyond.

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Back-to-School Directory Going back to school means hard work for parents, too. Let us help you take the frenzy out of fall!

Check out our comprehensive list of local ‘A+’ resources and class and program listings you’ll need to get you and your family on the right path to school success!

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

SCHOOL BOARDS ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS Website: auarts.ca

CALGARY ACADEMY Website: calgaryacademy.com

CALGARY BOARD OF EDUCATION (CBE) Website: cbe.ab.ca

CALGARY CLASSICAL ACADEMY Phone: 587-885-3688 Email: info@calgaryclassicalacademy.ca Website: calgaryclassicalacademy.ca

CALGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT (CCSD) Phone: 403-500-2000 Website: cssd.ab.ca

CALGARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Website: calgarychristianschool.com

CONSEIL SCOLAIRE FRANCOSUD 295 - 6715 8 Street NE Phone: 403-686-6998 Email: infoconseil@francosud.ca Website: francosud.ca FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DIVISION Website: fsd38.ab.ca MAKAMI COLLEGE Phone: 403-474-0772 Email: info@makamicollege.com Website: makamicollege.com MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY Website: mtroyal.ca ROCKY VIEW SCHOOLS Website: rockyview.ab.ca

CALGARY GIRLS CHARTER SCHOOL Website: calgarygirlsschool.com CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL Phone: 403-287-1868 Email: info@calgarywaldorf.org Website: calgarywaldorf.org DALHOUSIE COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN Website: dcakids.com EDGE SCHOOL Website: edgeschool.com GOLDEN HILLS LEARNING ACADEMY Strathmore, AB Phone: 403-934-5179 Email: learning.academy@ghsd75.ca Website: goldenhillslearningacademy.com

ALTERNATIVE, INDEPENDENT & CHARTER SCHOOLS

NORTH POINT SCHOOL FOR BOYS Phone: 403-744-5214 Email: info@northpoint.school Website: northpoint.school

BANBURY CROSSROADS SCHOOL Phone: 403-270-7787 Email: general@banburycrossroads.com Website: banburycrossroads.com

NORTH POINT SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Phone: 403-744-5214 Email: info@northpoint.school Website: northpoint.school

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PHOENIX EDUCATION FOUNDATION Phone: 403-265-7701 Email: info@phoenixfoundation.ca Website: phoenixfoundation.ca RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-2275 Email: info@rivervalleyschool.ca Website: rivervalleyschool.ca RUNDLE: ACADEMY, COLLEGE AND STUDIO Phone: 403-291-3866 Email: contactus@rundle.ab.ca Website: rundle.ab.ca ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Website: stmu.ca STRATHCONA-TWEEDSMUIR SCHOOL (STS) Phone: 403-938-8326 Email: admissions@sts.ab.ca Website: strathconatweedsmuir.com

ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMMING & SUPPORT BETWEEN FRIENDS Website: betweenfriends.ab.ca CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY Multiple locations Phone: 403-260-2600 Website: calgarylibrary.ca G.R.I.T. CALGARY SOCIETY Website: gritcalgarysociety.com Back to School Directory – Continued on next page

BeanersFunCuts.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 27

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READ Company THE FULL Listings H ere

back-to-school Back to School Directory – Continued from previous page

FOOTHILLS ACADEMY 745 37 Street NW Phone: 403-270-9400 Email: admissions@ foothillsacademy.org (school) Email: intake@foothillsacademy.org (outreach programs) Website: foothillsacademy.org

SHELDON PSYCHOLOGY GROUP Phone: 403-618-8288 Email: info@sheldonpsychology.com Website: sheldonpsychology.com

LEARNING DISABILITIES & ADHD NETWORK Phone: 403-630-1616 Website: ldadhdnetwork.ca

ALBERTA ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS Phone: 1-800-272-8843 Website: optometrists.ab.ca

NEW HEIGHTS SCHOOL & LEARNING SERVICES 2521 Dieppe Avenue SW Phone: 403-240-1312 Email: info@newheightscalgary.com Website: newheightscalgary.com

BROOKE ORTHODONTICS 120 - 10601 Southport Road SW Phone: 403-278-1933 Email: admin@brookeorthodontics.com Website: brookeorthodontics.com

PACEKIDS PROGRAMS Website: pacekids.ca

CALGARY YOUTH PHYSIOTHERAPY (SOUTH) Website: calgaryyouthphysio.com

PROVIDENCE Phone: 403-255-5577 Email: info@providencechildren.com Website: providencechildren.com

LUNA - CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTRE Website: calgarycac.ca

RUNDLE: ACADEMY, COLLEGE AND STUDIO Phone: 403-291-3866 Email: contactus@rundle.ab.ca Website: rundle.ab.ca

HEALTH, WELLNESS & SUPPORT

VIEWPOINT CALGARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Phone: 403-283-8773 Email: info@viewpointcalgary.ca Website: viewpointcalgary.ca

Pre-Kindergarten ages 2 1/2 -5 years Kindergarten Enhancement 1/2 day Program Out of School Care

YW CALGARY Website: ywcalgary.ca

LANGUAGES: BILINGUAL & IMMERSION ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE CALGARY Phone: 403-245-5662 Email: info@afcalgary.ca Website: afcalgary.ca ÉCOLE BEAUSOLEIL Website: beausoleil.francosud.ca ÉCOLE DE LA MOSAÏQUE Website: lamosaique.francosud.ca ÉCOLE DE LA ROSE SAUVAGE Website: larosesauvage.francosud.ca ÉCOLE DE LA SOURCE Website: lasource.francosud.ca ÉCOLE DU NOUVEAU-MONDE Website: nouveaumonde.francosud.ca ÉCOLE FRANCOPHONE D'AIRDRIE Airdrie Website: efairdrie.francosud.ca ÉCOLE NOTRE-DAME-DE-LA-PAIX Website: ndp.francosud.ca

CHOOSE TO SUCCEED! Enroll your child today.

PLAY: Explore our child-centered and play focused room environment.

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

Registration Ongoing On-line classroom video tours / Email to Register

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 3 - 5 years *new 5 day extended time option

MARION CARSON SCHOOL

5225 Varsity Drive NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement Out of School Care Kindergarten & Gr. 1

SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL

211 – 7 Street NW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years Kindergarten Enhancement & Out of School Care Gr. K - 6

PRE-KINDERGARTEN ACADEMY AT THE GENESIS CENTRE 7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE Pre-Kindergarten for ages 3 - 5 years

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT BRAESIDE SCHOOL

1747 – 107 Ave. SW Pre-Kindergarten for ages 2 1/2 - 5 years

Email: Register@PreKindergartenEd.com

Website: www.Pre-KindergartenEd.com 28 • Find us on

403.270.7787 | banburycrossroads.com

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ÉCOLE NOTRE-DAME DES VALLÉES, Cochrane Website: ndv.francosud.ca ÉCOLE SAINTE-MARGUERITE-BOURGEOYS Website: smb.francosud.ca

EARLY LEARNING

ÉCOLE TERRE DES JEUNES Website: terredesjeunes.francosud.ca

FUN 2 LEARN PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-239-2033; 403-880-6711 Email: anita@fun2learnpreschool.com Website: fun2learnpreschool.com

BANBURY CROSSROADS SCHOOL Phone: 403-270-7787 Email: general@banburycrossroads.com Website: banburycrossroads.com

LYCÉE INTERNATIONAL DE CALGARY Phone: 403-243-5420, Ext. 123 Email: admissions@lycee.ca Website: lycee.ca

CHILD CARE FUELING BRAINS ACADEMY (FORMERLY KIDS U) Seven locations in Calgary, one in Strathmore Phone: 1-855-805-4378 Email: info@kidsu.ca Website: kidsu.ca KIDS@ CHURCHILL PARK Phone: 403-266-4656 Email: admin@churchillpark.ca Website: churchillpark.ca

CALGARY WALDORF SCHOOL Phone: 403-287-1868 Email: info@calgarywaldorf.org Website: calgarywaldorf.org

HEART SMART MONTESSORI 2024B 21 Avenue NW Phone: 403-284-4510 Email: heartsmartmont@yahoo.ca Website: heartsmartmontessori.com

CITY OF CALGARY PLAYSCHOOL PROGRAMS Southland Leisure Centre (2000 Southland Drive SW) Phone: 403-648-6555 Village Square Leisure Centre (2623 56 Street NW) Phone: 403-366-3900 Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (2425 9 Avenue SE) Phone: 311 Website: calgary.ca/playschool

KAIZEN EDUCATION SERVICES Phone: 403-808-3151 Email: info@kaizeneduc.com Website: kaizeneduc.com

EDELWEISS PREPARATORY SCHOOL 600 Northmount Drive NW Phone: 403-282-4220 Email: epschool@telus.net Website: epschool.ca

MAPLE ROOTS OUT OF SCHOOL CARE Phone: 403-200-1378 Email: info@maplerootsinc.com Website: maplerootsinc.com

Edelweiss Preparatory School Serving families for 34 YEARS

Fees start at $161

14 YEARS in the Preschool, Best Preschool Jr. Kindergarten & category Kindergarten www.epschool.ca

FUELING BRAINS ACADEMY (FORMERLY KIDS U) Seven locations in Calgary, one in Strathmore Phone: 1-855-805-4378 Email: info@kidsu.ca Website: kidsu.ca

YW CALGARY Website: ywcalgary.ca/childcare

PH

KALEIDOSCOPE KIDS PRESCHOOL Three locations in Calgary Phone: 403-547-1020 Email: office@kalkids.com Website: kaleidoscopekidspreschool.com

Back to School directory – Continued on page 32

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Garden

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w w w.p ho en ixfou n d at io n .c a BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 29

YOUR ONE-STOP HUB FOR ALL THINGS LEARNING Whether your child is going back to school or just starting their ABCs, find tons of fun and FREE tools for learning success at the Library: • Kindergarten Book Bags for new learners • eResources for every subject • Animated storybooks for learning to read • Programs to support caregivers • Tutorials for simple crafts and experiments And so much more!

Visit us in-person or online at calgarylibrary.ca/back-to-school

Teach your kids to look for the new kids, not past them

By Katy M. Clark I adjusted my off-the-shoulder sweatshirt covered in splatter paint. Inspired by the movie Flashdance, my sweatshirt did little to distract from the fact that I was a 5'8" tall 12-year-old standing alone outside a middle school classroom. It was the first day of school and I knew no one. My family had just relocated to the area from across the country.

As I waited for the door to my classroom to open, I saw two girls whispering nearby.

"Smile," I thought to myself as my lips curled over my teeth, covered in braces. "Make new friends," I could hear my mother's voice inside my head coaching me.

They approached, with the kind of confidence reserved for kids who grow up in the same place their whole lives.

"Are you the new teacher?" one of them asked.

"No," I replied. Then I froze. I knew I was taller than the average 12-year-old, but had I just been mistaken for an adult? "I'm a new student here," I told them And then they walked away.

Being the new kid is a phenomenon that many children will experience in their lives. School districts and government agencies officially refer to it as student mobility, defined as any time a student changes school for reasons other than grade promotion. Student mobility can be voluntary, such as changing schools to participate in a different program, or involuntary, as was my case, due to a change in my father’s job.

But on that uncomfortable first day, I was not thinking about what kind of statistic I was. All I knew was that I was alone, nervous, and scared. The experience of being the new kid has encouraged me to teach my own children to look for the new students in their schools and be kind to them. In a culture that is desperate for kindness, reaching out to the new kids is a tangible way to demonstrate it.

Below are ten concrete ways I’m teaching my kids to help the new kid in school. May you find these helpful to share with your own kids as the school year begins: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Recognize that there will be new kids at school, kids who do not know anyone. Look for them, don’t look past them.

Say “hi.” Ask where the new kid is from. Do they have any pets or siblings?

Sit with the new kid at lunch, especially on the first day.

Invite the new kid to hang out after school.

Did I mention just talk to the new kid? It's okay if you're not best friends. Maybe you won't have anything in common. But if you never even talk to the new kid, then you won't find out if you have anything in common or not.

Tell the new kid about clubs, sports, or other activities at school. When I was invited to join the basketball team, I gained a whole team of friends.

7.

Help the new kid find things like the gym and the cafeteria.

8. Sit with them on the bus or stand with them at the pick-up loop. Even if it's just for a day or two.

9. Compliment the new kid. Maybe they have a cool backpack. Maybe they’re wearing a shirt with a sports team that is also your favorite sports team.

