the mom and caregiver magazine

1www.themomonline.comA Free Magazine for PARENTS and CAREGIVERS

Pregnancy • Baby • Toddler • Preschool • School Age • Family

Superfoods – myth or fact?

Back to school, back to health

Early years matter:

tips for healthy development

Thinking of getting pregnant?

Top 5 habits to kick before conceiving

September 2013www.themomonline.com

Volume 15 Issue 9

2 SEPTEMBER 2013

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September is a month for change. The kids are off to school to start a new year; the days are getting shorter and fall is in the air. This has to be one of

my favourite seasons. I love the crisp cooler nights and getting back into to a routine for everyone. But, of course, it requires an adjustment period for kids and parents too. Sometimes it is hard to see the lazy, hazy days of summer in the rearview mirror. Those relaxed summer days can mean that healthy habits take a back seat. Now’s a great time to get caught up on all those appointments that were put off for the summer, like ensuring vaccines are up-to-date and getting in to see the dentist and optometrist. Dr. Bhayana’s article (page 7) highlights how impor-tant it is not to lose sight of our kids’ health as we get caught up in the busy-ness of back to school. One thing we are always teaching Mikaeel is to choose his words properly when speaking not only with us but his friends as well. Carmen’s article (page 11) on how hurtful words can be is a great reminder for all of us to think be-fore we speak. I know I have put my foot in my mouth many times and wished I would have thought through what I was going to say. The old saying is that sticks and stones can break bones but words can never hurt me. Well they can – and do. I hope you all had a wonderful summer and the return to school is a smooth one. See you next month!

Sabina Manji, Publisher /Edi tor519.641.7316 [email protected]

4 New Beginnings Thinking of getting pregnant? Top 5 habits to kick before conceiving

5 As They Grow Helping kids cope with disaster

6 Calendar of Events Things to Celebrate in September

7 the next stage Back to school, back to health

8 You Won’t Want to Miss Dolcetto Ristorante

9 Yummy Apple Burritos

10 Whole Health Getting in gear for the school year

11 A dad’s perspective Watch your words

15 Are we There Yet? Washington D.C.: more than politics

16 financial matters RESPs: worth the investment

17 food 4 thought Superfoods – myth or fact?

18 What I would like to tell my son’s new fifth grade teacher

19 The lighter side of Parenting Yes, you can raise grateful kids!

20 Creative Kids Why woodworking?

21 Early years matter: tips for healthy development

22 A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned Save a dime on a Disney World vacation

If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us at 519.641.7316 or at [email protected].

THE MOM & CAREGIVER is published by Anibas Produc-tions Limited, Publications Mail, Agreement Number 40834037 PO Box 29118, 785 Wonderland Rd S., London, ON N6K 4L9 www. THEMOMonline.com

THE MOM & CAREGIVER is distributed FREE of charge. Anibas Produc-tions Limited welcomes unsolicited contributions. Such material,if published, may be edited. Although Anibas Productions Limited cannot pay contribu-tors, recognition will be given to the contributor. Anibas Productions Limited reserves the right to refuse any contributions or ads. Anibas Productions Limited cannot accept responsibility, in any way, for dissatisfaction or dam-ages incurred by advertisers or their clients. Advertising rates and circulation information is available on request. All rights reserved. Copyright 2013 ©

contents

ON THE COVEREoife didn’t complain once about wearing her fuzzy fleece coat on our oh-so-hot photo shoot day. We kept her happy by tucking some lol-lipops in her purse, which she certainly enjoyed afterwards!

Photographer One-12 PhotographyPhotostylist Sabina Manji Melissa Warkentin

Publisher/editor Sabina ManjiCopy editor Melanie DrewDesigner A. Brophy Creative

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. Chinese proverb

Editor’s note

Sabina

4 SEPTEMBER 2013

New beginningsPregnancy • Birth • Postpartum

Thinking of getting pregnant? Top 5 habits to kick before conceiving

Isn’t it true that anytime a woman states that she’s thinking of having a baby, it seems that

suddenly everyone around her is a pregnancy expert who feels that it is their job to share all sorts of pregnancy advice? Well, here’s some more, but this advice is tried, tested, and true.

Do your best to kick these five habits before conceiving to promote a safe and healthy preg-nancy, as well as an overall healthy lifestyle once baby is born.

1) Missing your daily vitaminThe most important nutrient is folic acid. Hav-ing enough folic acid in your body will dra-matically decrease the chance of having a baby with a neural tube defect. This is a congenital malformation of the brain or spinal cord that occurs very early in pregnancy, most often before women know they have conceived. So start taking your vitamins before you become pregnant.

2) Not getting immunizedEnsure that you are immunized against serious infections that are dangerous for your unborn baby. The most important one is Rubella. Contracting this during pregnancy can cause

Congenital Rubella Syndrome, which is char-acterized by deafness, mental retardation, and heart malformations. Chicken pox (or Varicel-la Zoster Virus) is another virus that can cause significant harm to a fetus if mother contracts the infection while pregnant. The fetus is at risk of brain, eye, and limb malformations.

3) Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or using recreational drugsCigarette smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriages and stillbirths, pre-mature deliveries, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Drinking alcohol increases the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which is the leading cause of prevent-able brain damage. There is no safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed during preg-nancy. Most recreational drugs have adverse effects on the fetus. These are either direct by entering the fetal body, or indirect by affect-ing your health and your ability to care for the baby. These habits are hard to change, so consult your doctor for help.

4) Unhealthy diet and high caffeine useWith today’s busy lifestyles, many people are finding themselves eating an unhealthy diet

full of processed and fast foods. It is hard to change a diet, so start working on it early. Fill your fridge with healthy foods and snacks from all four food groups as per Canada’s Food Guide. Decrease your amount of caffeine intake as it has been shown to negatively affect fetal development and growth. Get the whole household involved so that you aren’t tempted by that bag of chips that your husband left out on the counter.

