Cascade Heights StrongStart

learning in the spirit of wonder and joy

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Community Resources

I hope you’re all keeping safe. As we’re all being asked to stay close to home, there are still some resources that you can access from the comfort of your own home.

Information Children:  

Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers: April 16-May 21, Fridays from 1-3pm; Starting this Friday we will be exploring the unique challenges that parents of children under 5 ncounter as their little ones move through the toddler and preschool years. Registration via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuf-yurDguEtC9MZx4cnvblhiic_-1Vc5Q

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Online Family Storytime: April 1-29, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6pm. Registration via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcO6ppjkjHtIbjkhXpDLV2pJI5kCpOCe7

 

 

 

 

Resources and a message from Anita Olson, our Early Childhood Community Consultant:

Another beautiful sunny day for us to enjoy! Remember to stay sun safe out there:

Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB SPF of 30 or more

Keep the babies out of the sun as best you can – babies 6 months and under are not recommended to use sunscreen

Stay hydrated – drink lots of water.

For more sun safety information, check out The Parenting Place Blog!

Family Services of Greater Vancouver is offering some great virtual community programs – check out the attached poster for all the details. Children’s programing , parenting groups and single mom’s group – if you are interested and would like to register call 604-368-2154 or email ceds-nw@fsgv.ca

Purpose Society is offering a Digital Inclusion Hub with 1-on-1 support, access to the internet and devises every Thursday from 1-4 PM. Book an appointment to secure a spot by calling 604-526-2522 or email Sydney.andrews@purposesociety.org – check out the attached poster for all the details.

NewWest_CEDS_2021_SpringProgramFlyer

 

Anita Olson (she/her) ECE, BA, MEd

Early Childhood Community Consultant

T 604 525 9144

M 604 723 9548

3rd Floor – 321 Sixth Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3A7

www.fsgv.ca

 

 

 

 

Sleeping Bunnies

Thank you to those families that have already shared their photos of “Happy moments” with me over the Spring Break. My last blog post before Spring Break has more details. This will be an ongoing project, so you still can join us. As you share more, our Book of Happiness will grow. I look forward to seeing more stories of joy through your lens.

Please join me in singing, “Sleeping Bunnies” with me today.

Click HERE to sing-a-long with me.

 

 

Here’s more resources from Anita Olson, our Early Childhood Community Consultant:

Join Strong Minds Strong Kids, Psychology Canada for another informative and free webinaron April 7th 10 AM – 11AM PST. Dr. Anna MacKinnon will present, The Shadow Pandemic: Wellbeing of Pregnant Persons, Parents, and Families during the COVID-19 concentrating on emotional regulation and healthy coping for parents/caregivers and children. If you are interested in attending click here to register.

Information Children is still offering their wonderful online story times! Join them online for a 30-min interactive story time with songs and easy art activities! Suitable for ages 18-months-5 years old. Register here, via the attached poster, email info@informationchildren.com or call 778.782.3548.

 

The Power of Play – Book a Wednesday morning one-on-one play session with me, Anita – Enjoy a private play space with your little one as I coach and model child-led play, establishing healthy boundaries, turn taking and so much more with parents/caregivers and their child. Call/text or email, 604-723-9548 or email aolson@fsgv.ca to see availability.

 

Anita

Anita Olson (she/her) ECE, BA, MEd

Early Childhood Community Consultant

T 604 525 9144

M 604 723 9548

3rd Floor – 321 Sixth Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3A7

www.fsgv.ca

 

Growing Popcorn Kernels!

Popcorn Kernels can be planted! Use the plain, loose popcorn kernels. These ones pictured are the no name brand from the grocery store. I used a clear container to plant the corn so that you can see the roots growing on the sides. I added a good few inches of soil and sprinkled the corn all over the soil. I planted the kernels quite close together so that it can look like grass as it comes up.

I placed the containter by a sunny window and made sure to water it. I gently placed the container lid on top to create a greenhouse effect, but this is not necessary. After 3-4 days, you can see the corn starting to root.

After a full week, you will see the blades of corn push through the soil.

After two full weeks of growing, I added some animals and bugs to use as a playscape. Add a pair of scissors for your child to practice cutting each stalk. Try pulling an individual stalk out to measure the roots and height of the plant. What will happen if you continue to let it grow?

 

How tall will it get? Maybe you can have your child draw the different stages of what they are seeing. Just brushing your hands over the growth feels cool too.

I hope you try this out and have fun taking care of your popcorn plant.

 

 

Where Happiness Begins and a Project!

Hello Spring Break!

Can you believe it’s been a year since the restrictions due to Covid started? We made it through a whole year together doing our best to keeping safe during the pandemic.

Over the next few weeks, I invite you to take the time to pause and celebrate little moments of happiness and joy. It can be simply noticing the smile on your child’s face as they enjoy their favourite food. It can be a moment of cuddly time as you read to your child. The more we pay attention to all the good things happening around us….the better we’ll be for it.

Here’s a photo my sister captured of me, taking a photo of the frost on the log at the beach. I am grateful she took this because it was a moment of peace and doing something that brings me joy…and that is taking photos. The frost was exceptionally beautiful with the sun shining on it and of course…having my cup of tea with me helped on this cold morning. Also, I love that my son is there in the background enjoying sounds of the waves and the view.

