1. Read to your child as soon as they can focus on a book in front of them.  Although they may not understand the finer points of the story, they are learning concepts of print:  how to hold a book, how to turn the pages, where to start a book.  As they grow older, they’ll begin to understand that the words on the page carry a message which is linked to the pictures in the book.

2.  Allow your child to turn the pages and touch the book – books with different textures or flaps they can open will increase their interest and allow for their need to move and explore.

3.  Expose your child to the cadences of language – read with expression and try different voices when characters are talking.  If you’re reading a rhyming book, let your child guess the word at the end of the line (ie. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam I…..).  If there is repetition in the book, let your child recite the repeating lines (”Bang, bang, rattle, bang-bang, gonna make my noise all day!”).

4.  Do not limit reading to bedtime.  Seek out reading experiences in the real world – read signs and posters around the neighbourhood.  Children can recognize “stop” on a stop sign or the name of favourite restaurant.  Have them read cereal boxes, shopping lists, price tags and toy store flyers.  You may even want to make labels with your child for things around the house like “chair,” “window,” “fridge” etc.

5.  When your child is beginning to read simple books, let them use the picture to help make sense of the words on the page.  Many parents make the mistake of covering up the picture, but at this early stage, children need to use a variety of different strategies to figure out the text.

6.  Allow your child to read many different types of texts:  fiction, non-fiction, magazines, the internet, comic books etc.  Boys, especially will appreciate outside the mainstream books like Captain Underpants or The Day My Butt Went Psycho.  And don’t worry if they’re just looking at the pictures.  Think about how adults browse at the bookstore – we flip through the pictures, read a few captions – it’s a very real way of reading.

7.  When your child is reading by themselves, listen to them read out loud, but be cognizant of when it is becoming too difficult or they’re getting tired.  Offer to finish reading, or share the reading.  And once they’ve started reading books by themselves, don’t give up on you reading to them.  Choose books they might not be able to read independently, like novels, and read a little bit each night.

8. If you find your child is struggling to read the books they’re bringing home from school, talk to the teacher.  Children will learn to read and enjoy reading if they read books that give them some challenges (figuring out a few new words), but they may become discouraged if they are spending most of their time decoding words and therefore will lose the meaning of what they are reading.

Steph Dawson is an elementary school teacher in Toronto with a specialist qualification in Reading.

UM: Katherine, considering how profound role modeling is at this age, what do you look for in a new teacher?
KD: First and foremost, I look for a positive minded person who full of enthusiasm – someone with an authentically loving, joyful nature. I also look for someone who respects others and treats others the way they want to be treated.

If I was going to make a shopping list of qualities, I say joyful, loving, positive, patient, understanding, compassionate, confident, creative, encouraging, enthusiastic, forgiving and respectful

UM: What do you think makes a good role model?
KD: A good role model needs to be able to make mistakes and recover confidently. Nobody’s perfect. We want people to know that everyone makes mistakes and it’s not the end of the world. So I look for someone who embodies forgiveness as well.

A good role model also demonstrate confidence in themselves and in the people they are inspiring. I still remember teachers who believed in me and encouraged an expression of myself without judgment. I hope that I hire teachers who help children to celebrate who they are.

UM: Elisa, as a new teacher, what makes a good role model?
E: Putting positivity into a learning experience and offering a positive influence to those you’re in contact with. It’s also important to provide a safe environment where it’s ok to make mistakes and take risks. I salute the parents who come in allow themselves to be vulnerable and model for their children and share their experiences with the group. I think a role model needs to be supportive.

UM: Who have been good role models to you?
E: Well it might sound cliché but my Mom has been a good role model to me because she’s always made learning fun and allowed me to feel supported and confident in the choices I made. My mother taught me that making learning fun is the best approach – learning without knowing that you’re learning!

UM: What qualities about you make you a good role?
E: I sincerely like to have fun. I’ve had a lot of experience around children and everything I’ve done seems to involve kids so it’s easy for me to bring out my fun, enthusiastic side and find those qualities in myself that kids will look up to. And I think of my mom and what she’s taught me about learning.

I also think I’m good at putting people at ease when they walk in so that they feel comfortable being there and participating.

While it is important to have a good role model in the teacher, the parent is the best role model for any child, which is why classes with active parent participation are an excellent choice for families with young children. The teacher becomes not only a good role model for the child, but also for the parents.

UM: Parents need support and encouragement too!

Talk is one thing. Actually being involved is far more powerful. Kids start to feel, ‘this is what our family does’ which is much more profound learning than this is what I do once a week for fun. Role modeling is a powerful force in any young child’s life. Planning these kind of character building activities will draw the family together and create a common ground for social and emotional development.

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
- James Baldwin, an American novelist, writer, playwright, poet, essayist and civil rights activist.