5) Sedentary lifestyleNot only is regular exercise healthy for your own body, but it also is important for fetal development. The Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of Canada recommend that all women without contraindications should be encouraged to participate in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises as part of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Women should not try to attain peak fitness and should choose activities that will minimize the risk of loss of balance or fetal trauma.

Jessica Jakobczyk, MD, completed her medical school training in Australia, and is a pediatric resident at

Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. Sheaspires to be a community pediatrician here in London.

Jenny [email protected]

519-247-9880www.enjocanada.ca/jdg

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as they grow Newborn • Baby • Toddler

Helping kids cope with disaster

Children can feel terrified during a disaster. Afterwards, some might display changes in behaviour that lessen with time. These

behavioural changes include sleeping difficulty and withdrawal. The reminders of a disaster can cause scary feelings and behavioural changes to return. Watching scenes of the disaster on television/inter-net can be disturbing, especially for younger children.

Media coverage of a disaster, such as a school shooting, can cause fear and anxiety in children. For younger children, repeatedly watching images of a disaster can cause them to think that the event is happen-ing all over again. If older children are permitted to be exposed to the images of a disaster, then it needs to be accompanied by explanation and encouragement of communication. Even for parents/adults, expo-sure to such upsetting and anxiety provoking information might need to be limited.

The factors that make a child’s feelings intense and lengthy include: being directly involved in the disaster (evacuated, seeing the injured/killed, or getting injured), losing a loved one (family member or friend), stress caused by the disaster (losing contact with family or friends, or financial costs), and previous experience with a disaster/traumatic event (the extent of a child and his/her family’s involvement and the coping strategies used by his/her parents).

Identifying your thoughts and feelings, and developing your healthy coping strategies are crucial in supporting your child. Keep in mind your reaction to a traumatic event can affect the way your child reacts and copes. Following a traumatic event, children can feel afraid that the disaster will happen again, a loved one will be injured or killed, and they will be separated from their family.

It’s important to acknowledge your child’s concerns and feelings and to answer his/her questions about a disaster, using age-specific lan-guage and factual information. If your child appears to have a hard time expressing thoughts and feelings, ask him/her to draw a picture or tell a story about the disaster. It’s helpful to let your child know about a safety plan to ensure his/her sense of safety. You can involve your child in helping restore community through a small task. Other supportive tasks include increasing quality time with your child and resuming your fam-ily’s routines.

If your child continues to feel very upset, or scary thoughts and feelings interfere with his/her schoolwork or relationships with family members/friends, it’s appropriate to consult your family physician and pursue counselling.

Nazafarin Bartlett, M.S.W., R.S.W., is a private psychotherapist in London. She has her masters in social work and is a registered social worker with OCSWSSW. She is a wife to

a supportive husband and mother of two amazing and smart children, who she cannot get enough hugs from. www.nblondontherapy.com

Child, Adolescent, & Family Therapy Providing you a safe, comfortable, and confidential setting to explore and overcome your difficult and challenging issues.

226-448-0193 [email protected]

Nazafarin Bartlett, M.S.W., R.S.W.

www.nblondontherapy.com

6 SEPTEMBER 2013

calendar of events

Things to recognize in September: Breakfast for Learning Month • Labour Day 2 • World Alzheimer’s Day 21

Sept. 1-2Fall Fest Victoria Park

•Sept. 2

Western Mustangs Home OpenerTD Waterhouse Stadium

www.westernmustangs.ca•

Sept. 3London: A Newcomer’s Story

Fanshawe Pioneer Villagewww.fanshawepioneervillage.ca

SEPTEMBER 2013

S M T W T F S1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

StorytimeLPL, Central

For more details and events, visit

Books for BabiesLPL, Central

WWE LiveBudweiser Gardens

The Dream Life of Teresa HarrisSept. 7-8, 13-15Eldon House

Community PlaygroupLPL, Cherryhill

Drop In CraftsLPL, Carson

Community Play-groupLPL, Beacock

Sept. 14-15Powwow and Native Harvest FestivalMuseum of Ontar-io Archaeology

Play and LearnOEYC, Perth-Middlesex

Community PlaygroupLPL, Westmount

Daniel PowterCentennial Hall

Films for FamiliesMuseum London

Multiple Birth Family PlayOEYC, Ilderton

Sept. 27-29Ontario Provincial Track ChampionshipsForest City Velodrome

Sept. 28-29Doors Open London

Springbank Road RacesSpringbank Park

Vault TourMuseum London

Family and Friends StorytimeLPL, Crouch

The WigglesCentennial Hall

Poetry London Reading SeriesLPL, Landon

Sept. 26-29Western Mustangs Homecoming

Sept. 17-28Legally BlondeThe Grand Theatre

Jazz for the PeopleWolf Performance Hall

Drop InOEYC, London North Centre

Sept. 1-2Fall FestVictoria Park

Sept. 5-8NHL Rookie TournamentBudweiser Gardens

London: A New-comer’s StoryFanshawe Pioneer Village

Activation ExhibitForest City Gallery

Movie NightVictoria Park

Sept. 4Movie NightVictoria Park

•Sept. 5-8

NHL Rookie TournamentBudweiser Gardens

•Sept. 14-15

Powwow and Native Harvest FestivalMuseum of Ontario Archaeology

www.museumpowwow.ca

Sept. 17-28Legally Blonde

The Grand Theatrewww.grandtheatre.com

•Sept. 24

The WigglesCentennial Hall

www.centennialhall.london.ca•

Sept. 26-29Western Mustangs Homecoming

http://alumni.uwo.ca

Western Mustangs Home OpenerTD Waterhouse Stadium


tHE NEXT STAGEThe Wonder Years —Preschool • School Age Back to school, back to health

Although there are still a few summery days in store, the stores are full of back

to school sales and we’re beginning to dread the fall season. Now’s a good time to review the health needs of your child as the busy school year begins.

