island parent january 2015

Island ParentJanuary 2015

Island ParentThe Resource Publication for Vancouver Island Parents

Island ParentIsland ParentIsland Parent27Celebrating Years

WinterPrograms Guide

Stone Soup Philosophy

10 Winter CampingSurvival Tips

Physical Activity Guide

Finding Life in Adventure

Rainy Day Music Activities

My ChildHas Autism Coping with the Diagnosis







My ChildHas Autism

Curiosity • DiversityExploration • Nature

Play-Oriented Learning

Register Nowfor September 2015

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2 Island Parent Magazine kidsinvictoria.com

ArticlesStone Soup Philosophy ................................................................................... 8Finding Life in Adventure ............................................................................. 10Rainy Day Music Activities .......................................................................... 1215 Minutes of Fun ........................................................................................ 13Not So ‘Me’ Anymore .................................................................................. 1410 Winter Camping Survival Tips ................................................................. 16My Child Has Autism .................................................................................. 18Winter Programs .......................................................................................... 20Physical Activity Guide ................................................................................ 34

ColumnsEditor’s Note .................................................................................................. 3Is There an App for This? ............................................................................. 36Dadspeak ..................................................................................................... 38Healthy Families; Happy Families ................................................................ 40New Parent Pages ......................................................................................... 42Book Nook .................................................................................................. 44Just Eat It! .................................................................................................... 48Maternity & Beyond .................................................................................... 52Nature Notes ............................................................................................... 54Cut It Out .................................................................................................... 56

DepartmentsIPM Notes ...................................................................................................... 4Party Directory ....................................................................................... 24, 25Family-FriendlyCowichan Valley & Mid-Island ..................................... 26, 27Family Calendar ........................................................................................... 28Around the Island ........................................................................................ 32Family Services Directory ............................................................................. 46Preschool & Child Care Directory .......................................................... 50, 51Business & Professional Directory ................................................................ 53

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Contents: January 2015

island Parent Magazine, produced by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a monthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for families, and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Letters (max 250 words) should be emailed to the Editor at [email protected]. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome and should be emailed to [email protected]. island Parent Magazine is distributed free in selected areas. Subscriptions can be obtained by sending $32.00 (includes GST) with your name and address to the address below. Canada Post: Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement 40051398.

island Parent Magazine830-A Pembroke St, Victoria, BC V8T 1H9Tel: 250-388-6905Websites: islandparent.ca, kidsinvictoria.com

Publisher/Owner: Mark WarnerEditor: Sue FastSales & Marketing: RaeLeigh BuchananPublisher’s Assistant: Linda FrearDistribution: Ray Cutts, Ted Dawe (Mid-Island)Founders: Jim Holland & Selinde KrayenhoffProduction: Eacrett Graphic DesignPrinted at Black Press, VictoriaCover printed at Hillside PrintingISSN 0838-5505

on the Cover: Nicola (3) and Giuseppe (6)Cover Photo: Konul Rosario, The Light WithinPhotography, thelightwithinphoto.com

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Island ParentJanuary 2015Island ParentThe Resource Publication for Vancouver Island Parents

Island ParentIsland ParentIsland Parent27Celebrating Years







My ChildHas Autism Coping with the Diagnosis







My ChildHas Autism

January 2015 3IslandParent.ca

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Jest for the Health of ItSure, having more patience, cooking healthy

meals and running a marathon are noble goals this year. But what about taking more

time to laugh? Like more patience, healthy meals, and

marathons, laughter can help you improve your health. Not only can a good guffaw support your immune system, improve blood pressure, lower stress levels, and reduce pain, among other things, but, if you ask me, it’s a lot more fun than a 42 kilometre run.

Dubbed, by some, as “internal jogging” for its ability to stimulate the heart, lungs, and brain, laughter is a fun workout. According to research, laughing 100 times is the equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on a stationary bike.

The problem is, the older we get, the less we laugh.

According to studies, babies laugh about 300 times a day, while adults laugh only about 20 times. Maybe that’s because kids not only say the funniest things, but they also think the strangest things are funny.

Take, for example, a sampling of jokes written by kids, for kids:

Q. “What did a bee say to a other bee?”A. “I love plants.”

Or how about…Q. “Why do monkeys eat bananas?”A. “Because bananas are not afraid.”Then there’s…Q. “How do lions run faster?”A. “Metal legs.”See what I mean?More than 30 years have passed since journalist

and author Norman Cousins published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine extol-ling the potential medicinal benefits of laughter and humour.

Though not all medical professionals agree on laughter’s place in medicine, many acknowledge that it’s a great way to enhance health.

As laughter researcher Robert Provine said in the documentary Laugh Out Loud, “Until the scientists work out all the details, get in all the laughter that you can!”After all, when it come to prescribing laughter, there are no substantial con-cerns with respect to dose, side effects, or allergies.

In “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” a study on laughter’s effect on patients with cancer, researchers Charlene Pattillo and Joanne Itano found that while humour cannot cure cancer, it can divert attention, relieve stress, and bring a fresh perspective and power to the situation.

Laughter, they add, can be “cultivated.” Watch a funny movie, attend a laughter yoga class, tell jokes. Hang around with people who love to

laugh. Studies show that we are 30 times more likely to laugh when with others than when alone.

“Celebrate holidays, great and small,” suggest Pattillo and Itano. “Seldom-observed or even made-up holidays can be great fun.” Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2 by eating green eggs and ham, for example. Read one of his books or watch a Dr. Seuss movie. Commemorate Noah Webster’s birthday on October 16 with a game of Scrabble and a bowl of alphabet soup. Perform harmless tricks on April Fool’s Day; pinch those who don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day; and watch the film Groundhog Day on February 2.

As Shakespeare said: “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” Old wrinkles and, I’d add, young smiles.

Happy, Laughter-Filled New Year.Q. Why were the teacher’s eyes crossed?

Editor’s Note

Sue FaSt

Confident learners… Assessments Remedial classes in mathematics, writing and reading Spring Break Camps Summer Learning Camps

Call 250-388-7225 for information about our services and scheduleswww.readsociety.bc.ca

“He is more confident…his reading is improving all the time…”

A. Because she couldn’t control her pupils.


Eagles & Salmon Activity Book at Goldstream Park

In celebration of the eagles and salmon at Goldstream, Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) has launched an educational activ-ity booklet that will be handed out (while supplies last) to children who visit the park. The booklet will be provided at no cost.

Illustrated by local artist Terri-Lynn Papagiannis, the activity booklet features custom drawings of the river as well as the animals that depend on the old growth for-est habitat. It was developed in partnership with the Goldstream Park naturalists and several local teachers to ensure it provides teachers the opportunity to continue the lesson in the classroom.

Approximately 5,000 students visit Goldstream Park each year for the outdoor education programs. These programs are offered for free because of funding from Habitat Acquisition Trust and local busi-ness sponsorships through the Goldstream Chums Sponsor Program.

The educational activity booklet was made possible in part by a grant from the

Grandparents’ Class at Mothering Touch

At Mothering Touch, the staff meet a lot of grandparents. Some come in excited because they are expecting a new addition to their family! They want to know about all the newest, coolest gadgets. Others come in more hesitantly. They are not sure what their new role will be like. It’s been such a long time since they had their own babies, and everything seems to have changed.

Mothering Touch honours the life change that new grandparents are going through. Relationships change. New status is marked by new titles. Should you be Grandma or Oma or Bubbie? Gramps or Zaidy or Boompa? New roles emerge. How can you help? Will you be welcome to babysit? Will you need to know how to use the new cloth diapers? The new baby carrier? Do you need to know first aid? What if the baby won’t stop crying? How can you help if Mom is breastfeeding? Don’t babies need bottles?

In the Mothering Touch Grandparents’ Class, experienced parenting educators will answer all those questions. In two relaxed Friday afternoon sessions (3-5pm), over a cup of tea, the class will talk about current parenting practices, diapering, carrying, sleeping and breastfeeding. Educators will

TELUS Victoria Community Board and contributions from Fotoprint Printing Ltd. It is available at the Goldstream Nature House in Goldstream Park and at the HAT office, 825 Broughton Street in downtown Victoria. HAT is a local charity whose mission is to conserve nature on south Vancouver Island. Based in Victoria, HAT works to achieve goals through land acquisition, conservation covenants, and education to promote community support and aware-ness. Donations to the Goldstream Pro-gram can be made to HAT in person or online at hat.bc.ca/.

Letter Writing Week at Royal BC Museum

Help revive the lost art of letter writing. Stop by Royal BC Museum’s letter writing station during Universal Letter Writing Week on January 8 and 9, sit down and pen a note. Maybe it is a thank-you note to your aunt for that present she sent or query to your local representative. RBCM will provide the paper, pens, envelopes and even stamps—no parcels to South Africa please! Who knows, the letter you write could one day become part of RBCM’s future archives. For more information, visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

IPM Notes

For information, or to

arrange a tour of our

facility, call Penny Barner

at 250-384-3414 or email

[email protected]

M E E T I N G T H E N E E D S O F T H E W H O L E C H I L D

CONTEMPORARY MONTESSORI…

you can have the best of both worlds.

Come see how current educational practice can be made

more meaningful by the time-tested Montessori approach.

In addition to low student/teacher ratios and highly

qualified staff for children from preschool to grade

eight, we have talented specialists in music, languages,

technology and physical education.

WHEN: Thursday, January 15th

TIME: 5:30-8:00 pm

WHERE: Selkirk Montessori School, 2970 Jutland Road

(at the Selkirk Waterfront Development)

Selkirk Montessori is an exceptional, affordable alternative

in a diverse, caring school community.

SLK14476-IslandParent-Ad-OpenHouse-v2.indd 1 14-10-28 3:52 PM


help you identify your own expectations of your new role, and will discuss how to talk to your adult children to find out what their expectations are.

The Grandparents’ Class will help you to feel more comfortable and more prepared and will allow you to meet and gain support from other grandparents-to-be.

Dates: January 23 and 30, March 20 and 27, May 22 and 29, July 10 and 17. For more information and to register, visit moth-eringtouch.ca/classes-for-grandparents.

Wonder SundayIf you’re looking for a hero, look no

further than the Royal BC Museum. At this month’s Wonder Sunday on January 25 from 1-3pm, families can explore both the Natural and Human History galleries to discover the drama of saving the world. Superheros Unite!

Wonder Sunday is an interactive, learning-based special event that happens from 1-3pm on the last Sunday of every month (excluding December, July and August).

A theme, based on ideas inspired from our current exhibitions, is offered through activ-ities and lively presentations for families. For information, visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Celebrate Family Literacy DayOn January 27, Family Literacy Day

will celebrate 17 years of learning together. The initiative, first celebrated by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999, has since been embraced by literacy and learning organizations such as schools and libraries in communities across Canada. This year, ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging families to engage in “15 Minutes of Fun” every day to learn together.

The benefits of learning as a family outside the classroom are significant—not only are children exposed to a culture of lifelong learning, but the bond between parent and child can grow with each teachable moment.

Even time spent doing the dishes, eating dinner or having a bath can have a focus on learning in a fun way. Here are some great ways for families to get started:

• Write a joke book with your family.• Read a bedtime story to the grown-up

putting you to bed.• Make up a new recipe together and

post it online.• Tell knock-knock jokes together while

doing the dishes.• Organize a book swap at your school.• Make up riddles and tell them to your

friends.

• Create a family book club.• Build a drum with your family.• Surf the internet and learn about your

favourite animal.• Make up a song about your day to sing

to your family at dinnertime.• Write messages to your family on sticky

notes and post them around the house.• Create a story about what you’ll be

doing for Family Literacy Day.• Play a board game together.• Build an acrostic poem using your

hero’s name.• Make an origami boat and see if it

will float.For more great ways to have 15 Minutes

of Fun together, turn to page 13 or visit www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

2015 Canada Day Challenge “Strong. Proud. Free.” That’s the theme

of this year’s Canada Day Challenge, open to young Canadians aged 8-18 years old. Participants are invited to express their creativity and show their pride in being Canadian.

The three categories are: • Draw, Paint, and Sketch It! You decide.

Submit a poster design.• Snap It! Submit an original digital

photograph.• Write It! Submit a literary creation in

the form of a short story, poem, or essay. The deadline for entering the contest is

March 20, 2015.Winners will be announced in spring

2015. The grand prize for this year’s three na-tional winners—one from each category—is a trip to Ottawa to visit Canada’s national institutions and to celebrate Canada Day 2015 on Parliament Hill. As special guests of Parks Canada, they will also visit select Parks Canada sites. Runners-up in each category will also receive prizes.

The official partners of the 2015 Canada Day Challenge are Parks Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Encounters with Canada, the Trans Canada Trail, Canada Post, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Royal Canadian Mint.

The winning entries will be displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization from June to September 2015 and will be part of the design of the official posters for the 2015 Celebrate Canada festivities.

For more information on the contest, entry rules and regulations, as well as addi-tional learning resources, visit at challenge.pch.gc.ca.


Change the WorldTwo young philanthropists—Owen

Krigolson, 7, and Jarod Waters, 13—were honoured recently on National Philan-thropy Day at the Fairmont Empress. The event, hosted by Association of Fundraising Professionals, celebrates the daily contribu-tions individuals and organizations make in

the community to the countless causes and missions. Owen Krigolson is a typi-cal seven-year-old boy who has always had a giving heart.

When his grandfa-ther was diagnosed with cancer, instead of asking for birth-day or Christmas presents, Owen, then six years old, began a fundraising campaign to raise mon-ey to help the doctors cure his grandfather’s cancer. Owen is an example of how we are never too small to make a big difference.

Jarod Waters, at 13 years old, is aready a committed and inspiring philanthropist. His passion for helping others was ignited at the age of eight when he noticed his grandmother writing a cheque in memory of her friend. This prompted him to set a goal to raise $100 to help. He hired himself out to do chores, collecting cans and bottles to turn in for refunds. Jarod exceeded his goal and continues fundraising.

To contribute to or to find out moreabout Owen and Jarod’s causes, visit TheProstate-Centre.org and VictoriaHospice.org.

Share Some Warmth with Big Brothers Big Sisters

It’s time to clean out your closet! For 36 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Victoria and area has been helping children and youth in communities from Sooke to Salt Spring. BBBS’s mentoring programs support youth in reaching their full poten-tial. Generous donors help BBBS to reach its goals—your donations are needed. Please

consider giving your time, your financial support and your re-usable clothing and linens. Each of these gifts moves BBBS closer to reaching their goal of providing a mentor for every child who needs one.

