From June 2012

Children’s Friendships Influence Activity Patterns

Peer influence is a subject that many parents are familiar with. Negative peer pressure, that infamous influential factor, sometimes takes center stage when we discuss the ramifications of peer interactions. But, just as some friendships can influence children in a negative way, positive peer relationships are more common than we are often lead to believe. And, more importantly, they can be a key protective factor in school aged children. A recent study from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tennessee looked at just that.

The study’s results determined that friendship ties play a critical role in setting physical activity patterns in children as young as 5 to 12 years. The researchers studied 81 public school students, who went to after-school programs.

Over the course of the study, Dr. Sabina Gesell and her colleagues found that kids didn’t make or break friendships based on how active they were compared to other students. For example, when kids made new friends who were more or less active, they tended to change their own activity level accordingly. And, of course, not all of the results were positive. Some kids’ activity levels got pulled up by their immediate friends, but others got pulled down. The results are also in line with research that’s been done with teens and adults, who tend to look like the rest of their friend group in terms of weight and fitness level.

Read more
(Source: www.bccf.ca )

National Aboriginal Day: Traditional Stories

In celebration of National Aboriginal Day, June 21st, here are some some traditional Coast Fraser stories that have been passed down from generations of elders.

Click here to listen to the story about how Cheam Mountain in Chilliwack came to exist.

Click here to listen to the story about creation of Hatzic Rock in Harrison.

Click here to listen to the story of the first Salmon Ceremony.

Click here to listen to the story of the first cedar tree.

Click here to listen to the story of the Flood.

Click here to listen to the story of the Musqueam Through Time

Thanks to the Simon Fraser University Virtual Museum and Musqueam Indian Band for gathering these stories.

Best Playgrounds!

Linda Tobias

Best Playgrounds in New West: What are your favorites?

This Saturday, June 16, the new Westminster Pier Park will open with a celebration from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be lots of fun, family-friendly activities, food and live music.

The upcoming event makes me marvel at how lucky we are in New Westminster when it comes to outdoor play areas. The new Pier Park will feature two playgrounds, a concession, washrooms and playing fields, all in a beautiful waterfront setting. But it’s just the latest addition to many fantastic playgrounds around the city. Here’s the highlight reel of some others:

Moody Park

Located in Uptown, Moody Park has a playground, spray park, outdoor pool, tennis courts and playing fields. There are also washrooms and picnic benches along with lots of shade.

Why I love it: the location makes it the ideal place to stop off while running errands with the kids. Royal City Centre is right across the street and there are many eateries, businesses and shopping outlets — not to mention the public library — in the area.

Hume Park

Hume Park, located in Sapperton, was recently renovated. It features a large playground for school-aged kids with a separate area just for the little guys. The playground is nestled between an off-leash dog park (with plenty of trees and benches), an outdoor swimming pool and a spray park. There are also picnic benches, playing fields, washrooms, tennis courts and plenty of trees for shade.

Why I love it: the large play structure has a wide variety of challenges for older kids (it struck me as a decided response to recent criticisms that today’s playgrounds are too safe.) But my three-year-old was able to enjoy it as well. His younger brother, meanwhile, was happy puttering away in the toddler area, undisturbed by older kids.

Grimston Park

The West End’s Grimston Park has a recently rebuilt playground, a wading pool, tennis courts, washrooms and playing fields. The wading pool is open from noon – 4 pm, July to Labour Day, and has a lifeguard on duty during those times.

Why I love it: the climbing structure is very well designed. My two-year old can easily climb all the way to the top by himself (the look of triumph on his face after he completes this feat is priceless!) In fact, there is no part of the playground that’s not accessible to him. And yet, the school-age kids we see there are able to use the equipment in a way that challenges them as well. It allows all ages to play together.

Queen’s Park

Located in the heart of the city, New Westminster’s biggest park has one playground for little kids and another for the older ones. There’s also a spray park, a concession stand and washrooms, located among trees, picnic benches, grassy areas and flowers. But the highlight, from Victoria Day to Labour Day, is a petting farm filled with critters willing to have little hands tug at their ears.

Why I love it: the petting farm is fantastic with a variety of animals and knowledgeable volunteers, and it’s free (with a donation box at the exit.) The parking is abundant and free. And the size of the park makes the sights and sounds of the city fade away, letting me relax.

I lived in Vancouver for years before moving to New Westminster in 2008 and I’m hard-pressed to think of even one outdoor play space for kids that’s comparable to the playgrounds that New West offers.

What’s your favourite playground in New Westminster and why? Do you enjoy one of the ones I’ve listed here or did I miss a fabulous one that you want to share with everyone? Let’s hear it in the comments!

Kids New West extends our appreciation to  www.tenthtothefraser.ca where this article first appeared on June 15, 2012. Thank you for sharing!

Facebook for parenting support?

A study published in the July issue of the journal Family Relations is the first to investigate the use of Facebook by new parents.  The study suggests that many first-time parents — especially mothers — actually increase the amount of time they spend on Facebook after the birth of their child. 

In fact, 44 percent of mothers said their Facebook use increased, compared to 27 percent who said it decreased, while 29 percent stayed the same. Fathers were not too far behind – 31 percent said their use of Facebook increased and 19 percent said it decreased. 

The results are initially surprising, as the period after giving birth is typically regarded as a stressful and demanding time when parents wouldn’t have the energy or time to be online.  However, the study shows that Facebook may be a way for parents, especially mothers (who may spend more time at home caring for the baby) to seek support and connect with friends and family… Read More

(source: www.bccf.ca )