Take stock of the following checklist for health.

1. Make sure that your child’s vaccinations are up to date. This can avoid those remind-ers from school that then require scrambling to get vaccinated during the school year. The Middlesex-London Health Unit and your primary care provider can help with reviewing the record and letting you know what is needed.

2. See your optometrist. A surprising number of young children and their parents are not aware that there is a vision problem until much time has passed. This can result in lost learning opportunities.

3. If you have any concerns about speech or attention in school, consider having your child’s hearing tested.

4. Establish a routine. Sleep patterns can be disrupted in the summer so it is a good idea to ease back into a healthier routine. The value of a good night’s sleep in ensuring academic success cannot be overstated.

5. Make a synopsis of any health conditions and allergies for your child’s teacher. Having this ready ahead of time can ensure a safer return to the classroom.

6. See your child’s dentist. Back to school is a good time to do a dental check-up. It is a good idea to start dental check-ups at the age of three.

7. Nutrition. Summer treats are a time limited offer and gradually restoring a healthy diet can be less shocking than doing it at once. Regular mealtimes and a return to healthier choices can make the transition easier. Eat Right Ontario has some good suggestions on their website: http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/School-Health/Articles/Back-to-school-nutrition-basics.aspx.

Here is wishing your children a successful and healthy academic year!

Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in Londonand the mother of two young men. She continues to find

wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite morethan twenty-three years on the job!

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8 SEPTEMBER 2013

you won’t want to miss

Dolcetto Ristorante celebrates the Ital-ian way of life, which if you think

about it, is really about enjoying the little things every day.

It means:

Family – casual, social meals with the ones you love.

Community – knowing the food you’re eating is fresh, prepared with heart and comes from local people who cultivate their lives on the land.

Sensible – exercising your desire to eat healthy, appropriately sized dishes and feel-ing great about it.

Experience – feeling welcome in a friend-ly, warm and exciting place that shares your passion for great food.

Dolcetto understands the importance of speed, quality and value when dining with children. Their wallet friendly $3.99 chil-dren’s menu includes delicious fresh made food. Wiki stiks keep the kids amused, plus high chairs, booster chairs, a wick-edly fast kitchen staff and a waitstaff that understands your wants and needs all make Dolcetto a perfect family night out.

No longer do you have to settle for large chain premade food. It’s time parents get to enjoy what they’re eating as much as the kids do. If you’re too busy to dine out, use Dolcetto to go and they’ll have your meal ready for you when you arrive. They’ll even carry your food to your car to make life easier; you just call them and say you’re in the parking lot!

Each month we introduce you to a business that offers families in London and the surrounding area services or products you won’t want to miss. This month’s featured business is... Dolcetto Ristorante

Do you and the hubby need a free night away from the kids? Dolcetto celebrates the last Thursday of every month with free wine seminars, discussing and tasting their wines and foods of a particular region. They’re bringing Italy to you and teaching you a little something at the same time.

You must taste their food to understand why so many people are talking about them. In the true Italian way, the food tells the real story. Benvenuto!

Look for Dolcetto at 3020 Colonel Talbot Road in London.


Apple burritos are ideal for dessert, as an after school snack or to take on the road to

a soccer practice. For small children, use small flour tortillas, filling each with about ¼ cup (50 mL) apple mixture.

Preparation: 10 minutesServings: 4

Ingredients

2 tbsp (25 mL) unsalted butter 6 Ontario apples, peeled if desired and cut into thin slices 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon ¼ tsp (1 mL) ground ginger 1 tsp (5 mL) cornstarch 3 tbsp (45 mL) Ontario maple syrup 4 large flour tortillas, preferably whole grainTopping

1 tsp (5 mL) butter, melted 1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar

Yummy Apple Burritos

PreparationAdditional fillings (optional): Dried cranberries, raisins, granola, toasted coconut, chopped nuts or chocolate chips

Additional toppings (optional): Ontario maple syrup, Ontario liquid honey, frozen vanilla yogurt or ice cream

In large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples, cinnamon and ginger; stir until apples begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir cornstarch into maple syrup until dissolved. Add to apple mixture, stirring constantly until boiling and thickened, about 2 minutes.

Divide apple mixture among tortillas, placing in row on bottom third of each. If using additional filling, top apples with 2 tbsp (25 mL). Roll bottom of torti-lla over filling; flip sides over then roll up tightly to enclose. Place seam side down on baking sheet.

Topping: Brush tops with melted but-ter; sprinkle with sugar. Bake in 425°F (220°C) oven until crispy, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room tem-perature, sliced diagonally in half with additional toppings if desired.

Source: Foodland Ontario

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10 SEPTEMBER 2013

Whole HealthHealth • Well-Being • Fitness

Getting in gear for the school year

Getting a new school year off to a good start can be challenging, but as a parent

you play a pivotal role in helping your fam-ily manage the transition back into “school mode.” Research has found that parents who take an active role in their children’s academ-ics not only influence their performance, but also their attitude, confidence, and social behaviours.

Here are some tips to help prepare for a successful back-to-school experience:

Create a consistent routine. Children aren’t always on a schedule during the summer months, but consistency is essential for a healthy and productive school year. Establish healthy habits at home by creating “home-work time” at the same time every night and follow the same daily bedtime routine.

