CityParent – Greater Toronto Area – April 2021

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April 2021

Spring program and April Break CampOAK registration is open!

Register for fun recreation and culture programs for all ages and abilities at programs.oakville.ca.

Activities limited to those suitable to physical distancing and follow strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

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l i r p a contents 2021

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Leo Racioppo leo@mediaclassified.ca CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER John Racioppo john@mediaclassified.ca #L8Eɖ#4ɖ "# Mary Racioppo EDITOR Amanda Pereira

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DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA Lauren Reid-Sachs GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ASSISTANT MANAGER Alicesa Pullan E B"# H# 4 E ˅ BE ɖBE HH 88E #4 L8E Hannah Yarkony GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Johannah Lorenzo, Mike Terentiev, Alice Wu

History:

11-year-old closer to Olympic dreams

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FEATURE

FEATURE

TWEEN AGES 8-12

Columns

Activities:

Editor’s Note ................4

LÏà á¯âĒ ºÃâÃĶ ûö æÌ starting a home greenhouse with your child

Education Guide ........13

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April 2021

FEATURE Resources:

Expectant Fathers Diaper Genie Elite:

A fresh smelling nursery must-have

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ON THE COVER

The Playtex® Diaper Genie® Elite was designed to simplify parent’s diaper changing routine and lock in odours and bacteria. www.playtexbaby.com April 2021 | CITY PARENT

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EDITORS NOTE

up front

SPRING IS IN THE AIR Who else feels like skipping now that Spring is in the air? I, for one, do! I’m not a winter person and rarely venture outside in January and February —usually, I’d go somewhere warm. However, we all know why that balloon popped. So, what do I love about the Spring? Well, it leads into summer, Daylight Saving Time – which means longer days to enjoy outside – warmer weather on the rise, everything is blooming, and it becomes colourful again. Birds are chirping in the early morning light.

Everything vibrant and brighter. Knowing we are weeks away from getting the boat back in the water and being out on the lake under the bright sun and the sparkling ripples that look like diamonds on the surface of the water, it makes me feel alive and well.

Last year, being outdoors meant freedom without the freedom, if that makes any sense. I hope for many this does not change, especially for those with children.

And if you’re dreaming up activities, have you ever thought of bringing back the old and making them new again?

LÏÃóà ¯óà öæ á¯âĒ Íóïû ¯»ûÐďÐûÐÃöȣ ÜÐÛà ķ ĒÐâÍ ¯ ÛÐûÃȨ XÏÃâ Đ¯ö ûÏà ܯöû ûÐáà Ēæý ĐÃâû æýû ûæ ķ Ē ¯ kite or play frisbee? Do those words sound foreign

to anyone else? How about the hula hoop? Simple, easy, fun things to do while getting some exercise in and fresh air. There’s also always hopscotch.

Take a piece of chalk and head over to the driveway ¯â¿ ¿ó¯Đ æýû ûÏà ͯáÃȨ æâɚû ÌæóÍÃû ûæ Ķ â¿ ûÏà best stone to throw on the number for you to make your way up and remember no landing on the line.

Another great game you can use to draw out on the driveway is four squares. All you need is chalk and a ball. These are just a few things to introduce your kids that maybe be different but a whole lot of fun to keep them outdoors, and you don’t need to go far. You can either participate with them or watch them have fun with a cup of your favourite beverage and chair, without even the need to go anywhere. Here are a few links to see how to play these classic outdoor games. And remember Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be, will be. ȡ "æð H»æû»Ï – www.wikihow.com/Play-Hopscotch ȡ æýó Hòý¯óà – www.playworks.org/game-library/foursquare/ ȡ -Ðûà Ɍ www.instructables.com/A-Garbage-Bag-Kite/

Mary Racioppo Editor-In-Chief, City Parent

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CITY PARENT | April 2021

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FEATURE

skateboarding

ƴƴɑZ Eɑ8. .8H E L8 OLYMPIC DREAMS WORDS BY MARYLENE VESTERGOM For 11-year-old Fay Ebert of Toronto, being named to Canada’s National Skateboarding Team is just one step closer to competing ¯û ûÏà 8ÜĒáðлöȨ #Ì öÏà òý¯ÜÐĶ Ãöȣ Ðû will make her one of the youngest Olympians. However, with the summer 2021 Olympics in Tokyo still hanging in the balance, skateboarding remains on the verge of exploding to another dimension of Olympic legitimacy.

For Ebert, who loves the no rules part of the sport—she couldn’t ask for anything else.

She got her start when she was just eight years old after her father saw an ad for a skateboard camp at Impact Skateboard Club.

