The Parent Page

Winter 2013

Promoting Positive Behaviour No one likes nagging, yelling and punishing, neither adults who do it nor children who are on the receiving end. Here are a few ways to encourage the kind of behaviour that can make the day go more smoothly for everyone.

Organize to prevent problems  Organize the environment to make it easy for children to do the right thing. For example, install coat hooks and toy storage shelves where children can reach them; put away breakables.  Provide enough appropriate supplies and materials for everyone.  Supervise carefully, be observant and act to change the situation before behaviour gets out of control.

Keep a routine  Establish some structure and routines throughout the day.  Prepare children for upcoming activities. “After the toys are put away, we’ll put on our jackets and go outside to play.”  Make sure that children have nutritious snacks and meals.  Avoid too much TV or any long periods of inactivity.

Decide what’s negotiable and what’s not  Set simple, firm, clear limits which apply to everyone. Burnaby/New Westminster 604.294.1109  Once you’ve set the limits, stick to them. E: [email protected]  Within the limits you set, allow children to make choices that are appropriate to the situation and to their ages. Tri-Cities 604.931.3400 E: [email protected] Keep your language positive www.vanymca.org www.ccrr.bc.ca  Show children how you want them to behave by setting a “Your community’s best source of child care good example. information and resources”  Say what to do instead of what not to do: “Use your quiet For Regional Child Care Resource & Referral voice in the house.” Avoid overuse of words such as “no”, information visit www.childcareresource.ca “don’t”, and “stop”. Continued...

the YMCA CCRR is funded by the Province of

The Parent Page Winter 2013 ...Continued

 Show children that you like being with them: smile, make Centre, the Coquitlam Public Library, School eye contact, call them frequently by their name and use District 43 and the Tri‐Cities ECD Committee present: words of encouragement and hugs.  Use your voice as a teaching tool. Speak slowly, calmly, Family Play and Learn Event distinctly and directly. Five years of Family Play and Learn will be celebrated with a  Let children know you notice when you like their behav‐ full day of literacy activities at Coquitlam Centre Mall. iour. A little positive feedback goes a long way! Wednesday, January 30th Pay attention to feelings 9:00 am to 7:30 pm  Listen for the feelings behind children’s words and actions and reflect them back: “It sounds like you’re feeling…”  Remember that, just like adults, children sometimes have Burnaby Community Connections a bad day and that is okay. Burnaby Christmas Bureau Examine your attitude The Burnaby Christmas Bureau helps low income families in  Know what behaviour is typical for different ages. Let this Burnaby have a brighter Holiday Season. guide you as you decide what you can reasonably expect Visit www.burnabycommunityconnections.com for details. from a particular child.  Choose activities that you enjoy and do these with chil‐ dren. Enthusiasm is contagious. Christmas Toys 2012  Be aware of your own stress level and take care of your‐ Individuals and families residing in the Tri‐Cities may apply self. to receive Christmas toys and/or gifts for children 17 & un‐ der. This resource sheet was adapted from material developed by Janice MacAulay, Jane Fox and Cindy Helman for Caregiver Christmas Toy Registration enquires can be directed to Training, a collaborative training program of the Family Re‐ SHARE Food Bank, 2615 Clarke St., Port Moody. For more source Services Group and Home Child Care Agencies of Ot‐ information call 604.931.2451 or visit www.sharesociety.ca. tawa‐Carleton. Family Services of Greater Vancouver Reprinted with permission of Family Resource Program Canada. www.frp.ca Adopt-A-Family Program This program helps make a difference to low income fami‐ lies living in New Westminster. Please visit www.fsgv.ca for details or call 604.525.9144 ext. 3659. Port Moody Public Library Links to Language Time after time, research has proven that the most effective Kindergarten Registration way to help your preschooler build language skills is to read February is the time that families are able to register their and speak in your first language. children for kindergarten. Only children turning 5 years of age by December 31, 2013, can be accepted Now parents can help children learn their heritage language for the September 2013 school year. by borrowing the Port Moody Library’s new Links to Language Multilingual Kits. 5 different languages are available: Korean, Visit the school district in your area for registration dates. Farsi, Chinese, French and Spanish. Each Kit contains ten books, a CD, and a DVD in the target language. The kits are  Burnaby School District 41 suitable for preschoolers and their families or caregivers. www.sd41.bc.ca or call 604.664.8441 Anyone can borrow the kits using their library card.  New Westminster School District 40 www.sd40.bc.ca or call 604.517.6240 For more information, please contact Maryn Ashdown at  Tri‐Cities School District 43 [email protected], or visit library.portmoody.ca. www.sd43.bc.ca or call 604.939.9201