BBBS volunteers mentor children and youth on a one-to-one basis, meeting weekly with their “little brother” or “little sister.” The goal is to create a connection that meets the specific needs of the child, offers support and potentially lasts a lifetime. Mentoring fosters confidence and self-esteem, and as a result youth who have been mentored are less likely to allow themselves to be victimized or bullied by their peers. Mentored youth simply do better. Last year, 630 children and youth asked BBBS for help. The organization matched over 82 per cent of them with a mentor. With your support, Big Brothers Big Sisters will continue to improve our com-munity, one relationship at a time. Drop off your clothing donations to the main office at 230 Bay Street (Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm), or to the donation truck located at 855 Langford Parkway (Sat, 11am-3pm), Tillicum Mall parking lot outside Old Navy (Mon-Sun, during Tillicum Mall hours) or call to ar-range a free pick up at 250-385-7226. For more information, visit bbbsvictoria.com. 1000X5: 1000 Books by Age FiveChildren’s Book Recycling Project

In your home, how many baby and pre-schooler books sit on shelves, tables and under the bed? More than 50? 100? How many times have you read the same story to your little one? More than 10? 25? 50? Congratulations—you are building a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Sadly, many babies and preschoolers in our communities do not have books in their homes and do not build this essential habit in the early years.

A literacy-recycling project, 1000X5 Children’s Book Recycling Project, is changing that reality, one book at a time. Gently used picture books for babies and preschoolers are donated by parents at most elementary schools in Victoria, Saanich, and Sooke School districts. Retired teachers and administrators donate time to sort, label, and gift bag those books. The gift bags are delivered to Strong Start Centres and com-munity agencies where families monthly take home three quality books for each child. Over 185,000 books have been distributed.

January 27 is National Literacy Day. As well as enjoying a new story with your child, please make an extra effort to contribute to this project. Take a few picture books for

IPM Notes

Children aren’t born with

a “How-To” manual. Our

Lighthouse Parent courses

are designed to help you

discover how to deepen your

connection with your kids

and enhance your parenting.

The courses examine theories

of attachment and attune-

ment and developmental

stages related to the age of

your child/ren. Participants

will also explore the connec-

tion between how you were

parented and how you

parent. Check our website

www.1-up.ca for more

detailed info on this and

many other courses.

To register for any course

or for more information

call 250-385-1114 or

email [email protected]


babies and preschoolers to your nearest elementary school. Give the gift of literacy.

For information on where to leave books or to make a financial contribution (tax receipts available), contact Eileen Eby in Victoria School District at [email protected], Daphne Macnaughton in Saanich School District at [email protected], or Denise Brown in Sooke School District at [email protected].

Support for Those with Learning Disabilities

The Learning Disabilities Association of BC South Vancouver Island (LDA-SVI) works with students with learning disabili-ties to assist their learning and help them reach their potential. LDA-SVI currently offers support through academic skills pro-grams, reading and writing programs, and social skills programs.

Some of the skills that can positively impact the lives of those with LD are:

• Self awareness. An understanding of their strengths and weaknesses (we all have them!). Helping people with LD to recognize their strengths and providing accommodations for their challenges is important for their learning, self-worth and overall well-being.

• The ability to compartmentalize their disability so they see their disability as just one aspect of themselves. Think about your own strengths and weaknesses. Now imagine if your identity was largely based on what you can’t do.

• The ability to make mistakes. Successful learners are willing to try new things and problem solve. It is crucial that children are taught by example that mistakes are an opportunity to learn, not a sign of failure.

• Tolerance for frustration. The ability to set goals and stick to it despite setbacks. Learning can be fun and it can be challeng-ing at times.

• Presence of a support network. Never assume a child knows who they can talk to if they need help. Talk with your child about who they can go to for help in their care facilities and schools.

• Emotional coping strategies. As with anyone who is experiencing difficulty, children with LD require knowledge and skills to cope with anxiety and frustration and reduce the impact of stress.

For more information about how LDA SVI can help your child, visit ldasvi.bc.ca.•

2758 Peatt Road 778-265-5955 or 250-818-9225www.leapforwardlangford.com [email protected]


There’s nothing like a big pot of stone soup on a cold west coast day. The soup

simmering in my slow cooker began with a rich stock made from leftover chicken bones. Next I added some surplus peppers from a friend’s greenhouse, previously sliced and stored in the freezer. There are some diced onions and celery tops, some slightly rubbery carrots from the back of the fridge, some leftover black beans, and an adventurous blend of seasonings. I’ll offer a garnish of grated cheese, some homemade coleslaw and toast, and we’ll have a hearty meal come suppertime.

In our home, stone soup is more than a meal improvised from a little of this and a little of that; it’s a whole philosophy. Stone Soup, of course, is the title of a traditional folktale. In one of many variations, hungry strangers arrive in a small village with only an empty cooking pot. When no one will share any food, the visitors fill their pot from the village stream, add a small stone, and set their pot on a fire. They inform curious passers-by that they are making a delicious and nourishing soup—which would be improved by a garnish or two. One by one the villagers are persuaded to make a small contribution to the pot: an onion, a leek, a few carrots, a few potatoes, a bit of sea-soning. With each addition, the stone soup becomes richer and tastier. In the end, there’s more than enough for everyone to share.

The story is meant to teach a lesson about cooperation: if everyone gives a little, an entire village can be fed. It’s also a story about improvisation: from the humblest of beginnings comes a delicious commu-nal meal. Our

Rachel Dunstan Muller

resource-strapped world could use more of both, more sharing with our fellow global villagers, and more improvisation with what we’ve already got.

There are many ways a family can put both facets of the Stone Soup philosophy into practice. First, let’s talk about sharing. Based on our donations of money, time and acts of random generosity, Canadians rank second in the world in overall giving accord-ing to the 2013 World Giving Index. But let’s not pat ourselves on the back too quickly. Canadians may be among the world’s most generous givers, but we’re also among its biggest takers. On average we consume more than three times as much as residents of the world’s middle income countries, and more than six times as much as the world’s poorest citizens. In other words, we use far more than our share of the world’s resources. The more we take, the less is left for our neighbours in the global village.

But there is hope. Many Canadian fami-lies are undertaking conservation efforts to help ease the disparity between our super-size consumption and the more mod-est consumption of the rest of the world. We can make a significant difference in all kinds of ways: by driving less, and busing, carpooling, cycling and walking more. By simplifying our wardrobes, and filling our homes with less clutter. By eating in season, supporting local food producers, and eating lower on the food chain. We can insulate our homes, turn down our thermostats, replace conventional lights with fluorescents or LEDs, and unplug unused electronic

devices. We can install low-flow shower heads and aerators, and

low-flush toilets. We can buy quality instead

of quantity, and learn to care for our pos-sessions so

they last.


250-478-8384www.westshorerecreation.ca

FAMILYPASSES

WEST SHORE PARKS & RECREATION

Only $66.50 a Month*The same cost as 2 Adult Annual Passes

Annual Family PassFor 2 Adults and up to 3 Childrenor 1 Adult and up to 4 Children

*Including Tax


We can pass on any surplus to friends or acquaintances, or local non-profit organi-zations.

While the value of cooperation and shar-ing may be the primary lesson of Stone Soup, you can’t help but admire the travel-lers’ impressive improvisational abilities. The villagers won’t share their food, so the travellers make do with what they have: a cooking pot, water, a stone, access to fire—and their wits. The result of their ingenuity is a delicious meal for the entire village.

Our consumer culture has programmed us to think we have to buy our way out of every need. The Stone Soup approach offers a much more empowering—and planet-friendly—alternative. It asks: What do I have already? What else can I access? Creative thinking can help us meet our needs in all kinds of situations. Nothing on hand for dinner? Instead of ordering pizza or picking up a ready-made meal at the grocery store, try improvising something from the odds and ends in your cupboard or freezer. You might surprise yourself with the results. You’ll certainly save money, packaging, and gas.

But Stone Soup isn’t just about creativity in the kitchen. Are your kids hard on their clothes? The next time your child tears a knee in his pants, salvage them with a patch, or cut them off and turn them into shorts for the summer. Has your daughter outgrown a cute sweater? Cut off the arms and let her use them as legwarmers, or help her sew a little purse from the body of the sweater. In search of an outfit for a special event? Could you borrow one from a same-size friend or family member? Need a small gift for a friend, co-worker, or teacher? Why not make one from materials you already have, bake a special treat, or re-gift something lovely that you don’t need. Is your child going to a birthday party? Supply them with paper and crayons, and have them make their card.

You don’t have to have a specific talent or skill set to practice the Stone Soup method. All it takes is a willingness to think outside the box, to learn new skills if necessary, and to experiment with the skills you already have. The more you practice, the happier you’ll be with the results. You’ll save re-sources and money in the process, and set a creative example for your children. And I can almost guarantee that you’ll find it a satisfying and empowering approach to life! Rachel Dunstan Muller is the mother of five, and a children’s author. Her previous articles can be found at islandparent.ca.

Late French Immersion students begin to study French in Grade 6. No prior knowledge of French is expected. By Grade 8, Late French Immersion students have usually achieved a level of fluency equivalent to those in Early Immersion. By graduation, Late Immersion students can qualify for employment in French or study in French at University.

Late French Immersion is offered at:• Arbutus Middle • Cedar Hill Middle • Central Middle• Lansdowne Middle • Shoreline Middle

Late French Immersion is open to any student entering Grade 6 in September. To register your child, go to your nearest Middle School offering Late Immersion during the period of January 26 to January 30, 2015).

Interested in Learning More About Late French Immersion? Attend our Information Meeting:

Late French

Immersion

Late French Immersion Information Meeting

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 • 6:30 pmSJ Willis Auditorium, 923 Topaz Ave

Simon Burgers, Coordinator, Languages and Multiculturalism, will be pleased to provide you with additional information, 250-475-4120 or [email protected].

ALL AGES TOGETHER IN SONG YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE INVITED !

SING WITH US…

FOR THE JOY OF SINGING ! Victoria’s Non-Audition Community Choir for All Ages

REHEARSALS : Tuesdays 7:30 pm Saturdays 10:00 am Choose one or both

www.victoriagoodnewschoir.com 250-658-1946

D i r e c t e d b y

L o u i s e R o s e


Jill Collins

Finding Life in AdventureA year-long challenge

Years ago I read something about families making mission statements, creating a

sentence or two that set the philosophical basis and direction of the family. I didn’t have children at the time and dismissed the idea, thinking it was goofy. Who has time for that?

Fast forward to life with kids and appar-ently I have the time. For the past few years, since my kids were six and four years old, I have followed a mission statement of sorts, a few words that I use as inspiration for things we do as a family. For example, “Adventures in B.C.” and “Spirit of Adventure.” With outdoor adventure taking up most of our family time, the mission statements have been created specifically with that in mind.

My children, now 10 and eight years old, are full of curiosity and life and so I have tried to capture this energy for our mission statements. Struggling, at the start, to come up with a suitable catch phrase, inspiration finally hit me while visiting the Vancouver Aquarium. I was in awe of the life under the sea, my sea, the one we live right beside. How had I missed all that life? What if we were to continue with our adventures and add some life to the equation? That’s when I came up with “Finding Life in Adventure” as one of our ever-evolving family mission statements. For one year, my family and I would discover five living creatures on every one of our adventures. We would seek out and learn about organisms such as animals, plants, fungus, or micro-organisms. The only rule I’d enforce was not picking the first five plants or trees we saw and never the same living creature twice. Okay, that was two rules. But there needed to be some adventure to it.

Before making it official I thought we’d better test this challenge, make sure the chil-dren were on board, and to see if we could find a variety of living things. Standing at a trailhead, ready to set off on an afternoon

hike, I asked the children if they were up for trying something a little different today.

“We’ll run it?” one asked. “No, but that’s a great idea, maybe next

time,” I said. “How about we try to find five living things while hiking?”

“Easy bo-breezie!” they replied. Before I could finish explaining, they were

already heading down the trail. The first test took place at Botanical

Beach, a marine underwater paradise. When the tide is out, hundreds of tidal pools are left, revealing some of the life under the sea. Unfortunately our timing was right at high tide, unavoidable due to our schedules, but we made the most of it. We found periwinkle shells, coralline algae, plenty of acorn barnacles and I witnessed my children becoming aware of the life around them. I considered our trip a success, based on our finds. Everyone was curious and enthusiastic.

Just to be sure their enthusiasm was not a one-time thing, we tested the chal-lenge once more while hiking Jack Point Park. I reminded them of our mission. I was skeptical that the children would be interested, let alone find anything exciting in mid-December. But my worries were short lived. We found living creatures ev-erywhere—finding and identifying five of those creatures was easy. Or most of them, anyway. Some, like the pipe fish, required a bit of research afterwards in order to identify them. Others were easy to name, like the silkworm dangling from a tree. The children were captivated and interested in the finds no matter how common or rare. Mission accomplished.

Being a list-type of person, I started re-cording all our finds, where we were and what we found. It also helped reinforce the “no creature twice” rule. The List, as I like to call it, grew fast. In less than two months, I recorded eight outdoor adventures and

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documented 40 living things. Adventures were hiking local trails, like a portion of the Trans Canada Trail near MacKay Lake, or beachcombing Transfer Beach. We spotted a red squirrel, a very large earthworm, moon jellyfish, purple shore crabs and an eel, just to name a few. Hiking in Carmanah Wal-bran Provincial Park rewarded us with some of the world’s largest Sitka spruce trees. A forest where the Carmanah Giant, towering 96m, claims the title of being the world’s tallest. Although the Caramanah Giant is not accessible, due to trail closures, there were still plenty of 95m-tall Sitka Spruce trees dating back 800+ years to behold. We did get to see the Cheewhat Lake cedar, Canada’s largest tree by volume, and pos-sibly the oldest western red cedar. You can feel the presence of life when standing at the base of one of these giants.

Snowshoeing at Mt. Washington turned out to be another successful adventure. We were able to add a couple birds to the list: a beautiful Stellar Jay and a hungry Whiskey Jack.

One adventure had us climbing over rocks and searching tidal pools for our five living things. While surfing, we explored the beach at low tide and found beach hoppers and tide pool sculpins.

Trying to identify each plant or creature was a challenge. Because my focus had been on getting the family prepared and excited for finding each new creature, I completely underestimated how difficult it would be to identify some of our finds. There are three different types of moss that have made the list, but I have yet to determine the exact species. Ben, my five-year-old, constantly reminds me of this.

“Mommy, when are you going to tell us the name of the moss I found while hiking the Lantzville Foothills?”