On my painful first day, remember those girls that walked away from me? Later that day one of them told me she liked my watch band. It was a small comment, but it meant so much to me.

10. Be welcoming and inclusive in group work in class.

Remember, the new kid knows no one and things may have run differently at their old school.

Parents, teach your kids to look for the new students and take any of these concrete steps to be kind and helpful. As a result, the new kid won't feel so alone and will be one step closer to finding their way in a new school.

And if you see any new parents standing alone at the pick-up loop after school? Then it’s your turn to say “hello.” Ask where they are from. If you never even talk to the new parents, then you won't find out if you have anything in common or not.

Katy is a writer who embraces her imperfections as a mom on her blog, ExperiencedBadMom.com. CCM

Can I be a Pilot if I have ADHD? Yes, you can!

What do you want to know?

403-630-1616 BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 31

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10 easy ways to help the new kid in school

back-to-school Back to School directory – Continued from page 29

MY KINDERHOUSE PRESCHOOL Five locations Phone: 403-975-0103 Email: contact@mykinderhouse.org Website: mykinderhouse.org

PRE-KINDERGARTEN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Phone: 403-605-2988 Email: register@prekindergartened.com Website: pre-kindergartened.com

THE THINK SUN PRESCHOOL ACADEMY 10 - 5555 Strathcona Hill SW Phone: 403-240-4466 Email: info@thethinksunpreschool.com Website: thethinksunpreschool.com

KING’S KIDS PRESCHOOL Phone: 403-285-4855 Email: preschool@kingskidsfoundation.com Website: kingskidsfoundation.ca

RIVER VALLEY SCHOOL Phone: 403-246-2275 Email: info@rivervalleyschool.ca Website: rivervalleyschool.ca

TRAIL KIDS Apple Tree Preschool (Bridlewood) Email: info@appletreepreschool.ca Kids@Play Preschool (Cranston) Email: register@kidsatplaypreschool.ca Supported by TRAIL Kids ECS Email: admin@trailkids.ca TRELLIS SOCIETY Website: growwithtrellis.ca/preschool YMCA PRESCHOOL Various facilities Email: info@ymcacalgary.org Website: ymcacalgary.org

SUPPLIES & SERVICES AMARANTH STORES Four locations in Calgary Website: amaranthfoods.ca BEANERS FUN CUTS FOR KIDS Three locations in Calgary Email: (Northwest): calgary.northland@beanersfuncuts.com Email: (Southeast): calgary.southland@beanersfuncuts.com Email: (Southwest): calgary.westsprings@beanersfuncuts.com Website: beanersfuncuts.com COUNTRY HILLS VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE 5149 Country Hills Boulevard NW Website: chvshopping.com, instagram.com/chvshopping REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE Various locations in Calgary Website: realcanadiansuperstore.ca

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

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making your perfect homeschool space Setting up your little learners for success

By Ashley Frampton During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to take a leave from the school system and spend a couple of years running a home-based preschool program with my two youngest children, and support my older daughter while she was working remotely. Throughout that time, I made many connections with alternative schooling moms, and thanks to social media, have had the opportunity to get a glimpse into so many beautiful indoor and outdoor home-based learning spaces.

Creating environments that actually work to foster learning and academic success has always been of great interest to me. Back in 2010, when I first started exploring the Reggio Emilia philosophy of teaching, I was intrigued by the concept of the environment as the third teacher. Through this lens, a learning space is intended to be functional, beautiful, and reflective of the child’s learning, and can have a big impact on engagement and academic achievement.

Being a teacher, I’ve obviously transferred much of this knowledge into my classroom, but during the pandemic, also to my home learning space. Here are some ideas that you might implement in your homeschool that could help your little learners be more successful:

n Accessible materials Items like pencils, sharpies, scissors, paint and other tools for learning should be made available for children to access independently. As daunting as seeing your child reach for that gluestick may be, this accessibility helps them build confidence and autonomy, as well as develop their creativity. Another bonus? The more independence they have with their materials, the more ownership they build and in the long run, the more careful they are with

“When students create their own resources, it makes them feel ownership and increases how frequently they actually use them.”

them (you might even find yourself saying “put the cover back on that marker” a few times less than you used to!). n Bring the outdoors in Materials from the outside are an organic way to provoke children to explore and think about the natural world. You can start simple by adding rocks, plants, flowers and wooden items to your learning space. These materials create a natural calming appeal, as well as help to keep colors neutral and not over-stimulating. One of my favorite ways to bring the outdoors in? Plant, grow and study your own greenery! n Keep it tidy Keeping learning spaces minimalist, clean and well organized can eliminate distractions for young children, and can contribute to better productivity, creativity and efficiency. In keeping with the “outdoors in” concept, I like using natural materials like woven baskets and small wooden planters to store art materials. Rotating toys, a few books at a time and other small play-based materials also helps keep clutter to a minimum and encourages children to think more deeply about the objects provided to them.

Making your perfect homeschool space – Continued on page 35

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 33

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Making your perfect homeschool space – Continued from page 33

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experience, when students create their own resources, it makes them feel ownership and increases how frequently they actually use them. n Get outside Remember that your learning space isn’t limited to the walls of your playroom or home office. Create fluidity between interior and exterior by taking learning into the great outdoors as much as possible! Children thrive when learning outside and many studies show it increases motivation, concentration, environmental awareness, enhanced mood and self-confidence.

In closing, keep in mind that along with teacher, student and content, the environment can have a huge impact on our child’s academic success and overall engagement in learning. Do you need to change everything about your home learning space? Absolutely not. But try out one or two of these tips over the next few months and see what you notice about your child’s learning! n Child-curated It can be tempting to hang colorful posters, anchor charts and bright objects around the learning space, but try to let that be the child’s job. Not only can you add a pop of color with their favorite artwork or photograph, but kids can help create important learning resources too. For example, I love having students make the alphabet by gluing small loose-parts like dried legumes, rocks and popcorn onto tracer sheets and then hanging these up as reference tools for writing practice. From

References: Malaguzzi, L. (1996). The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education. New Jersey: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

Ashley is a mom of three, early childhood educator, and elementary teacher. She has a Master’s Degree (Instructional Leadership) from the University of Calgary and loves inspiring families, educators, and caregivers to help their children learn at home and school. For more ideas, follow her on Facebook and Instagram (@teachthemlittle). CCM

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ACADEMY

We offer an academically rigorous, traditional liberal arts education focused on nurturing a love of truth and beauty. Ours is a community of learning and friendship, in which we preserve the wisdom of the past, cultivate it today, and build upon it for future generations.

New tuition-free charter school offering a traditional liberal arts education for grades K-6

In our initial year, we will serve students in grades K-6, and will later expand to include all grade levels. The school welcomes all learners in the Calgary area who wish to seek moral, intellectual, and physical excellence.

Calgary Classical

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Calgary Classical ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical

Academically rigorous education in the seven traditional liberal arts Great books program centred on enduring works of art, literature, history, and philosophy from around the world Character education and high expectations

ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical

Structured literacy and Singapore math

ACADEMY

Calgary Classical

Smartphone-free environment

Calgary Classical

School uniforms

ACADEMY

ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical

Committed to truth-seeking and free inquiry

ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical ACADEMY

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Calgary Classical

Language programs including French, Mandarin, and Latin Outdoor education program Classical fine and performing arts

ACADEMY

Apply now for the 2022/23 academic year 231 6th St. NE, Calgary AB | calgaryclassicalacademy.ca BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 35

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New Heights School & Learning Services is a registered charitable organization and a Designated Special Education Private School.

We opened our doors in 1999 to 12 students in our preschool and early intervention programs, with the simple goal of giving families a safe and friendly community to support their needs and build their capacity.

Our goal is to equip each student with the skills they need to engage in and contribute to the community around them.

back-to-school

reduce, reuse, and recycle your school supplies The importance of looking for products that will last

By Christina Katz

We teach your child HOW to learn, focusing on skills, not curriculum.

SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT UNIQUELY DESIGNED PROGRAM LIFE-CHANGING OUTCOMES

KaizenEduc.com

The older kids get, the longer their school supplies can endure. An elementary school child may wear out most school supplies each year or exhaust them as part of the classes' shared supply. But a tween or teen can reuse many school supplies over and over throughout junior high and high school, and this is encouraging news for the planet. If we want kids to grow up green, we need to instill healthy shopping habits from a young age.

Shopping smarter for school supplies is not the only way to create a greener back-to-school. There are many ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle academic supplies, including packing earth-friendly lunches from home.

See how many of these strategies can be implemented and improve your green game each year you have kids in school. Enlist your child's help in thinking beyond the back-to-school sale and you will teach them valuable lessons about global citizenship.

Plan ahead on purchases. While last-minute sales on cheaply made items may be tempting, look for back-toschool products that will last. Select a backpack that will be around for two or three years, not merely one. Water bottles can disappear frequently, especially if they are the expensive, adorable kind. So choose a less fetching, sturdier water bottle that is less likely to need replacing. If you pause to think long-term on each purchase, you will make wiser choices in the long run.

Share the wealth. Host a back-to-school potluck, school supply and clothing swap about a month before school starts. Invite friends from the neighborhood with kids a bit younger and older than your children and have each guest bring a few higher ticket and lower ticket items in good condition to trade. Consider sorting supplies into bags by school grade for swapping.

Children often tire of what they already have, whereas someone's lightly used school supplies will feel new to them.

Hit the resale shop. Shopping green means being strategic. If you go to the retail store first, you will likely fill your cart with brand new, non-sustainable items. But if you start at your local resale shop, you are more likely to find clothes, supplies, and organizational products to sustainably equip your students for the entire academic year. Resale items also don't typically come in bulky

packaging, but be sure to recycle whatever packaging you acquire this season. If things wear out before next year, replace them on an as-needed basis.

Donate your overflow. Even if you shop smart on supplies every year and swap with friends and neighbors, there is a good chance you will still have some extra school items that are no longer wanted or needed. Don't throw them away! Donate them to your local resale shop by midsummer, so they can be out on display for the upcoming school year. Your school supply trash can become another family's green treasure.

Find recycled products. Once you've done your green diligence, you may still require a few things from the retail store, but never fear. If you track down highly recycled, post-consumer products like notebook paper, recycled wood pencils, and even sticky notes, you can feel good about your purchases. Ask local retail salespeople to direct you to the recycled products areas of their store. Fortunately, the selection of sustainable products increases each year.

Support the class. Remember, whenever students share supplies, waste is reduced. So if you are asked to contribute school supplies to your school classroom, go ahead and participate and even contribute a bit extra,

On Going Registration www.fun2learnpreschool.com

Childhood is an adventure, welcome to Calgary Waldorf School.

It takes a village to raise a child, and our village is a vibrant and inclusive community of committed students, families, faculty, and administrators who come from all walks of life.

Our preschool and kindergarten classrooms are housed in an enchanting play-based sanctuary called the Kinderwing: alive with activity, the children’s developmental needs are met with imaginative, creative play. These early childhood programs follow the rhythms of the days and seasons, and provide a gentle transition into the more structured learning environment of elementary school, planting a strong foundation for future academic success.

Join us for a school tour, sign up online: calgarywaldorf.org Spots available for 2022/23 enrolment.

Dalhousie Community Church

403-239-2033 403-880-6711

HEART SMART MONTESSORI • for ages 3-6 years, using the Montessori method to educate the ‘whole’ child.

• individualized approach to give the child what they need and when they need it.

• small classroom sizes

Our early childhood programs have multiple offerings to meet the needs of families.

Half-day, full-day, and aftercare programs available. Preschool – Kindergarten – Grades 1 to 9

Registration Ongoing 36 • Find us on

Ellen Koning 403-284-4510

back-to-school

if you can. Some families in your community will likely not be able to afford to pitch in. Check with your child's new teachers one week after school starts to discover classroom supply gaps you can fill.

Model sustainability. The best way to get your kids interested in thrift shopping is to do it together when they are young. If they see you scoring designer deals and wearing them with satisfaction, kids will learn to thrift shop first and retail shop second by the time they are old enough to control their spending. Having an annual or semi-annual family yard sale is another great way to model making room for the new in a sustainable, community-building manner. At the very least, gather used clothing from your family members to donate to the local resale shop at least two or three times a year.

Opt for organic cotton. Cotton is environmentally friendly because it is sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable. Just make sure the cotton you purchase is both organic and pesticide-free. Toxin-free cotton is not harmful to farmers, workers, consumers and wildlife ecosystems. You can shop online to find new-toyou brands that make sustainable cotton clothing and products.