Prepare healthy meals. Proper nutrition plays an important role in your child’s academics; in fact, research has shown that children’s performance and mental alertness improves if they eat healthy, balanced meals, especially breakfast. Together with your child, pack nutritious lunches and snacks for school each day.

Encourage family exercise. Not only does ex-ercise enhance the brain’s metabolism, reduce the risk of many chronic diseases (includ-ing obesity), and build self-confidence, but research has shown that children who exercise on a regular basis have improved memory retention and academic performance.

Communicate with teachers and the school. Introduce yourself to your child’s teachers at the start of the school year. Let them know you want to be actively involved in your child’s learning and growth, and ask how you can help with your child’s home-

work, activities, and progress throughout the school year. You may also consider serving on your local PTA or other parent groups that en-gage with and/or support your child’s school community.

Create a homework area at home. Just like your child has desk space at school, set up a special place at home where you child can do homework. Make sure the space is in a quiet part of your home with no distractions.

Read together. Take time each day to read with your child. In as little as 15 minutes per day you can reinforce the importance of literacy, and explore new worlds of fun and adventure with your child.

Gillian Mandich is a PhD student at Western Uni-versity studying Health and Rehabilitation Science,

Health Promotion. Gillian’s Master’s degree is in Child and Youth Health, and she is passionate about family health, nutrition, and childhood obesity. She is also a

holistic health advocate, yoga teacher, and co-host of the podcast “The Holistic Health Diary.” Follow her on

Twitter @gillianmandich.

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Wow, that went fast! September is here, school’s back, Christmas displays

are starting to appear. Time to get out your sweaters and close the pool. Actually it’s kind of neat that, as I’m writing this, I’m brought back to one of the reasons I wrote How to Be A Great Dad: It’s In Your Hands. Every year at this time, as I dropped the girls off at school, I listened to some of the parents rejoicing that school is back and now the kids are out of their hair.

Please, if you feel this way, do not let your children know. I’m not saying everyone, I’m saying a select few. It broke my heart though when these comments were made in front of the children. Imagine how you would feel if your partner or spouse said, “I sure am glad you’re going to be busy all day!”

A dad’s perspective

Watch your words

Words can be so powerful and hurtful at the same time. In my book, I explain the causes and effects negative words have on our chil-dren. Our everyday actions send a message but our words are even more powerful.

There is an old saying: “Sticks and stones can break our bones but words can never hurt us.” Well, yes they can. Words are one of the most powerful tools we have so please be conscious of the words, comments, and negativity spoken in front of your children.

Some positive sayings

My favourite: I love you.

Have a great day.

Be safe.

Can’t wait till I see you again after school.

When you get home we’ll have some fun together.

It’s a great time to plan fun stuff for the weekends and let your children know you can’t wait to spend quality time with them. Change everything to a positive and always be conscious of your words.

I’m not perfect. I’m trying, just like all of you, to learn, grow, be better, and that’s why I wrote my book. It’s for me to try to become the best dad I could. You can too.

Do good and forget about it.

Carmen Elefante is a loving husband and father of two adored daughters. He’s the author of How to be a Great

Dad: It’s in Your Hands, a book on what it means to be a loving and giving parent. Carmen wants not only fathers

but all caregivers, moms, grandparents, aunts, uncles, humans to realize we can make a difference in a child’s

life. For more information, visit www.carmen-sense.com.

?

12 SEPTEMBER 2013

www.londonbridge.com

Providing child care services since 1993

14 locations throughout London, Sarnia & Huron

At London Bridge we understand the powerful impact that the environment has on all of us and we give great attention and care to the spaces that we create for young children.

nyone who has ever been to a shopping mall knows that the environment gives you plenty of information about how to behave simply by the way it is set up. The way items are displayed and presented, how walk-ways are arranged, even the type of music that gets played, all convey a message about what you should and should not do in that space. If a store has a push cart or basket at the entrance, it tells me that I am encouraged to pick things up and fill it. If there are no baskets at the entrance but there are glass shelves filled with delicate things and slow quiet music playing in the background, my brain tells me to move slowly and keep my hands still. As adults, some of these behaviours have certainly been learned, but others are intuitive. Wide open spaces inspire me to run or move my body; low lighting and quiet music tell me to slow down; a tray of cookies in the middle of the table invite me to take one.

But the environment around us does more than simply tell us how to move and whether or not to touch, it can inspire us, engage our senses, make us want to linger. It can give us information about how the world works and offer us exciting challenges.

At London Bridge we understand the powerful impact that the environment has on all of us and we give great attention and care to the spaces that we create for young children. The environments that we offer stem from a solid set of beliefs that we have about what children deserve.

We believe that all learning happens in relationship and that children should feel a sense of belonging, therefore our classroom environments are not carbon copies of each other. Rather, each room is a reflection of the people who spend their days in that space. Rooms are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, homelike and thoughtfully arranged and inspired by the children’s own interests. Photographs of the children, their families and their work are present throughout their room. There are comfortable spaces

that offer children a place to pause and be alone as well as spaces to gather together and collaborate with others.

We believe that children should be free to explore, make discoveries and have endless opportunities to express their ideas so we offer a wide variety of accessible, inviting materials. We create spaces where children can explore uninterrupted for long periods of time, build on ideas and use materials in a variety of ways.

We believe that all children are full of potential and have a strong desire to learn. Research concurs that children’s brains are built for learning. The way in which an environment is set up can have a strong impact on whether a child is overwhelmed, frustrated and board or captivated, inspired, delighted and challenged.

At London Bridge we agree that the environments we create for young children are a greater reflection of what we believe about them and concur with Anita Olds when she said,

“Children are miracles.We must remember it is our job;To create,With reverence and gratitude, A space that is worthy of a miracle.”

Anne Marie Coughlin, Program DirectorLondon Bridge Child Care Services Inc.