“Soon Dear, very soon.” The hours of research I was faced with

after each adventure was, at times, over-whelming, to say the least. Long sleepless nights reading field guides followed by hair-pulling frustration at not being able to identify the living things we found—a minor inconvenience that was quickly forgotten when, heading out for our next adventure, I saw my family embrace the year-long challenge. Jill Collins is an Vancouver Island Outdoor Family Blogger. Follow the adventures of Jill and her family at: getonthebeatenpath. blogspot.ca/2011/11/our-year-long- challenge-of-finding-life.html

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Writing for Island Parent WorkshopMany of the articles in Island Parent are written by people just like you: parents who want to share their experiences, knowledge and ideas with other parents. We’re always happy to consider your submission, whether you’re a published writer or not. If you’re itching to express yourself but need a few pointers or a friendly nudge, come out for an evening of inspiration.

We’re holding a Writing for Island Parent Workshop on Tuesday, January 27th, 2015, 7:30–9pm, at 830-B (across from the north side of Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena). Space is limited. If you’d like to attend, please e-mail Sue Fast at [email protected].

Come out and get those creative juices flowing!


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Paint to Music Invite your kids to paint while they listen

to music. Play different music selections and encourage them to swing their arms to the music like a conductor. Then, give them a paintbrush, begin painting and do not stop until the music ends.

Have a Teddy Bear PicnicSpread a blanket, get out the cups and

saucers, and serve up some yummy treats. Sing the song “Teddy Bears Picnic” while you enjoy the feast.

Dance with PropsClear a large space and bring out an

assortment of items such as hula-hoops or beanbags and move to the music. Try dif-ferent tempos.


Jerri Carson

A rainy day or snow day can be fun, however, having activities on hand for young children can sometimes be a challenge. Toddlers can become bored or restless when they can’t get outside due to inclement weather. Here are 15 rainy day activities—all of which have musical themes and are perfect rainy-day distractions.

Tap to the BeatHold small instruments

such as bells or popsicle sticks while tapping to the beat of your favourite tunes.

Dance with Scarves

Play music while dancing and twirling with colorful scarves. Encourage large arm movements while moving to the melodies.

Sing Lullabies at Nap Time.Curl up together in a favourite

chair and prepare your child for a nap with soft, soothing lullabies.

Play Clapping Games Add rhymes while you clap such as “Pat-

a-cake” or “Pease Porridge Hot.”

Play with Stuffi es WhileListening to Music

Skipping, marching, or jump-ing with a favourite stuffy is a fun activity. Pretend to hop like a kangaroo, gallop like a horse or swim like a fi sh, too.

Play Choo-choo TrainAll aboard! This is a great party

idea or when you have a group of toddlers over for a play date. Get

children to line up behind “the engine”. The “train” moves around the room to

the music.

Play Freeze DanceKids dance freely

around to the music but they must freeze when the music is turned off at random intervals.

Make a Maraca from a Small Cardboard TubeFill the tube with rice or

popcorn kernels, tape shut any open ends and begin shaking to your favourite tunes.

Make a Musical Wind Chime String old cutlery, bells, wooden

dowels, seashells, or practically anything from a coat hanger and then hang it outside.

Get Wet with Water PlayFloat toy ducks in the bathtub or sink

and sing the song “Five Little Ducks Went Swimming” or “Little White Duck”.

Roll Balls to the BeatSit across from a partner and roll a ball

back and forth to the music. Speed up and slow down to the music. Try different size balls.

Dance and Sing in the Rain“Splish Splash I was Takin’ a Bath,” and

“Rubber Ducky” are a couple possible rainy day selections. Suit and boot up and get outside to dance! If you’ve been saving up your dance moves for a rainy day, today’s the day to spend ’em!

Happy Rainy Day.

Jerri Carson is a primary music teacher for SD #61. She is a member of the CRD Arts Advisory Council. Jerri plays the cello in the Victoria Conservatory Cello Orchestra.

Contact us at [email protected] for more information and to arrange a visit.www.eatonarrowsmithschool.com/eaton-arrowsmith-academy

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Minutes of Fun

15

I n honour of Family Literacy Day on January 27, ABC Life Literacy Canada is

encouraging Canadian families to have “15 Minutes of Fun” learning together. Learning can happen at any time. Practicing literacy together every day has tremendous benefits for both children and parents. Here, from ABC Life Literacy Canada, are some great ways to get started:

Read a “wake up” story in the morning (after reading your bedtime story the night before).

Search online for fun places to go in your community. Pick out a spot for your next family day trip.

Make up a new recipe together and post it online.

Tell knock-knock jokes together while doing the dishes.

Create a story with your family: take turns writing one sentence at a time, then read the whole story aloud when you’re done.

Write a review of a book you read together as a family. Send it to the author through email or snail mail.

Organize a book swap at your school or with your friends.

Track your trip to school, the park, and the grocery store on a map. Find a different route to take to each place.

Learn to play a musical instrument. What about the ukulele?

Write a note to include in a grown-up’s lunch—ask them to write back!

Make a popsicle stick model with your family.

Write your names graffiti-style using chalk on your sidewalk—you may need to wait for a dry day first!

Play a board game together.Look up the words to your favourite song

online. Have a sing-off with your friends.Count how many steps it takes to get

from your bedroom to your kitchen. Find out who in your family has the most steps to a snack. For more literacy and learning ideas, visit abclifeliteracy.ca.

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I knew parenting would be hard. I was told that I would be tired, money would be

tight and no matter where I was there was a good chance I’d feel guilty about not be-ing somewhere else. I was cautioned about mommy guilt and mommy wars. And I was advised that my husband wouldn’t fully understand because it’s “different for dads”. The warnings made sense, so the rational part of my brain prepared for the onslaught.

Having baby #1 was a big adjustment, but I got through it and felt very much changed, but I still felt like myself. As my son grew older, things seemed to get a little easier and by the time he was almost three, we had a decent flow working in our household. And then baby #2—the last of a two-part set—arrived and it all went sideways.

With a nearly-four-year-old and a 14-month-old I’m deep in the trenches of mommydom. My days are non-stop triage, determining which problem gets the biggest priority each second and trying to figure out how the heck to fix it before tackling

the next round of issues that’s just popped up (“Mommy, I peed on the wall! Oh, it’s raining! Aren’t the dogs outside?”)

I expected to feel overwhelmed at times. What I didn’t anticipate was the feeling that I just wasn’t me anymore. So many of the things I’d loved to do—movies and dinners out, traveling, trying out crazy stuff like the flying trapeze and aerial hoop les-sons, riding motorcycles or horses—rarely happened anymore. I was either working or mommying, or sometimes even doing both simultaneously. I still carve out time to read books every night, but I was having trouble really getting into any one book; my brain just wouldn’t stop nagging me about everything else I had to do. And usually one or more of my kids would wake up and need me anyway, so there was always the expectation of an interruption getting in the way of immersing myself in a story.

I’ve also realized that my brain doesn’t work the way it used to. Sleep-deprivation has made it murky and full of gaping holes

that munch up words and memories that can’t be grasped when I call upon them. I feel like I used to be funny, but now my brain is just too slow to put anything together quickly enough to still be relevant by the time it actually falls out of my mouth. Most of the time I end up blabbing something totally incomprehensible. Listeners who also have kids smile kindly, understanding the decay in my head. Those without kids look at me like I’m a crazy person, and they’re kind of right. Being a parent is a form of insanity.

And then there’s what having babies did to my body. Ugh. To be clear, I’ve never been a big fan of it to begin with, but the self-shaming has resumed junior high levels. My abs used to be one of the few parts I could get along with. Now they have a layer of lumps and bumps and some weird sagginess above the belly button that I only just discovered the other day. I was lucky to have genes that fought off stretch marks, but really, these gut moguls aren’t all that loveable either. I am fat but I am also insanely strong. My husband was shocked to discover my new quad muscles that, quite frankly, put his to shame. But I don’t want massive quads. I want legs that don’t create friction damage on the inner thighs of my jeans.

To be clear, I don’t exercise. I just don’t.

Not So ‘Me’ AnymoreErin Skillen

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Lifting 60 pounds of kids throughout the day kills any enthusiasm I have for moving about of my own volition. I like to eat and I eat crap because it tastes good and makes me feel better temporarily. Is this the right thing to do? Absolutely not. I’m aware that exercise and eating healthier would make me feel better in the long run, but a family-sized coconut chocolate bar makes me feel better immediately and “right now” is the world I’m living in.

One of the biggest adjustments has been space. As a lifelong introvert, I’ve always needed time alone to decompress after extroverted moments. That used to be completely doable, even when I had one child. My husband and I could take turns with our son while the other one took some time alone. With two kids it’s “all hands on deck” and those hands are usually coming at me under the door while I’m trying to take a quick shower. In the rare moments when I am alone I don’t always know what to do with myself. I’m like a caged animal that stands frozen and uncertain when the cage door is left wide open.

This is the part where I assure you I love my kids and I’m just tired and this will pass. And I do and I am and it will. I love my kids profoundly and we have amazing moments together each and every day. I cherish them. We laugh, we snuggle, we play, we argue and then we laugh some more. I just wish having two kids and being a mom didn’t make me feel not so “me” anymore.

I’d love to say that I’m going to get me back and carve out more time for myself and make it all better. Maybe I will. But I think there’s something to be said for just admitting when things aren’t so good. Be-cause that’s the way a lot of us might feel and sometimes you just have to be in it, recognize where you’re at, eat a chocolate bar and see where tomorrow leads. I know it will get better—and then get worse when they’re teenagers, but let’s not go there. For now, I’m just surviving it and look forward to carving out a new, mom-ified but still me, version of myself. Erin Skillen is a mom, producer and writer in Victoria.

With two kids it’s “all hands on deck” and those hands are usually coming at me under the door while I’m trying to take a quick shower.

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Saanich Schools (SD63) Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2015

February 2 to February 6, 2015

All Children born in 2010 are eligible to register for Full Day Kindergarten at your neighbourhood school. Our Kindergarten programs offer:

Teachers who are knowledgeable in early childhood development. Engaging learning opportunities through play. Optimal learning environments for the success of every child. French language instruction. Rich literacy and numeracy experiences.

Register February 2 to 6, 2015 at your neighbourhood school.

Brentwood Elementary Keating Elementary Prospect Lake Elementary Cordova Bay Elementary KELSET Elementary Sidney Elementary Deep Cove Elementary Lochside Elementary French Immersion registrations:

Deep Cove Elementary (North Zone) Keating School (South & Central Zone)

To register at your neighbourhood school please bring: Proof of your address (resident driver’s license, utility bill, etc). Proof of your child’s age (birth certificate). Your child’s BC Care Card.

After February 6, all K-8 registrations will be done at: Saanich School Board Office 2125 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton 8am to 4pm

Kindergarten Information Evening: January 28, 2015 7pm - 8:30pm Sidney Elementary School Gym 2281 Henry Avenue, Sidney

Every success for every child www.sd63.bc.ca

Saanich Schools (SD63)Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2015


Saanich Schools (SD63) Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2015


All Children born in 2010 are eligible to register for Full Day Kindergarten at your neighbourhood school. Our Kindergarten programs offer:

Teachers who are knowledgeable in early childhood development. Engaging learning opportunities through play. Optimal learning environments for the success of every child. French language instruction. Rich literacy and numeracy experiences.

Register February 2 to 6, 2015 at your neighbourhood school.

Brentwood Elementary Keating Elementary Prospect Lake Elementary Cordova Bay Elementary KELSET Elementary Sidney Elementary Deep Cove Elementary Lochside Elementary French Immersion registrations:

Deep Cove Elementary (North Zone) Keating School (South & Central Zone)

To register at your neighbourhood school please bring: Proof of your address (resident driver’s license, utility bill, etc). Proof of your child’s age (birth certificate). Your child’s BC Care Card.


Kindergarten Information Evening: January 28, 2015 7pm - 8:30pm Sidney Elementary School Gym 2281 Henry Avenue, Sidney

Every success for every child www.sd63.bc.ca

All Children born in 2010 are eligible to register for Full Day Kindergarten at your neighbourhood school.

Our Kindergarten programs offer:• Teachers who are knowledgeable in early childhood development.• Engaging learning opportunities through play.• Optimal learning environments for the success of every child.• French language instruction.• Rich literacy and numeracy experiences.

Register February 2 to 6, 2015 at your neighbourhood school.Brentwood Elementary Keating Elementary Prospect Lake ElementaryCordova Bay Elementary KELSET Elementary Sidney ElementaryDeep Cove Elementary Lochside Elementary

French Immersion registrations:• Deep Cove Elementary (North Zone)• Keating Elementary (South & Central Zone)

To register at your neighbourhood school please bring:• Proof of your address (resident driver’s license, utility bill, etc).• Proof of your child’s age (birth certificate).• Your child’s BC Care Card.


Kindergarten Information Evening:January 28, 2015 7:00–8:30pmSidney Elementary School Gym2281 Henry Avenue, Sidney


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Think onionOnions have layers! Layering is

important. Having the ability to get in and out of layers easily will help you regulate your body temperature and avoid sweating.

Be preparedCamping in the winter requires

greater caution than in other seasons. For example, hazards may be hidden under the snow. Be cautious on ice, especially near running water. Always pack essentials, such as an emergency kit, water and snacks.

Keep everything coveredWind chill can affect any out-

door activity. Stick to sheltered ar-eas. Any exposed skin can result in a significant amount of body-heat

loss. Waterproof material is key. Wear good boots, a parka, mittens and hat.

10 Winter Camping Survival Tips

Check the weatherWinter conditions can be tricky

and snow squalls are dangerous. Weather can go from cool to freezing quickly, especially when the sun is setting.

Snow blindnessSun reflecting off the snow

strains your eyes, and can cause nausea and headaches. Wearing sunglasses will help

reduce glare off the snow.

Always bring a friendBy sharing the adventure

with others, you can combine food and gear, and you’ll have support if you have an emergency.

2

4

6

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10

1Snow, ice, below zero temperatures and lots of shoveling can bring about dreams of flying south and indoors activities. Rather than hibernate through the duration of the season, why not embrace the winter and enjoy all it has to offer?

Scouts Canada offers 10 winter survival tips for a safe and unforgettable winter camp-ing experience.

Stay hydratedWith all the clothing

on your back, trucking through the snow, you ex-

pend loads of energy and your body needs water to function

better. If dehydrated, you are more likely to get hypothermia. A

tip: store your water bottle upside down in your pack; water always

freezes from the top.