Today, she spends hours at CJ’s Skatepark in Mississauga with Trint Thomas, co-manager and master coach. cityparent.com

There are two Olympic skateboarding events: street, which takes place on an urban »ÐûĒ ðóæĶ Üà ûϯû Ðâ»Üý¿Ãö öû¯Ðóöȣ handrails, curbs, benches, walls, slopes; and Ebert’s specialty, called park, which takes place on a hollowed-out course with a series of complicated curves. However, to broaden her experience, she practices both disciplines.

“Fay is a natural to skateboarding,” says Thomas.

“When you watch Fay attack her tricks, it’s easy to see she has a high skateboarding IQ.” It’s her focus on the execution of the skill that raises her game.

“She doesn’t land one for the sake of landing it. When she does the trick, she wants it to look good and doesn’t like feeling out of

control. Her style is very powerful, ķ ýпȣ ¯â¿ öÏÃɚö ¯ºÜà ûæ ÃđÃóû ûÏÐö power and strength through her tricks, making it look effortless.

You have to see Fay to understand ÏæĐ öÏÃɚö ¯ºÜà ûæ ķ Ē Ðâ ûÏà ¯Ðó and manoeuvre herself from one trick to the next. Skateboarding is easier than walking for her.”

LÏà Ķ óöû ûÐáà ¯Ē Íæû æâ ûÏà ºæ¯ó¿ȣ Ðû Úýöû öÃÃáÿ ûæ Ķ ûȣ ¯â¿ û濯Ē öÏà ĐæýÜ¿ Ķ â¿ Ðû ϯó¿ ÐÌ Ðû wasn’t a part of her life.

“When she gets into a bowl, she can see her lines before they happen, and that’s where the visualization comes in,” says Thomas. “She’ll stand at the top ready to drop in with a plan in mind of the different areas she’s going to skate and where’s she’s going to perform her tricks. There is no wasted time. Not only does

she lay down her trick, she knows how to gain speed from them— there’s no pushing or pumping.

There is a smooth transition, yet she can exert speed and power through each trick to her advantage. That plays into her training and how she learns.”

For anyone wanting to give skateboarding a try, Thomas suggests checking out a few camps and learn to skate programs like those held at CJ’s Skatepark, where you can rent equipment. CJ’s has also expanded with virtual skateboard lessons. ºÃóû ö¯Ēö ÐÌ Ēæý ÜÐÛà ûæ ķ Ēȣ ÍÐďà it a try. “And don’t be afraid of how you look—everyone looks silly in the beginning, but if you keep trying, you’ll succeed.” cjsskatepark.com | @fayskate April 2021 | CITY PARENT

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FEATURE

history

EASTERS POPULAR SYMBOLS AND TRADITIONS WORDS BY LORRAINE PELLEY

Easter is a highly anticipated spring holiday that not only represents renewal and rebirth, but for many Christians, it is an important holy time that marks ûÏà »óý»ÐĶ đÐæ⠯⿠óÃöýóóûûÐæâ Jesus Christ. The holiday follows ûÏà öðóÐâÍ ÃòýÐâæđ öæ ûÏà Ãđ¯»û dates when Easter is celebrated each year varies between March and April. Many of North America’s popular symbols and traditions like the Easter bunny, egg decorating, Easter egg hunts, and chocolate bunnies or candyĶ ÜÜÿ »Ïæ»æܯûà ÃÍÍö ¯óà âæû found in the bible. So where did all these iconic Easter traditions and modern-day symbols come from?

The word Easter dates back to 13th century German folklore and is derived from the name Eostre, the pagan goddess fertility and rebirth. According to legend,

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CITY PARENT | April 2021

Eostre found an injured, cold bird and, while tending to the little animal, turned it into a rabbit so the fur would protect it from the cold. However, the rabbit, known as Osterhase, could still lay eggs and would hide its colourful eggs so children would have to look for them. Children started leaving ϯĒɍĶ ÜÜÿ º¯öÛÃûö æýûöпà ûÏÃÐó homes so Osterhase would have a place to put its colourful eggs.

Today, the Easter egg hunt and Easter baskets are still highly anticipated traditions of this festive holiday that children look forward to every year. Osterhase translated to Easter hare and then eventually evolved to Easter bunny.

These customs eventually made their way this side of the world when German families migrated to North American in

the 1700’s. Bunnies have remained a prominent icon of Easter because they represent fertility and rebirth. Real eggs have been a prominent symbol of Easter in part because during Medieval times in Europe, eggs were banned during Lent so they were an important part of the Easter feast at end of Lent.