So I need your help! Please join me for this Spring break project! I would like to compile a collection of stories to make a “Moments of Happiness” book for our StrongStart centre. As I collect these stories from you, I will add it to our book. This book of happy stories will stay in our classroom for everyone to enjoy.

 

How you can participate:

Send me a photo of your child or you with your child doing something that makes you/your child happy. Capture these spontaneous moments, no need to make your child pose or say “Cheese” for these photos. Challenge yourself to observe and capture. Click away!

Give me a brief description of what is happening in the photo and why it brings you/your child joy. You can even share your child’s voice, what were they saying?

That’s it. Keep it simple. There are little golden nuggets of joy in our everyday. Let’s find them and celebrate them together!

Email me your photos at: Elizabeth.jung-liu@burnabyschools.ca

 

To get you started on the path of finding Happy and joyful moments…

Join me in reading “Where Happiness Begins”.

Please click HERE to read-a-long with me.

Written and Illustrated by: Eva Eland

Published by Random House New York

***This video will no longer be available after April 30th

 

 

 

Baby Shark!

Join me in singing “Baby Shark!”

Click HERE to sing-a-long.

 

Hello from Anita, our Early Childhood Community Consultant has more to share with you:

It’s hard to believe we are starting March already – that means spring is just around the corner! On your walk today, see if you can spy any bird’s nests in the trees – children are great at this game when they know what to look for – and see what they know about nests. When you get home invite your little one to build a nest for you to sit in together – pillows and blankets work well. If you’re feeling up to a bit of a messy activity and have some yarn and white glue, you can invite your little one to make a yarn nest! Check out the imaginationtree.com for the step by step instructions on how to create these messy and beautiful nests!

Mark your calendar for March 24th 1 – 2:30 for a very informative virtual Financial Empowerment Workshop. Reflect on the habits, beliefs and practices that lead our behaviour towards money. Learn about money management and practice using tools to plan and decide where your money goes. Check out the attached poster for more information or call 1 800 609 3202 or email moneynavigator@fsgv.ca  You can also visit vpl.ca/events  to register.

You won’t want to miss Burnaby Family Life’s Parenting Learning Event happening on every Thursday this March between 6:30 – 8! These are free to all families, caregivers and professionals in the field. Choose from The Power of Self-Compassion, Shifting Screen Habits, Nature…A Playground for all children and Belonging to the Village – or attend all four!!Check out the attachment for more information and registration or www.bflgrowscommunity.org/ple2021

If you are interested in a free one-on-one consultation about your child’s development, behavior, parenting tips, tricks and education please email or call me, Anita, to set up either a virtual appointment or a socially distanced visit in the community.

aolson@fsgv.ca 604-723-9548

Anita

Anita Olson (she/her) ECE, BA, MEd

Early Childhood Community Consultant

T 604 525 9144

M 604 723 9548

3rd Floor – 321 Sixth Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3A7

www.fsgv.ca

Tommy Thumbs

Join me in singing, “Tommy Thumbs.”

Click HERE to sing-a-long with me.

 

Community Resource and Support:

Anita Olson, our Early Childhood Community Consultant is sharing the following below:

Make snack time fun and healthy today by making cereal snack necklaces. All you need is a healthy cereal with holes (Cheerios are perfect) and some kitchen grade string. Set up your little one at the table to thread Cheerios onto the string – they can munch and create necklaces for little snack later on. Easy and fun!

 *If you need some assistance in preparing for your tax return, The Burnaby Neighbourhood House has you covered! For more information and eligibility go click here.

 *March 4th is International Women’s Day – celebrate women achievements together, on line. Registration is required for the festivities; click here to register.

*If you are interested in a free one-on-one consultation about your child’s development, behavior, parenting tips, tricks and education please email or call me, Anita, to set up a virtual appointment.

aolson@fsgv.ca 604-723-9548

Anita Olson (she/her) ECE, BA, MEd

Early Childhood Community Consultant

T 604 525 9144

M 604 723 9548

3rd Floor – 321 Sixth Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3A7

www.fsgv.ca

Magic with Tape!

Here are a few activities to try with TAPE.  I used masking tape with these activities. It’s easy to rip apart and remove from surfaces.

Making roads or tracks: You can make the roads as big or small as you like depending on the size of the toy cars you have. You can make these roads on the floor or even on a table top.  To extend the play, you can make signs for stores, buildings and businesses that are in your community. Additions of animals, rocks, boxes or greenery are other ideas to support the play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tape resist art: Gently tape a pattern, lines, or even letters on paper. Let your child paint over the entire paper.  When it is dry, slowly remove the tape to see what appears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making lines: Tape lines, zig zags or curves for your child to jump from line to line or follow along the curves/zig zags. This is a great activity for gross motor play, balance and coordination skills. These lines can also be used to place “loose parts” such as rocks, pinecones, toy cars, animals, buttons, sticks and lids, just to name a few.