EatHave a proper breakfast to

start the day off right and carry plenty of food with you. Eat protein bars, hearty soups, or chili, for example. Your body needs calories to create heat.

Share your planLet others know where

you’re going, and when you plan to be back. A good online resource: adventuresmart.ca/trip-

plan/tripplan.php

Cotton killsCotton fabric is

made from a plant, so it soaks up water and holds on to it. Wearing cotton in the winter will make you wet and cold. Try to dress in wool or synthetic layers from head to toe, and from your base layer to your outer layer.

Go ahead, unleash your inner adventurer, load up your gear and travel into the great white north this winter! For more camping tips or for more informa-tion about Scouts Canada visit scouts.ca.

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Perhaps you always knew there was something different about your child,

or maybe it gradually dawned on you, as the comments of well-meaning friends shifted from how cute his differences were to asking how you were coping. Maybe she seemed like other kids some of the time, but later, didn’t appear to pick up on unspoken social expectations, or to learn appropriate behaviours. By the time you hear those words you will never forget—“Your child has autism”—you will probably already have talked yourself in circles about what this means.

There is no right or wrong way to feel when your child is diagnosed. For me, the first feeling I experienced on hearing those words, “Yes, it’s ASD,” was relief. For two years, I had known something was not connecting for my son; the lack of desire to feed, to play, to speak, to engage with the world around him. I had questioned

My Child Has Autism Coping with the diagnosis

Elizabeth Hartney

whether he was deaf, as he didn’t respond to loud noises, or to his own name. I had wondered whether he was intellectually disabled, which I still don’t know. Autism gave me an answer, a “what” on which to pin my hopes of making things better.

At two years and three months, my son is the youngest child I know to receive the diagnosis, except one little friend who was diagnosed even earlier. Everyone tells you how great it is that you will be able to do early intervention, but there is a price to pay for this; gone are the innocent days of enjoying toddler years, full of hope that milestones will be reached in the natural way. Days are filled with appointments, and the often conflicting opinions of professionals, and nights are filled with “what ifs”. Was there something I did to cause this? Is there something I can do to make it go away?

And then there are the reactions of others. There is no way of predicting how people

will respond to the news. Some minimize it, say he will grow out of it; others drop you like a hot stone. A rare few say just the right things in just the right ways: how much you matter to your child, how you can do so much to help him, how wonderful he is, no matter what his diagnosis. Without telling you what to feel, they know you are in pain, and they are there for you.

But foremost in your mind is not your own emotional struggle, but that of your child. You want to get help for your child, as soon as possible. In BC, the Autism Fund-ing Unit will pay for approved therapies up to about $22,000 before your child is six years old, and up to about $6,000 between the ages of six and 19. This doesn’t cover the real financial cost of raising a child with autism, but it helps.

However, the therapies that are covered by the under-six program are restricted to behavioural consulting and intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. Behavioural consulting for children under six must also be delivered by providers who are on the Register of Autism Service Providers (RASP) run by Autism Community Training. Behavioural intervention, in contrast, can be provided by any adult with a clean criminal record

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check, who is not related to, and does not live with, the child. Ideally, she or he should be supervised by a behavioural consultant or another specialized professional. Registered speech therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists can provide services even if they are not on the RASP list. In ad-dition, other service providers, such as psy-chologists and art therapists, can sometimes be approved to provide services, although you should check with the Autism Funding Unit before starting.

Every child with autism is a unique individual, and each has different needs and requires a different approach to treat-ment. Forget any one-size-fi ts-all claims; there is enormous diversity in the abilities and diffi culties faced by children with this condition. Keeping up with the needs of a child with autism is ever-changing, and requires patience and fl exibility. But it is well worth the effort.

It may take years to go through the vari-ous stages of grief, and fi nally reach a point of truly accepting your child’s diagnosis. It is normal to go through periods of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression, before reaching acceptance. These feelings are natural and healthy, but don’t hold back from seeking psychological or medical sup-port if you are overwhelmed. Some days are worse than others, and at times, it can feel like more than you can handle.

As I only have one child, I don’t know what it would be like to parent a “typically developing” child. For years, I felt this was a joy that I had been denied. But the delightful child I have, with all the stresses his neurological condition brings, is still the greatest source of happiness in my life.

Resources:Autism Community Training, Open

Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, 604-205-5467, or 1-866-939-5188 (toll-free), actcommunity.ca

Autism Funding Unit, Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. In Greater Victoria: 250-387-3530, ot 1-877 777-3530 (toll free), mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/contact.htm

Victoria Society For Children With Au-tism, victoriaautismsociety.com

Elizabeth Hartney, PhD. is a registered psychologist in private practice in Victoria. She also volunteers for the Autism Com-munity Training Advisory Council. She has been married for 16 years, and is the parent of a happy, healthy, eight-year-old son with autism.

2015 VA N C O U V E R I S L A N D PARENT CONFERENCE

Spectrum Community School 957 Burnside Rd West in Victoria

Saturday February 7, 2015 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Keynote Speaker: Robin Grille Emotional Intelligence: Robin’s seminars focus on healthy emotional development for children and parents; while building supportive, co-operative communities. His work is also animated by his belief that humanity’s future is largely dependent on the way we collectively relate to our children.

SCHOOL WELLNESS

Physical

Spiritual

Emotional

Mental

Presented by School District Parents’ Advisory Councils of Greater Victoria & Sooke

Early Bird Rate $75* | $100 After January 21 *Must be registered by Wednesday January 21. Includes Lunch & Refreshments.

Early Registration Recommended.

For info updates or to register visit www.vipc.ca or email: [email protected]

Featured Speaker: Gary Anaka The Teenage Brain: Discover why it’s critical to keep teenagers moving, how to grow new brain cells, the six magical brain states for learning and how dopamine drives behaviours and attitudes. Want to help teenagers in today’s world… begin with their brain.


Winter Programs

ARTArtistic Statement Gallery and School of

Fine Art offers fun and educational classes in drawing, painting, sculpture and cartoon-ing. Portfolio preparation is offered for College or University entrance for a variety of degree programs. Emphasis is placed on technique and everyone works at their own level. Lessons on SKYPE are available for Home-Schoolers and out of town students. Registration is ongoing. New semester be-gins February. Call Joan at 250-383-0566. artisticstatementgalleryandschool.com.

Children’s Art Studio classes at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria are the ideal place for children to explore visual culture and express their creative vision! Students will visit current exhibitions to inspire their explorations and experiment with a

variety of art materials and ideas. Join us this Spring, as we offer a great selection of classes. Registration begins at 10am, Feb. 28th. You may register online at shop.aggv.ca/collections/studio-classes or call 250-384-4171 ext.0; to register in person, visit us at 1040 Moss St.

DANCE/DRAMA/PERFoRMiNG ARTFour Seasons Musical Theatre classes are

back in session! FSMT classes teach the fundamental skills of stage acting, singing, and dancing. Our goal is to foster confidence and success on the stage. The 8 sessions of classes are available for children 7-14 years old. For more details and registration visit our website: fsmtheatre.ca.

Kate Rubin Theatre and Drama Studio offers young people 5-18 years old with a

dramatic interest or passion the opportunity to creatively explore and develop their skills. Kate and her staff have extensive training and experience in the dramatic arts. Students are encouraged to develop individual and group skills in movement, voice, dramatic techniques and performance skills. Benefits include improved acting skills, confidence, creative thinking, public speaking, creative collaboration, and versatility in physical, vocal and emotional expression. 250-386-8593. katerubintheatre.com. [email protected]. facebook.com/KateRubinTheatre

Lighthouse Academy of Dance. Pure, pleas-ing, positive. Experience the joy of dance with qualified, experienced instructors including Canada’s first Master in Teaching Dance (RAD). Adults and children from age 2. We have boys! RAD Ballet. ISTD Tap and Modern. Contemporary. Jazz and hip hop. Acro. Musical Theatre (VYMTC). Singing lessons. New from January: zumba, posture training and special needs classes. Dance parties (any age), wedding/occasion dances, choreography. lighthouseacademyofdance.com. 250-595-8705.

At The Screen Actors Studio, we specialize in acting for film and television. Taught by working actors and filmmakers. The Young Actors Conservatory offers programs for

From art classes to wellness programs—and everything in between—our community offers an array of programs, resources and services for families. To find out what’s avail-able, read on. (For more details on the following listings, please refer to the ads in this issue of Island Parent).

http://oakandorca.ca250 383 6609

The joy of learning - naturally.

3-5 yrsPre-primary School

A gentle learning opportunity for young children:

- learning naturally through play

- exposure to books and language arts

- nature awareness and respect- compassionate communication

- experience with math and science

Maxine Fisher M.Ed., RCC, MTACounselling for Children, Families & AdultsOver 19 Years Experience (Music Therapy Also Available)Stress & Trauma (Acting Out) • Parenting • Family TransitionsPhysical & Learning Disabilities • Relationships • IndividualsM.Ed. | Registered Clinical Counsellor | Accredited Music Therapist

Call Today for a Complimentary 10 minute phone consultation

Call 250-686-7582 [email protected] victoriafamilycounselling.com


the absolute beginner through to interme-diate/advanced levels. Students can learn on-camera acting and auditioning skills and what it means to be a working actor. It develops confidence and communication skills in the young person and allows them to explore their potential in a safe and encour-aging environment. Studio programs and information can be found on our website: screenactors.ca.

Since 1980 STAGES Performing Arts School has offered professional instruction in jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, musical theatre and hip hop for all ages and levels of experience. We believe that all students should have an equal opportunity to learn in a safe, non-competitive environment, which fosters self-expression, a healthy body, confidence, and encourages responsibility, discipline, inspiration, creativity and pride in their accomplishments. For more information, please call STAGES at 250-384-3267 or visit stagesdance.com.

GyMNASTiCSDo you have a little girl who likes to

dance, jump and juggle? Register her for a class at Island Rhythmic Gymnastics. The nationally certified coaches at Island Rhythmics will provide a fun, safe and nurturing environment where she will learn the beautiful sport of rhythmic gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that combines dance and gymnastics and is performed to music with ball, ribbon, rope, hoop and clubs. Visit us online at Islandrhymthmics.com.

Victoria Gymnastics continues to provide Greater Victoria with gymnastics instruc-tion that is safe, well structured, and most importantly, fun. Our 7,200 sq. ft. facility, which is naturally lighted and acoustically insulated, provides a learning environment that will allow children to maximize their potential as they move through our non-competitive skills development program structure. Boys and girls ages 2-17, begin-ner through advanced, all benefit from the strength and flexibility that gymnastics develops. Visit victoriagymnastics.com.

MuSiCThe Tom Lee Music Learning Centre at

Millstream Village offers lessons for all ages in piano, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, voice, theory, strings, brass and woodwinds. Learning to play music is a life-changing skill that is also great fun. From the hobbyist to

the advanced student, we strive to make music education accessible and enjoyable with a sense of accomplishment at every level. Please call 250-383-5222 for more information.

The Victoria Conservatory of Music has been enriching lives through music for 50 years. One of our most exciting areas of enrichment are our programs for Babies to 14yrs. Providing a child with a foundation in music is one of the most valuable things a parent can do. Studies show that when children take part in music classes, their social and cognitive skills are impacted in extremely positive ways. Let’s Play. vcm.bc.ca/departments/childrens-music/

PARENT EDuCATioN/PRoGRAMSCourses covering a range of personal and

parenting topics begin again in January at 1Up Single Parent Resource Centre. Courses include The Lighthouse Parent, Managing the Difficult Conversation, Anatomy of Anger, Taming the Tiger: Mindfulness for Everyday, and the father’s support group Dads with Dads. Our courses are open to all in the community. Visit www.1-up.ca or call 250-385-1114.

LIFE Seminars parenting courses have made a huge, positive impact on families in Victoria for over 30 years. Dr. Allison Rees offers courses, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and Cutting Through Conflict. Dr. Rees also provides individual coaching and education. For more information about the courses, go to the website, lifeseminars.com or call 250-595-2649. These courses are in book form and available on Kindle, at Bolen’s or Books on View.

RECREATioNThis winter the City of Victoria offers

a range of programs just for you, or for your entire family. At Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre you can sign up for private swimming lessons, hire a personal trainer, or try a Zumba class. Arena programs at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre include lessons for all levels and public skating sessions. Register online and learn more at victoria.ca/recreation or call 250-361-0732.

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Associa-tion (CTRA) provides equine based services for people with disabilities. Through the power of the human-equine bond, CTRA brings together individuals, families and the community in the spirit of healing, inclusion and human growth. We provide

OPEN HOUSE

Oak Bay Preschool

SATURDAY

oakbaypreschool.com

FEB 7th10 am

-12 pm

1701 Elgin Rd, V8R 5L2

Fun Start 1-3 yrs Preschool 3&4 yrs

Our learning through playapproach fosters children'ssense of wonderment with

the world around them

250.386.8593 • [email protected]

facebook.com/KateRubinTheatre

Kate RubinTheatre & Drama Studio

Kate Rubin Theatre & Drama Studio

specializes in dramatic training

for CHILDREN, YOUTH, and ADULTS. Within a professional, experienced, and supportive

learning environment, students

flourish with improved acting skills,

stronger confidence, CREATIVE THINKING, public speaking

skills, spontaneity, and versatility in

physical & vocal expression.

Classes • Workshops • Private CoachingFall, Winter, Spring & Summer TermsRegisteR Now(Ages 3 and up)


year round therapeutic riding, recreational and sport opportunity, stable management programs as well as beginner lessons and summer horse camps for all children. We also have many volunteer opportunities. 250-746-1028, [email protected], ctra.ca.

Gordon Head Recreation Centre. Facility highlights include our dance/fi tness stu-dio, weight room, multi-purpose spaces, wellness annex, dedicated preschool space and more. If you’re looking for a quality preschool experience, we still have space available in our very popular ‘Exploring our World Preschool’. Register by the day for our variety morning program or for one of our special theme programs (music, French, or sport) in the afternoon. See you soon.

GR Pearkes Recreation Centre partners with Colquitz School, Saanich Neighbour-hood Place, The Centennial Public Library, Tillicum Centre and others. The facility houses a huge trade show facility, two ice rinks, classrooms, dance studio, weight room, and a teen lounge. We offer classes in dance, skating, woodworking, preschool, spin and aerobics. Come for a visit at 3100 Tillicum Road behind Tillicum Mall. Lots of free parking, or we are bus routes #21, #22, and #26.

