Do you have excess wrapping papers, calendars, magazines, photographs, fabrics or yarns around your house?  Add in some glue, scissors, paper, along with some creativity and imagination, it can become a great art activity: Collage Activity.

Collage is art made by gluing different materials such as leaves, wrapping paper or photographs to a flat surface.   It is a great activity to do using materials found at home, and suitable for children of all ages.   Keep in mind safety and choking hazards for young children, and to supervise children when using these materials.s.  

Start by gathering materials suitable for collage and encourage children to use their creativity and see what they can create with all the wonderful materials.  Collect materials of different textures, colours, and pattern, and invite children to use these materials for art expression.  Follow your child’s lead and give them  time to explore, sort and gather the materials and work on their collage.

Take time to sit and create the collage along side with your child.  Talk about what your child is doing, ask open questions, and encourage your child to appreciate the beautiful collage materials available.  Focus on the process of art expression and allow them to naturally create their art.  There is no need to create something specific and they may or may not glue down the materials.  It can simply be exploration and experimentation with abstract designs and sorting of materials.

When it comes to collage, the possibilities are endless.  So let’s start collecting and have some fun with collage ! 

Due to the global pandemic, connecting your children with extended family members such as grandparents can be challenging. While it might not be possible to visit or even make plans to visit those near and far, there are many ways that we can maintain meaningful connections.

Ways to connect

Explore virtual connections: There are many digital apps that families can use to connect virtually and spend quality time with loved ones. Some apps include features such as video calls, text messages and sharing images which can be very useful in staying connected. Even if it’s not real time, recorded video messages can brighten someone’s day.

Consider snail mail: There is something special about sending and receiving something tangible from our loved ones. While there might be an additional cost to mailing letters and packages, the cost is well worth it.

Plan an in-person visit: Are you fortunate enough to have your grandparents live nearby? If so, do follow public health agency recommendations to connect with grandparents in safe ways, such as meeting outdoors or sitting out in the backyard, when you go to visit. Whatever you do, practice social distancing.

For more activity ideas, please go to:  Maintaining family connections during the pandemic

It is great to hear from you!  Some of you have inquired about other family programs in your community.  There are many great agencies who are providing support to families in Burnaby.   Do check out the Community Resources for Families for more information.   Below are a few agencies  in Burnaby that offer family programs and family support.

Burnaby Family Life Family Programs

Burnaby Neighbourhood House Virtual Programs

Burnaby Neighbourhood House in North Burnaby (BNH North House)

4908 Hastings St., Burnaby, BC V5B 1P6 (Delta Avenue & Hastings)

Monday – Thursday | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm and Friday | 9:30 am -3:30 pm

Phone: (604) 294-5444

Email: northinfo@burnabynh.ca

Programs in Burnaby Neighbourhood House North House

Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Anita Olson – Early Childhood Community Consultant (ECCC) – supporting parents/caregivers with children ages 0-5 years old.

Questions/concerns about behaviour, development, needing strategies or other resources call/text/email for a free virtual or socially distanced consultation.

604-723-9548 or email aolson@fsgv.ca

Join Monday’s Coffee and Chat parenting support group to get connected with other parents, learn some helpful tips about parenting and discuss your own parental celebrations and challenges. Meetings are via MS Teams – email aolson@fsgv.ca, subject line JOIN COFFEE AND CHAT, and an invite will be emailed to you. For assistance in MS Teams installation click here.

Information Children

Simon Fraser University, Dis2 #133, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6

Phone : 778.782.3548

Fax : 778.782.5846

Email : info@informationchildren.com

As we come to the end of another school year, I’d just like to thank all families who attended our StrongStart program in the Fall and Winter.   Due to the closure, we were not able to have proper goodbyes with you all, but know that you are missed.

​Please note that the StrongStart blog will not be updated, but you can still check out posts you may have missed.   While we are saying goodbyes to the Lochdale StrongStart blogs for now, but we will reconnect again in the Fall.

Please go to Burnaby School District website for all updates pertaining to StrongStart program in the 2020-2021 school year.  https://burnabyschools.ca/strongstart/

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful summer.  Take care!

