Month: January 2021

Dear StrongStart families,

The winter is here! Days are still short, but are thankfully getting longer. As adults, we are often looking forward to spring, but for a child there so much to experience and enjoy in any season. The best winter gift is of course snow, let us hope our children will be lucky to experience a bit more snow this year.

When you are outside with your child, take the time to notice and wonder together. Notice frost on the grass, bare trees, bristle leaves that stayed after wind blew away most of them, cherry blossom buds that came out a bit too early. Take time to feel the textures, experience cold, moisture, crunch, sliminess.

Talk about what you are noticing, but also ask your child: “I don’t see any birds, where do you think they are, I wonder?”; “Remember when we had snow… We built snowman and then it all melted away. Where did the snow go, what do you think?”

Of course, their stories or ideas might differ from reality.  Every culture or nation is full of wonderful myths which were created as early humans were trying to make sense of their world and answer the same puzzling questions: What is the thunder? Where does the sun go at night?  Where does the water from a puddle go on a sunny day? We enjoy them as stories now but they started as  scientific questions or what  we now call ” inquiry”.

When we allow children to express their thoughts and use their imagination and connect with what they already know, we’re allowing children to make sense about the world around them, think critically, and let their creativity and imagination blossom.

To start you on your wonderous journey…

CLICK HERE to join me in wondering and in reading “When Winter Comes” by Nancy Van Laan and Susan Gaber.

This wonderous book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Stay warm and safe,

Ms. Lillian

Dear StrongStart friends,

Join in me in reading a book about dressing up for really, really cold winter day.

The book is called “Under My Hood I have a Hat”, written by Karla Kuskin and illustrated by Fumi Kosaka, published by Balzen and Bray. I will be also singing a silly and fun song ” I Dropped My Hat”.

CLICK HERE to watch the video.

Hope you are doing well and finding time to enjoy cold winter days in your backyards,  nature or in your neighbourhood parks. Please feel free to leave a comment/suggestion on the blog, (it will be visible just by me). You can also send me an e-mail or call if I could  support you in any way.

Ms. Lillian

Dear StrongStart parents,

Here is the info from our community partners about additional community support available to you.

• Information Children will continue to offer Parent Coaching services – via phone or Zoom. These sessions can be booked by emailing us at info@informationchildren.com. We are available for Parent Coaching: 9-4pm Mondays, and afternoons Tuesdays-Fridays.

Also, they are is offering an online New Parents Group in a six part series. Topics such as adjusting to your new baby, expectations, growth and infant development and self-care will be explored in the comfort of your own home via Zoom check out the attachment for more information or click the link below – New Parents Group – Fridays from Jan 15-Feb 19, 1:30-3pm https://www.informationchildren.com/event/new-parents-group/

They offer online Family Storytime suitable for ages 18 month to 5 years old. Here is  link to more info: Information Children Online Storytime Jan 2021 copy (1)

• Burnaby Family Life continues to offer an assortment of virtual parenting classes and of course, children’s programs, such as circle times, play to learn, and mother goose. Registration is required for all programs – check out the attachment for their winter calendar or the links provided – https://bflgrowscommunity.org/ and WINTER 2021 – Parenting and Family Resource Programs Calendar
• Burnaby Public Library has had a website makeover! With a new look and reorganization, everything is easier to navigate and find. Check it out – www.bpl.bc.ca
• Burnaby Neighbourhood House is still staying apart right now to keep each other safe, but there is still much fun to be had with all the virtual classes and programs offered! Please join BNH for many online Zoom programs for people of all ages.  For more information and to register: https://burnabynh.ca/virtual-programs/

Dear StrongStart friends,

I hope this post finds you healthy and well! Hope you had a nice holiday and that you made some joyful memories!

Wishing you all a healthy and safe, hopeful and joyous New Year!

Click here to watch a short video of me singing to cheer the New Year.

Here are the words if you want to sing it to someone else to wish them Happy New Year.

Please reach out if I could support you in any way. We will re-start face-to-face visits in our StrongStart on Monday, January 11th and our first StrongStart Zoom Storytime will be on Thursday, January 21st. I will send the link early next week.

Take care,

Ms. Lillian