Learn Skate with the Oak Bay Figure Skating Club (OBFSC)! OBFSC has excep-tional programs for all levels of skating. The focus is on FUN, participation, and basic skill development. With NCCP Level 3 Certifi ed coaches, OBFSC has skaters who compete to podium at Provincial and National levels. Recently redeveloped, the CanSkate program is based on long term athlete development and has a proven new curriculum to develop basic skills faster. CanPowerSkate is an action-packed, high energy instructional power skating program geared to hockey and ringette skaters that focuses on balance, power, agility, speed and endurance. Registration is ongoing. Contact us today at [email protected]

Saanich Commonwealth Place offers Par-ent and Tot, as well as preschool programs ranging from dance, karate, music, art and soccer. There are some fantastic new preschool programs that you need to check out including: Fun with Spanish, Stepping up to Kindergarten, and Intro to ABC123’s. Mark your calendar—registration for our very popular Kiddie Capers Preschool (September-June, 2013) starts Saturday, February 18th at 8am—in person only.

Sportball helps children develop both so-cial and physical skills through an engaging, non-competitive environment. Using high-

Student Union Building, UVIC | 721-8365cinecenta.com

Matinees for KIDS!

Saturdays &Sundays at 1pm

All Seats $4.75

JAN 3 & 4ANNIE 1982

JAN 10 & 11ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAYJAN 17 & 18WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY 1971

JAN 24 & 25THE TALE OF THEPRINCESS KAGUYA

Emmanuel Preschool 2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road (by entrance to UVic)

Openings for 2013–2014 Classes!

Children learn through play in our all inclusive, non-denominational Christian preschool. Great facility; outdoor play area and a gym for rainy day play! Two teachers with ECE certification plus assistant teachers tohelp with special needs children. A competent and caring teaching team!

Opportunities: Mon / Wed / Fri morning class Tues / Thurs morning class 5 mornings a week

Phone [email protected] www.emmanuelpreschool.ca

Children learn through play in our all inclusive,non-denominational Christian preschool.Great facility; outdoor play area and a gym forrainy day play. Two teachers with ECE certifi cationplus an assistant teacher to help with special needschildren. A competent and caring teaching team!

Classes:Mon/Wed/Fri morning classTues/Thurs morning class5 mornings a week

Phone 250-598-0573preschool@emmanuelvictoria.cawww.emmanuelpreschool.ca

Emmanuel Preschool2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road (by entrance to UVic)

learN tO sKate!Featuring the brand new

skate Canada Canskate program

OAK BAYFigure skating Club

Register now at www.oakbayfsc.ca

Mention this ad and receive$10 OFF any new skater!


energy programs and covering 8 popular ball sports, Sportball works for children 16 months to 12 years old! These programs are carefully designed to focus on developing balance, strength, coordination, stamina and timing, with Sportball’s professional instruction and positive reinforcement. For more information, visit our website at sportball.ca, call 250-590-4625 or email [email protected]

West Shore Parks and Recreation wants you to join us as we beat the winter blues by getting the whole family active. We offer diverse and accessible winter programs for all ages. Work on those New Year’s reso-lutions in our large spacious weight room while the kids burn off some energy in one of our many programs. Be sure to check out our January Activity Guide for classes that qualify for the children’s’ fitness and arts tax credits, clearly marked next to each session. Visit westshorerecreation.ca. For more information or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/westshorerecreation. 1767 Island Highway.

SCiENCE & NATuREMad Science offers weeks of exciting

hands-on activities, fascinating demon-strations, inquiry based discussions and spectacular take-homes. This year we are calling all junior agents to join our SPY ACADEMY program. Get into gear and learn what it takes to be successful detective. We explore science behind a spy in action. Check all our After-school Camps, Science Shows and Birthday Parties at vancouveris-land.madscience.org. Call 1-888-954-6237. Book on-line any time.

oTHERHeadWay Victoria Epilepsy and Parksin-

son’s Centre. Introducing the Get It? Got It! Community Awareness Puppet Project in Victoria, B.C. We raise awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Epilepsy and Seizures and Immigrant, Refugee Newcomer Issues. Using puppetry, our troupe helps to educate children age 6-10 about differences while promoting understanding and acceptance. Teaching through puppetry is a fun and ef-fective way to learn. Book a performance today! Contact: [email protected] or visit our FaceBook page for more information.•

ChildcareDinner started

Light housekeeping

Call today for a childcare consultationVancouver Island Nanny Line: 250.383.9566 [email protected]

Review profiles online www.internationalnannies.com

A Full Service and a La Carte Nanny Agency

Full-time Nannies & Part-time Au PairsNeed flexible and a� ordable childcare?Full-time nannies from $395/week(depending on province)

Part-time Au Pairs $200/week

New Kids DentistDr. Anita Gadzinska-Myers

is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry and has a Fellowship in Special Needs Dentistry for children

• Accepting new patients now (infants to teenagers)• Referral not needed

• Member of Cleft Lip and Palate Team

Special Services:short wait list • oral sedation • hospital dentistry • nitrous oxide

www.victoriapediatricdentalcentre.ca 250-383-2133

Victoria Pediatric Dental CentreNew LoCatioN: 205–1830 Oak Bay AveWe’re Moving


Party Directory

~ Laser Tag~ Human Hamster Balls~ Booger Wars~ Video Game Theatre~ U:Launchers~ Foam Party

Birthdays, school funfairs, fundraising, festivals, teen groups, church groups,

summer camps, sports teams, corporate groupsCall Alicia 250-661-2219

Email [email protected] @ www.g2u.com

Facebook @ Games2u Victoria

We bring the

Fun2U!

#208 – 721 Vanalman Ave www.falcongymnastics.com

G

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(Broadmead & Royal Oak Area)

ht04 yrasrevinnA 3102–3791

FALCONGYMNASTICSBirthday PartiesCelebrate your birthday with us!

Our great instructors will treat you to an action packed two hours of fun and fitness in our great facility!• 2 large decorated birthday rooms• Free T-shirt for birthday child,

invitations for up to 10 children• The ONLY Inflatable Climbing Mountain

with trampoline in town• Party Time now offered for many different

groups (schools, daycare centres)

Book Early: 250-479-6424

Funtime inFlatables

We offer the largest selection of inflatables on Vancouver Island—trust your party or special event to the experts—the original bouncy castle company,

serving Vancouver Island since 1990.www.funtimeinflatables.ca

Vancouver Island’s #1 choice for party rentals

250-474-0597&

Come be part of our community atkidsinvictoria.com

The place online where parents and grandparents get information about

their community for their family:Read current and past issues of Island Parent Magazine.

Visit our Marketplace to find businesses, programs and services that cater to the little person in your life.

Looking for that special something you had when you were a kid? Check out our classified ads.

Want to see what’s up today or this weekend? View our calendar of events.

Whether it’s dance lessons, parenting workshops, fun days and festivals, what’s happening at your local rec centre or

community events—Kids In Victoria has it all!

Maybe you are looking for something to engage your mind or perhaps need a little bit of advice. Well we have that

too on our community forum.

Receive Island Parent & Kids In Victoria e-newsletter for updates and exclusive contests.

You can also enter our monthly and photo contests.


Party DirectoryParty Directory

G y m n a s t i c sctoria

Birthday PartiesCome Fly With Us!

Optional character

Party sizes up to 18 kids

Optional character

We supply table top cover, napkins, hats, streamers and balloons

Optional character

Twocertifiedinstructorsand a host

Optional character

Gymnastics games and music

Optional character

Free t-shirt

Optional character

Foam landing pit and 40' long trampoline

Optional character

Party participants can win a FREE month

Available Sat & Sun Afternoons Corner of Store & Pembroke

www.victoriagymnastics.com

250-380-2442

Party Room available!

Call for Details: 384-BUGS (2847)or check the website:www.bugzoo.bc.ca

631 Courtney St.(Downtown in Nootka Court)

Bring your party ofGrubs and Larvae

for a Bugtastic Adventureat the Bug Zoo!

Bring your party of Grubs and Larvae for a Bugtastic Adventure

at the Bug Zoo!Party Room Available!

Call for details: 250-384-BUGS (2847)

or check the website: www.victoriabugzoo.com

631 Courtney St (Downtown in Nootka Court)

Birthday Parties!

::Gym & Bouncy Castle,

themed parties: creative kids, girl power and preschool parties

from Princesses to Pirates!at Henderson Recreation Centre!

Call 250-370-7200Pool, Skate, or Soccer parties at Oak Bay Recreation Centre!

Call 250-595-SWIM (7946)www.recreation.oakbay.ca

Hassle Free Parties

for kids & families

You provide the space and food…

We’ll provide an hour of fun with puppet

shows and play

www.puppetbooth.homestead.com250 472 3546

www.lionspridegymnastics.comLocated in Langford

* Greater Victoria’s newest, largest and cleanest facility with hassle free

parking for you and your guests ** Large private party rooms *

* Experienced Qualified Fun Coaches ** 3 Trampolines & 40ft Tumble Trac *

* Awesome Foam Pit *

You’ll Flip over our BirtHday Parties

250-383-FliP

Par-T-Perfect(250) 386-JUMP (5867)

www.par-t-perfect.com• Indoor facility options for all your bouncy castle

and inflatable requirements• School fairs/festivals and picnics• At home/indoor theme parties, i.e. Teddy Bear

stuffing, craft parties• Free gift for birthday

child when you mention this ad

• Costumed facepainters and balloon twisters, i.e. princesses, pirates, ragdoll style clowns

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Family-Friendly Cowichan Valley & Mid-Island

kidsinvictoria.com26 Island Parent Magazine

VIU: Your choice for studies in Special Education

Blended model that is accessible from anywhere in BC and beyond• Innovative approach to the field• Grounded in current research and evidence-based practices

Master of Education in Special [email protected]

For more information contact [email protected]

viu.ca/education

250-746-1028 [email protected]

DOES YOUR CHILD LOVE HORSES?

Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Assoc. provides a highly engaging, rewarding, and fun therapeutic alternative for children with special needs. We offer year round programming, beginner les-sons and summer horse camps for ALL children. Contact CTRA today!

Volunteers Always Needed! No experience required and all training provided. Find out how you can make a

difference today!

Riding Lessons Summer Horse Camps!

O’Brien School of Irish Dancing

www.obrienirishdance.com 604-340-2370

[email protected]

*Traditional Irish dancing classes *Classes in Cadboro Bay, Esquimalt and Nanaimo

and NOW IN DUNCAN! *Recreational, performance and competitive

classes for ages 4 to adult

Like us on Facebook, Tweet us on Twitter!

O’Brien School of Irish Dancing

www.obrienirishdance.com 604-340-2370

[email protected]

*Traditional Irish dancing classes *Classes in Cadboro Bay, Esquimalt and Nanaimo

and NOW IN DUNCAN! *Recreational, performance and competitive



*Traditional Irish dancing classes*Classes in Cadboro Bay, Esquimalt and

Nanaimo and NOW IN DUNCAN!*Recreational, performance and competitive


www.obrienirishdance.com604-340-2370

[email protected]



Fuller Lake Arena2876 Fuller Lake Road

250.246.3811

Cowichan Aquatic Centre

2653 James Street250.746.7665

www.northcowichan.caLearn to skate or swim with us!

Celebrating 30 Years!

Inspiring Family Entertainment K - 7Just Kidding for Kids

Generously Sponsored by:

Mid Island

TICKETS: $10 each or 2 for $18 By phone: 250-754-7587

Online: www.theatreone.orgAt the door: one hour prior to showtime

The Little Prince

Januar y 31 @1:00pmMalaspinaTheatre at VIU

By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Adaptation by

Puppets, masks, original music and a bit of theatre magic bring

this cherished novella to life!

Thurs 1Polar Bear Swim in Sidney. Join fellow hardy islanders and enjoy an invigorating start to the new year with a polar bear swim at noon. Find the crowd through the beach access at Lochside Drive (just down from Tulista Park). Visit pen-insulacelebrations.ca for more information.

FrI 9Lego at the Library at the Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. Listen to stories and have fun with the library’s Lego. Bring your own Lego for a take-home project. For ages 7-10. 3:30-4:30pm. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

sAT 10Open House at Esquimalt Recreation. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, try out programs for free, enter to win great prize draws. Pancake breakfast by donation ($5 minimum) at 8:30am; free Kindergym 9-10am. 527 Fraser St. 250-412-8501.

Wonderful Woodpeckers at Francis/King Regional Park. Discover all the tricks of the woodpecker trade. What makes them so good at what they do? Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and learn how to identify different woodpeckers by sight, sound and habits on this fun, guided walk. Meet at Francis/King Nature Centre off Munn Rd at 1pm. 5+ years. 250-478-3344. crd.bc.ca/parks.

suN 11What’s That Evergreen? at Francis/King Re-gional Park. Come take a closer look at the survival strategies of our local evergreen plants. With a CRD Regional Parks naturalist, you’ll learn common species, what keeps these plants green year-round, and sip some evergreen tea. Meet at Francis/King Nature Centre off Munn Rd at 1pm. 8+ years. 250-478-3344. crd.bc.ca/parks.

MON 12Author Monique Gray Smith: Tilly, A Story of Hope and Resilience at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Monique Gray Smith, award-winning author of Tilly, A Story of Hope and Resilience, will share her unique journey and describe how ceremony and connection with First Nation cultural practices enabled her to become an inspiring voice. For Grades 10-12 and home learners of equivalent age. 2-3pm. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Bedtime Shenanigans at Ruth King Elementary. Games, snacks and delightful stories and songs. This free evening is for children aged 0-5 years and their parents/caregivers. 6-7pm. Running shoes suggested. Wear pajamas if you like. For more info, email [email protected].

WED 14Bedtime Shenanigans at Colwood Elementary. See MON 12 for details. This free evening is for children aged 0-5 years and their parents/care-

givers. 6-7pm. Running shoes suggested. Wear pajamas if you like. Info, [email protected].

sAT 17Horth Hill Highlights at Horth Hill Regional Park. Check out this delightful park at the tip of the Saanich Peninsula. Along with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist, discover the plants at your feet, the birds over your head, and great views from the top. Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Meet at information kiosk in the parking lot off Tatlow Rd at 1pm. 8+ years. BC Transit #70 or #72. 250-478-3344. crd.bc.ca/parks.

suN 18Winter Birds of Island View Beach at Island View Beach Regional Park. Island View Beach is one of the premiere winter birding locations in the region. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to look for hawks, owls, sea ducks, loons and more. Wear warm clothes and bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the grassy area adjacent to the picnic shelter off Homathko Rd. 9:30-11:30am. 9+ years. 250-478-3344. crd.bc.ca/parks.