Egg dying became popular because it is associated with Osterhase laying colourful eggs for ûÏà »ÏÐÜ¿óÃâ ûæ Ķ â¿Ȩ LÏà ûó¯¿ÐûÐæâ of dying eggs is also linked to the Bible. Mary carried eggs with her ĐÏÃâ ,Ãöýö Đ¯ö »óý»ÐĶ ÿȨ LÏà eggs later turned red after Jesus was resurrected.

Easter chocolates and eggs originated in France and Germany in the early 19th century. The tasty »æâÌûûÐæâ¯óĒ Ķ óöû ᯿à Ðûö Đ¯Ē to North America in the late 1800’s

and became a prominent symbol of Easter by the early 1900’s. .ÐÜÐÃöȣ ûÏà лæâл ķ æĐÃó æÌ Easter, are mentioned often in the Bible and represents the innocence and purity of both Mary and Jesus. Today’s Easter lily was originally from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish naturalist, discovered ûÏà ķ æĐÃó Ðâ ƴƺƺƺ ¯â¿ ºóæýÍÏû Ðû to both England and Bermuda by the mid-1800’s. It eventually made its way to Philadelphia where it was renamed the Easter Lily.

LÏà ĐÏÐûà ķ æĐÃó Ðö öûÐÜÜ ¯â лæâ symbol of Easter today because its representation of purity and innocence.

Although Easter symbols and traditions have evolved over time ûæ óÃķ ûû áæ¿Ãóâ ûóÃâ¿öȣ ûÏÃÐó origins date back hundreds of years.

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TWEEN ˍ H ƻɑƴƵ

activities

THE MANY BENEFITS OF STARTING A HOME GREENHOUSE WITH YOUR CHILD WORDS BY LORRAINE PELLEY Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, many homeowners have taken an interest in starting their own greenhouse. Food insecurities and rising prices, strict lockdowns, increased homeschooling, and people looking for home-based projects have all contributed to the growing popularity of greenhouse gardening.

GREENHOUSE GARDENS STIMULATE ALL THE SENSES. AS YOUR CHILD PLANTS THE SEEDS AND WATCHES THEM GROW, THEY WILL TOUCH DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND SURFACES. For parents, starting a greenhouse with their children has many social, physical, educational, and mental health ºÃâÃĶ ûöȨ ¯ó¿ÃâÐâÍ ĐÐûÏ your child not only provides an abundance of learning opportunities but it is a great way to spend quality time together away from screened devices. cityparent.com

A home greenhouse is great for your child’s development.

Starting and tending to a garden creates plenty of natural opportunities develop Ēæýó »ÏÐÜ¿ɚö Íóæöö ¯â¿ Ķ âà motor skills. From the initial preparations to harvesting your homegrown crop, your child will be digging, picking up and holding objects, pushing, pulling, planting seeds, turning, reaching, bending, and doing a variety of natural movements that are essential to their physical development. óÃÃâÏæýöà ͯó¿Ãâö öûÐáýܯûà all the senses. As your child plants the seeds and watches them grow, they will touch different textures and surfaces.

Visually, they will see the soil, and containers, watch as the produce grows and see the variety of colours, shades, and shapes of the various plants. While growing your garden, your child will smell the plants, the soil, and any fertilizers or plant food used. They will hear the natural noises that come from constructing a greenhouse, digging in the soil, watering the plants, and moving the pots from one location to the next. Once the plants grow, you can stimulate your child’s sense of taste while exposing them to healthier foods by eating your homegrown produce.

There are many academic ºÃâÃĶ ûö ûæ ϯďÐâÍ ¯ Ïæáà ÍóÃÃâÏæýöÃȨ ¯ó¿ÃâÐâÍ Ðö ¯

natural activity that can be used to teach your child about science, math, and literacy.

Math calculations can be used when planning and starting your greenhouse. Counting the plants and produce can be done throughout the growing season. óæĐÐâÍ ¯ ͯó¿Ãâ Ðö ûÏà ðÃóÌûû way to teach your child about life cycles, ecology, photosynthesis, the environment, diet, nutrition, and health. Literacy can be taught by asking your child to read the plant packet instructions or instructions found on how to build your own greenhouse and write labels for each row. óÃÃâÏæýöÃö ûï»Ï Ēæýó »ÏÐÜ¿ responsibility while building their self-esteem. Watching a

small seed that you planted and cared for grow into a beautiful, ķ æýóÐöÏÐâÍ ðܯâû Ðö ďÃóĒ ö¯ûÐöÌĒÐâÍ and promotes feelings of accomplishment for both you and your child.

There are many options when it comes to planning your greenhouse. If you have the space and desire, you can build a greenhouse in your yard or a designated spot in your home.