Space still available at in the West Side Music Together’s fall session and registration begins starting August 2nd.  Classes take place at St. Stephen’s church across from the new West Vancouver Community Centre.

WestSideMusicTogether.ca

Core Education and Fine Arts is Canada’s first Junior Kindergarten School.  It was begun by Natacha Beim, a vibrant and brilliant teacher who saw a need to prepare children more thoroughly for kindergarten.  Internationally (in France, England, China, Japan and many other countries), pre-kindergarten programs are standardized and children are given essential tools that set them in good stead for future education.  The CEFA program is unique in Canada because it follows the international standard for pre-kindergarten learning.  Parents have the choice of enrolling their preschoolers from 2-5 days per week, and classes run from 7:30 – 6pm.  It is highly recognized for its leading academic program, as well as its excellent curriculum in the fine arts and athletics, designed to develop and challenge young children intellectually and physically.  The well-rounded and flexible offerings enable a child to acquire knowledge in many different ways, as no child learns in exactly the same way as another.

“The decision to participate is the child’s, which emphasizes one of CEFA’s  goals: to give the child autonomy and responsibility over his or her education ( I learn because I like to learn ). Creating a passion for learning in life is an essential step in your child’s learning path.”

UrbanMommies toured one facility (there are currently 9 in BC) and we were super-impressed.  Arts are explored, languages are learned, and children are taught at their own pace but within a beautiful structure that apparently results in the exceptional behaviour I witnessed in the elevator.

Drama, Yoga, French. Culture Immersion (who wouldn’t want to try on clothes from all over the world?)..  The school also includes a a gym painted to resemble a circus, a cinema, art room and library.  A resident chef prepares breakfast and lunch for teachers and students, and a fitness trainer is also on hand.  Despite the uniforms, chef and excellence, the place is not in the least bit snooty – just in case you’re wondering.

“Each child has a schedule, drawn to reflect his or her unique abilities and made up by CEFA in consultation with parents. The schedule is broken up by play times, family time, project time, relaxation, naps and movies as well as breakfast and lunch. Every week, the children can also look forward to field trips.”

One of the great things about CEFA is that because it is an educational program, working parents are able to deduct tuition expenses to a maximum of $7000 per year, per child. This amount is directly deducted from the earnings of the lower income-earner in the household when filing your taxes.

Creating Renaissance-kids, exposure to fitness, languages, arts, an international learning standard, a chef and naptime too.  Heaven.  If only every child throughout Canada could have the opportunity to develop in such a special environment!  We’ll cross our fingers for more expansion and keep you posted.  In the meantime, I’m off to yoga.  Must not be eclipsed by my preschooler.

www.cefa.ca

Photo features Ms. Natacha Beim and was provided by CEFA.

For other approaches on schooling, check our Waldorf and Montessori articles.

Kwanzaa

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are:

*  Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity
Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race.

*  Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination
To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny.

* Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility
To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community.

*  Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

*  Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose
To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).

* Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.

* Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith
Believing in our people, our families, our educators, our leaders, and the righteousness of the African American struggle.

We encourage you to light some candles, continue to dine on traditional family meals, and embrace other cultures.  There is always so much to learn and teach your kids.

Canadian Legends you should know enough about to teach your kids:

1. The RCMP Musical Ride
2. Lord Simcoe
3. General Wolfe
4. The Group of Seven
5. The Queen
6. The Bluenose
7. Winnie the Pooh
8. Hudson’s Bay Company
9. The Metis
10. The Halifax Explosion
11. The Ripple Rock
12. The War of 1812
13. Pier 21
14. Wampum
15. Anne of Green Gables
16. The Fundy Tides
17. Permafrost
18. Joual
19. General Montcalm
20. The Loyalists
21. Billy Bishop
22. The Great Lakes
23. Upper and Lower Canada
24. Montreal Smoked Meat
25. The Governor General
26. Stanley Park
27. The Senate
28. The Rocky Mountains
29. Mosquitoes
30. Bre-x
31. Portaging
32. How to paddle a canoe
33. Residential Schools
34. the Seal Hunt
35. Peacekeeping
36. Eh
37. Conservatives, Liberals, the NDP and the Green Party
38. The Bloc Quebequois
39. Plains of Abraham
40. French and English
41. Canadian Tire Money
42. Two Versions of our Anthem
43. Tim Horton’s
44. Remembrance Day
45. WW1
46. WW2
47. Conscription
48. Prohibition
49. The Great Depression
50. Why Alberta pays no provincial tax
51. Oil Sands
52. Beaver Dams
53. The First Nations
54. Alexander Graham Bell
55. Universal Health Care
56. Don Cherry
57. Ice Fishing
58. The Order of Canada
59. The Stratford Festival
60. Toronto International Film Festival
61. The longest unguarded border in the world
62. CBC
63. Icewine
64. Canada vs. Russia
65. Lacrosse is our National Sport
66. The Second City
67. The Original Six
68. Cirque de Soleil
69. Ben Johnson
70. Montreal Exhibition
71. Calgary Olympics
72. Whistler
73. McGill University
74. Distinct Society
75. Free Trade
76. Fringe Festivals
77. Sociable
78. Molson and Oland
79. The Navy
80. Toronto Film Festival
81. Algonquin Park
82. Banff Springs National Park
83. Gold Rush
84. Dogsledding
85. The Globe and Mail
86. The National Post
87. The Giller Prize
88. The Voice of Fire
89. Canada Council for the Arts
90. Melting Pot vs. Mosaic
91. Representation by Population
92. Canada Day
93. The Moose
94. The Beaver
95. The Trans Canada Railway
96. The Titanic
97. The meaning of the icons on our coins and bills
98. The Muskoka Chair
99. Digby Scallops
100. Lumberjack shirts