The Role of the Environment on Children’s Learning

Each moment in a child’s life presents unique possibilities for learning. Children continuously marvel at the wonders of the world and through their relentless pursuit to make discoveries they help us to see the potential that exists all around us. At London Bridge we believe in the competencies of all children and understand that when we support them in their growth today, the possibilities for tomorrow are endless.


www.londonbridge.com

Providing child care services since 1993

14 locations throughout London, Sarnia & Huron

At London Bridge we understand the powerful impact that the environment has on all of us and we give great attention and care to the spaces that we create for young children.

nyone who has ever been to a shopping mall knows that the environment gives you plenty of information about how to behave simply by the way it is set up. The way items are displayed and presented, how walk-ways are arranged, even the type of music that gets played, all convey a message about what you should and should not do in that space. If a store has a push cart or basket at the entrance, it tells me that I am encouraged to pick things up and fill it. If there are no baskets at the entrance but there are glass shelves filled with delicate things and slow quiet music playing in the background, my brain tells me to move slowly and keep my hands still. As adults, some of these behaviours have certainly been learned, but others are intuitive. Wide open spaces inspire me to run or move my body; low lighting and quiet music tell me to slow down; a tray of cookies in the middle of the table invite me to take one.

But the environment around us does more than simply tell us how to move and whether or not to touch, it can inspire us, engage our senses, make us want to linger. It can give us information about how the world works and offer us exciting challenges.

At London Bridge we understand the powerful impact that the environment has on all of us and we give great attention and care to the spaces that we create for young children. The environments that we offer stem from a solid set of beliefs that we have about what children deserve.

We believe that all learning happens in relationship and that children should feel a sense of belonging, therefore our classroom environments are not carbon copies of each other. Rather, each room is a reflection of the people who spend their days in that space. Rooms are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, homelike and thoughtfully arranged and inspired by the children’s own interests. Photographs of the children, their families and their work are present throughout their room. There are comfortable spaces

that offer children a place to pause and be alone as well as spaces to gather together and collaborate with others.

We believe that children should be free to explore, make discoveries and have endless opportunities to express their ideas so we offer a wide variety of accessible, inviting materials. We create spaces where children can explore uninterrupted for long periods of time, build on ideas and use materials in a variety of ways.

We believe that all children are full of potential and have a strong desire to learn. Research concurs that children’s brains are built for learning. The way in which an environment is set up can have a strong impact on whether a child is overwhelmed, frustrated and board or captivated, inspired, delighted and challenged.

At London Bridge we agree that the environments we create for young children are a greater reflection of what we believe about them and concur with Anita Olds when she said,

“Children are miracles.We must remember it is our job;To create,With reverence and gratitude, A space that is worthy of a miracle.”

Anne Marie Coughlin, Program DirectorLondon Bridge Child Care Services Inc.

The Role of the Environment on Children’s Learning

Each moment in a child’s life presents unique possibilities for learning. Children continuously marvel at the wonders of the world and through their relentless pursuit to make discoveries they help us to see the potential that exists all around us. At London Bridge we believe in the competencies of all children and understand that when we support them in their growth today, the possibilities for tomorrow are endless.

14 SEPTEMBER 2013


Are we there yet?Must-see travel destinations

Washington D.C.: more than politics

During my first visit to Washington D.C. 15 years ago, the first thing I wanted to

see was Fonzi’s jacket. And I found it, in the Smithsonian Museum of American History beside Archie Bunker’s chair near the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz (a popular draw!). This year, however, my visit revealed a sad truth: the jacket is no longer on display, likely because kids today ask, “Who’s Fonzi?” Yet the chair remains. Kermit the Frog has been added. No complaint there.

The pop culture display is one small part of this massive museum that focuses on all things American, and half of it is closed for renovations until 2014. It’s also one of 19 Smithsonian Institute museums in the U.S. nation’s capital, which is a hefty, but pos-sible, one-day car trip from London. But, when you get there, D.C. is a bonanza of his-tory, sites, and pristine public parks, like ‘The

Mall’ stretching between the iconic Wash-ington Monument and the inspiring Lincoln Memorial. (This year construction of the African American Museum mars the visuals of The Mall, but it’s still accessible.)

Other Smithsonians worth visiting, espe-cially for families, are the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Air and Space, and the National Zoo. The first is home to 126 million artifacts, including the African bush elephant (greeting visitors since

the 1950s), more dinosaurs than you can shake a bone at and the Hope Diamond. The Air and Space museum is closer to the White House (on The Mall, not the one near the air-port). Significant planes, like the Spirit of St. Louis, hang above your head and you can walk through an actual Skylab or-bital workshop or sit in a cockpit of

an early commercial jet. Little ones can get hands-on with flight concepts in the ‘How Things Fly’ exhibit.

The National Zoo is worth an entire day. In this well-designed facility surrounded by city activity, you can get close to African elephants. The big draw is the new giant panda exhibit, which recreates panda habitat with waterfall, stream and cave hideouts for

lounging. Parking is free behind the zoo.

In fact, everything mentioned is free (but expect over-priced cafeterias and gift stores). Part of the Smithsonian mandate is that all are free to the public. Street parking is free on the weekends in D.C., and hotel rates drop significantly then too, once lobbyists go home. Make sure you stay on the west side; avoid the east side, especially the sketchy south-east. A weekend stay on the right side of town becomes an extremely economical cultural adventure. (www.si.edu)

Sherri Telenko is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer living in Caledonia. Follow her travels, near and far, at

www.sherritelenko.wordpress.com.