While our local public libraries are still closed, remember that our public libraries and their staff members are still hard at work, providing support to everyone in the community.  Do check their website at https://www.bpl.bc.ca/

Burnaby Public Libraries are adapting their services during the challenging times, there are many great services and resources available. For more information about the services offered during Covid-19, please go to https://www.bpl.bc.ca/news/covid19

There is Paper Bag Pickup services where you can check out your favourite library resources online and safely pick up the resources at your preferred library branch.  Furthermore, there are many online resources that can be access with valid library card and pin number, such E-books, audiobooks, and many more great online resources.  And if you do not h ave library card yet, you can still get your library card so you can access the online services and resources available.

With summer approaching, time to register for Burnaby Public Library’s 2020 Summer Reading Club.  While this year’s summer reading club might be different, families can still join and reap the benefit of reading by signing up online.  For more information, https://www.bpl.bc.ca/kids/kids-events-and-programs/summer-reading-club

Playground Fun

As local playgrounds are starting to open up, it is important for families to be prepared to ensure safety and fun for everyone.  While there are many social and health benefits for our children, there are several protective measures we need to be mindful of to protect ourselves and our community.

• Keep children at home if they show any cold and flu symptoms, such as coughing, fever or running nose.
• Check to make sure the facilities are open, such as the playground and restroom facilities.
• Talk to children about rules and expectations in the playground prior to arrival, such as avoid touching their face, avoid sharing toys or snacks on the playground, and avoid direct contact with other children in the playground.
• If the playground is very busy, find alternative activities to do and go back at another time when the playground is less busy.
• Upon arrival, quickly check around the playground, making sure there are no broken equipment or dangerous objects such as broken glass.
• Avoid sun related injuries by regularly applying sunscreen, wearing hat and sunglasses, and avoid playing during peak hours of the sun ray.
• Remember to always bring your own water bottle, healthy snacks, sunscreen, sanitizing wipes, tissues, extra sets of changing clothes, diapers, and first aid kit.
• For everyone’s safety, practice social distancing, put away cellphones or other distractions, and focus on supervising the children.
• Besides playground equipment, have a picnic by the playground, fly kites, play with rocks and sticks, kick balls, or blow bubbles, and so much more.

With a little of preparation, playground etiquette, patience and respect for everyone, playgrounds are great ways to spend time with children.

As our schools opening on June 1st, StrongStart centres will remain closed.  During the opening up of schools, parents will not be entering the school buildings thus making it difficult for StrongStart to run.

Until we hear further direction and guidance from the Ministry on how to make StrongStart work, we will remain closed.  As soon as we receive more information, we will update you.  For now, please know that even though we are apart, you are all in my heart.  I think of you and miss you all very much.  It has been so hard not being in my classroom and being with you all.

I will continue to do zoom sessions with families, as well as blogging.  Please continue to let me know how you are doing and how I can support you virtually.  Sending light and love to all our StrongStart families.  Stay safe and take care!

Have some chalk on hands?  Why not create obstacle course at home with some chalk?

Obstacle course with chalk often has different obstacles, such as zigzag lines to walk on, lines to jump over, running in place, spin, hopscotch, and endless possibilities with one’s own creativity.   Best part is, it does not cost much and everyone in family can participate and have a great time and keep fit.

Obstacle course is a very way to incorporate some fun physical activities with no equipment required.  It can be done on most pavement or drive way.  One can incorporate literacy by writing words such as start, end, hop, jump, and twirl, as well as drawings and numbers.

The obstacle course can be customized to children’s age and developmental level.  Invite children to help design the obstacle course and contribute to the making of obstacle course!  The possibilities are endless with a bit of creativity, enthusiasm, some chalk, and walkway or driveway.  Get ready, set, go!

With playground, community centres and sport programs closed, many families’ physical activity level may be drastically reduced.  It is crucial that we stay motivated and make exercise a family bonding time, and be physically active.

Find something to do that is socially distance appropriate that everyone in the family can enjoy.  It can be as simple and affordable as hiking, walking, or running.  Other activities include biking, rollerblading, dancing, stretching and yoga.   We can also be creative and incorporate physical activities in games, such as DIY obstacle course, playing with bubbles,skipping ropes or hula hoops.

While outdoor, encourage children to respect and appreciate nature. Play a game of count how many fire hydrants or squirrels they see, identify the birds or other wild animals in the nature; Look for and try to identify numbers and letters on traffic signs, street name signs or car license plate.

Keep in mind health and safety by always make sure that you and your children are protected from the hot sun by putting on sunscreen regularly, stay in shaded areas as much as possible, and limit the amount of outdoor time to avoid heat stroke.  Lastly, remember to warm up before exercising to minimize potential muscle strain and encourage children to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.  Keep fit and have fun.