MON 19Stories on Fern Street. The Victoria Storytellers Guild welcomes you to hear and tell stories. For people who love to tell stories, for people who love to listen, for people of all ages. Tea and goodies. Doors open at 7:15pm, stories start at 7:30pm. 1831 Fern St (park on Begbie). $5; $3/students. 250-477-7044. victoriasto-rytellers.org.

January 2015 Generously Sponsored by and

Family Calendar For calendar updates throughout the month visit kidsinvictoria.com

healthy life.We’re part of your

kidsinvictoria.com28 Island Parent Magazine

FrI 23Little Lego at the Library at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. Listen to stories and have fun with the library’s Lego. Bring your own Lego for a take-home project. Parents are encouraged to attend. For ages 4-6. 3:30-4:30pm. Regis-ter at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Story Club at Central Branch Library. Listen to stories, talk about your favourite books, and enjoy fun activities. Snacks included. For ages 5-8. 3:30-4:30pm. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

sAT 24Family Literacy Week: Storytime on the Trol-ley at Goudy Branch Library. Kick off Family Literacy Week with the library. Join the library on the Langford Trolley parked in front of the Goudy Branch for a 20-minute storytime with fun-filled stories, songs, and rhymes, followed by a free 10-minute trolley ride. No registration required. This program is part of the 2015 West Shore Learning Tour, organized by Your Literacy Connection Westshore. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 10-10:30am and 11:30am-noon.

2015 Family Literacy Learning Tour in Westshore. Join Your Literacy Connection Westshore for a variety of free literacy and learning activities that families can experi-ence together. Drop in between 10am-2pm at various locations such as the Goudy and Juan de Fuca Branch Libraries, and Pacific Centre Family Services, Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Coast Collective Art Gallery and more. Visit sookewestshoreliteracy.ca/westshore for a full list of learning activities and locations.

Family Literacy Week: Art for Young Children with Anita at Juan de Fuca Branch Library. Celebrate Family Literacy Week by making a whirl-a-gig with local artist and art teacher Anita Brunckhurst. For young children and parent or caregiver. 1-2pm. No registration required. This program is part of the 2015 West Shore Learning Tour, organized and generously funded by Your Literacy Connec-tion Westshore.

suN 25Special Australia Day Story Time at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Vegemite, kan-garoos and didgeridoos! Oh my! Come for a special Australia Day story time. 10:15-11am. Ages 0-5. Please register at 250-656-0944.

Oh Deer at Swan Lake Nature House. Deer, deer everywhere. Love them or hate them, they’re a part of our natural environment and are here to stay. Play deer games, deer bingo, make deer crafts, and learn more about these fuzzy invaders. Noon-3pm. Admission by do-nation. Info 250-479-0211 or swanlake.bc.ca.

Who’s Hooting at Mill Hill Regional Park. The owls are hooting. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to learn some owl calls, find out about these excellent night hunters, and get to know our BC owls. Meet at info kiosk in parking lot off Atkins Ave at 1pm. All ages. BC Transit #53. 250-478-3344. crd.bc.ca/parks.

Wonder Sunday: Superheroes Unite! at the Royal BC Museum from 1-3pm. Explore both the Natural and Human History galleries to discover the drama of saving the world! Bring your superpowers. Wonder Sunday is an in-teractive, learning-based special event with a theme, based on ideas inspired from the current exhibitions. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

MON 26Family Literacy Week: Make Your Own Story Cube at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Celebrate Family Literacy with a farmyard storytime and make your own Old MacDonald story cube to take home. Supplies provided. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 10:30-11:30am. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Family Literacy Week: ABC Fun at Oak Bay Branch Library. Choose your own ABCs! Enjoy alphabet stories and then create your very own alphabet collage book. Supplies provided. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 11:30am-12:30pm. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Story Club at Nellie McClung Branch Library. See FRI 23 for details. For ages 5-8. 3:30-4:30pm. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Bedtime Shenanigans at John Stubbs Elemen-tary. See MON 12 for details. This free evening is for children aged 0-5 years and their parents/caregivers. 6-7pm. Running shoes suggested. Wear pajamas if you like. Info [email protected].

TuEs 27Family Literacy Day at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Celebrate Family Literacy Day and learning together as a family. Try fun activity stations and enter a prize draw. Drop in any time during the day.

Family Literacy Week: GVPL Storytime and Booksmack at Mayfair Shopping Centre. Come to Mayfair Shopping Centre Courtyard for fun-filled stories, songs, rhymes, puppets and book recommendations with GVPL’s fin-est children’s librarians. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 11:30am-noon. No registration required.

WED 28Family Literacy Week: Make Your Own Story Cube at Central Branch Library. See MON 26 for details. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 10:30-11:30am. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

TM

Be a rebel, try it!As much as we love the versatility and familiarity that peas and carrots can

bring to a dish, why not be a rebel and try the new kid on the block?

Introducing Romanesco This Italian beauty takes after its cousins, Broccoli and Caulif lower but with a seductive nutty, earthy f lavour that cannot be denied. Make your dinner

plate into a Van Gogh artpiece by adding Romanesco and captivate everyone around the dinner table tonight!

Try Moroccan-style Chicken with Romanesco, Walnuts & PomegranateRecipe & Tips at thriftyfoods.com/recipes



Island Montessori Open House at 5575 West Saanich Rd (across from Red Barn Market). Preschool to Grade 2, before- and after-school care, small class sizes, supportive and caring staff, excellent academic foundation, Kodaly music program, lovely rural location connect-ing children to nature. 4-6pm. 250-592-4411, [email protected], islandmontessori.com.

Thurs 29Family Literacy Week: Make Your Own Felt Story at Esquimalt Branch Library. Would you like to make your own felt story? Come for a storytime and make a simple felt story to take home. Supplies provided. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 10:30-11:30am. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Origami Yoda Book Club for Tweens at Cen-tral Branch Library. Ever wished you could join the Origami Rebel Alliance… even for just an hour? Then come to the library for a special book club inspired by the Origami Yoda series you must. Talk about the books, do a bit of origami and more. For ages 10-12. 3:30-4:30pm. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Bedtime Shenanigans at Wishart Elementary. See MON 12 for details. This free evening is

for children aged 0-5 years and their parents/caregivers. 6-7pm. Running shoes suggested. Wear pajamas if you like. For more info, email [email protected].

FrI 30Family Literacy Week: Make Your Own Story Cube at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. See MON 26 for details. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accom-panied by an adult. 10:30-11:30am. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Family Literacy Week: Make Your Own Felt Story at Nellie McClung Branch Library. See THURS 29 for details. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accom-panied by an adult. 10:30-11:30am. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

sAT 31Family Literacy Week: The Watermelon Seed at Central Branch Library. Celebrate family literacy with a reading of The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli, plus other stories. Decorate a paper watermelon and enjoy a fruit and veggie snack. An Island Health nutritionist will provide families with some fun food tips. Presented in partnership with Island Health Care. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 10:15-11:15am. Register at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

ONGOINGBABIEs, TODDLErs & PrEsChOOLDrop-in Storytimes for Babies, Toddlers, Pre-schoolers & Families at the Greater Victoria Public Library. Caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate. Storytimes are free and drop-in. Please come early to find a space. For a complete schedule of drop-in programs, visit gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Good Morning Rhymetime at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Bring your littlest ones to the library for stories, songs, rhymes and movement. For 0-5. Thursdays January 22-March 5, 10:15-11am. Please register at 250-656-0944.

YOuThTeen Writing Contest at the GVPL. Enter your original poem, short story, or something in our “random” category! Create something new or polish up something written for a school assign-ment. If your entry is selected by the judging panel, you will win a gift certificate for the store of your choice, up to $100 for first prize! For Grades 7-12 and home learners of equivalent age. For details, contest rules, and online entry form, visit gvpl.ca/teenwritingcontest. For more information email [email protected]. Contest runs online January 28 - March 25.•


!!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!! !!

École Victor-Brodeur 637 head St, Victoria

Portes ouvertes / Open House Élémentaire (Maternelle – 7e année) 21 janvier 2015 : 9h à 11h (Kindergarten – grade 7)

Secondaire (8e – 12e année) 22 janvier 2015 : 9h à 11h (grade 8-12)

Pour toute information additionnelle / for additional information

250-220-6010

Une école ouverte sur le monde

! 2 langues premières et 1 langue seconde ! 3 diplômes : Dogwood, Cornouiller et IB ! Advanced Placement ! Cours de métier ! Plus de 34 nationalités

Une école ouverte sur le XXIe siècle

! Programme Découvrir en Profondeur ! Voyages internationaux ! Un ordinateur pour chaque élève ! Cours virtuels

Une école pour tous les enfants

! Un taux de réussite de 100% ! Une école de M à 12e année ! Littératie précoce ! Soutien en langues, mathématiques et

sciences ! Francisation et ALA ! Programme de voile ! Programmes parascolaires ! Gratuité des programmes ! Ratio d’un enseignant pour moins de 20

élèves

A school open to the world ! 2 first languages plus one second language ! 3 diplomas: Dogwood, Cornouiller and IB ! Advanced Placement ! Work experience program ! House more than 34 nationalities

A school open to the 21st century ! Learning in Depth program ! International experiences ! A computer for each student ! E-courses A school for all children ! 100% graduation rate ! Kindergarten to grade 12 ! Early literacy ! Academic support in languages, math and

sciences ! Francization and ESL ! Sailing program ! Extra-curricular programs ! No school program fees ! Ratio of 1 teacher per less than 20 students


Thurs 1Polar Bear Splash at Parksville Beach. A great way to start the New Year. Come as a participant, spectator or volunteer. Register on site at 11:30am. Free. 250-752-5014 for more information.

sAT 3Super Hero Family Fun Swim at Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Calling all super heros. Wear a cape and mask to the family swim and join in the action-packed super hero training. 10am-noon. 250-752-5014. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

Christmas Tree Chipping at Country Club Centre, Nanaimo. Wondering what to do with your Christmas tree now the holidays are over? Nanaimo Search and Rescue can help. Trees chipped on-site by VITree.ca by donation to NSAR. Money raised will help with the pur-chase of a new command vehicle. 11am-3pm. $10/suggested donation. 3190 Island Hwy.

Super Hero Fun at Beban Park Pool. Heroic games and activities. 1:30-4pm. 250-756-5200.

TuEs 6Children’s Choir Open House at the VSO School of Music. Stop in and bring your child aged 6-10 to sing along at this casual open choir class to learn more about the VSOSoM Children’s Choir. Meet director Marizza Mis-lang as she invites guest to join the choristers in musical games and songs. 5:30-6:30. RSVP to [email protected].

Dad’s Night Out Free Skate Night at Oceanside Place Arena. Bring the kids and enjoy a free skate together on the pond. Sponsored by Building Learning Together. 6:30-7:30pm. 250-248-3252. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo. Skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. Regular admission rates; glow necklaces $2. 6:30-8pm. 250-756-5200. nanaimo.ca

sAT 10Skate with the Generals at Oceanside Place Arena. Meet the players, join in a small scrimmage, and receive skating tips from your favourite player. Free admission and skate rentals courtesy of the Oceanside Generals Jr Hockey Club. 2-3:30pm. 250-248-3252. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

sAT 17Super Saturdays at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Drop-in art making program. All materials provided. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 1-3pm. Admission by donation. 250-287-2261.

TuEs 20Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo. Skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. Regular admission rates; glow necklaces $2. 6:30-8pm. 250-756-5200. nanaimo.ca

sAT 24Disco Light Skate for All Ages at Oceanside Place Arena. Try something different; dress up and come skating at the Disco Light Skate. Flashing disco lights and pumping disco music will take you back in time plus prizes for best disco costume will be awarded. 250-248-3252. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

WED 28Sno Cone Swim at Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Join the lifeguards for fun in the pool and a tasty sno cone treat. Everyone welcome. 6:30-8pm. Regular admission. 250-752-5014. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

FrI 30Teen Spa Night at Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Be treated to a special night with services provided by local health and wellness profes-sionals, plus relax in all the amenities the pool has to offer. Free with registration. For teens 13 to 18 years of age. 7-9pm. 250-752-5014. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

sAT 31Super Saturdays at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Drop-in art making program. All materials provided. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 1-3pm. Admission by donation. 250-287-2261.

Minute to Win It Skate at Oceanside Place Arena. Try out the wacky contests taken from the popular television show. In one minute, can you win it? Prizes for best times on each event. Everyone welcome. Regular admission. 2-3:30pm. 250-248-3252. rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

Around the IslandVisit IslandParent.ca for these and other events and resources for families from Cowichan Valley north to Campbell River and west to Tofino

Even the lit t lest angel can dance For more information Call 250-384-3267

Email us at [email protected] visit our website:

www.stagesdance.com

STAGESPerforming Arts School

since 1980

Pre-School Dance Classesfor ages 18 months and up

Come DanceWith Us!

Parent & Tot Classes,

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ONGOINGPrEsChOOLParent and Tot Drop-in at the HUB at Co-wichan Station. Come for songs, organized games, and free play with balls, parachutes and more. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and young children to connect with other families in the community. Free. For more information, email [email protected].

LaFF at the Aggie. A safe play-based learning environment for families and caregivers with children newborn to age 6. Reading centre, craft area, Brio train station, and snack table. Indoor car and toy riding area. Monday to Friday, 9:30am-noon and Thursdays 12:15-1:45pm. $2 suggested donation per family (punch cards available). 250-210-0870, [email protected], familyand-friends.ca.

Family Storytime at Cowichan Library, Dun-can. Bring the whole family for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. For ages 0-5. Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am. 2687 James St. [email protected].

Adventures in Early Literacy at the Ladysmith Resource Centre. A parent-child program 3- to 5-year-olds. Participants learn and have fun doing crafts, games and singing. There’ll be reading, lunch and snacks. 9:45am-noon. Space is limited, so call 250-245-3079 to get on the list. 630 2nd Ave.

YOuThThe Youth Zone in Ladysmith. A fun and safe place to hang, meet new friends and enjoy games tables, internet kiosk, TV, movies, board games, karaoke and more. Play sports in the gym, do homework, Energized leaders will challenge you to try new activities. Mondays, 3-6pm in the Rec Room (girls only); Wednes-days, 3-5pm in the gym; Fridays 6-10pm in the Rec Room or gym. Free. 250-245-6424. ladysmith.ca.