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16 SEPTEMBER 2013

Financial matters Helping you see the green

RESPs: worth the investment

Whether it’s our first baby or our sixth, as soon as we see that brand new bundle of joy we’re dreaming and planning all

the great things we’ll do to provide for them. Often, one of those dreams is that we’ll help them pay for their university education so they can be something great and have an awesome future.

There are two different types of savings plans designed for post-secondary education, group RESPs and self-directed RESPs, but which one is right for you? Some parents shy away from RESPs because they’ve heard rumours that RESPs aren’t worth it.

No matter where you choose to put your money, always take the time to read and understand the terms and conditions. It may seem tedious, but your financial advisor should explain it so you can easily understand both types.

Here are some key factors to remember when making a decision:

Group plans – You contribute to your plan along with other families. The money is pooled together and then distributed based on the company’s plan to the students attending post-secondary education at that time. You purchase units in the contract and pay a variety of fees throughout the program. If you break your contract or cannot keep up with the monthly contribu-tions, you will lose some of the earnings and may pay more fees to get out.

Self-directed plans – Your family has its own account and there are no contracts. You can contribute monthly or in lump sums as often as you wish. You may pay management fees, very similar to your other investment accounts. What is in your account is yours and no one else’s.

Rules you should know – for all plans

1. The child must have a Social Insurance Number to apply.

2. Canada Savings Education Grant: The government will add a grant of 20 per cent to your contributions in any plan up to a maximum of $500 per year. (2013)

3. You can have a family plan where children in the same family can share the investment as needed.

4. Maximum contributions are $50,000 per child in a lifetime; anything over that is subject to a one per cent tax monthly.

5. There is a maximum 35-year life span on any RESP, and no contributions can be made after the student turns 31.

6. Any unused RESP investments can be transferred to an RRSP, as long as you have not reached your RRSP deduction limit. You can also transfer the RESP to another family member or use it yourself to attend a post-secondary institution (some restrictions apply).

Canada Learning Bond

If your family receives the National Child Benefit supplement, your child could receive a $500 (if born after Dec. 31, 2003) lump sum and could also receive up to $100 per year up to age 15.

An RESP is a great way to save for your children’s education and have the government help you out. It’s worth checking into with your financial advisor today!

Dawn Ewing, President, Vantage Group (familyleanding.ca Inc. Lic# 12114) Vantage Group Corp is a

group of independent advisors that teach and empower their clients to make sound financial decisions.

How would it feel to have more control?

“...which one is right for you?”


Food 4 thoughtNutrition advice good enough to eat

Superfoods – myth or fact?

Heather Thomas, PhD is a Registered Dietitian from London who strives to find balance in her professional,

academic and family life while enjoying the occasional chocolate chip cookie along the way!

How about a superfood recipe that combines some of these superfoods together?

Sweet Potato and Garbanzo Bean (Chick Pea) Stew with Quinoa

Ingredients

½ c quinoa1 c water1 tbsp olive oil1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed¼ small onion, diced1 clove garlic¾ tsp cumin¼ tsp ginger¼ tsp red pepper¼ tsp salt1 15oz can diced tomatoes½ c vegetable broth1 c garbanzo beans (chick peas)2 handfuls spinach

Instructions

1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Combine quinoa and water in a small pan, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 12 minutes. Water should be absorbed and quinoa should be tender. Set aside.

2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium. Add in onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Stir in the garlic and spices, cooking for one more minute. Next, stir in the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, vegetable broth, and chick peas. If you are using canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them. Let stew cook down for 20 minutes.

3. Roughly chop spinach and stir into the stew. Continue to cook until spinach has slightly wilted, another 1-2 minutes.

4. Spoon half of the quinoa into a bowl and top with half of stew. This meal stores well and is great heated up the next day.

While there is no legal definition of the term “superfood,” it’s often used to describe food with higher nutrient content that may provide health benefits. Many registered

dietitians do not use this term, although it’s popular among consumers and food manufac-turers. I don’t particularly love the term because it usually is not just one factor in a food that delivers health benefits but rather a combination of different components within the food, some that we may not even know enough about, that may work together to bring about the health benefits.

That said, there certainly are some powerhouses that are packed with nutritional punch and provide awesome health paybacks. The Centre for Science in the Public Interest (http://www.cspinet.org/canada) suggests a top 10 list to include in our diets on a regular basis. Here are my top five picks:

1. Sweet potatoes – These gems contain carotenoids (components that give the orange co-lour to this vegetable), vitamin C, potassium, and fibre. Their natural sweet flavour makes this veggie an easy one to include in your diet.

2. Unsweetened Greek yogurt – Non-fat, plain Greek yogurt mixes perfectly with fresh fruit. It contains about twice as much protein than other varieties. More protein means this healthy snack will take longer to digest so satisfies you longer.

3. Garbanzo beans (chick peas) – All beans are rich in fibre, protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Garbanzos are also versatile. Ready to eat after a quick rinse, these powerhouse beans can be added into virtually anything: stews, soups, salads, curries, cous-cous, rice … you name it!

4. Broccoli – This dark green beauty contains vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin K, and folic acid. Most kids like them just steamed so they’re tender crisp. Add a lower fat dip and enjoy!

5. Butternut squash – This versatile squash is rich in vitamin A and C and has lots of fibre. It can be added to soups, stews, curries, or just baked and enjoyed as a side dish.

18 SEPTEMBER 2013

Hi, I’m Allison. This is my son, my oldest child. He’s in your class this year.

At the risk of sounding like “That Mom,” I want to tell you there was a time – a time not that long ago – when I used to tear up at the thought of dropping my baby off at preschool for the first time. Back then, he was a somewhat pudgy toddler, not this gangly, long-limbed creature I present to you today.

