How to Overcome Boredom with Board Games!
Spring Break still has a few days left and the weather has taken a turn. Going outside to play is not always a desirable option, although there are many rainy day activities everyone can enjoy. One of our family’s favourite rainy day, screen-free past times is playing a board or card game. Here are some…
6 Family Fun Activity Picks In Vancouver And Surrounding Communities
5 min readSpring Break is here once again, and the sun is shining just in time to get started! There are so…
What Are The Benefits Of A Montessori Education?
10 min read"An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of…
YOUNG MUSICIAN AND PHILANTHROPIST STEALS OUR HEARTS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S
6 min readToday we are so excited to bring to you a very special interview with Rachel Wei who is our perfect…
Latest Issues
November 11, 2023
Education Issue is here!
In this issue, we have provided more information about what these report cards will look like. The BC government has made some changes and the new format has been updated to better encourage our children’s learning. We have also included information about various learning approaches—critical thinking, project-based learning, music, and of course play and its…
Read NowExciting Back to School is coming!
It’s been a great summer filled with quality moments with our families at exciting locations around the city. There are a few weeks left, but now it is time to start preparing for the school year. In this issue, we have an article to help you choose a location for a new early learner. It’s a tough…
Yay Summer 2023 is almost here!!!
Summer holidays can be fun and exciting - or long and boring. Luckily this summer there are amazing events to go to. There are also a lot of exciting camps that your kids could attend. They can sing and dance, learn STEM with LEGO, be around horses, and do many other great activities. Read our…
Exciting News: The 2023 Family Resource Guide is here!!!
It's hard to believe it's already March and you may be anxiously awaiting Spring, like me. It's coming soon and so are the activities, Spring Break, and Summer Break. Our Family Resource Guide was put together to provide you with lists of businesses that can help you connect with the businesses you need to talk…
BC Parent Newsmagazine
Family Directory
In its 33rd year of publication, parents and caregivers have come to rely on BC Parent for relevant, up-to-date information they can trust. Going beyond recipes and crafts (although we have included our favourites in the past), BC Parent Magazine gives parents the information they want on healthcare, education, birthing, the arts, community events and so much more. From pregnancy through teens, BC Parent provides up-to-date, in-depth articles and information for all families.
We now want to extend our reach and provide even more information to our readers by giving it to them online and at their fingertips. Please add your business listing so our readers can easily find you, learn about you and connect with you!
Parenting
What Is Parent-Child Play And Why Is It So Important
7 min readWe are learning from the fields of neuroscience and child-development that children need many positive, face-to-face interactions with attentive, sensitive, and responsive parents or caregivers for healthy brain and nervous system development. Play activities between parent and child are excellent ways to provide these necessary interactions to children. Parent-child play offers unique benefits to children…
7 helpful tips to Manage Screen Use
5 min readParents need to take an active role when it comes to helping their child manage his/her online life. Here are 7 practical tips to help your child on their screen journey:
‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ at Dinnertime with These 6 fun Ideas!
5 min readEmbracing togetherness with family at dinnertime is a worldwide tradition spanning generations and a multitude of cultures. Sharing a meal with good conversation is a valued part of our social wellbeing, yet a recent survey1 by Maple Leaf Foods shows that this coveted time of togetherness is another aspect of our lives negatively impacted by…
More Families Seeking Help for Children with Support Needs –
4 min readAs a BC nonprofit organization working closely with children with special needs (support needs), and their families, leaders from our family programs at Options Community Services are observing how important inclusion, and adequate resources, are for both the increase in children with support needs, and their families. A 2022 Inclusion BC study examined how families…
Effective Parenting Techniques – Encouraging Growth Mindset
4 min readAre you going to be parents? Most likely, you are feeling nervous and happy at the same time. It won't be wrong to say that this is quite obvious. Parenting can be considered one of the most difficult jobs in the world. It's kind of a race that starts after a certain period, but there…
How to Survive a Family Home Renovation With Kids Around
5 min readRenovating a family home can be challenging enough without children present - let alone when doing it on your own! Renovation projects can be noisy, chaotic and disruptive - not to mention dangerous! When combined with power tools and workstations that look like play areas for small children, a disaster could easily ensue. 1. Establish…
Education
What Are The Benefits Of A Montessori Education?
10 min read"An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live."Dr. Maria Montessori Even though I’ve worked in preschool classrooms and after school programs for over a…
IS THE PROJECT BASED LEARNING (PBL) MODEL THE WAY OF
9 min readAs Swiss Psychologist, Jean Piaget, once stated, “Knowledge is a consequence of experience.” There is a lot of truth to this statement and as education continues to evolve, Project-Based Learning (PBL) has become more recognized. In fact, many schools have actually taken on a Project Based Learning Model in offering their students the opportunity to…
How Important Is Play In The Development Of Our Youngest
10 min readWe have recently spoken with three child development experts about this question, beginning with renowned counsellor, scientist and storyteller, Dr. Deborah MacNamara, along with early childhood education college instructors, Candiss Brown and Nika Jibrael. According to all three, play is where it all begins.