Youth Drop-in in Nanaimo. The ultimate place to be. This is a supervised space for youth 12 to 17 to hang out and chill. Regular gymna-sium activities and more. Program is free, but please register using barcode 134870. 7-9pm until May 27. Monday: Nanaimo District Secondary School; Wednesday: John Barsby Community School.

FAMILYFamily Frolics at the Community Centre, Lady-smith. Bring your parent or caregiver for open gym fun. Burn off some energy with soft toys (balls and nerf-type games), mini-trampoline, ride-on toys, hula hoops and more. Tuesdays, 5:45-6:45pm. $2 suggested donation/family. 250-245-6424. ladysmith.ca.•

For more information on Lansdowne Preschool, please visit our website

at lansdownepreschool.com , Facebook page, or call 250.370.5392

Located at 2801 Henderson Road, Victoria BC

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How much each day?

Should be physically active several times daily.

180 mins of physical activity through the day (planned and organized and unstructured physical activity or free play).

They should gradually prog-ress toward at least 60 minutes of energetic play (moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity) by 5 years of age.

At least 60 mins of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity every day, including:

• Vigorous-intensity activi-ties at least 3 days a week.

• Activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days a week.



• Activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days a week.



• Activities that strengthen muscles and bones at least 3 days a week.

ideas for what to do

Floor-based activities including tummy-time, reaching, pushing, pulling and crawling.

Activities should be fun and encour-age your toddler to explore and try new things.

• Children this age don’t un-derstand rules and often are not coordinated enough to play orga-nized sports.

• Other ideas: walking or run-ning, playing tag, swimming (when at least 4 yrs old), tumbling, danc-ing, throwing and catching.

• As they grow older they might like to try skipping and bike riding.

Sports should have short instruc-tion times, flexible rules, offer free time in practices, and focus on fun.

• Other ideas: playing tag, walk-ing to school, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, skating and skiing.

Children reach puberty at differ-ent times. Physical size, strength and maturity vary widely for this age group.

• Usually ready to participate in team sports that focus on skill development, equal participation and fun.

• Can start strength training with lighter weights and proper supervision.

Activities should be fun and include friends. Teens are ready to focus on:

• Personal fitness (a fitness class after school)

• Active transportation (walk-ing, cycling)

• Household chores, and• Competitive and non-com-

petitive sports (a game of pick-up basketball).

infants (0–12 months)

Toddlers (1–2 years) & Preschoolers (3–5 years)

Children (6–9 years)

Children (10–12 years)

Teens (13–17 years)

For children and teens to grow up healthy, it’s important they are physi-cally active and eat healthy foods every day.

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To help children develop habits that will last a lifetime, an active, healthy lifestyle must start early in life. Physical activity has benefits at every age, and helps kids:

• keep their heart and lungs strong and healthy

• become more flexible• develop strong bones• keep a healthy body weight• lower the risk of several diseases and

health problems• improve their mood and self-esteem,• do better in school• feel better about their bodies“Sedentary behaviour” means time spent

doing very little physical activity, such as sitting at a computer, playing video games, or watching television. Children and teens should spend less time on these activities and more time being active.

How can i get my kids to be active?Your child learns the most about healthy

active living from you. Include the whole family in regular physical activity and healthy eating. It’s easier if families do things together as part of the daily routine.

• Choose activities that suit your child’s age and stage of development

• Give your child or teen lots of time to be active in both structured activities, like organized sports, and unstructured activi-ties, like playing in a playground

• Keep activities fun

How much time should my children spend being active?

Daily physical activity can include free play, games, sports, transportation (walk-ing, cycling), recreation, and physical education.

• Vigorous-intensity activities make chil-dren sweat and feel “out of breath,” so that they can only speak a few words between breaths. These can include activities like run-ning and swimming fast or for a long time.

• Moderate-intensity activities also make children sweat more and breathe a little harder but they can still talk while they move their bodies such as fast walking or a bike ride.

• Activities that strengthen muscles and bones can include jumping rope and run-ning, or sports like tennis and basketball.

How can families support healthy active living?

Set limits on how much time your children

and teens spend watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Internet—no more than one to two hours a day. The Canadian Paediatric Society discourages screen-based activities (TV, video games, hand-held de-vices, etc) for children under two.

Playing organized sports (such as being on a soccer or hockey team ) isn’t enough to keep children and youth healthy. Encourage your child or teen to be active every day, by walking or cycling to a friend’s house, skip-ping rope, or playing in a neighbourhood park or playground.

If you drive your children to school, try walking instead, or organize a walking club with neighbours.

Encourage your children to take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.

Get your child involved in activities around the house: carrying the groceries, raking leaves, or shoveling snow.

Be sure activities are safe. Children and youth should wear protective equipment for activities like cycling, skating, skateboard-ing, soccer, and other physical activities. Reprinted with permission from Canadian Paediatric Society. For more information, visit caringforkids.cps.ca.

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my tattered sign ended up in the recycling—along with my hopes for a tidier playroom.

Besides the abject failure of the Habit Of The Month program, I have attempted countless other tactics. But it seems that

no amount of sticker charts, lectures, or threats have any effect. Perhaps it is time to face reality, and admit defeat. My children’s habits are impossible to change. They are simply doomed to have cavities; their cars will forever be in need of oil changes; their grandmothers will be neglected; and their bedroom floors will be forever littered with dirty socks.

But this year, I’ve decided to be okay with that because I’ve realized the key to my kids’ habits.

The reason my children resist changing their habits is because they don’t want to change them. They much prefer their ‘bad habit’ of kicking their boots off—in a glori-ous flourish of mud—to the dreadfully bor-ing alternative: removing them quietly and placing them on the boot mat. I can’t say I blame them. They are, in fact, excellent at grooming and retaining habits, so long as it is on their terms.

I suppose this is true of all of us—and it is also the reason I ride the ‘new-habits-merry-go-round’ every year. Although I have a decided amount of influence, my children will be the authors of their own lives, and I have to leave it up to them. This year, I’m hopping off the merry-go-round and declar-ing that we’re all pretty good, just as we are. And then I think I’d better go and buy my grandmother a birthday card. Sarah Milligan lives on Vancouver Island. She is grateful to her children for the joy they inspire, not to mention the endless writing fodder.

Every year, around this time, my thoughts naturally turn to habits. With the un-wrapping of a fresh calendar, instinct

tells me it is time to stop doing all the things I wish I didn’t do, and start doing the things I wish I did do. I then throw myself into habit-changing for the span of 17 days, at which point I fizzle out. It is a simple pattern, quite comforting in its predictability. However, since having children, this comfortable-albeit-unproductive routine has become troublesome. You see, every January since becoming a mother, I now face a quadruple whammy of imperfect habits—my own, plus those of my three children.

As a mother, I feel it is my duty to pro-duce three upright, outstanding citizens: people who floss their teeth, change the oil in their cars, send birthday cards to their grandmothers, and always put their dirty socks in the hamper. This vague and over-whelming responsibility apparently starts in the home, with each and every habit the kids pick up—or fail to pick up—as they grow. If not for diligent parents, what would happen to life as we know it?

The future of civilized humanity, then, lies with me; and I must be honest: it’s not looking good, if my children’s habits are anything to go by. They slam doors, they talk too loudly in the library, they chew with their mouths open, they forget to flush—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. For the most part, I have resigned myself to these habits, after learning that repeated nagging has no effect whatsoever except to give me a hoarse voice. But thanks to January’s cocktail of guilt, and tradition, I get a renewed burst of energy and try, once again, to improve their habits.

One year, determined to mold them into tidier people, I declared the ‘Habit Of The Month: Neatness’ campaign. I even went so far as to print it on a large sign which I tacked up over the breakfast table, so as to help everyone remember. When I went to bed that evening, I discovered another sign taped to my pillow, which read: “Habit Of The Month: NOT Neatness” in the bold scrawl of my six-year-old. This went back and forth for several weeks, but eventually

Habit Forming

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Greater Victoria School District

New Kindergarten parents are invited to attend our popular Welcome to School Parent Information Evening where you will learn about our District’s exciting Kindergarten program and meet with educators from across the District. For more details, please

visit our website at www.sd61.bc.ca/kindergarten.aspx.

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Thursday, January 22, 2015 6:30–8:00 pm

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Questions? Call 250-475-4220

The Greater Victoria School District is committed to each student’s success in learning within a responsive and safe environment.

We are proud of our 2014 graduates who received over $5.2 million in scholarships!


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Some of my happiest moments lately come when I just go along with what-ever my son and daughter want to do.

The instant I walk in the door from work, there are questions: do I want to make a craft? Do I want to give them rides? Do I want to have a beer delivered to me while I relax with a favourite magazine? No, no…that comes later. First things fi rst.

I have mail to sift through and some email to quickly dash off because I forgot to at work and remembered on the walk home but, yes, I will be a student while my daughter is the teacher and we learn about French words (she knows more than I do, so I actually do learn during these play sessions).

I see that I left my home offi ce in a bit of a mess, so would love to clean that up but, yes, I’ll get out the paints and paint some Christmas tree ornaments. Yes, Christmas is over, but let’s do it anyway.

I am tired and have way too much on my mind and need to just stare in silence for a few minutes but, yes, I will pretend we’re at a fair and give rides until I’m even more exhausted.

It’s a good plan of action to have: just go along with their fun. I fi nd it refreshing, en-ergizing, and also a fun bonding experience. Conversely, I cringe when I catch myself saying “Maybe in a while,” knowing full well that “a while” often does not come. The kids probably know it too. Missing out on time together, all to tackle a never-ending to-do list, is not worth it.

Being a dad who works is such an odd thing, really. You see the kids briefl y in the morning and then for a quick blast during that craziest of times: dinner and pre-bed-time routine. It’s not like you’re necessarily getting them at their best. But even at their worst, they’re yours. Make that crazy time your dad time. Everything else can wait.

Once you put the hecticness and the to-do lists aside, you can appreciate the amazing things that happen in the small moments.

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For example, during the holidays, my daugh-ter wanted to make the aforementioned Christmas tree ornament crafts with me. Tempted as I was to not get involved with craft-making (which I generally place up there with plantar wart removal and deep retinal scans), I did, and I loved it. During the process, she told me how when you’re painting the piece of paper, you need to leave one white spot. I asked why, and she led me to the Christmas tree.

“See?” she said. “Every ornament has a white spot.” It was the reflection of the

living room light, and, sure enough, every ornament has a white spot. As we get older, we lose the ability, or the patience, to see the little things, to see the white spots. I thought her observation was incredible, and made sure to leave a white spot when I was painting my craft. All was silent as we worked on our ornaments, leaving white spots, realizing that everything else can wait.

My son mainly likes to shoot me with fake guns and chop off my arms and legs with swords these days. Occasionally he’ll sneak up on me then jump on me, screaming, “Bad daddy! I’m going to kill you!” I love nothing more than to drop whatever it is I’m doing, working on, or thinking about at that point and have it out with him. After a hearty brawl, he emerges the victor and stares at me while I lay on the ground, unmoving. He slowly walks away with eyes on me, dead serious stone face, making sure he’s finished the job. During that moment of silence I realize we’re making memories that will last forever, and nothing is more important than just stopping everything to let my son, well, kill me.

And as I lie there, slaughtered, I realize that it is most definitely the little things that are the most important. Everything else can wait. Greg Pratt is the father of two children and a local journalist and editor. His writing has appeared in, among other places, Today’s Parent, Wired, Revolver, and Douglas.

Dadspeak

GReG PRatt


right on their desk versus six feet away. (At 125 calories per day, those extra candies add up to five pounds per year)

• The Health Halo effect. If people think a food is good for them, they will eat more

In the Craving Change™Education pro-gram they share that there are three Types of hunger:

• Stomach Hunger • Heart Hunger • Mouth Hunger “Emotional Eaters use food to manage

feelings.”

What else influences our eating habits?• Our Environment• Our Body• Our Habits“It’s not what you’re eating, it’s what’s

eating you.”What are some strategies to reduce mind-

less eating?• Use smaller plates and bowls• Use tall, skinny glasses• Dish out how much you think you will

eat into a bowl • Avoid buffet style• Avoid distractions. Unplug and turn off

the TV while you eat• Leave food “waste”—For example,

leave chicken bones on your plate• Enjoy the sight of food• Eat slowly and chew wellWays to Nurture yourself without Foods• Go for a walk or call a friend• Have a bath or shower• Read a book• Go play out in nature• Listen to your favourite song• Watch a funny videoTake steps to become a more mindful

eater (adapted from Mind. Body. Green. at www.mindbodygreen.com):

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Most of us don’t overeat because we’re hungry. We overeat because outside influences disconnect us from listen-

ing to our bodies and paying attention to how the food we eat makes us feel. Re-member that the food you eat is medicine for your body, mind and spirit.

Some key factors that affect our food intake are: who we eat with, where we eat, as well as the packages, plates, labels, colors, names and shapes of the food products. Studies by Dr. Brian Wansink of Cornell University show that the average person makes around 250 food decisions every day:

• Breakfast or no breakfast? • Pop-tart or oatmeal? • Part of it or all of it? • Eat in the kitchen or car? Dr. Wansink shares some other findings:How can you tell when your dinner is

over? 150 Parisians said: “When I feel full and the food no longer tastes good.”

150 Americans said: “When my plate is empty, everyone else has finished eating, and when the TV show I’m watching is over.”

What things do you think influence our decisions about food or eating?

Common responses are taste, advertising, marketing, presentation and colour. We make decisions about what to eat with our eyes more than our taste buds. Two of the biggest influences on our food decisions are visibility and convenience!

Other factors influence how much we eat: • When people serve themselves on a

larger plate, they eat about 25 to 35 per cent more.

• In a bottomless soup bowl experiment, researchers attached tubing to bottom of soup bowls to constantly refill the bowls. One hundred and sixty people ate and after 20 minutes were asked if they were full. “No,” they replied “how could I be full, my bowl is still half full!” During this experiment, participants ate 73 per cent more soup than those without bottomless bowls, which suggests that we eat with our eyes, not our stomach.

• Proximity. Candy in glass bowl, right on desk vs. six feet away. People ate five more candies per day when the candy bowl was

Mindless EatingAre you present when you eat?