“If you pause to think long-term on each purchase, you will make wiser choices in the long run.”

Send lunch from home. Collaborating with kids on creating healthy school lunches that suit their tastes is an opportunity to model healthy eating for a lifetime.

Check out the tips for healthier and less expensive school lunches below. A favorite homemade treat can still be included as long as the rest of the lunch and snack choices are nutritious. Encourage students to drink lots of water throughout the day rather than sugary beverages.

10 TIPS FOR HOMEMADE LUNCHES At the grocery store, skip pre-packaged foods with excess sugar and preservatives and try these savvy shopping strategies instead: 1. Plan lunches for the week on Sundays.

2. Start each day right with a hearty breakfast.

3. Make protein the star of each lunch.

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Include organic veggies and fruit.

Shop local and in-season.

Choose whole-grain breads.

Encourage drinking water at school all day.

Shop the bulk section for inexpensive variety.

Use up dinner leftovers each week.

Hand-portion snacks for mid-morning and after-school.

Reusable school supplies These purchases are well worth the investment and will last for years: • Insulated lunch bag • Non-breakable water bottle • Re-freezable ice cube pack • BPA-free food storage containers • Washable fabric food pouches • Dishwasher-safe bento boxes • Silverware from home • Cloth napkins • Energy Star® computers and electronics • Resale T-shirts, jeans, dress clothes and school supplies Organic cotton clothing • Annual daily/weekly/monthly planner • • Athletic bag Reuse last year's • Backpack • Combination lock • Pencil pouch • Insulated lunch tote • Solar-powered calculator • Manual metal pencil sharpener in recycled breath mint tin • Rulers, protractor and compasses • Pens, markers and highlighters • Scissors • Note cards and unused paper • Binders • USB drive • Athletic equipment

Author and journalist Christina likes to think about the long-term, big-picture effects of her actions. She takes pride in gradually becoming a more sustainable parent. She is a proponent of progress rather than perfection. CCM

A Comprehensive early learning program combining Montessori, Reggio & the Arts across the curriculum for children ages 2-5!

Harvest Hills NE Royal Vista NW Chestermere Springbank, Aspen SW Inglewood, Ramsay SE

Full & Half Day Options

mykinderhouse.org BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 37

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Because parenting is 24/ 7 The Calgary’s Child Magazine Page on Facebook ® is updated daily. We bring you all the information you need to make life run just a little more smoothly.

Register your child today The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) is proud to provide a diverse range of programs, services and exciting learning opportunities, both in-person and online, to meet your child’s unique needs.

We strive to create a culture of faith, hope and love.

Our talented and dedicated staff provide quality Catholic education, from kindergarten to Grade 12, in safe, nurturing and inclusive communities.

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 www.cssd.ab.ca for more information about our schools and our programs.

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Use your imagination to get from point A to point B

By Katharine Watts, Active for Life The best balm for kids’ and adults’ pandemic-weary souls exists outside. Nature, in all seasons, offers a way to refresh our minds, get our bodies moving, and take a big, collective deep breath.

Before sending your kids into school for the day, consider starting it with some movement and nature time. It’s one small way to start your whole family’s day in a positive way. And let’s face it: Avoiding the chaos of the dreaded drive-in school drop-off line is a major bonus.

Consider these fun and active ways to get from point A to point B, and enjoy some fresh air time before the school day begins!

1. Put some pep in their step with some favorite tunes Research has shown that music boosts listening, cooperation, and trust (all things that are very helpful in getting kids out the door to school). In our musicloving household, I have found this to be true – and I’ve noticed a difference on our walk to school as well.

There’s even one teacher at my son’s school who greets the Kindergarten kids with upbeat tunes and makes everyone’s morning brighter.

Load up a playlist with your kid’s favorites and enjoy an upbeat and positive walk en route to the schoolyard.

Not only will this start your own day off right, it will

spread cheer and joy to everyone you walk past. Need song suggestions? Try a school-themed playlist with favorites like “We’re Going to be Friends” by Jack Johnson or a bright and sunny playlist with Renee and Jeremy’s versions of “You’re My Best Friend” and other classics.

2. Adopt a walking buddy There’s nothing quite as motivating as making a commitment to walk with a friend – especially when it takes kids away from their usual route. This simple switch can provide a whole new perspective to their day, as kids often feel more positive about movement when friends are involved. It will also get you and your kids out of the house earlier, which means bonus active outdoor time before the school day begins. For older kids, this is also a great option, as they can build leadership skills by volunteering to walk younger kids to school (and they might even get a paid babysitting gig out of it).

3. Take the scenic route Several studies show that time spent in nature can improve our mood and reduce anxiety, and this is especially true during COVID. Not every commute to school has nature trails, but with a little effort, you can still find the scenic route. Take the long way and go through the local park. Go out of your way to find some

green space. Leave time to notice things happening in nature. Watch snow melt, look for buds poking up in the spring, stop to watch an ant for a few moments. This mindful approach to mornings pays off with a calmer day and much-needed connection time.

4. Add wheels There’s something about rolling into the schoolyard that makes the day seem special and fun. It’s also hugely beneficial for stress relief and energy levels, and kids who get a burst of movement before school may have increased concentration when in class. If you can find a way to get the kids to school that involves pedal power – like a scooter or rollerblades – you’ll be so glad you did.

And be sure to join your kiddos! Adult scooters, bikes, and blades are so fun and it’s a great way to keep up with your little speedster and connect joyfully before separating for the day.

5. Add props (and leave early) It’s amazing what a shovel, skipping rope, or chalk can add to the morning commute. Choose your props depending on the weather. Stopping to dig in snow mountains or shovel the sidewalk in the winter is a great way to get little bodies moving. In spring, skipping towards school will invigorate kiddos before a day of school work, and drawing hopscotch on your usual routes will make them more exciting, more active, and more fun. Just make sure you leave the house early.

This provides an opportunity to slow down instead of rushing and connect with your kids instead of constantly reminding them to hurry.

Reprinted with permission from Active for Life. Active for Life is a nonprofit organization committed to helping parents raise happy, healthy, physically literate kids. For more articles, visit activeforlife.com. CCM

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 39

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5 active and fun ways to commute to school with kids

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high school at home: options in Alberta Courses provide flexibility and personalization

By Judy Arnall, BA, CCFE, DTM Do you have a child that needs to complete high school courses for their chosen career, but they require flexibility and personalization in their studies? Consider taking a high school program through home education.

Children can home educate and receive supervised program funding up until they are 20 years old on September 1 of that year.

The high school system is like a buffet. If one school board doesn’t offer a particular course title or format (live, online, or correspondence), students may take the course from another school board, or self-teach through home education by meeting the course outcomes posted on Alberta Education’s website.

To receive a government issued Alberta High School Diploma, students must acquire at least 100 credits and meet the government requirements for credits by completing outcomes in certain courses.

Be aware that contrary to what most people believe, a child doesn’t need to present an Alberta High School Diploma to achieve acceptance into a post-secondary school. For most universities and colleges, what is required for admission is the four Grade 12 core courses and an option.

My son was in his second year of an engineering program at university when he finally got that last credit and received his Alberta High School Diploma. Consult the post-secondary school websites of the program your child is hoping to enter and note which courses are required. Then decide the best way to achieve the mark and credit.

High school can follow several routes when you are home educating, depending on the child’s goals. As of 2020, home education can be done via two programs: The supervised home education program is • where a child notifies a willing, supervising, nonresident, home education supportive school board or independent school for the year and receives funding and high school course assessment.

• The unsupervised home education program is where a parent notifies the government that the child is being educated without board supervision and receives no funding or assessment.

Their are five routes for children looking for alternative ways to meet post-secondary admission requirements and/or finish their education at home:

40 • Find us on

ROUTE ONE – Traditional Home Education Available for: Supervised Home Education and Unsupervised Home Education programs.

One route is to do a traditional, parent/studentdirected high school program that meets the 22 outcomes of the “Schedule of Learning Outcomes for Students Receiving Home Education Programs That Do Not Follow the Alberta Programs of Study,” or SOLO for short. Because the child is not meeting outcomes of high school courses from the Alberta Programs of Study, they will not receive a government issued High School Diploma or course credits.

Some parents issue course marks and a transcript from their “family home-school” and/or the supervising school/ board may also issue a certificate of home education completion, but as this document is not issued by Alberta

Education, it may not be universally recognized. Check with the intended post-secondary institution to see if they accept parent-awarded diplomas.

Will a diploma be awarded? No. Will my child get the courses required for university entrance? No. ROUTE TWO – Complete Just the Grade 12 Courses in a School Classroom or Online Available for: Supervised Home Education and Unsupervised Home Education programs.

Another route is to learn at home on a traditional home education program (whether supervised or unsupervised) for Grades 1 to 11, and then take a school-taught Grade 12 course to get marks and credits retroactively. These courses will appear on an Alberta

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government transcript. At the age of 19, considered the age of maturity in Alberta Education, any student may take the Grade 12 level of any course without taking the prerequisite Grade 10 and 11 courses.

Will a diploma be awarded? No. Will my child get the courses required for university entrance? Yes.

“High school can follow several routes when you are home educating.”

ROUTE THREE – Complete Just the Grade 12 Courses under Home Education Available for: Supervised Home Education.

If the student is under 19 and has completed selfdirected or home education instruction in a diploma examination course, they are eligible to write the Grade 12 diploma exams and receive course marks and credits.

A supervising school/board principal will review the course portfolio under Section 6 of the Home Education Regulations and award marks and credits if most of the course outcomes have been achieved.

If your child is older than 19 years old, they just need to sign up and write the diploma exam for the course.

No proof of course study needs to be assessed by the supervising school/board.

Will a diploma be awarded? No. Will my child get the courses required for university entrance? Yes. ROUTE FOUR – Write Just the Grade 12 Diploma Exams under Home Education Available for: Supervised Home Education (for a course mark) and Unsupervised Home Education programs.

At the age of 19 years of age or older as of September 1 of the current school year, all students are considered mature students and may challenge the government diploma exams. The diploma exam mark will stand for 100 percent of the course mark and credits without having taken the course or the prerequisites. If the student does study a Grade 12 course (either in school or home education), the final course mark will be the greater of either the diploma exam mark or a combination of 70 percent of the course work mark and 30 percent of the exam mark. Credits may be awarded retroactively in certain instances.

Will a diploma be awarded? No. Will my child get the courses required for university entrance? Yes. ROUTE FIVE – Course Challenge for Any High School Course Available for: Supervised Home Education.

If the child wants a full Alberta Education issued diploma and not just Grade 12 courses, they can home

educate under a supervising school/board and challenge individual courses. They study the course material from textbooks (a list of course textbooks is available at the albertahomeschooling.ca website), The Key Study Guides and the learnalberta.ca website. They may hire tutor help when they are stuck.

When finished, they request a formal assessment from the supervising board to get marks and credits. Usually, the principal examines the child’s course portfolio to see if outcomes have been achieved and issues a school exam worth 30 percent of the final grade. Grade 10 and 11 courses do not have a diploma exam, so these are the final marks that go on the Alberta government transcript.

The course challenge acknowledges that learning happens in a variety of settings, not just in schools.

There is flexibility and personalization in course work of core and option courses for high school subjects.

Discuss the degree of flexibility allowed with the prospective supervising school/board.

Will a diploma be awarded? Yes. Will my child get the courses required for university entrance? Yes. For more information and additional resources, please visit albertahomeschooling.ca/highschool.html.

Judy is a certified brain and child development specialist and master of non-punitive parenting and education practices. She is the founder of Unschooling Canada Association and is the bestselling author of five print books translated into five languages. Her latest book, Unschooling To University: Relationships Matter Most in a World Crammed with Content, is becoming a bestseller in an age of parents seeking educational options. Albertahomeschooling.ca, unschoolingtouniversity.com. CCM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 41

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extracurricular activities help children build skills for life Three considerations when picking activities

By Cara Poppitt We all want the very best for our children. It is sometimes hard to know how many extra activities we should do and how many are too much. As we navigate the many competing demands of life, we need to remember what we want for our children long-term.

I believe confidence is the best gift we can give our children, as confidence is directly related to the trajectory of their lives. With confidence, children can take bigger risks, speak up for themselves, and stand up for what they believe in. With confidence, children go after their dreams. Without confidence, children play smaller, feel insecure and dream less.

As a working mother of three young children with multiple demands, I always remember the intention of putting my children in different activities – I want my children to be confident, capable and successful in life.