Image:

Painting by Lawren Harris  titled ‘Greenland Mountains’
Painted circa 1930 – An Oil on Canvas, 107.4 x 128.4 cm. Purchased in 1936 National Gallery of Canada

(no. 4279)

1. Photos on the walls provide a lesson on the monarchy and the history of our country. (History)
2. Hallways are great for racing as fast as you can (Phys-ed)
3. The stately brass elevators, plushly carpeted, are fun to ride. (Recess)
4. The brass mailboxes were one of the highlights of my childhood.  You can drop a letter on the 10^th floor, and it will end up in the mailroom in the basement.  (Laundry chutes are pretty exciting too.)  (Physics).
5. At the Empress, you can watch the horse drawn carriages by the harbour, see boats, and are steps away from the provincial Pariament Buildings (Political Science, Art)
6. Many of the restaurants, such as the Bengal Lounge, provide cuisine that is authentic to British Colonies (Gastronomy, History)
7. We couldn’t discuss a stay at the Empress without mentioning the famous afternoon tea.  (British History, and an excuse to eat sweets before dinner).

Fairmont Hotels are all really great for families. (We’re not being paid in any way to endorse them by the way!)

1. Dogs are allowed, and they provide beds and treat bags for them.
2. Not only are cribs provided for children, but they give you a special gift bag filled with bath toys and a stuffed animal.
3. Many provide complimentary bicycles for exercise, and some even had canine mascots that you can take for a walk.

We’re not suggesting home-schooling your kids or anything, but go on a trip like this each year, and you could save a pile of money on tuition and extra-curricular activities.

If you are looking for more activities, see our Family Things to do with Kids in Victoria article.

Jill Amery is the mother of two and looks for a bunch of excuses to stay at nice places.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
Photo: Copyright Casa Enterprises Inc.  www.casacollection.ca

1. Become a Match-Maker

The first role we can play is match-maker. We all know people who are natural at this, connecting people together seamlessly with little effort. You don’t have to have a good track record at match-making to help your child with this; in fact, my sister has still not forgiven me for many of the dates I set her up on. Match-making means you endear two parties to each other. Using the person’s name is helpful and if you have had any dealings with them emphasize your positive feelings about them. Let your child know that this new person will take care of them and that you trust them to do so. In essence you are passing the attachment baton on from your care to that of the new person. When your child looks at you and sees you are favourable towards their teacher, school or new surroundings, then this will go far in setting up everyone for a successful take. You can also orient them and familiarize them with their new surroundings, driving by the school or playing in the playground. One of my friends got a bunch of the Mom’s and kids together for a dry run in walking to kindergarten and having a picnic at the school. All of these things help your child see the new surroundings and the people in it as a welcome and safe place to be.

2. Bridge the gap between the old and the new

New people in love know all about the second means of helping people hold onto each other when apart. Do you remember wanting any belonging of the person you first fell in love with? I look back now and think good grief … what did I ever want with that argyle sweater of his? Of course I was under the spell of that intense attachment that only exists in relation to new loves and new babies but there is method in all of this madness that is worth taking note of. For younger children especially, the separation with parents can be perceived as great and so we can help them by providing bridges to us that they can hold onto. Bridges can be anything, from possessions, to sentiments, to kisses in the palm of their hands.  One of my friends gave her son a picture of her to put in his back pocket. He would tell her that when he missed her he would take it out and kiss her face. As her picture became well worn, he became well settled in his new school surroundings. The idea of a locket with your picture in it or the Kissing Hand Book by Audrey Penn, are all bridges to help your children keep you close even when apart. When they feel your presence close to them they may feel more at home in their new surroundings and less anxious. Another bridging strategy is to focus on your return and not on your leaving when saying goodbye. This might mean telling them what you will do later such as go shopping or make dinner. Focusing on when you will be together makes the distance between you smaller.