the YMCA CCRR is funded by the Province of British Columbia 2

The Parent Page Winter 2013

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre Family Services of Greater Vancouver presents Pinwheel Education Series: Single Mothers Support Group This free of charge support group gives single mothers an op‐ Helping Your Child/Youth Sleep Better portunity to join in and share their thoughts about the joys and Thursday, December 6th challenges of solo parenting and learn about community re‐ 12:00‐1:00 pm sources. Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre Wednesdays from 5:30‐7:30 pm 4555 Heather St., Vancouver Olivet Church Register for this free educational event by calling 604.875.2084 613 Queens Avenue, New Westminster or email [email protected]. Everyone is welcome to attend! If you are not able to attend in person a Teleconfer‐ Register by calling Tara at 604.525.9144 ext. 3654 or visit ence option is available by dialing 1.877.291.3022 and entering www.fsgv.ca for additional information. 4611577# Best Start presents Visit keltymentalhealth.ca for more information on upcoming Pinwheel Education Sessions. Healthy Baby, Healthy Brain As a parent, you play an important role in the development of your baby’s brain. You are your baby’s most important con‐ nection to the world. View videos that can help support your baby’s brain development.

Spirit of the Children Society Visit www.healthybabyhealthybrain.ca

Family Drop-in Program Aboriginal families living in New Westminster, Burnaby and Tri‐Cities can join any of these interactive, hands‐on weekly groups. Mondays: 1:00–4:00 pm at Forest Grove Elementary 8525 Forest Grove, Burnaby Thursdays: 1:30–4:30 pm & Fridays: 9:00 am–12:00 pm at Spirit of the Children Society 201–768 Columbia Street, New Westminster

For additional information, please contact the ECD Coordinator at 604.524.9113 ext. 2241 or email: [email protected]

Traditional Aboriginal Healthy Kids Preschool Fair th Community Kitchen Tuesday, Feb 5 Wednesdays from 4:00–7:00 pm 9:30 am‐12:30 pm Tri‐Cities East Neighborhood Centre Cameron Recreation Complex 2062 Manning Avenue, Port Coquitlam 9523 Cameron Street, Burnaby Free admission Create a meal together in a positive environment, share and learn recipes, how to shop for healthy foods on a budget, and Visit a health nurse, play on an indoor playground and take experience traditional Aboriginal foods. part in activities and crafts. Community agencies specializing in preschool services are on hand to answer questions. For additional information contact Pauline Hahn or Karla Hahn at 604.524.9113 or email [email protected] or [email protected] For more information, please call 604.297.4452

the YMCA CCRR is funded by the 3 Province of British Columbia

Family Fun! Christmas Open House Sunday, December 2nd 1:00–3:00 pm Burnaby Lake Regional Park Meet at the Burnaby Lake Nature House, 4519 Piper Avenue, off Winston Street.

Enjoy a guided winter walk along forested trails to discover wildlife in the park and learn about the lake and its history. After, stay to enjoy activities and complimentary refreshments. Please dress for the weather.

Presented by Burnaby Lake Park Association. For additional information please contact 604.520.6442. Chinese New Year Celebration www.metrovancouver.org Monday, February 4th Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre, Burnaby 3:30 to 7:00 pm Celebrate the Chinese New Year with crafts and a jump in 17th Annual the pool. $1.00 Seasonal Celebration th For more information call 604.298.7946 or visit Thursday, Dec 6 www.burnaby.ca 5:30‐8:30 pm Shadbolt Centre for the Arts 6450 Deer lake Ave Free Admission Celebrate with music, dance and interactive family activities. March 2nd–3rd For more information, please call 604.291.6864 or visit Mackin Park www.shadboltcentre.com. 1046 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam Enjoy the festivities under the big tents rain or shine! Music, storytelling and great food will be available on site.

Holiday Train For ticket information and complete details visit Making a Difference, One Stop at a Time www.festivldubois.ca Tuesday, December 18th 7:00 pm 300 Ioco Rd, Port Moody (behind the Arena and Recreation Centre)

Discovery Zone Visit the last stop of the Holiday Train as it entertains and collects food and money for local food banks and raises Discovery Centre awareness in the fight against hunger. There is a line up of 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster Ongoing great musical talents that will perform beginning approximately 10 minutes af‐ Come play and learn about the Fraser River and its water‐ shed through hands‐on, interactive play for the whole family. ter arriving. www.cprail.ca www.fraserriverdiscovery.org

the YMCA CCRR is funded by the 4 Province of British Columbia