I used to push him in the swing at the playground, giving myself panic attacks thinking about a day when I would have to leave him at a school. I didn’t think I could entrust the health and safety of my firstborn child to anyone, ever. Visions of Dustin Hoffman in Kramer vs. Kramer jogging his bleeding son to the emergency room after he fell from the jungle gym played on “repeat” in my hormone-addled brain.

Then I had another baby, and suddenly preschool didn’t seem so ominous. It seemed, instead, like a magical place that might ensure my sanity. I did cry a little that first day of preschool drop-off, but I haven’t cried since. This boy of mine loves school. He thrives in a classroom. I can’t feel sad about his first days anymore.

But, just so you know, you have big shoes to fill. I loved my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jean Dalton. I love her even more in retro-spect, knowing she was the last teacher who was able to coddle me a little and let me be a child and not an emerging adult.

Sixth grade – middle school and lockers and puberty and ev-erything that comes with it – was a bit of a harsh wake-up call afterward, it’s true. But thank goodness I had that one last year to be a child and to be treated like one. I am hoping my son gets the same opportunity, because adulthood is so very much longer than childhood, with much less time for pleasure read-ing and arts and crafts. And make no mistake, he is still a child. He still makes up games with his brothers on rainy afternoons, still kisses the rolls on his infant sister’s neck, still changes the channel when Monster House is on TV because it scares him just a little, even though he won’t admit it. I want him to be able to savour this last year of elementary school. Thank you for preparing him for middle school, but thank you just as much for recognizing that he still has some baby teeth to lose.

You’ll have a part of my heart this year in your classroom, so be gentle with him. He loves school and still has the swagger and sheltered confidence of a child who hasn’t yet encountered al-

gebraic functions or Shakespeare’s puns. He still thinks he owns the world and that he is invincible. While I know this can’t last forever, I am holding on with both hands to the dwindling days left when he doesn’t worry about how his hair looks or how a grade might taint his GPA.

Please encourage him, please challenge him, and please ap-preciate that he is actually a really good kid. He’s wicked smart, too, but don’t tell him so. Ask him to work for his learning and to put effort into his assignments. It will mean so much more to him and for him in the long run. Push him. See what he can do.

Be patient with me when I email you with my concerns. Some will be valid, most will be silly, but just know I am trying hard not to be a helicopter parent or invade your space. It’s so hard these days to know what a “good” parent looks like. I’m told not to hover, but I should still be involved and engaged and advo-cate for my child. I’m not even sure if I am supposed to check his homework or not; some teachers want me to, others don’t. I’m excited to help in the classroom, but I don’t want you to think I’m trying to be all up in your business.

I trust my kid will be just fine, and I’m excited to see what you will do with him. I’m just trying to be a good parent, whatever that does actually mean, and I’m not crazy. I promise. Probably. I hope. When all is said and done, I just want my kid to be happy and to have a good year, and I know you want the same. I’m here to support you both.

What I actually said to my son’s new fifth grade teacher at Meet the Teacher last week:

Hi, I’m Allison. This is my son, my oldest child. He’s in your class this year.

So, where is his desk?

Allison Slater Tate is a 38-year-old freelance writer and mother of four children in Central Florida. A graduate of Princeton University, she had a brief career in television and film development before she decided to

head to suburbia and drive a minivan. Allison blogs at www.allisonslatertate.com.

What I would like to tell my son’s new fifth grade teacher:


As parents we always try to give our kids more than what we had – a better

environment or more emotional support. In other words, we don’t want our kids looking back on their childhood and saying, “The reason I am so screwed up, addicted to self-help books and in therapy is because of you!”

But, what is more? Or, I should say, “What is too much?”

I struggle with this as I look in each of my kids’ bedrooms and I am taken aback by how much they have. And, yes, I bought it all. They each have their own laptop, cell phone, gaming consoles. Not to mention bikes, TVs, I could go on. It’s like they won the lottery and didn’t tell me.

But, even though they have all this stuff, I have to say my kids are grateful. I think it’s because of the opportunity I have had raising them as a working comedian. That means some weeks we had money and some weeks we didn’t. Sometimes we’d be at the supermarket and I would say, “Bread, juice and eggs, we are on a budget” and some weeks I would say, “Today we can get anything we want!!!” Poptarts, chips … you get the idea. It taught them to be grateful because we have what we need not what we think we wanted.

The lighter side of parentingA comedic parenting perspective Yes, you can raise grateful kids!

Kate Davis is a clever and candid comedienne and mother of three. Her “Parenting With Humour” workshops help parents find funny alternatives in communicating with their kids. Visit www.funnymommy.com.

As parents we have all given our 21st cen-tury kids the “there are millions of people much worse off then you with no water or food” lecture. It goes in one ear and out the other. So start at home and be grateful for the little things. My family always has so much fun saying the Madeline grace: “We love our bread, we love our butter but most of all we love each other.”

I remember when my oldest daughter said to me, “I know you aren’t Santa cause you never could afford to buy me all those presents.” Little did she know. So have fun spoiling your kids but find a balance by sometimes saying “maybe next week.”

“...start at home and be grateful for the little things.”

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20 SEPTEMBER 2013

Creative KidsCreate • Have Fun • Get Messy

Why woodworking?

From the staff at Childreach

Woodworking. Just the mere word strikes fear in the heart of many of

the most competent of parents. We visualize a child approaching us, crying, with a bleed-ing finger, or a child hitting another in the head with a hammer.

Children can be taught to utilize a wood-working area appropriately and learn to respect tools – just as in any other area. For children ages four years and older, the benefits and the learning associated with this activity far outweigh the potential for problems, if implemented and supervised correctly.

Start slowly! Implementing woodworking does not mean starting out with a full set of tools and powersaw. Start simple with a piece of sandpaper and wood or Styrofoam, golf tees and a small rubber mallet. From there, you can introduce a piece of wood with several screws started and a screwdriver. Introduce one tool and one skill at a time.