Extracurriculars are more than just the steps or skills they are learning from the activity, but are teaching them skills for life they can take with them.

Learning communication skills, teamwork, work ethic, and time management are important skills that all adults need to be successful. When children are busy with activities, they are often more engaged and have better time management skills. They have focus and discipline that they can apply in school and in life.

42 • Find us on

How much is too much? My answer is always to pay attention to your children after their activities are done for the day. Are they uplifted and excited? Did they learn something new? If the answer is yes, keep supporting their activity.

We could all plan to do fewer activities so things are not as busy, but that can lead to more screen time, more boredom and less fulfillment. Some kids are bouncing with energy until bedtime, so consider keeping them enrolled in extracurriculars. It’s a good time to ensure children are engaged, stimulated, and having fun all while learning new skills that will help them be successful adults.

Three simple considerations for registering for extracurricular activities: 1. Weighing out the pros and cons of activities is helpful when deciding what activities to sign up for. You can think about logistics, scheduling, and skill sets they will learn. Focus on the benefits your child will receive from participating.

2. Discussing what your child is interested in is a great starting point. Deciding if they really like it before increasing the frequency is key. There are so many options available for recreational and competitive teams.

3. Asking your child what the best part of their class or session was and what they learned. This opens up conversation with your child and keeps things interesting. Pay attention to what they are saying when you ask them pointed questions rather than “how was your practice?”

Children learn by playing, so it’s important to open up opportunities for children to try as much as possible – whether it be at home with the family, outside with their friends, or by registering for a program with consistency and support. Children need to play and connect with others.

It’s time to get our children back on track and provide them with opportunities that build skills for life! Dance and other sports build confidence, creativity, and character, and provide a healthy outlet for children to move and connect with their bodies. Children learn discipline, teamwork, work ethic, and they serve as an emotional, physical, and mental release.

Cara is the founder and artistic director of Soul Connexion. If you are looking for an activity that is fun and physical, check out soulconnexion.ca! The boys-only hip-hop classes are high in demand as the boys learn coordination, balance, and body control that they can apply to all other sports. Their mission is to inspire growth and they offer classes for all ages and abilities. CCM

The power of the creative voice

By Erika Holter Most of us have experienced the sensation of being moved to tears, or laughter, or fear, through a can’t-putit-down book. Entertainment aside, the many and varied benefits of reading are widely documented and include everything from increasing empathy in readers to boosting intelligence to improved sleep to stress reduction.

It’s not only reading that is tremendously beneficial; on the literary flip side, creative writing is an enormously valuable skill. As Calgary-based eighth-grader Megan Lam, recent winner of the Ripple Foundation’s Kids Write 4 Kids national writing challenge, can attest to. Megan’s story, When You Wish Upon a Star, a tale of family, love, and honesty, beat out 580 entries from across the country. Megan, an aspiring veterinarian and avid fantasy reader, has been writing fiction for a few years and has experienced positive ripple effects in many areas of her life as a result of her hobby of choice.

“I find that I read a lot more critically now. It’s also been helpful as far as school goes, especially with preparing written assignments.”

Benefits of Creative Writing for Kids Improved academics aside, there are several benefits of creative writing: Better problem-solving skills. The classic narrative structure typically involves overcoming a problem. If

problems didn’t exist, there would be no need for heroes.

In conceptualizing these story-based problems, and how to solve them, budding authors are building problemsolving skills that can help them in all areas of their lives.

Enhanced creativity and imagination. Storytelling is all about dreaming of what is possible. Ripple Foundation Founder, Ivy Wong, shares why her organization advocates so hard for literacy initiatives, like the Kids Write 4 Kids contest. “Literacy provides a means to express creative ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. Storytelling has been inspiring imagination for generations. Investing in fostering literacy in kids is an investment in our collective future.”

Writing can be a confidence booster. As any parent knows, raising confident kids is no easy task. Society is full of messages telling them that they're not good enough, and it can be hard for them to find their own voice. When they're given the opportunity to tell their own story, it can help them feel seen and heard. And as they see their ideas come to life on the page, it can give them a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Enriching vocabulary. By encouraging kids to express themselves through creative writing, you can help them to develop a strong foundation in language arts as well as build a richer understanding of words and their meanings. Not only will this help them in their future

academic pursuits, but it'll also give them a greater appreciation for the power of language.

How to Foster an Interest in Creative Writing The Ripple Foundation is an education charity that advocates creative literacy among children and youth.

In addition to their annual Kids Write 4 Kids contest, they offer several creative writing workshops for youth, and will be launching a one-day virtual writing conference this fall.

YouthWrite Society is another option for kids looking to flex their creative writing muscles. Their week-long, Alberta-based camps give writers-in-training exposure to a wide range of writing mediums.

Megan, who thanks to her contest win is now a published author, gives the following advice to any kid interested in further exploring creative writing, but doesn’t know where to begin.

“If you are just starting out, write about things that you are interested in so you can grow that passion and creativity that you need for writing. Read a lot, and read a variety of types of books, so you can figure out what genres you like the most, and let those genres influence your writing.”

Erika is owner of Buzz Communications, a Calgary-based communications consulting company, as well as a writer for WordPLAY Consulting. Every business, and every person, has a story and Erika loves to tell those stories. CCM

Swim Lessons, Aquatic Leadership Courses, Active Living Programs, PD Camps , Kickboxing and Wellness Programs are all available for you and your family this Fall. mnpcentre.com

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 43

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encouraging creative writing in children

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DARE to

DREAM CYPT FALL DRAMA CLASSES for youth age 4- 18 register online today at cypt.ca

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Join our family off choirs for all ages Music Makers: Age 3 – Grade 1 Calgary Junior Choir: Grades 2 – 4 Calgary Children’s Choir: Grades 5 – 9 Calgary Youth Choir: Grade 10 – Age 21 Calgary Community Choir: Age 21+ Central northwest rehearsals.

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

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

ANIMALS & NATURE SILVER HAVEN EQUESTRIAN Website: silverhaveneq.com YYC NATURE & EDUCATION CENTRE 2 - 1381 Hastings Crescent SE Phone: 403-457-2202 Email: yycnaturecentre@gmail.com Website: yycnaturecentre.com

THE ARTS ALBERTA BALLET SCHOOL Phone: 403-245-2274 Email: registration@albertaballet.com Website: albertaballetschool.com ALIKI’S ART HOUSE Phone: 403-667-7020 Email: info@alikisarthouse.com Website: alikisarthouse.com

DEVELOPING EXCELLENT PLAYERS AND OUTSTANDING PEOPLE ONE OF ONLY FOUR CANADIAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION CLUB LICENCE HOLDERS IN CALGARY ONLY CALGARY CLUB WITH FULL-SIZE 11v11 INDOOR TURF FACILITY AND TURF SKILLS CENTER PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED PHASE AREA LEADS AT EVERY AGE GROUP (CANADA AND EUROPE LICENCING) IN-HOUSE SPORT SCIENCE PROGRAM TO DEVELOP ATHLETICISM AND PREVENT INJURY, VIDEO ANALYSIS, COACHING MENTORSHIP/ CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL U4-ADULT COACHES

CALGARY CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-210-3499 Email: info@calgarychildrenschoir.com Website: calgarychildrenschoir.com

CHINOOK SCHOOL OF MUSIC - MUSIC KIDS Phone: 403-246-8446 Email: info@chinookschoolofmusic.com Website: chinookschoolofmusic.com

CALGARY GIRLS CHOIR (CGC) Phone: 403-686-7444 Email: office@calgarygirlschoir.com Website: calgarygirlschoir.com

CHRYSANTHEMA SCHOOL OF VIOLIN Phone: 403-836-6403 Email: violino@shaw.ca Website: chrysanthemaviolin.com

CALGARY YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE Phone: 403-242-7118, Ext. 1 Email: cypt@cypt.ca Website: cypt.ca

CREATIVE EXPRESSION DANCE ACADEMY 253220 Bearspaw Road Phone: 403-809-6931 Email: admin@creative-expression.ca Website: creative-expression.ca

CANTARÉ CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-685-1132 Email: catherine@cantarechildrenschoir.org Website: cantarechildrenschoir.org

CUISINE ET CHÂTEAU’S KID’S COOKING CAMPS Website: cuisineandchateau.com Class & program directory – Continued on next page

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMS ONLINE

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Class & program directory – Continued from previous page

FREE HOUSE DANCE PLUS LTD Phone: 403-282-0555 Email: fhdp@telusplanet.net Website: freehousedance.com H/W SCHOOL OF BALLET Website: hwballet.com KEYBOARD ACADEMY OF MUSIC B - 8411 Elbow Drive SW Phone: 403-255-0010 203 - 4803 Centre Street NW Phone: 403-277-2987 Email: kaom2@shaw.ca Website: keyboardacademy.ca KODÁLY MUSIC EXPLORERS - CANTARÉ CHILDREN’S CHOIR Phone: 403-685-1132 Email: office@cantarechildrenschoir.org Website: cantarechildrenschoir.org LISA GRAHAM MUSIC Website: lisagraham.ca LONG & MCQUADE MUSIC LESSONS CENTRES Calgary Chinook: 225, 58 Avenue SE Phone: 403-252-8506 Email: calgarychinooklessons@long-mcquade.com Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons/Alberta/Calgary

Calgary East: 3404, 5 Avenue NE Phone: 587-296-6648 Email: calgaryeastlessons@long-mcquade.com Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons/Alberta/Calgary_East Calgary Royal Vista: 10 Royal Vista Drive NW Phone: 587-794-3196 Email: calgaryroyalvistalessons@long-mcquade.com Website: long-mcquade.com/lessons/Alberta/Calgary_North MORPHEUS THEATRE Phone: 403-246-2999 Email: info@morpheustheatre.ca Website: morpheustheatre.ca

VIN GOGH PAINT SIP STUDIO 7160 Fisher Street SE Phone: 403-475-4644 Email: info@vingogh.ca Website: vingogh.ca YOUTH SINGERS OF CALGARY Phone: 403-234-9549 Email: yscadmin@youthsingers.org Website: youthsingers.org

MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY CONSERVATORY CHILDREN’S CHOIR PROGRAM Phone: 403-440-6821 Email: choirs@mtroyal.ca Website: mru.ca/Conservatory SCHOOL OF ROCK Two locations Phone (SE): 403-460-7625 Email: calgarysouth@schoolofrock.com Phone (SW): 587-535-7625 Email: calgary@schoolofrock.com Website: schoolofrock.com TRICKSTER THEATRE Website: trickstertheatre.com

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SPORTS, RECREATION & CLUBS BANFF NORQUAY Website: banffnorquay.com BETHEL 23 JOB’S DAUGHTERS Phone: 403-807-3831 Website: bethel23yyc.com CALGARY AQUABELLES Website: aquabelles.com CALGARY FOOTHILLS SOCCER CLUB Phone: 403-225-9388 Email: admin@gofoothills.ca Website: calgaryfoothillssoccer.com CALGARY RANGERS SOCCER Phone: 403-465-3899 Email: info@calgaryrangers.com Website: calgaryrangers.com CITY OF CALGARY RECREATION Various locations Phone: 403-268-3800 Website: calgary.ca/register GLENMORE GYMNASTICS CLUB Website: glenmoregymnastics.ca MASTER RIM’S TAEKWONDO Phone (SW): 403-460-2472 Phone (NW): 587-535-6560 Email: info@masterrim.com Website: masterrim.com

MNP COMMUNITY & SPORT CENTRE (FORMERLY REPSOL SPORTS CENTRE) Phone: 403-233-8393 Email: info@mnpcentre.com Website: mnpcentre.com PAPERNY FAMILY JCC Website: calgaryjcc.com ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVING CLUB Phone: 587-997-5756 Email: rockymountaindiving.info@gmail.com Website: rockymountaindiving.ca TRICO CENTRE FORFAMILY WELLNESS 11150 Bonaventure Drive SE Phone: 403-278-7542 Email: guestservices@tricocentre.ca Website: tricocentre.ca WESTERN BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE Phone: 587-777-0501 Email: youth@westernballhockey.com Website: westernballhockey.com

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is your child in the right sports program?

Seven questions to ask

By Sport Calgary Helping a child develop a life-long love of sport is a valuable gift. The right sports camp or program will define a child’s interest in sports during their growing years, and provide a positive experience that they will always carry with them.

How do you know if your child is in the right sports program?

With so many to choose from, it can be a challenge.