3. Deepen your attachment

The final means of helping your child adjust to their new surroundings is to deepen your relationship with them so that they have a wealth of attachment energy to spring forth into their new surroundings. The deeper the attachment, the more they are able to withstand separation because they have many means of keeping you close, from sameness all the way through to being known by you. Each year up until the age of 6 (approximately), children can develop ways of keeping those they love most close to them. For a two year old this is harder developmentally and thus we can see more separation anxiety in younger children as a result. Deepening your relationship is always better for everyone involved, and research shows the expression of delight, enjoyment and warmth is the most effective means of doing this. Finding projects that you can do with your child outside of school can go a long way but anything that finds you connecting with them will do the job.

Change and new beginnings are a part of life: for the Mom who leaves her child on the doorsteps of kindergarten to the Mom who waves goodbye to her university-bound teenager. This September when I know my children are safely settled in their new surroundings, I will add my sighs of relief to the collective parent pool. I will then turn inwards to face the reality that my children are growing up, as they should, and that my Mother’s heart both grieves and celebrates each of their new beginnings.

- Deborah MacNamara Ph.D. is a Vancouver Parent Educator and Consultant
www.macnamara.ca
(604) 802-1377

Baby equipment rental companies can now be found in every major city across Canada and the US. They provide travelling families with the equipment they need to make their stay comfortable -  from car seats to highchairs, from strollers to playpens and more.  They can even supply diapers and baby food if required.  If you like to travel light  (or as light as is possible with young children), consider renting what you need at your destination.  Often times, you’ll find the rental companies carry better brands and newer models than what you have at home, so baby will feel like she’s vacationing in style!  Comfort breeds contentment (and what’s not to love about content kids).

To rent baby equipment, research companies in your destination city. The New Parent Guide has a comprehensive list for North America and elsewhere. Browse the rental company’s website or give them a call to discuss what you need to rent and for how long. Decide in advance where you would like your gear delivered (to the airport or to your hotel, for example) or if you’d like to have someone pick it up for you (if that’s an option). There may be a delivery fee in addition to your rental costs. Ask about any packages or special offers they may have. Call to book your gear well ahead of time if you are travelling during peak season to avoid disappointment.

When making a reservation, you’ll be asked to sign a rental agreement and liability waiver and will be required to give a credit card number. The agreements outline the terms under which the items are rented. The equipment you rent should be clean, in full working order and CSA/JPMA approved. This goes for baby gear that you use anywhere – from car rental agencies to hotels to grandma’s house. If you have any doubts, don’t use it. All reputable baby equipment companies will monitor for product safety recalls and safety inspect every item between uses. If you return an item that is excessively dirty or is damaged beyond usual wear and tear, expect to pay an additional fee. If your travel plans change, and when travelling with little ones anything can happen, try to call the rental company as soon as possible to inform them of the changes.

The owners of baby equipment rental companies are parents, too. Usually they have travelled extensively with their own children and can offer advice on what to pack and what to rent. They can help out with any equipment questions and even offer travel planning advice. So next time you travel as a family, call the pros and pack light, safe in the knowledge that all your baby needs will be taken care of at your destination.

Renting baby equipment makes sense for many reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons people call Little Traveller:

- I need a car seat for my rental car
- My grandkids are coming to town and I need some essential baby gear
- I like the convenience of getting the gear I need delivered to the airport/hotel/grandma’s house
- I’m travelling alone with my kids and I can’t manage to bring everything
- I need some toys to keep my little ones amused at the hotel
- I want to rent a CARES airplane harness to keep my child safe on our next flight
- I need some child-friendly equipment to take my kids hiking or camping
- I’d really like to try out a piece of expensive equipment before I buy one

- Kara Turnner is the mother of two seasoned little travellers and the owner of Little Traveller baby equipment rentals in Calgary. Contact Kara for more information at kara@littletraveller.ca / 1-877-242-4067 / www.LittleTraveller.ca

Photo: the Bugaboo Chameleon.

- stimulates independent thinking
- encourages physical movement and growth
- helps young children develop social awareness and responsibility
- promotes healthy self-esteem

The environment encourages children to reach their own unique potential at their own pace, all the while allowing them to express their natural joy of learning, whether they are working, playing, studying or exploring.

Children are encouraged to explore their passions and interests in a loving, patient and nurturing environment, all while their directresses support their development of a solid foundation in the core academic areas of language, mathematics and culture. Children are introduced to these core academic areas with engaging and interactive multi-sensory materials that harness their natural developmental needs to see, hear, touch and move.

For more information on the Montessori system see our Montessori method article here.

“Show me, and I’ll remember today
Teach me, and I’ll remember tomorrow
Allow me to discover, and I’ll remember
Forever!”

www.tiddlycovemontessori.com
4773 Picadilly South, West Vancouver
604-925-2028

EnvironmentalDefense.com

Newswire.ca

-Danica Longair