 

 

 

Stick and Remove: Tape down a bunch of toys on a table top, wall or floor. Let your child try and take the tape off and free the toys. This is a great one for young toddlers to practice their fine motor skills.

 

 

 

Free Art: Give your child a roll of tape, paper, toilet paper rolls and other art supplies you may have and see what your child can create.  Tape is a great alternative to glue. It encourages children to take their time to peel and stick and use their imagination to create 3-D art.

 

 

Where’s Jack?

Join me in singing, “Where’s Jack?”

As you sing this with your child, get ready to tickle them after Jack pops out of the box.

For the second round, encourage your child to say, “Please” before tickling them.

Click HERE to sing-a-long with me.

 

Where’s Jack?

Where’s Jack?

Put him in a box.

“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.”

Jack in the box.

Still as a mouse.

Deep down inside.

His little dark house.

Jack in the box.

Resting so still.

Shhhhhh.

Will you come out?

YES, I will!

Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle! (tickle your child)

Repeat the song but this time introduce the importance of saying” Please”

Will you come out? – NOPE.

Will you come out? – NOPE.

Will you come out PLEASE!)

YES, I will!

Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle.

 

Painting on Ice

Invite your child to try painting on ice! Fill a plastic container with water and freeze overnight. Fill with water with at least 2 inches of water so children have time to paint and explore before it fully melts.  I took the ice out of the container and placed it in a tray with a folded paper towel underneath the ice to prevent it from slipping around.

Try painting with regular tempura paint or even food colouring.  Observe the difference between painting with tempura paint and food colouring.  Include different painting tools: paintbrush, sponge brush, toothbrush and an eye dropper for the food colouring.

Watch how the paint pools on the tray as it melts and takes the colour with it. See how the food colouring freezes as soon as it hits the ice. What happens if you add salt? How long will it take for the ice to melt? What new colours can we make? How does the ice feel? There are so many questions when exploring ice. If your child loses interest, leave the activity for a while. Let your child come back later to re-investigate what happens to the ice and paint. What happens if we put the rest of the ice in the sink under running water.

This is a messy exploration but a fun one that supports language development, science, fine motor skills and sensory play.

 

Community Resources & Support:

Here is information on affordable dental options, tooth brushing video and links to Fraser Health website for more dental related inquiries.

If you have questions or need assistance, connect with the Burnaby Public Health unit #604-918-7605 and ask to speak with dental.

UBC Program:  free dental offered for children 12yrs old and under. If interested, please fill out attached medical form (one for each child) and fax the form back to:

Chris Inkster:

Ph: 604-507-5446

Fax: 604-507-4617

Em: chris.inkster@fraserhealth.ca

 

Healthy Kids Program: Families eligible to receive MSP supplementary benefits, may be eligible for the Healthy Kids program.  More information and to apply in link.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/healthy-women-children/child-teen-health/dental-eyeglasses

 

Fraser Health Fluoride Varnish Program:  Families with children 36 months and under and who are not under the regular care of a dentist, may book an appointment for our Fluoride varnish program.  Children will be seen by a hygienist, they will assess child’s teeth to determine if the child requires fluoride.  Dental health information and assistance accessing dental care will be provided.  To book an appointment, families can call 604-476-7087 or their local Public Health unit.

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/Public-Health-Services/fluoride-varnish-program#.YBg66LqouUk

 

Brushing tips Knee to Knee You Tube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch/NUNmohl4CD8

 

Fraser Health resources:

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/children-and-youth/dental-health-for-children/affordable-dentistry-options-for-children#.YBH18rqouUl

 

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/pregnancy-and-baby/life-with-your-toddler-6-24-months/teething-and-toothcare#.YBIEwrqouUk

 

 

 

 

There Was a Crocodile

Join me in singing, “There Was a Crocodile.”

This is a fun one where we practice our memory and listening skills.  Each time we restart the song, we will drop “singing” the animal but still do the actions for them.  It’s tricky but really fun!

Click HERE to sing-a-long with me.

 

Community Resource and Support with Anita Olson:

Burnaby Neighbourhood House is facilitating an online English Language group focusing on self-care! If you would like to practice English, learn about self-care and meet new folks mark Tuesdays from 6:30 – 8 PM February 9th – March 16th . For more information or to register check out the attachment or email volunteer@burnabynh.ca.

If you like dumplings, this workshop is for you! Learn about nutrition and healthy eating on Zoom with Mosaic between Jan 25th and Feb 10th– Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 – 11 AM. Try different recipes and meet friends from different cultures. This workshop will be about: healthy snacks and beverages, savvy shopping and dumplings and wraps from around the world! Please email Lily at lfung@mosaicbc.org to receive an online invitation.

The Power of Play – Book a Wednesday morning one-on-one play session with me, Anita – Enjoy a private play space with your little one as I coach and model child-led play, establishing healthy boundaries, turn taking and so much more with parents/caregivers and their child. Call/text or email, 604-723-9548 or email aolson@fsgv.ca to see availability.

Anita Olson (she/her) ECE, BA, MEd, Early Childhood Community Consultant

www.fsgv.ca

A HUGE Thank you to Anita for providing us with all of these great resources!

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