Programs and camps have differing goals. Some are aimed at developing interest and skill and are places where your child will form valuable social bonds. Others are competition-focused and aim at training future medalist athletes.

Knowing what you and your child want from the sports program or camp is the first step in making the right decision. There is also safety to consider.

A program’s clear understanding of risks and their mitigation as well as having trained and qualified staff are important to note.

Here are seven questions to consider when choosing the best program: 1. Does the camp/program have a clear policy about health and safety?

The program should have policies in place to protect their participants. They should be available for you to read, ideally on their website.

2. Are staff, coaches, officials, and volunteers qualified? Are they cleared to work with children and young people?

The club should have a safe recruitment process for hiring staff. Ask about their hiring process, what level of training their coaches have, and whether they have received safeguarding or similar training to work with children.

3. Is the equipment and environment safe and clean?

Is everything well maintained?

An organization that takes care of their equipment and maintains their environment is conscious of all the potential risks.

4. Does the program or camp include a variety of activities?

Participating in a wide selection of sporting activities helps kids gain confidence that will set them up for life. If you and your child are unsure or don’t have a preferred sport, Sport Calgary (sportcalgary.ca) has an amazing opportunity for you with “All Sport One Day”. They offer 100 (or more) free sessions of 30 plus sports and activities for children and teenagers (ages six and older).

5. Are there formal codes of conduct?

There should be a written code of behavior (or conduct) showing what is required of staff, volunteers, and participants (including children). Avoid organizations that do not have a commitment to address bullying, shouting, racism, sexism or any other kind of oppressive behavior. Any unacceptable behavior should be challenged and dealt with in a professional manner by the sports organization.

6. How can children or their parents/carers voice any concerns?

Every organization should have a named welfare officer and share their contact details. Well-run clubs should be prepared to listen and advise you what to do if you have any concerns. They should have information about local or national services that can also offer advice and support.

7. Have you read Canada’s Long-Term Development plan (LTD)?

Children, youth, and adults need to perform activities at the right time and way to develop in sport and activity.

Visit sportforlife.ca for more information.

Editor’s Note: 2022’s “All Sport One Day” weekend will be held on August 19 to 21, and registration opens August 10.

Founded in 2001, Sport Calgary assists, supports, and influences the growth of sport in Calgary. A not-for-profit society, they are the voice of amateur sport in Calgary. Connecting Calgarians and sport, they represent more than 350 member sport organizations. Sport Calgary works across all sports, helping individuals, teams and organizations learn, improve, and grow. CCM

CALGARY WEST CALGARY SOUTH 587-353-7625

403-460-7625

BOOK ONLINE: SCHOOLOFROCK.COM 48 • Find us on

How to know when to ask for help

By Margaret Varty The sound of your child’s first word is magical – but how do you know if they are hitting their developmental milestones on time?

We know every parent wants to set their child up to thrive in life and knowing when and where to ask for help is important for a family. Understanding key milestones, and what to do if you suspect your child may need support, is an important part of this process.

For many children, talking may not come easily. Early indicators of a potential speech or language delay may include a child not using many words or having difficulty putting their words together. A child may not understand what they hear, or they may also have trouble pronouncing words or getting their words out.

If you suspect your child has a speech or language delay, what can you do next?

Reaching out to your family doctor or your child’s pediatrician is always a good option if you have questions about your child meeting any of their milestones. Your doctor can answer questions about

ster Regi !

Now

class and program

speech & language delays in young children

your child’s development and may be able to refer you to specialists, into assessment programs managed through Alberta Health Services, or to programs such as Pacekids Programs that support children in reaching their developmental milestones.

During an assessment, a Registered SpeechLanguage Pathologist spends time directly with the child and identifies potential delays. They will share their observations with your family, make a diagnosis if needed, and help you navigate the next steps to support your child. Speech-language delays can also be an early indicator of other diagnoses like autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairments, or complex medical conditions. In these cases, the Speech-Language Pathologist can support your access to the right specialist, to help you move toward further assessment services or a formal diagnosis.

With a speech-language assessment and report, you now have access to resources and programs designed to support your child’s needs. For children in Alberta, an assessment can open doors to a variety of supports including Program Unit Funded (PUF) early intervention and supported pre-school and kindergarten programming. Research indicates that early intervention and educational programs made possible through formal assessments are essential for supporting children with diverse needs through these critical years.

Pacekids Programs is a Calgary-based service provider that offers a variety of programs for children with diverse needs and their families. Learn more at pacekids.ca. CCM

Calgary rangers soccer club

Year Round Programming Calgary Rangers Soccer Club is a community-focused club, dedicated to providing a safe environment and creating a positive learning atmosphere for players of all ages and abilities. As a club, it is our responsibility to deliver excellence in the community and allow players of all abilities to push themselves to their desired level while developing necessary social skills, and having the opportunity to meet lifelong friends.

Programs for Everyone Calgary Rangers has programs for all players no matter the age or ability, check out our website for more details and come join the fun today!!

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 49

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from fall reading to family movie night 65 book/movie duos that motivate kids to read

By Janeen Lewis Pairing books with movies is an easy way to keep kids reading. While parents usually want their children to limit screen time, the silver screen may be the exception that encourages kids to read. Make movies, and the books that inspire them, the double feature that hooks kids on books.

Watching movies and books hand-in-hand gives parents the opportunity to discuss books with kids. For example, you can ask questions like these: • Which was better, the book or the movie?

• What were some differences between the book and the movie? Did you like the changes?

Did the cast capture the personalities of the • characters in the books?

• How would you make the book different? How would you make the movie different?

• If you could pick any book that wasn’t already a movie, which book would it be and why? Which actors and actresses would you cast in the movie?

Would you change the beginning, middle, or ending?

Here is a list of 65 books in a variety of genres that have been made into movies for kids of all ages. Many of the movies that go with these books can be checked out at the library for free. Fill your bookshelves, pop some corn, and make it a double feature!

Classics Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White The Wizard of OZ by L. Frank Baum The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan Pippi Longstocking series by Astrid Lindgren Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Picture books The Lorax by Dr. Seuss Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett The Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc Eloise at the Plaza by Kay Thompson

Realistic Fiction Call of the Wild by Jack London Wonder by R.J. Palacio The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald Holes by Louis Sachar

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Historical Fiction Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp (the movie is The Sound of Music) American Girl series by various authors The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper Fantasy Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

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' Child Calgarys

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Doctor Dolittle series by Hugh Lofting (the movie is titled Dolittle) Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl The BFG by Roald Dahl Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black The Princess Bride by William Goldman Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine Adventure Paddington Bear series by Michael Bond Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene Inkheart by Cornelia Funke A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket

Science Fiction The Maze Runner by James Dashner 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key Especially for Teens Emma by Jane Austen The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Divergent Series by Veronica Roth Eragon by Christopher Paolini If I Stay by Gayle Forman The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Janeen is a mom, freelance writer and teacher who holds a Master's Degree in Education. Her favorite book/movie pair is Anne of Green Gables. CCM

Making Calgary feel like one big neighbourhood.

The Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA Program provides free membership and active programming throughout the year to all Calgary grade 6 students.

Students entering grade 6 can register now!

ymcacalgary.org

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 51

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game on! finding the right sport for your little sport Pick something they’ll love and keep it fun and rewarding

By Mali Anderson We all want our kids to be healthy and part of staying fit is staying active. Sports are a great way to keep kids moving while building their social bonds and building their self-confidence. As a child, if you were outgoing and loved soccer, that may now be your go-to choice for your child – but maybe they are more interested in swimming or tennis. So which sport do you choose for them?

“A great way parents can choose a sport for their child is to have their child choose it themselves. Parents who provide a tasting of lots of different sports will help their child narrow down their choices and choose one that is right for them. Getting over fears of failure and gaining confidence is the greatest challenge in helping children find a sport they like,” says Anastasia Gavala, a family life teacher and mother of five children.

Choosing a sport First, to ensure your child will enjoy a sport, take any physical limitations into consideration. At your child’s next physical, ask their doctor if there are any particular sports that your child may not be physically ready to participate in yet or may be inappropriate to play at this time.

Once you feel that your child is developmentally ready to play a particular sport, there are a few things to note.

Observe and assess what they are already playing on their own. Making a sport choice that is an extension of your child’s personal interests increases the chances of the sport being fun and rewarding for them.

If you are worried your child is too small to start a sport, keep in mind there are more kid-tailored sports now than ever before.

Cost of sports Lessons, equipment, and athletic shoes can be expensive. Before balking at the cost, remember a child can experiment with a sport before a family needs to invest in traveling to tournaments or purchasing the latest high-tech fabrics.

Consider teaching young children hand-eye coordination by rolling a ball back and forth. Play out on your driveway with a couple of inexpensive racquets, even ping pong paddles will work, and hit a ball around.

Even without a net, your child is still practicing skills used for many ball sports. The same is true for a team sport, like baseball. Kids can still have a great experience

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using an inexpensive bat and participating in a local community league.

Keep in mind that there are some sports that are more costly than others. Golf, hockey, and horseback riding, for example, are great sports to participate in but may not suit every family budget. If you are seeking more costeffective sports for your child, have them try out a few with a lower price tag. Then your child can gravitate to what sport they prefer to play as opposed to being forced to play because more money was spent.

A participating parent As a parent involved with a sporty kid, chances are your schedule will be impacted, too. Making an effort to attend as many practices, games, or matches as possible sends a positive message to your child that what they are doing is worthwhile. It also gives you insights to when your child will need a pep talk or advice. Sports are a known way to build self-confidence, but some of that resilience is built by picking themselves up after a defeat. An encouraging parent can help. Remind your child that mistakes are simply opportunities for improvement.

20 Sports for Your Child to Try

“There are more kid-tailored sports now than ever before.”

Not naturally sporty Some children prefer not to participate in sports, but don’t rule out physical activity completely. Start with getting your child active: going for a daily bike ride, skateboarding, skipping rope, shooting hoops on the driveway, etc., to introduce them to motion and coordination.

Or switch from team sports to individual sports (or vice versa) until you find the activity that fits your child and your family.

“Our 11-year-old son has autism and challenges in motor planning. He tried team sports but always seemed the odd man out, not really skilled, and less assertive than the other kids. Since then, we tried swimming and have since signed him up for year-round swim classes. It is an individual sport and it really is not about winning but instead about beating your last time. Swimming offers him more chances to be successful over and above any barriers that his challenges put in front of him,” says Jody Kulstad, mother of three children, all of whom are active in a variety of sports.

TEAM FOCUS: Baseball • • Basketball • Hockey Football • • Kickball Lacrosse • • Rowing • Soccer Ultimate Frisbee • • Wiffle ball INDIVIDUAL FOCUS: • Swimming • Bowling • Figure skating • Golf • Gymnastics • Martial arts • Frisbee golf • Skiing • Tennis • Indoor climbing

Mali writes about art, culture, and parenting. She lives with her husband and daughter, Ivy. CCM

How to support your quiet child

By Jan Pierce, M.Ed. We parents want our children to thrive. And it can hurt when we see a quieter child overlooked, not chosen or otherwise left out in fun, social settings. While we know each child is a unique individual with character traits and tendencies all their own, we still want the best for them and that usually means competence in social settings.

We want our children to have friends and to be cordial with adults. We want them to get invitations to parties and chosen to be part of a team. We want them to be happy. What can we do when a quiet child is seen as “shy?” How can we bolster confidence?

Possible contributing factors to introversion Being an introvert is not necessarily a bad thing.

Quieter people can be perfectly happy and have wonderful social skills. But at times children need a boost to make friends and to feel comfortable in social settings.

Reasons for the more negative characteristics of being shy or overly quiet can be: • Genetics. Some children inherit personality traits and dispositions leaning toward introversion.

• Innate personality. We each have a unique make-up with certain tendencies.

Shyness can be a learned behavior. If those • around the child model quiet or withdrawn social behaviors, the child may observe and imitate them.

• Insecure family relationships. If a child has overbearing or overprotective adults in their life, the child can become fearful and worry about proper behaviors.

• Lack of experience. A child who is isolated and has limited opportunity to play with others has fewer opportunities to learn acceptable social behaviors.

• Overly critical parenting. This can create a child who fears failure.

The characteristics of a “shy” child Friends and family may label a child “shy” when they notice certain behaviors. Your child may tend to play quietly rather than roar like a dinosaur. They may seem uncomfortable around other children, especially those not yet known. They may seem nervous and unwilling to try something new. They may worry that others won’t like them and may just watch as an outsider when games are played.

The shy child may be seen by others as stand-offish.