For those wanting smaller greenhouses, there are many DIY mini greenhouses you can make using inexpensive and recycled á¯ûÃóЯÜöȨ XÐûÏ ¯ÜÜ ûÏà ºÃâÃĶ ûö of starting a home greenhouse, it’s not surprising that it has become one of the more popular home-based activities during the pandemic.

April 2021 | CITY PARENT

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April 2021 | CITY PARENT

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COOL ˍ HLN

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COOL THINGS

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CITY PARENT | April 2021

Soccer Slider Soccer Slider, indoor soccer ĐÐûÏæýû ûÏà Ķ ÃÜ¿ æó ÏïóÐâÍ áæá ö¯Ēȣ ɗ æâɚû ðܯĒ º¯ÜÜ Ðâ ûÏà ÏæýöÃȨɘ "æýóö æÌ ö¯Ìà Ìýâ ᯿à æÌ öæÌû Ìæ¯á öÜпÃó ÍÜпÃö æďÃó öáææûÏ öýó̯»Ãöȣ ðó¯»ûлà ¯Üæâà æó »æáðÃûà ¯Í¯Ðâöû ÌóÐÃâ¿öȣ ᯿à ºĒ æÜЯûÏ HðæóûöȨ ɱƴƷȨƼƼ ¯á¯ĕæâ cityparent.com

FEATURE

resources

EXPECTANT FATHERS WORDS BY MARYLENE VESTERGOM Did you know according to research on BabyCenter.ca, 88 per cent of millennial dads feel it’s at least somewhat important to be the “perfect dad” – a higher percentage than millennial moms.

But where do these dads go for advice?

Walk into any bookstore and check online; the resources for mothers-to-be are plentiful.

Parenting references still focus on the mothers with fathers often in supporting roles, but that is changing.

Drew Soleyn, director of Dad Central Ontario (which promotes father involvement as part of the Canada-wide Dad Central network), points out that’s why Dad Central exists. For over 20 years, it has built a network of resources for dads and organizations that connect, inspire and train dads and communities to build healthy children and families.

“It started with the recognition that fathers play an important role in healthy child development,” says Soleyn. “In 2007, there was a research study published in Canada that we affectionately call the convincers.

It was essentially a summary of all the research that validated that when fathers are actively involved in raising children, it helps in their development and adds tremendous value to their lives. Dad Central has focused on building the research credibility in »æááýâл¯ûÐâÍ ûÏà ÛÃĒ Ķ â¿ÐâÍö to help people understand and view fathers as vital to parenting cityparent.com

and also educating those organizations that serve families about the importance of fathers.”

Dad Central has helped change the conversation by advocating for fathering programs that serve dads’ needs – which are different from mothers.

Men may not be sharing the physical changes, but they deal with the emotional and psychological adjustments while making that transition into fatherhood.

Although becoming a father can be a rewarding experience, it is also stressful, according to the 2019 Movember study. Seven in 10 (70 per cent) fathers say that their stress levels increased in the 12

months after becoming a father Ìæó ûÏà Ķ óöû ûÐáÃȨ ɗ#ûɚö ¯ »Ï¯ÜÜÃâÍÐâÍ time for men,” says Soleyn. “They experience a loss of friendships, connection, changing expectations, extra demands, balancing the pressure of work and family and the expectations of being a more involved father. And depending on the dad-to-be, it ranges Ìóæá Ãđ»ÐûÃáÃâû ûæ ûÃóóÐĶ ÿ ¯â¿ everything in between.”

To help, Dad Central created NewDadManual.ca, written by and for new dads. It includes a free downloadable manual called 24HR Cribside Assistance, written in a car manual style with sections called Low Fuel Warning, Under the Hood, etc., with information

supported by Peel Public Health and Public Health Canada. “It’s Ēæýó âÃĐ Ïýá¯â á¯âý¯Ü Ķ ÜÜÿ with tips, links to videos with experts and dads sharing insights.”

DadCentral.ca is also an excellent place for fathers at any point in fatherhood to connect with other dads. You don’t have to face this journey alone. You can help write the manual for other dads by sharing and being a part of this “village” of men becoming fathers – for better or for worse.

And if you’re looking for other resources, check out local meetups and other sites like: ȡ ĒæýâÍð̯ûÏÃóöȨæóÍ ȡ »¯öÃĒð¯ÜáÃóȨ»æá ȡ áÃâÍÃûðóÃÍâ¯âûûææȨ»æá April 2021 | CITY PARENT

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Contact us at 416-730-0025 www.nannyangelnetwork.com

Register online today!

nannyangels

Call 647 484 4372 or visit plasp.com

Enter our Sign-up to Win Contest!