Here are some simple woodworking proj-ects that you can try with your children at home or at school.

• Hammer finishing nails into ceiling tiles. • Let children paint their projects. • Start nails in a tree log. • Attach bolts to a piece of wood – have children match the corresponding nuts. • Hammer golf tees into Styrofoam. • Hammer bubble wrap or, if they are babies or toddlers, let them practise popping bubble wrap.• Make “geoboards” (adding rubber bands). • Take the woodworking bench outside in the summer. Supervise carefully.• Have an area to display finished products (or “works in progress”).

Woodworking benefits and skill-building

• Eye-hand co-ordination • Dexterity/fine motor • Problem-solving • Role-playing • Creative thinking • Imagination • Independence/self-esteem • Stress reliever (pounding) • Matching/classification • Sorting • Comparing/measuring • Textures and properties • Conceptualization • Co-operation • Respect for tools and materials • Increased awareness and understanding of the world around them • Language development

Children are our future engineers. Let’s encourage them

to learn and grow!


Early years matter: tips for healthy development

To my parents:

I know that one of the best parts about being my parent is watching me grow and develop. My early development is important because it will influence my health, well-be-ing, learning and behaviours throughout life.

Here are some tips for healthy development that you can do with me: • Only breast milk is needed for the first six months. Then, keep breastfeeding me until I am two years or more.• Feed me fruits and vegetables often.• I need a safe place to live and play.• My baby teeth need cleaning twice a day too. Get my teeth checked by 12 months.• Get my hearing tested at birth.• Get my eyes tested at six months. It’s free until I turn 20 years old. • Play and exploration help my small muscles develop. Give me opportunities to grasp, pick up and hold small objects like blocks and crayons, every day.• I need to build a strong body from tummy time to crawling, walking, running, jumping and climbing. • Talking starts early and I learn from you. Talk and sing with me all the time.• I love it when you read to me every day.• Play is important for building confidence, creativity and problem solving. Provide me with opportunities to play each day.

• I have feelings too. Help me learn to cope and build good behaviour by providing structure, routine, and praise.• Caring, hugging and comforting help me learn to love.• I need to play with others to learn how to share and make friends.

Did you know that you can use a Nipiss-ing District Developmental Screen (www.ndds.ca) to assess my development? It’s a simple checklist where you answer yes or no to a series of questions. If there is a “no,” help me develop the skill over the next one to two weeks. If you still have concerns talk to your health care provider or a public health nurse at Health Connection at 519-850-2280 to book me in to a Developmental Screening Clinic, where my development will be screened by a Health Care Profes-sional team.

Thank you for giving me the best start in life!

Information created by the Community Early Years Partnership, article written by Brooke Clark, RN, BScN,

Public Health Nurse, Family Health Services, Middlesex-London Health Unit.

22 SEPTEMBER 2013

A penny saved is a penny earnedHelping you save where you can

Save a dime on a Disney World vacation

Melissa Warkentin is trained as an Early Childhood Educator. Now, as a stay-at-home mom of two daughters, she is always looking for ways to enjoy family time without

breaking the bank.

Disney World, in Orlando, Florida, is a popular destination for family vaca-

tions. A little planning up front can save you lots of cash, and allow you to enjoy those “magical” moments with your family.

Your first step should be research. Visit www.disneyworld.disney.go.com, DisneyWorld’s official website. Check out deal sites like www.allears.net and www.mousesavers.com. Ask friends or family who have been before for their best tips and recommendations. Send away for Disney’s free planning kit, which includes a DVD and booklet with lots of basic information. They’re also a great way to get excitement going about your upcoming trip. You can easily book directly on the Disney website or by phone.

First, choose the right time of year to travel to Disney World. It’s busier and more ex-pensive during summer break, Easter and Christmas holidays. We have travelled in late September when hurricane season has passed, prices are lower and weather is warm.

We stay at the Value Resorts on the Disney property. These still give us the fabulous benefits of staying onsite (free airport shuttle, transportation to the parks, extended hours to visit the parks), but at a reasonable cost. The rooms are simple and small but, after all, most of our time is spent at the parks or swimming. Even the Value Resorts offer cool themed pools.

If you are travelling with a child under three, they get free park admission and free dining on the Disney meal plan, when eating off of an adult’s plate or at a buffet. This was not a problem as portions were large and buffets were a-plenty. Be on the lookout for times when Disney offers their meal plan for free with a hotel/park package. We always bring breakfast (granola bars, fruit cups, etc.) to eat in our room before hitting the parks. You could also choose to eat in a full service restaurant at lunch instead of dinner to save some cash. Remember to book your dining as far in advance as possible!

Bring all essentials with you. Batteries, dia-pers, memory cards and sunblock are very expensive within the parks. Set a clear sou-venir limit before leaving home, either using a dollar amount, or a plan of purchase (for example, each family member can choose mouse ears or a t-shirt).

Be sure to compare your travel costs to find the best deal. Add up the cost of gas, an overnight stay, travel meals and time off of work to see if driving is more or less expensive than flying. If flying to Orlando, look for deals. We found inexpensive direct flights to this very busy, family-friendly airport. We flew from Detroit to Orlando on Spirit Airlines. We did not need to get a rental car, because we relied on Disney’s free airport shuttle (The Magical Express) and free Disney transportation to the parks.

Lastly, Disney raises their prices about once a year, so book as soon as you can to lock in your price. Unfortunately, children aged 10 and over pay adult prices, so work that into your budget.

Have a great Disney vacation and remem-ber to build in rest and relaxation times so everyone can fully enjoy the experience!


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24 SEPTEMBER 2013

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