Other children may believe that they just doesn’t want to play. And when a child is hesitant to join in the fun, that alone can begin a cycle in which a child has fewer interactions with others – fewer opportunities to practice using social skills, which in turn brings on more discomfort in play situations.

•

What to do?

Parents can help a quiet, withdrawn child by: Avoiding labels. Refrain from calling your child’s • behavior “shy.” Rather point out that they are thoughtful – a person who makes choices carefully.

• Avoiding being overprotective. This is a tough one. But in general, offer many opportunities for your child to participate with others, but refrain from making it a huge potential problem. See your child as unique and as a learner who will be able to succeed at their own pace.

•

“Quieter people can be perfectly happy and have wonderful social skills.”

•

•

•

Teaching and modeling positive social interactions. Use role play with puppets or stuffed animals to act out ways to make friends and have positive interactions with adults. Practice making eye contact when speaking to others and rehearse scripts to use when meeting someone new. “Hi, my name is …”

Facilitating social opportunities. Make play dates with children your child likes. Be sure the date is a positive experience by prompting words and behaviors as necessary. “Maybe you could ask Johnny which toys are his favorites.”

Setting achievable goals. “Hey, you looked Grandma right in the eyes when you talked to her today. Great job.” Stickers and high fives when they approximate positive social interactions. “I saw how you shared your bubbles with Carlos. High five!”

Accepting and encouraging your child as the unique individual they are. It’s fine to be quieter or different from other children. Being quiet is only a problem if it brings unhappiness or hinders happy childhood life in some way. Your quiet child may be a strong student, be a better listener than others and may be able to support others who are more outgoing.

Using books as teaching tools. Here are some choices: - Too Shy to Say Hi by Shannon Anderson and Hiroe Nakata - A Little Spot of Belonging: A Story About Being True to Yourself and Making Friends by Diane Alber - Shy Ninja by Mary Nhin - Sometimes I’m Shy: A Child’s Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety by Poppy O’Neill and Amanda Ashman-Wymbs - Shy Charles by Rosemary Wells Reading and discussing a book together is a wonderful way to teach perspective-taking, the skill of learning to see things from another’s point of view. This skill is useful to children who struggle with friendships or finding confidence to try new things.

They learn that other children worry sometimes too, and that there are ways to solve the problems.

Talking about a book character’s problems is a terrific way for your child to grow in understanding their own worries or fears. And stories offer a chance to think about social interactions with no pressure to perform.

It takes patience to encourage a timid child. But step by step you can support your child becomes more confident and successful in social settings.

Resources How to Support Your Shy Child by Lilianna Hogan, • Grow by WebMD. • 7 Ways You Can Support Your Shy Child by Natalia Oliver, Guidepost Montessori • Helping Your Shy Child by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., Psychology Today Jan is a retired teacher and reading specialist. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and The Exploits of Edna and Gertie.

Find Jan at janpierce.net. CCM

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ages & stages

recognizing and labeling feelings Top 5 emotion teaching tips

By Lisa Kaldenbach, MA, R. Psych and Ashlee Ellerbruch, MC, R. Psych Helping your child learn to understand and express their emotions effectively is a long-term process. Let’s face it, some adults still struggle with it!

Emotions are tricky things: we have to have an awareness of how our body feels, be able to label that feeling with an emotion word, appropriately communicate that emotion to someone, and then find ways to cope with that emotion. This is why explicit teaching of emotions is so important. The more we practice with our kids, the more easily they will be able to recognize their feelings and share them with us so we can help.

Here are our top five emotion teaching tips: Model. The way we express ourselves influences how a child expresses themselves. It is important to teach a child how to express their emotions by modeling these skills yourself. Children will often look at adults to see how they feel, express, and manage their emotions throughout different scenarios. While it may feel silly, try to narrate and label your emotions as they come up, and why you are feeling that way. This gives your child the emotional language, as well as normalizes that everyone has these feelings.

Brain-body connection. Being able to connect a body sensation to an emotion is quite complicated, and even adults are still working on recognizing how their body feels and what that means. Use teaching moments after big emotions happen to talk about how their body felt. “When I feel nervous about trying something new sometimes my stomach hurts. How does your body feel?”

“You looked like you felt angry, where did you feel that in your body?” The more you strengthen this brain-body connection, the more emotional awareness your child will have.

Daily rituals. Make it part of your daily routine to check in with your child. Some natural times to connect can be first thing in the morning while getting ready, or at the end of the day as a bedtime ritual. We love to do this at dinner, when the whole family is together. Go around the table and share the high and low of your day. Then you can dive into the emotions, problem solving, or discuss how they could deal with that situation next time.

Teach through books, movies and games. Children learn best through play, so next time the family is watching a movie, try discussing how a character is feeling, or figuring out why a superhero feels the way he does. There are a variety of games and books that do a

wonderful job at incorporating emotions. Some of our favorite books are Color Monster, The Way I Feel, and Even Superheroes Have Bad Days. Teaching through books and games can feel more natural and incorporates a fun learning element where adults and children can discuss emotions and the perspective of others.

Be accepting. All feelings play a vital role in a child’s emotional development. Although we may be quick to shut down a sad or angry child, talking about and accepting all feelings shows a child that it is safe to share their emotions, no matter how they feel. Use those moments where a child is feeling jealous, embarrassed, or sad to explore the situation and help them understand their feelings. Having these conversations early in life gives room for further conversations in the future, especially as emotions get more complex.

The more we can discuss and label emotions regularly throughout the day, the more successful we will be at raising children who are kind and empathetic beings.

Ashlee and Lisa are child psychologists who created KidsConnect Psychology as a place for children and families to access tools, supports, and therapy. Check out the website, kidsconnectpsychology. com, for digital downloads, parenting tool kits, information about parent counselling, school consultations, daycare consultations, and more! Follow on Facebook and Instagram. CCM

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ages & stages

hitting, pushing and biting: what's up with that?

• •

Help your child communicate their needs

By Judy Arnall, BA, CCFE, DTM You are having a pleasant coffee and a chat with your best friends, when suddenly your toddler whacks your friend’s toddler with a toy truck.

There is wailing from the startled child, and a stunned, embarrassed silence from the parents. All eyes are on you to see what you are going to do! What can you do that is respectful, immediate and teaches your child proper behavior?

First, recognize that whining, hitting, pushing and biting are pretty normal behaviors of most children from the ages of one to four years. They are trying to get their needs met, whether for attention, personal boundary space or that super interesting toy they’ve been eyeing.

The problem is that their verbal skills are still very limited and they resort to body language to say: A) How they feel, and B) What they need/want.

Our role as parents is to discourage their unsociable methods and encourage the polite methods to get what they want. That means we have to ‘give them the words’ to use and repeat it often! Of course, your first order of business is to apply first-aid and comfort to the injured child.

Then you need to address the attacker. Here are some ideas of what to say and do: • Find the attacker’s need: Do they want the toy, more personal space, attention, a reaction, revenge or perhaps more choices? Ask them.

• Tell them how to ask for what they want. Use simple words. Make eye contact.

• Say, “Ouch! Hitting/biting/pushing hurts!” or, “I don’t like that!”

• Don’t expect sharing until age three.

• Restrain your child in your lap or carry them away to another space to calm down.

• Rocking your child or rubbing their back and using a soft, repetitive voice can also help your child to calm down.

Show disapproval in body/facial language and • your voice tone.

• Save your loud and sharp “no!” for times like this and for safety, or emergency situations.

• Have a lot of similar toys and space to redirect your child to.

• Active listen: “You’re frustrated that he grabbed the toy? You want your toy back?” “We can’t hit, but we can ask to have the toy back.”

• Teach your child to put up their hand to ward off space invaders.

• Teach “I”-messages: “I don’t like that.” “I want the toy.” “I’m not done.”

• Allow your child their own time to give up a toy.

Gently remind them that someone is waiting, but don’t force them to give it up.

• Instead of always saying, “Hurry up,” you could try, “Take the time you need.” Meeting your child’s needs encourages them to think about other’s needs.

• Supervise.

• Teach your child to walk away from annoying situations.

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Say, “No! We don’t bite. Biting hurts.”

Remove them from the situation, but don’t banish your child to a room alone. Sit with your child to help them calm down.

Teach ‘breathing,’ ‘the silent scream’ and ‘stamping feet’ when your child is angry.

Teach ‘trading’ and ‘taking turns.’

Stay calm yourself.

Don’t grab toys from your child. Model the behavior you want. Ask for the toy and wait for consent. Always ask to use something that belongs to your child.

You could apologize for your child to the victim, to model what you want to see your child do in the future.

Don’t force apologies. They need to come from the heart. You can advise that an offering of an apology or amend might make the offended child feel better, but leave the choice up to your child.

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Tell the other child your child needs space, but doesn’t have the words to say so yet.

Shower the victim with attention. Have the victim repeat the rule of ‘no hitting - hitting hurts’ to the attacker. Remove the victim and take them with you to do something fun. Be sure to increase the attention to the attacker in peaceful times. Show them positive ways to get attention.

Increase one-on-one time with the attacker.

If hitting between two children repeats, find something else for one child to do and separate them.

Acknowledge the feelings of each sibling or child and repeat it for the other child to hear, so both can start to learn empathy and conflicting points of view.

If hitting repeats, children may be hungry, bored, or tired. Fix the underlying reason.

Model politeness. Use “please”; “thank you”; “no thanks” with your children.

Judy is a certified brain and child development specialist and master of non-punitive parenting and education practices. She is the founder of Unschooling Canada Association and is the bestselling author of five print books translated into five languages. Her latest book, Unschooling To University: Relationships Matter Most in a World Crammed with Content, is becoming a bestseller in an age of parents seeking educational options. Albertahomeschooling.ca, unschoolingtouniversity.com. CCM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 55

ages & stages

Grow (together) Calgary Teaching values and skills in a hands-on way

By Stacie Gaetz As parents, there are a seemingly endless number of skills and values that we want to instill in our children as they grow up.

Some of these include: • The value of hard work.

• Taking care of others (including animals).

Self-sufficiency.

• • Giving back to those less fortunate.

Caring for the environment and sustainability.

• • The importance of agriculture.

• Giving your time to charitable organizations.

My children and I recently found a way to practice all of these at once by volunteering our time at Grow Calgary.

Growing forward Grow Calgary is Canada’s largest urban community farm. It’s a non-profit organization that grows fresh produce for a variety of social agencies in Calgary that have food access programs.

The farm is located in Balzac and has been in operation for 11 years, now successfully producing food for nine years. The ultimate goal of the entirely volunteer-run organization is to ensure that all residents of Calgary, especially those who are vulnerable and living in poverty, have consistent access to healthy, local food.

In the past few years, the organization has also created an animal rescue branch and volunteers are currently caring for sheep, pigs, goats, ponies, a horse and ducks in addition to a collection of beehives.

Their expansive garden beds grow a little bit of everything that does well in our tricky climate – potatoes, tomatoes, onions, herbs, cabbage, lettuce, squash, beets, carrots and much more.

Giving back Having reported on Grow Calgary in the past, I thought signing myself and my kids up for a volunteer shift would be a great way to give back while getting our hands dirty (and meeting some adorable animals).

The jobs around the farm include seeding and transplanting trays, planting in garden beds, building new beds, watering and irrigation, weeding garden beds, feeding the animals, cleaning out the animals’ pens,

“Volunteering together as a family is a great way to connect with each other.” building greenhouses, harvesting produce, and farm organization.

We took part in weeding the garden on the morning we volunteered, and we learned a lot about the operation – including the fact that 100 percent of the food grown at Grow Calgary is donated to those in need in Calgary, and 95 percent of the recipients are women and children.

Instantly invested It is an impressive operation that got my kids talking about those in need.

Our time at the farm inspired a number of questions, including “why can’t some people afford their own food?”

“What do the animals need rescuing from?” and “can we go back and pick the food when it is ready to be given to the people who need it?”

Their minds were also working away on the agricultural side of things, and they asked questions like

“why are weeds bad for other plants?” “How many plants can you grow in one bed?” and “why are some plants good to eat while others aren’t?” while we pulled weeds from a garden bed.

Kids are hands-on learners and being entrenched in the work with the dirt on their hands and the smell of mulch in the air got them invested in the activity and why they were doing it.

Taking action Their deep interest in our adventure got me thinking about the importance of teaching by doing.

We can tell our children that we should give our time and energy to those less fortunate, but unless you take action, the message can easily be lost on them.