BOBS & LOLO – Share The Gift Of Friendship This
6 min readThis year on Valentine’s Day, we decided to focus on the gift of FRIENDSHIP and are so excited to be featuring this dynamic duo – Bobs & Lolo. Their partnership did not begin as a business arrangement but rather, blossomed from a lifelong friendship that started at the tender age of eight, when these two…
ASLAND ACADEMY OFFERS THE PERFECT BLEND OF REGGIO AND EARLY
6 min readThe first thing that struck me when I entered through the front doors of Asland Academy in Vancouver West, was the combination of warmth and organization. The structure of an early learning academy was definitely there though it was offered in a way that was inviting to the children, and myself. When I was first…
Since the 1960s, VAMMR has given a second chance to
6 min readInternationally renowned for it's groundbreaking stranded marine mammal response program, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) responds to over 300 marine mammal emergencies annually and runs Canada's only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility. Over the 60 years in operation, VAMMR has successfully rescued and rehabilitated over 3000 marine mammals. It's estimated that more…
Health
Breathe easy: doctors share tips to protect your family’s health
5 min readTaking steps to protect your family’s health at home is a natural instinct. If there’s mold, you clean it. If you have a pest infestation, you remove them. But, there's a major pollutant commonly used in homes across Canada that increases risks to health that not enough people are aware of: gas. Across North America,…
3 Important Head Lice Care and Prevention Tips
6 min readSo many kids get lice in January and it has nothing to do with their hair type, colour, gender or household income – it happens just after certain times of year when they gather in larger groups – like during the holidays. DAWN MUCCI, FOUNDER OF LICE SQUAD The fact is that head lice are an…
Overwhelmed and receiving little support? Have you considered applying for
5 min readAs parents, it is our innate nature to do all we can to support and nurture our children’s development. There are so many stresses, hurdles, and concerns. Parents with children with disabilities or medical conditions have overwhelming pressure both emotionally and financially as they struggle to find support and put in place early interventions. Getting access to testing,…
Children’s Grief and Awareness Day
11 min readAs hard as it is, it is important for children and youth to have their grief witnessed and supported. The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada confirms that 1 in 5 children experience the death of a family member before they turn 18, so we can’t afford to maintain the cultural taboo. With truthful information, comfort,…
When Does “Clean Eating” Go Too Far? with Dr. Edward
4 min readEating disorders and disordered eating thrive in secrecy, so detecting them in your children and teens can often be difficult. However, there are signs and clues to be on the lookout for as a parent.
Activites
6 Family Fun Activity Picks In Vancouver And Surrounding Communities
5 min readSpring Break is here once again, and the sun is shining just in time to get started! There are so many family fun opportunities going on in our local communities, both indoors and outdoors. From visiting local parks and trails, to taking up some arts and crafts, and of course, enjoying kids camps! We hope…
3 TYPES OF SPRING BREAK CAMPS THAT APPEAL TO KIDS
4 min readIt's that time of year again when we are gearing up for Spring Break. Today we are highlighting three very different types of camps that offer the opportunity for kids to socialize, play games, and be introduced to experiences that might ignite a passion or new interest.
METROPOLIS AT METROTOWN INVITES YOU TO COME CELEBRATE THE YEAR
5 min readProsperous Family Celebrations: Lunar New Year at Metropolis at Metrotown The Year of the Dragon is upon us and to celebrate, Metropolis at Metrotown is transforming into a cultural hub for Lunar New Year festivities from February 9th till February 24th. The Lunar New Year varies each year based on, you guessed it, the Lunar…
Embracing Growth: New Year Plans and Cultivating a Positive Mindset
4 min readAs we usher in the dawn of a new year, it's the perfect time for families to come together and reflect on the past while setting intentions for the future. While resolutions often come and go, fostering a positive mindset and creating actionable plans can significantly contribute to the growth and well-being of each family…
10 Tips to Keep You & Your Family Healthy This
7 min readThe medical field has long known people are more prone to catching colds and the flu during the cold winter months. Previously, scientists primarily attributed this to people living and breathing together in enclosed environments. But cold temperatures also make our immune system sluggish and prevent our bodies from fighting off infection, according to a…
WHAT IS THE BEST FIRST MUSIC INSTRUMENT FOR CHILDREN?
7 min readThe time has come. Your child sings and hums all the time, dances around the house and expresses themselves with music everywhere they go. As parents, we want to encourage this, so we think – music lessons, and music instruments! The best time to get a jump start on music is when the child is…