A CAR SEAT’S JOURNEY WITH ATMO

YOU COULD WIN A

CRAFTSMAN® 20V MAX CORDLESS TOOL COMBO KIT!

WHAT DOES A PARENT DO WHEN A CHILD CAR SEAT EXPIRES OR DAMAGED

TAKE CAR SEAT TO ATMO

THROW CAR SEAT TO LANDFILL ¼ of a million car seats in Ontario go to landfill

Retail Value

CRAFTSMAN® 6-PIECE TOOL COMBO KIT WITH 2 BATTERIES

449.99

$

Enter Online:

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VS.

ATMO Recycles or repurposes your expired or damaged car seats

ATMO A CANADIAN NOT FOR PROFIT. Learn how to recycle your child car seat or visit ATMO.ca Ontario to see the full program.

CONTACT: GRAHAM - 647.391.0337 (Ontario)

12

CITY PARENT | April 2021

Two Prizes awarded annually to entrants of City Parent

1 LESS SEAT, 1 WORLD 2 KEEP™

www.craftsman.com |

@craftsmantoolsca cityparent.com

EDUCATION

Fun To Learn Montessori School Now two campuses to serve you!

• 1840 Argentia Road, Mississauga, ON • 2438 Glengarry Road, Mississauga ON (inside New Hope Church)

Where Learning is Fun!!!

• For ages 15 months to 6 years • Book your personalized virtual tour today!

• ESTABLISHED 2004 • Accredited Montessori School by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA)

“We do not prepare the child for school but for life” – Maria Montessori We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and caring environment for your precious little ones based on Montessori philosophy.

• Fully-licensed, safe and secure, • Adhering strictly to covid policies by Ontario health • Authentic Montessori Education • Qualified, caring staff • French, Music • Homemade Nutritious snacks and hot meals • Daily updates through parental app • Large, natural playground • Happy children, satisfied parents

COME THRIVE WITH US

Fun filled summer camp for the months of July and August available on weekly basis Learn more by visiting our website at www.funtolearn.org or call us today Argentia campus – 905.812.9606 Erindale campus – 905.276.9606

Imagine a Child…

Now imagine this is your child

Join us

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;9DD MK 9L ,).%,,.%(0*- OOO&?AD=KK;@GGD&;9 0( K;9JK<9D= J<& F=9J QGJC EADDK D=KDA=! cityparent.com

OPEN HOUSES SPRING 2021 April 6 | May 4 | June 1

WillowWoodSchool.ca • 416 444-7644

LEARNING TO BE WORLD READY: International Innovative & Inclusive ,PPHUVHG LQ )UHQFK beginning at age 2 EHFRPH ELOLQJXDO LQ )UHQFK DQG (QJOLVK

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Registration open for SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMPS

Clanmore CHANGES the way they see the WORLD. Preschool, Elementary And Middle School Programs Available.

For more information contact us

905.337.8283 www.clanmore.ca April 2021 | CITY PARENT

13

EDUCATION

Hamilton District Christian High

500 Students One Learning Community 3URIHVVLRQDO &KULVWLDQ HGXFDWRUV LQYHVW LQ VWXGHQWV· OHDUQLQJ FKDUDFWHU DQG VSLULWXDO JURZWK UHVSRQGLQJ WR HDFK VWXGHQW·V XQLTXH JLIWV Students develop collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking skills through project-based learning that grapples with real-world problems and needs.

“Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.”

For more information or a tour

call

905.648.6655

or visit

www.hdch.org/apply

Bring your Education into Focus • Small class size with a focus on academic excellence • Individualized attention and relational teaching • Concentrated approach to Math, Science, Technology and Art • Flexible timetabling with ongoing admissions • Day, night and summer school options available

WHY CHOOSE PICKERING COLLEGE? “It is a supportive community that while encouraging the pursuit

416.482.2521 info@cityacademy.ca www.cityacademy.ca

of academic excellence it strives to ensure our youth develop social responsibility, strong character, leadership skills, empathy, compassion and provides tools they will need to be valuable contributors to society.” – Current PC parent

Visit us online to learn more: www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/cityparent

115 – 1910 Yonge St, Toronto 14

CITY PARENT | April 2021

cityparent.com

VIRTUAL TOURS

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

ONLINE SHOPPING

Zoo Connectionz

Bring the Zoo into your home, business, or community group and learn about the wonderful wildlife while having a little fun too! The Zoo offers multiple ways of connecting with animals and learning all about them from the comfort and safety of your own device.

Visit torontozoo.com for updates about Zoo operating hours and to plan your Zoo Connectionz today!