Volunteering together as a family is a great way to connect with each other, learn new skills, instill values and even introduce your child to something they are passionate about.

And who knows, you might learn a thing or two along the way!

For more information on Grow Calgary, visit growcalgary.ca.

Stacie is the editorial assistant of Calgary’s Child Magazine and mother of a delightful daughter and silly son. Her days are filled with playing in parks, creating crafts and keeping up with the chaos. She thoroughly enjoys supporting, connecting and informing parents through interesting stories like this one. CCM

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helping your kids “find their people” The importance of making friends As a parent, one of the most heartbreaking things to hear your child say is “no one likes me.”

You work hard in their formative years to teach your children to socialize, be kind and share so they can make friends during school and create the important relationships that will last into their future.

The truth is, it can be difficult for some children to make friends. Whether they are too shy, too “in your face,” interested in things that others their age generally are not or just seem to be outsiders for reasons unknown, “finding their people” can be an ongoing challenge for some kids.

As a parent, you may feel helpless in this situation because you are not with your children at school or during all of their social interactions, but Chantal Côté, registered psychologist and founder of Pyramid Psychology, says there are ways parents can help their children cultivate healthy relationships with friends.

Importance of friendships “Peer relationships are an essential part of development. They provide important practice in the area of interpersonal skills, such as how to behave in society, developing social skills, communication skills (and) conflict resolution skills,” says Chantal.

She adds that a child’s friends can help them explore and support their identity formation and expand their areas of interests, perspectives and strengths.

“Meaningful peer connections expand a child's natural supports, the people who care about them, who they can trust, who have their back, and this can enhance a young person's sense of self and confidence,” Chantal says.

She adds although there is often a draw towards being “popular,” when it comes to friendships, it is not quantity but quality that has a real impact.

How to help So how can you aid in making sure your children connect with the people that will help them be the best they can be?

It may be simpler than you think.

“Be curious about your child's interests and strengths.

Be curious about their current friends and what draws them to them,” says Chantal.

It can also be important for you to try to get to know your kid’s friend's parents beyond a polite hello.

Modeling social skills and interpersonal skills in all of your adult relationships is also crucial.

“These can be brief interactions such as while at the till of the grocery store… or over time such as youth watching parents interact with their own friends,” says Chantal.

It is also important to offer opportunities to meet new people with playdates, organized events, extracurricular activities, neighborhood block parties and attending events at places of interest.

Chantal says if you have identified gaps in specific skills that may be hindering your child from making friends, such as trouble with emotional regulation or managing disagreements, consider a class or group that focuses on these areas.

“Ultimately, the ability to make and keep friends is like many other skills – you have to live it to succeed and there isn’t necessarily a ‘right way’ to go about it.”

“No one likes me” How can you respond to your child if they tell you they are having trouble making friends?

First, be glad that they came to you about the problem.

Second, make them likely to do so again by listening to what they have to say.

“Listen and validate their experience – let them know you hear them and want to know what they have to say,” says Chantal.

“Help them label how they are feeling. Show empathy for what that feels like (e.g. lonely, sad, frustrating, boring, embarrassing, worried) before stepping into rescue or solution mode.”

All too often as a parent, we may be tempted to want to solve the problem and jump ahead. Without the intention to do so, this can leave children feeling misunderstood or dismissed. It is really important to take the time to listen, validate and understand. Perhaps even waiting for a separate conversation to look at possible resolutions.

At another time, see if they would be willing to brainstorm some ideas to resolve the situation together. This can come in the form of helping your children discover their interests and strengths and then thinking of ways to find others with similar hobbies. Is there a group in school or through a local library that focuses on a certain topic of interest? What about social media groups that bring people with that hobby together?

Bad influences How should you handle it if your child has made a friend that you don’t care for?

“When parents are not loving their child's friend choice it can be helpful to know, the more parents express an opinion about a friend, the more attractive it may make them,” says Chantal.

If you have a concern about a friendship your child or teen has, consider asking your child about what they like about this friend. What draws them to this person?

When voicing your opinion of the person to your child, try saying something like "I noticed when your friend is around you don't really have much room to voice your opinion" or "sometimes I worry when the two of you are together, that you don't always make the best choices."

Ultimately, the ability to make and keep friends is like many other skills – you have to live it to succeed and there isn’t necessarily a “right way” to go about it.

It is important to let your child know that transitions, changes and losses are all a natural part of friendships so they don’t feel like they are failing when these things occur.

Make sure you provide a safe place where they can feel comfortable to tell you about their relationships (the good and the bad) and don’t forget to really listen to what they have to say and work with them to help fix any problems. CCM

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 57

parent connection

things to do with your toddler when you’ve got a baby too Tips to help make the change from only child to older sibling more smooth

By Susan Scandiffio, Active for Life So you have a new baby on the way and a toddler at home?

The thought of how your toddler is going to accept a sibling into the family with as little challenge as possible is probably top of mind.

Up until now, they’ve been the star of the show!

They’ve been the solo act in the family circus. How will they possibly accept sharing the stage and the love of the audience?

Here are a few tips to ease the transition from your toddler being a solo artist to a band member, including loads of things you can do together!

As with any transition, two of the key elements to keep in mind are time and patience. Here’s some helpful advice to get you started.

Before the baby comes home The months leading up to the birth of your baby are a great time to prepare your older child for the arrival of their little brother or sister.

• There are some great books you can pick up at the library or book store about being a new brother or sister. Take some time to read with your child and answer any questions they might have. The more you read the books together, the more questions your child might have. Answer them as honestly, and as age-appropriately, as you can.

• Talk to your child about the fact that the new baby will be so lucky to have such a great big brother or sister.

• Show your child pictures of themselves when they were babies and talk about how perfect they were then and now.

• Involve your child in helping to set up the baby’s room. Perhaps they could suggest a paint color (you might want to give them a limited option of colors to be on the safe side!). Maybe your child could pick a picture of themselves to put on a bookshelf that they think the new baby might want to look at.

Let your child pick out a few things for the baby, such as a toy, a book, or an outfit. When the baby arrives, your child will be excited to let the baby know that they picked something out all on their own.

When the baby comes home: The first days • You may want to smooth the waters right off the bat by presenting your firstborn with a present from their new little brother or sister.

• Introduce your baby to your toddler and show them how to gently touch their new sibling. If your toddler wants to hold the baby, put them next to you and lay your newborn across your laps. Praise, praise, and praise again! Let your toddler know how well they’re doing and how much the baby is loving their care.

If you have friends and family who live close by, odds are good that you’ll have people who want to visit. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to visitors: • Accept any help that they offer! (Grandma, you’d like to bring us dinner tomorrow? Yes please!

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Neighbor, you’d be happy to mow the lawn and take the dog for a walk? The leash is at the door!)

And if no one offers? There’s no shame in asking!

If they bring gifts for the baby, let your older child have the job of unwrapping presents or save them to unwrap when the kids are in bed.

Ensure that your firstborn is getting their share of attention when the baby might seem like the reason for everyone celebrating. These first days might be ones when dad or a favorite relative or friend takes your child on a special trip to the park, on a bus, or for an ice cream.

There’s a possibility that toddlers will act out, cry more than usual, or that all potty-training success will go out the window. But by ensuring that they continue to feel your love and by attempting to keep them as close as possible to their routine, they will most likely come around quite quickly.

Just keep remembering the key elements in transitions – time and patience.

Beyond the first days When the visitors have left the building, it’s helpful to have plans in place. How can your older child be included into the daily baby routine? What will your child do while you’re feeding the baby?

Think ahead to plan time for one-on-one activities with your toddler. What can you do together?

Let your toddler be the helper By providing your older child with options of what they can do to help and thanking them repeatedly for doing such a great job, they’ll feel a real sense of pride.

Ask for your child’s advice about what they think the baby should wear. (Just make sure to provide them with a limited number of choices, or you might end up in an argument about why the baby can’t wear a snowsuit in the middle of July.)

Perhaps they could pick out a book to show the baby.

Or ask your toddler to bring you a diaper, to help dry off the baby after their bath, or to sing to the baby to keep them happy.

Keep everyone happy during feeding time Before you start feeding your baby, make sure your older child has a snack or drink and have them go to the potty. Feeding time can actually be a bonding activity for both of your children. As you feed your baby, you could read a book with your older child, give them their own baby doll to feed at the same time, snuggle, and talk.

If your child would rather play, have options such as crayons and coloring books, cars, blocks, stuffies, or play dough close to where you set up to feed.

Play games together while you’re feeding, like “Simon Says” or “I Spy”. Make up a scavenger hunt – can you find a blue toy, something round, etc.? Or, if you have a little bit of time to prepare in advance, you can try one of these six fun household activities for active toddlers.

Play “restaurant” and have your kids use their imagination to get you “a snack.” Can they put together a pretend sandwich or a bowl of spaghetti?

If it’s not raining or snowing and you’re comfortable feeding your baby outside, set yourself up in a spot where you can feed and your child can play. Have toys and activities set up in your yard such as sandboxes, trucks and cars, small slides, sidewalk chalk, or give your child paint brushes and water and let them “paint” the fences or ground.

One-on-one activities When my second child was about a month old, I called his pediatrician to book a follow-up appointment. As I was speaking with his doctor, I mentioned that I had managed to get him and his two-year-old sister to nap at the same time that day. She made me feel like I had won the lottery!

But she also warned me that they might never nap at the same time again. (Sigh…) But when your baby is napping and your toddler is awake, this is an excellent opportunity to spend quality time together.

Read a book, kick a ball back and forth, have your child tell you about their favorite things, set up some blocks and have an impromptu bowling game, have them do some stretching or yoga with you, enjoy some action songs together such as “The Hokey Pokey” or “The Wheels on the Bus” or sit and color.

Having one-on-one time with your child is a great reminder to them that they are special and very loved.

Together activities When both of your kids are awake, take advantage of good weather and head outside. Use a double stroller if you’re heading for a long excursion, or have your older child walk (or skip or gallop) while your baby is in a stroller or baby carrier.

Let your child know that they’re helping the baby learn and have them point things out to their sibling on a walk.

While you’re at home together, put your baby in a carrier, put on some favorite songs, and have a family dance party.

Let your older child take pictures of the baby with your phone (silly filters add immensely to the fun).

Your child can rock the baby gently in their swing and sing them songs. They can put on shows with their stuffed animals and entertain them (perhaps you could take a few minutes to lay on the couch to enjoy the show too!).

Key takeaways Caring for two children is a challenge. Be sure to take whatever time you can to look after yourself. If you only get enough time for a few pages of a book one day, another day you may have someone to watch the kids (hello, Grandma!) and take a solo walk or meet up with a friend for a visit.

And if the dishes or the laundry have to sit for an extra day or two, it’s perfectly fine! There are no awards (of which I’m aware) for best-maintained home.

Reprinted with permission from Active for Life. Active for Life is a nonprofit organization committed to helping parents raise happy, healthy, physically literate kids. For more articles, visit activeforlife.com. CCM

parent connection

medicine cabinet 101 Plan ahead to ensure you have what you need, when you need it

By Jason Chan Remillard Your medicine cabinet is an essential part of your family's day-to-day health. By planning ahead, you can make sure you have everything you need to take care of coughs, colds, stomach issues, pain, fever, skin issues, dental care, or any other middle-of-the-night emergencies.

Use this helpful list of medicine cabinet must-haves to take inventory of what you currently have and fill in what you don't. Here are some things that your medicine cabinet should contain: FIRST AID • Bandages, gauze pads, butterfly bandages • Antibacterial ointment (Polysporin®) • Tweezers (for sliver or tick removal) and scissors • Alcohol wipes and sanitizer • Thermometer • EpiPen® (if needed for serious allergic reactions) • Oral syringe for proper dosing of liquid medications SKIN REMEDIES Calamine lotion (for itching) • • One percent hydrocortisone cream (for rashes or insect bites) • Antifungal cream (for diaper rash, ringworm etc)

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Vaseline® (for dry skin and lips) Sunscreen (of at least SPF 30 or higher) Aloe vera gel (for sunburn)

COUGH AND COLD REMEDIES Nasal spray/drops/mist/Netipot (to rinse out • your sinuses) • Throat lozenges • Cough syrup and expectorants (to loosen mucus) • Decongestants (for sinus issues) and a vaporizer (obviously too big for the medicine cabinet, but keep it close by) STOMACH REMEDIES Pepto-Bismol® • • Antacids Imodium® (for diarrhea) • • Gravol® (anti-nauseant) • Lax-A-Day® (for constipation) PAIN REMEDIES Ibuprofen (inflammation/fever/pain), • • Acetaminophen (fever/pain) • Ice packs and a heating pad

Where should I keep my medicine?

