From July 2013

Lock It For Love

This summer BC Ambulance Service, BC Children’s Hospital and Fraser Health are joining forces to increase parental awareness of the risks to children from falls that happen from windows and balconies during the hot summer months.  BC Ambulance Service attended more than 150 serious falls last year that resulted in serious injury or, in a few cases, death to toddlers.  Screens across doors and windows will not contain a toddler/young child who runs toward the screen. This applies to high-rise buildings – as well as homes with two stories. To help build awareness, they’ve created a window decal lock-it-for-love– to remind parents/caregivers to lock balcony doors and secure windows when they are open.  

Remember:

• Talk to children about window and balcony safety.

• Window screens are not strong enough to hold the weight of a child – they keep bugs out, not children in.

• Move furniture and planters away from windows and balcony edges to discourage children from climbing, especially cribs and beds.

• Install and maintain window safety devices – ensure there is a safe release option in case of a house fire.

• Keep windows open 10 centimetres or less – children can fit through a space as small as 12 centimetres.

• Don’t leave children unattended on balconies or in higher floor rooms with open windows.

 

KNW Summer Highlight: Game Night at Pier Park

Capture the flag! Frozen tag! Kick the Can! Hide ‘n Seek! Game Night at Pier Park is a blast for kids ages 6 to 12 years. Thursday’s, July 4 and 18 & August 8 and 22, 6:30 ‐ 8pm. It’s free, so just show up! For more info visit: www.newwestpcr.​ca or pick up an Active Living Guide at your local recreation centre.

More than ABCs and 123s

More than ABCs and 123s – Music Therapy for Learning & Child Development

Nancy Saraiva

I remember when my daughter came home from school with the task of memorizing the times tables. It seemed exciting at first; it is in fact something useful in daily life and I immersed myself in drilling techniques, often using traditional tools like flash cards. Though repetition did help to kick start her learning, we came up with something else – a rhyming song using equations. Suddenly the memorizing became easier and the song ultimately led to her mastering the pesky numbers. With so many differences in children it’s amazing to see how music, whether it is singing or banging on a drum, can have such a positive effect on their learning and development. For this reason, many parents are using music therapy to tackle some challenging health and behavioural issues.

The Canadian Association for Music Therapy (www.musictherapy.ca) describes music therapy as “the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health”.  Erin Parr, a music therapist for 10 years, working with children up to age 12 in the South Surrey, Langley and Chilliwack areas, says “Music therapy allows people and children to work on specific goals in a fun and non-verbal manner. It can address fine motor skills with instruments, gross motor skills with actions songs and dances, speech and language goals with songs that target specific needs and social skills through group work and turn taking.”

Whether it is Mozart or traditional Irish music, all genres can have a beneficial effect on a child’s development, provided there isn’t negative language, which could have harmful effects on young children. “Music is essential to child development as it helps develop language and math skills as well as promoting self-esteem, listening skills and creativity,” says Parr.

 Music therapy sessions differ depending on the child’s needs with various instruments, movements and songs used to achieve the outlined goals. “Sessions are often high energy and filled with fun activities that are motivating to the child,” says Parr. Music is a common string that ties people together and enables a sense of belonging and allows for creative expression.

“It is accessible to everyone and allows for all abilities to participate and interact. Just because someone cannot speak, does not mean they don’t have a lot to say,” Parr says. 

 For further information on music therapy, please visit the Music Therapy Association of BC at www.mtabc.com.

 

KNW Summer Highlights: Samson V Family Friday Drop In

For a low-cost family nautical adventure, come explore the Samson V!

Samson V Family Friday Drop In
New Westminster Quay
Every Friday in July and August 12:303:00pm
Families can try a different nautical craft each week.
Cost: by Donation
For more info phone: 604.527.4640

For more Kids New West low cost summer fun ideas, check out our Summer Activity Guide here: 2013 Summer Activity Guide-Electronic 

Kids who Bounce Back

The ‘Reaching In Reaching Out’ program invites parents to show their children how to bounce back through daily challenges, so that they grow into resilient adults. Their website has fantastic resources for parents: tips sheets, story books, and fun activities for building skills like responsibility, caring relationships, thinking skills, participation, and more. 

This website is the go-to place for practical, value-added parenting skills! http://www.reachinginreachingout.com/resources-parents.htm

Agencies interested in the RIRO program will find lesson modules here:
http://www.reachinginreachingout.com/resources-parentprofessionals.htm

Thank you to BC Council for Families, for sharing this program information!