Most medicine cabinets are in the bathroom, which is not an ideal place for medicines to be kept. Items that are not moisture and heat sensitive can be kept in this location, such as any first aid supplies. It is best to keep medications out of the medicine cabinet and away from the bathroom, as heat and humidity can affect medications and reduce their effectiveness. Ensure these medications have child-safe lids on them and are kept in a cool and dry location where a child would not be able to access them.

Expired medications You should also be regularly checking expiry dates on items in your medicine cabinet and any regular medications your family uses. Although expired medications are generally not harmful, they lose their effectiveness once they are beyond the expiration date.

I would recommend that you go through your medicine cabinet twice a year; perhaps time it with something like daylight savings time. Any expired medications you find should be properly disposed of. Do not flush medications down the toilet, dump them down the drain, or throw them in the garbage. All pharmacies Medicine Cabinet 101 – Continued on next page

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the six best parenting podcasts for every age and stage

A sampling of episode titles: Raising Kids Who Have a Sense of Autonomy with Stephanie Carlson The Brain on Cannabis – What You Need to Know When One Child Has Autism, What Happens With the Typically Developing Sibling? A Conversation With Shazi Visram

Learn how to grapple with parenting struggles on your commute

By Erika Holter, WordPLAY Consulting Long walks and podcasts go hand-in-hand. Which is why we have compiled a list of six top parenting podcasts (with a collective 813 episodes and counting) so you can work through your top parenting dilemmas while you get in your steps.

Good Inside with Dr. Becky Leading the list of parenting podcasts on Chartable is mom of three and clinical psychologist, Dr. Becky Kennedy. With new episodes dropping every week, Dr. Becky provides easily digestible advice on a range of topics, all with the goal of seeing the good inside us and our kids. Relatively new to the parenting expert scene, Dr. Becky didn’t even have an Instagram account in February 2020, but then shot to fame during COVID when homeschooling and lockdowns had parents searching for answers more than ever before.

A sampling of episode titles: It’s Okay If You Don’t Like to Play When Your Tween Is Rejected A Parent’s #1 Job Motherhood in Black & White Two Generation X moms (Kaanji Irby and Tara Campbell) from different worlds share their experiences as friends, suburban moms, and fans of 90s hip hop. As one fan states in her review, “Kaanji and Tara are having conversations all of us should be having. Whether you are laughing or nodding your head in contemplative agreement, I appreciate the authenticity of these two amazing women.”

A sampling of episode titles: The ABCs of CRT How to Talk to Kids About War Representation Matters: Shows Worth Streaming The Holderness Family Podcast American internet personalities and husband and wife team, Kim and Penn Holderness, got their start making YouTube parody videos (like the Thanksgiving-themed All About That Baste). With almost 200 episodes available

(and counting), Kim and Penn share their ups and downs, and playfully refer to themselves as a hot mess, a HolderMess, if you will.

Erika is owner of Buzz Communications, a Calgary-based communications consulting company, as well as a writer for WordPLAY Consulting. Every business, and every person, has a story and Erika loves to tell those stories. CCM

A sampling of episode titles: Things We Used to Believe Keeping Kids Safe Online with Roo Powell When To Push Through and When To Pause The Dad I’d Like to Friend (The DILF) Podcast With 181 five-star ratings on Apple Podcasts, this podcast has a super strong following. Originally started as a forum to build a network of dads, the podcast has grown to “become a global movement to unite moms and dads in the common goal of raising a happy and healthy future generation while bringing joy back to our homes.”

A sampling of episode titles: Dealing with Rejection from Your Child The Evolution of Fatherhood Facing Loss as a Parent Unruffled Podcast host, Janet Lansbury, is a former actress and model, mother of three grown children, and aspiring octogenarian hip hop dancer. Janet started the Unruffled podcast in 2015, and has over 200 episodes to date. Each episode addresses a different parenting issue through the lens of respectful parenting.

A sampling of episode titles: Boundaries That Encourage the Most Positive Sibling Relationships Choose Not to Battle with Your Child (Here’s How) Navigating the Playground with a Child Who Seems Too Physical, Shy, Huggy, or Bossy Raising Good Humans A new episode drops every Friday as podcast host, developmental psychologist Dr. Aliza Pressman tackles a range of issues and challenges. Taking a bigger picture lens at the journey of raising good humans, Dr. Aliza features both experts and parents on her podcast.

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Medicine Cabinet 101 – Continued from previous page

will take back “dead drugs” and send them off for proper and safe disposal. This also applies to any sharp items such as needles; however, these items should be brought to the pharmacy in a sharps container that you can get from your local pharmacy.

Ask your pharmacist Pharmacists are a great resource for help stocking and maintaining your medicine cabinet. They are also helpful with any dosing questions, especially for children’s medications, which should be dosed based on weight in most cases. Confirming that you are giving the right medication and the right dose at the appropriate times is something any pharmacist will be able to help you with.

Emergencies often happen at the most inconvenient times, so being prepared is important to ensure you can help with minor health conditions that don’t require a trip to the hospital. Talk to your pharmacist to make sure you have the right products in your medicine cabinet, you are storing medications in safe locations that will not damage them, and in a location that cannot be reached by children.

Editor’s Note: Always consult with a pharmacist or your doctor before taking or giving your children any new medications, and consider taking a First Aid course for basic instruction on wound care. If you’re not sure what to do, you can call Health Link at 811 for assistance 24 hours a day.

Jason is the owner and operator of Pharmasave On Northmount in Brentwood, Calgary. You can contact him and his team at 403-282-1208. CCM

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Tips to help make sure your family can get out safely

By Carol Henke, Calgary Fire Department Every year, children attending school (K to 12) participate in at least six school fire drills – three in the fall and three in the spring. This is mandated by the National Fire Code, Alberta edition. If you do the math, that is 78 fire drills during your child’s school years.

Children learn from a very young age exactly what to do when that distinct and loud alarm activates at school.

Virtually every time, and in mere minutes, children make their way safely and quickly out of their classroom to their designated meeting place in the schoolyard.

The situation is different at home where people feel most comfortable. At home is where you and your family may actually be at greatest risk of being seriously injured or dying in a fire. If a fire breaks out in your home, you may only have a few minutes to get out safely – if your smoke alarm activates. If your smoke alarm has expired or the batteries are dead or if the fire starts while you are asleep, you and your family’s chances of escaping safely are dramatically reduced.

The Calgary Fire Department recommends that you practice your home escape plan at least twice per year at unexpected times to keep the drill as realistic as possible.

This will help your family feel prepared and calm in the event of a real fire emergency.

The following tips will help you plan a home fire drill and practice your home escape plan: 1. Make a home escape plan by drawing a map of your home which shows all the doors and

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windows. If you live in a high-rise apartment or townhouse complex, include doors, windows and stairwells in common areas. Discuss the plan with everyone in the home.

Ensure you have two ways out of every sleeping area and that windows open easily. Consider investing in safety ladders for escapes from second or third floors (these can be purchased at home improvement centers). If you live in an apartment above the third floor, your two ways out are the exit stairwell on both ends of the hallway outside your unit.

To start the drill, set off your smoke alarms by pushing the test button (if your alarms are monitored, alert your monitoring company beforehand. Let close neighbors know you’re doing a test if you live in an apartment building or townhouse).

Make sure everyone practices escaping from bedrooms as drawn in your home fire escape plan. Reinforce to smaller children that they should never hide in case of a fire emergency.

Practice a variety of scenarios, such as trying different escape routes.

Practice feeling the area between the doorframe and the doorknob with the back of your hand to see if the door is warm.

7.

Practice escaping through the smoke by crawling on your hands and knees with your head one to two feet (30 to 60cm) above the floor.

8. Close doors behind you as you leave to slow down the spread of smoke and fire in a real emergency. Make sure your children know not to use elevators in the case of apartment fires.

9. Time the drill. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape from the time the smoke alarm sounds.

10. Make sure everyone meets at the designated spot and stays out of your home until the drill is over.

When deciding on a meeting place, choose a permanent fixture like a neighbor’s house, a tree or a streetlight that is a safe distance from your house.

If the alarm sounds and there is a real fire emergency: • GET OUT AND STAY OUT. Never go back inside for people or pets.

If you must escape through smoke, GET LOW AND • GO under the smoke to your escape route.

• CALL 9-1-1 from your meeting place outside of your home. Try to remain calm and give as much information to the 9-1-1 dispatcher as possible.

For more information on fire safety and fire prevention, please visit calgary.ca/fire or call 3-1-1. CCM

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2022 • calgaryschild.com • 61

home & lifestyle

Do you have a fire escape plan?

home & lifestyle

putting down roots What to look for in a new neighborhood Are you ready to make a move but not sure where in the city you would like to put down roots?

Researching a community and knowing which neighborhood is right for your family can be overwhelming. With so many choices, how do you know where to start?

A good place to begin is writing down the top five things you would like to have close by and the top five things you do not want and comparing each neighborhood you look at to these criteria. Here are some common priorities and some things to think about when you’re planning your big move: n Schools For those with kids, a good school for your child’s current age and promising options as they get older is usually one of the top priorities when looking for a new place to live.

Make sure you do your research on the school but do not base your decision solely on ratings and rankings as they can be misleading.

Talk to parents whose children go to the school. If you don’t know any personally, visit online social media sites.

Post to say that you are considering sending your child there and ask for feedback.

Also consider the school’s exact location in relation to available homes in your price range. If your child will need to walk by themselves, make sure it is a safe distance to do so – consider any major road crossings, playground zones or busy areas near the new school.

Don’t forget to visit the school in person and talk to the principal to get an idea of the physical and educational environment. Most schools offer information nights or tours to help you make your choice. n Getting around The saying goes that the most important thing about real estate is location, location, location – and we agree!

However, a close second is the transportation options available to get you in and out of the community: Is there a convenient bus route? Where are the • bus stops?

• If you drive, is there more than one entry and exit point to the community?

• What is the distance from your work and/or other places you go frequently, including family and friends?

• How far is the nearest hospital?

• If you travel out of the city or across the city regularly, where is the nearest major highway or traffic artery?

• Although this may not be as important if you work from home all or part of the time, visit the neighborhood during rush hour and see how long it takes to get in and out of the area at peak times. n Amenities When researching a community, check into what amenities are currently there as well as what is planned for the area. Consider what amenities and community resources are most important to your lifestyle.

• Do you like to walk to a coffee shop or brunch restaurant on the weekends?

• Would you like to have close access to a mall or movie theater?

• What about dining? Is there a family-friendly restaurant in the community?

62 • Find us on

“There are a lot of choices to make, but it can help to remember that only so many of them are makeor-break-it decisions.”

• • • • • •

Are you close to a gym, fitness facility or recreation center?

Where’s the nearest library?

Is there an active community association?

Maybe you prefer a farmer’s market to a grocery store. Is there one close by?

Are there places of worship for your family in the neighborhood, if applicable?

How about a golf course or lake?

Of course, no community will have all of these things, but knowing which ones are important to you can help you make your decision. n Parks and pathways If you are an active family who likes to walk, scooter or bike ride in your spare time, access to parks, playgrounds and pathways may be on the top of your list.

Look into how many parks and pathways there are in the area – not only the distance from your house, but whether it’s possible to safely walk to get there.

Does the neighborhood offer other outdoor recreational amenities that are important to you such as basketball hoops, a skatepark, rink, splash park, tennis courts or dog parks?

If the neighborhood doesn’t currently have these things, check with the developer or your real estate agent to see if they are planned for the area and how many years it may take for them to be up and running. n Other considerations These are all important things to consider, but there may also be other aspects that you should factor in: • Do you want to be close to friends and/or family?

• What childcare is available in the area?

• Have you always wanted a view of the city or mountains?

• Does the neighborhood feel safe at all times of day?

• Is proximity to cultural elements like galleries, festivals and museums important to you?

• What’s your tolerance for traffic and crowds?

Maybe the big city isn’t for you and you want to consider one of the smaller communities outside of Calgary.

There are a lot of choices to make, but it can help to remember that only so many of them are make-orbreak-it decisions. Remember that the neighborhood has to be right for your family; not your parents, not your friends, and not your coworkers, so take their opinions with a grain of salt.

Try not to get bogged down with all of the “nice to haves” and concentrate on the five things you really want and the five things you absolutely won’t accept to help you make your choice. CCM

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