FIONa DeVeReauX

CHILD YOutH & FaMILY PubLIC HeaLtH

Healthy Families, Happy Families

Child, Youth & Family

Public HealthSouth Island Health Units

Esquimalt 250-519-5311

Gulf Islands 250-539-3099(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula 250-544-2400

Saanich 250-519-5100

Saltspring Island 250-538-4880

Sooke 250-642-5464

Victoria 250-388-2200

West Shore 250-519-3490

Central Island Health UnitsDuncan 250-709-3050

Ladysmith 250-755-3342

Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878

Nanaimo 250-755-3342

Nanaimo Princess Royal 250-755-3342

Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242

Port Alberni 250-731-1315

Tofino 250-725-4020

North Island Health UnitsCampbell River 250-850-2110

Courtenay 250-331-8520

Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289

‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522

Port Hardy 250-902-6071

www.viha.ca/prevention_services/

Healthy Families, Happy Families


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Day 1. Start each meal with some deep breaths and a pause to become fully pres-ent. Pay attention to the colours and smells of food and think about how it made it to your plate.

Day 2. Before taking the first bite, take a moment to think about how grateful you are to have delicious food available for you.

Day 3. Chew your food slowly, concen-trating on taste and texture. Pay attention to the crunchiness, creaminess and flavour of what you are eating.

Day 4. Put your fork down between bites and take one to three deep breaths before picking it up again.

Day 5. Eat your food sitting down at a table. Not in the car. Not in front of the TV. Not standing by the fridge.

Day 6. Pause periodically to check in with your belly. Are you full? Are you thirsty? Is the food satisfying you?

Day 7. Try to notice when you are about 80 per cent full rather than 100 per cent full and stop eating at that point. Trust, from experience, that with the food you have eaten so far, you will be full shortly and if you continue, you’ll move from satisfied to stuffed.

Day 8. Before grabbing a snack to eat, ask yourself, Am I really hungry for food? or Am I hungry for something else? And Is this the best quality of food available to me?

Day 9. Appreciate the people who you are eating with and try hard to be present and truly listen to what they are saying rather than just planning your response. If you are eating alone, notice your thoughts and let them flow without judgment.

Day 10. Pay attention to the food you eat and notice how it affects your mood and energy. If you don’t like the way you feel, don’t berate yourself with negative self-talk. Instead, note the feeling and remind yourself before eating that food again in the future. If you feel good, note that too, and be grateful for that experience.

Resources: • Mind. Body. Green., mindbodygreen.

com/0-11908/how-to-become-a-mindful-eater-in-10-days.html

• Craving Change, cravingchange.ca• Mindless Eating, mindlesseating.org

or read the book Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink (Random House, 2007)

• The Center for Mindful Eating, tcme.org• Am I hungry?, amihungry.com/

Fiona Devereaux is a Registered Dietitian with Island Health’s Aboriginal Health Program.

Picasso was a kid once.

| aggv.ca

Spark the creative genius in your child and sign them up today for our Winter Classes in the Children’s Art Studio.

Family Sundays are all about creating and enjoying art with your children. Join us, 2-4pm on Jan 18, Feb 15 & Mar 15.

Register for classes today in person,

online or call 250.384.4171 ext 0.

AG730_FamilySundays_Picasso_IslandParent.indd 1 2014-12-01 4:52 PM

We offer voice, dancing and acting classes for people of all ages.Start the new year with Four Seasons Musical Theatre classes! FSMT classes teach the fundamental skills of stage acting, singing and dancing. Our goal is to foster

confidence and success on the stage. The 8 sessions of classes are available for children 7–14 years old starting January 17th to March 7th.

For more details and registration visit

www.fsmtheatre.ca

Upcoming ClassesJanuary 17th to March 7thUpcoming Classes

January 17th to March 7th


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Happy New Year! For many of us, Janu-ary is a natural time to start anew with positive things we want for our lives.

You may have joined a weight loss program or purchased a gym membership, vowed to save money or get out of debt, or promised to finally declutter the house. This is the month in which many of us are busy making—and often, quickly breaking—our New Year’s Resolutions. As a busy parent, you likely do not need one more item on your to-do list. But if you are thinking about making some changes or doing things a bit differently, try some of these simple ideas this year:

Take care of yourself. As parents, we tend to put ourselves at the bottom of the priority list. It is so important for parents to do what we have to in order to relax and renew on a regular basis so we can be the best for all the other people who count on us. Make a list of things you enjoy and try to do at least one of them every day. It may be small a thing like calling a friend, flipping through a favourite magazine or

taking a bubble bath. Whatever it is, make sure it is an activity that recharges rather than drains you. Remember life before you had children. Likely you had a life complete with activities, friends and interests.

Plan adult time. To be good parents, moms and dads sometimes need to get away for a little adult time. Plan to regularly get together with friends. This is particularly important for women, who have the feel-good hormone oxytocin, that makes us want to “tend and befriend.” Men also need to have time with their friends for camaraderie and to blow off steam. Routinely scheduled date nights and romantic getaways can help partners maintain connection, and in doing so, make them a better team as parents. Although very easy to neglect, nurturing your marriage is an important priority, because children want an intact happy family.

Go guilt-free. That means give up the super-parent syndrome. Learn to be okay with less-than-gourmet dinners and a messier house than what you would like. Ask for

help if you need it. Remember what is re-ally important are your children and your family. Kids do not expect perfection, and attempting it would not be good modeling for them. Remind yourself that doing a good job—the best you can do—is good enough.

Read to your little ones every day. Twenty minutes of reading is recommended but even 10 to 15 minutes of reading can make a huge difference in a child’s language skill development. Reading to babies introduces the concepts of stories, numbers, letters, colours, and shapes, and gives them informa-tion about the world. It also builds memory and vocabulary skills. By the time kids are one year old, they have already learned all the sounds they need to speak their native language. Spend a few extra minutes snug-gling after reading with your little one every night. This will set the stage for a special

New Year 2015New Parent PagesDIaNa HuRSCHLeR, bScN

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Maestro Joey Pietraroia, conductor / Dandi ProductionsThe retelling of this classic tale is sure to delight as the audience follows unlucky Jack. First he trades the family’s beloved cow for some magic beans, then he tangles with a giant when he tries to fix things! Join Dandi Productions and the Victoria Symphony for this wildly entertaining concert providing plenty of unexpected twists, and a constant parade of inspired theatrics.

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time and encourage open dialogue as your children get older.

Add unstructured time. Brain research shows that when people are in a daydream-like state, they do their most creative thinking. But children these days rarely have a chance to entertain themselves. As a parent, I am all too familiar with the urge to “follow the crowd” and enroll my little ones into several different classes all before the age of six months. Resist the pressure to become your child’s day planner, social secretary and entertainment organizer. Al-low for days where nothing is planned and notice what happens, see what is discovered, and watch what develops. Day after day of adult-organized activities and events limits the possibility of creativity or self-discovery. For older children, set up activities that al-low them to relax—for example, knitting, puzzles, yoga, even meditation—and spend time in nature.

Practice mindfulness. Stop the autopilot and start to pay attention to your thinking. Observe your self-talk. Be aware of your thoughts and the tension in your body. Re-member, feelings come along with thoughts. You can also use the breath. For me, taking a slow, deep, intentional breath can help me focus. Remember, whether you are reacting mindlessly or responding mindfully, your child is watching.

Laugh. The logic for this resolution is simple: laughter is fun. Research on laughter confirms that it releases endorphins and other hormones that make us feel a sense of connection. Babies and young children love physical comedy—goofy sounds, silly games or doing something unexpected like wearing your pajamas on your head. It goes a long way if they’re having a meltdown and you can make them laugh. Wouldn’t it be nice for your child to grow up with the happy memory of lots of laughter in the house?

And finally, remember this: you are the ultimate role model for your children. Imag-ine the life you want for your children when they are your age. Then live it.

All the best for a vibrant, guilt-free and laughter-filled 2015! Diana Hurschler, RN BscN, childbirth edu-cator, certified breastfeeding counselor has been helping families in their childbearing years and beyond since 1998. Diana is the proud mama of four little ones. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Harry Potter had a staggering impact on literacy. According to studies in the U.K., 59 per cent of children say

the Harry Potter books have helped them improve their reading, 48 per cent think Harry is the reason they read more and 61 per cent of boys said that Harry brought ‘fun’ back to reading. Over the years, Harry Potter books have sold more than 450 mil-lion copies and have been translated into 68 languages.

Even in my own household, Harry Potter was the fi rst series my two older boys read,

to themselves, with a feverish kind of devo-tion, complaining when I tried to pull them off the couch to do anything besides read, and sneaking lights back on after bedtime. Now I am revisiting Harry Potter. My third son, not quite the reading enthusiast that his brothers are, begs me every night for just one more chapter. Truly J.K. Rowling has done something magical and I have no doubt that my children’s children will one day read the Potter series with the same kind of enthusiasm.

J.K. Rowling’s unique and wildly vivid descriptions, plot development and charac-ters are written with such detail it is seems almost impossible that J.K. Rowling wasn’t at Hogwarts herself.

I recently bought a copy of Dianna Wynne Jones’s A Charmed Life, originally published in 1977, and read it to the kids. Like Harry, the protagonist, Cat—who is similar in age as Harry when Rowling’s series begins—is an orphan who, unbeknownst to him, is

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actually a powerful enchanter who becomes immersed in a world of wizardry and magic.

Despite the similarities, the story devel-ops in a very different way than Harry’s. However, as I read it, my kids started to point out other likenesses. There is a “He Who Must Not Be Named,” dragon blood

becomes a key element to the plot, and there is even the idea of ‘horcruxes’ (by a different name and form). That these similarities ex-ist doesn’t compromise the genius of Harry Potter for my kids. Rather, it made reading A Charmed Life more intriguing, and an example of how common themes can run through very different stories.

A Charmed Life, the first in Jones’ Chres-tomanci series, is a wonderful book with an old-fashioned, fairy-tale feel to it, where horsedrawn carriages are commonplace, manors with maids and barons still exist, and where anything is possible. Cat’s parents are killed in a boating accident and he, along with his sister, ends up being sent to live in a castle owned by a famous sorcerer. When they arrive, Gwendolyn, his sister, who is a talented young witch, is forbidden to practice magic. She is furious. Desperate to have her talents respected, and hungry for power and influence, Gwendolyn revolts and spins all kinds of spells. Cat finds himself drawn into a conflict that he could have never imagined and seems quite outside of his quiet, unassuming personality.

Cat is an unlikely hero. He is just a typi-cal younger brother, trusting and craving the love and stability of a family, when he is involuntarily thrust out of his innocence and must find his own strengths and power.

A Charmed Life isn’t Harry Potter. It lacks the thrill-a-minute intensity and the marvelous descriptions that J.K. Rowling uses to paint her characters and settings. Expect a slower paced, but expertly writ-ten story that will intrigue your Harry fans and let them continue to dream about the wonders of magical worlds. Paisley Aiken reads extensively to her three energetic young boys. She is founder of The Story Studio Writing Society, a charity that grows kids’ relationship with literacy.

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This directory, sponsored by Thrifty Foods, features not for profit agencies and organizations serving children, youth and families.

1up, Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre (www.1-up.ca) provides support, education and re-sources for parents in the Greater Victoria area through free counselling, volunteer training for reception and peer helper positions, a mentoring program for single moms, and a support group for dads. The Centre also offers over 20 integrated life skills and parenting courses which are open to the whole community (fees are on a sliding scale). Child care assistance is available based on financial need. The Centre provides a bread pantry and free clothing for single parents. Donations of gently-used clothing, small household items, books, and toys are very welcome every Monday and Wednesday. Centre hours are 9–4 weekdays. 602 Gorge Rd. East; call 250-385-1114 or [email protected].

BC Families in Transition (formerly the Separation and Divorce Resource Centre) is one of three non-profit agencies in North America that offers professional counselling, legal support and education for people who are having problems in their relationships. Each year we help 10,000 adults, children and youth through family changes, separations and divorces, remarriag-es, and complex family situations. Whether you wish to separate or remain together, call us at 250-386-4331 or visit www.bcfit.org to see how we can help. Some evening and weekend appointments available.

Beacon Community Services is a community-based non-profit agency providing social, employment, and health services to Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria, and Southern Gulf Islands residents. Beacon offers: child, youth, and family services; a drop-in family resource centre; counselling; employment services for adults, youth, and people with disabilities; home support; volunteer services and opportunities; com-munity events; affordable assisted living for seniors; referrals, information, and resources; thrift shops. For Home Support information call 250-658-6407; for all other inquiries call 250-656-0134, or visit beaconcs.ca.

Beacon Community’s Employment Services. Beacon Community Services provides a full menu of employment services to the Saanich Peninsula, Southern Gulf Islands. We have been helping people find work since 1982! Our programs build on a cli-ent’s strengths and resolve barriers to securing and maintaining employment. Furthermore, we work in tandem with our employer network to support those residents looking for work. If you need help finding a job or need employees please pay us a visit! It’s FREE. 9860 Third St, Sidney, 250-656-0134, beaconcs.ca

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria is a non-profit organization that provides mentoring programs for children and youth between the ages of 7 - 17. Adult volunteers (“Bigs”) are matched with children (“Littles”) based on shared interests, respect and trust. No special skills or experience are needed to be a mentor to a child, just a willingness to be a friend and commit to being a consistent, positive adult role model. Make a BIG difference in the life of a child in as little as 1 hr./week. Contact us at 250-475-1117 or visit bbbsvictoria.com or ‘LIKE’ our page at facebook.com/bbbsvictoria.

Boys & Girls Club Services offer after-school and evening social, educational and recreational program-ming for children and youth at 4 locations. We also offer support to parents (Parents Together) and pro-grams at our Outdoor Centre in Metchosin. For more information on all programs and services visit bgcvic.org or call 250-384-9133.

The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year-round, innovative, high quality sports, recreational, social and employment related programs for indi-viduals and families living with autism, while building awareness and capacity through community networks across British Columbia. The Canucks Autism Network currently offers the following programs on Vancouver

Family services Directory Island: Soccer (ages 5-15), Swim (ages 4-15), Family Events and Camps. To learn how you can become a member, please visit canucksautism.ca/join or call 604-685-4049.

Community Living Victoria supports people with developmental disabilities and their families by provid-ing residential services, day and community supports (supported employment, parent support and indepen-dent living). Our Host agency provides direct supports for those with Individualized Funding and Home Share service. We also provide Autism Services for youth between 13 and 19. Our family support program offers advocacy, conflict resolution, education, newsletters, workshops, support groups and a resource library. Please call 250-477-7231 ext 233.

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society. Our Family Services offer family resource programs with a focus on early childhood development and learning, parenting education and pre and post-natal services. Our Counselling Services are free to adults and youth (12-18 years); adult and short term clinical counselling is offered for acute mental health problems. For more information call 250-385-2635 or visit 511 Constance Ave. in Esquimalt.

HeadWay Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre supports families living with seizures by providing tutoring and one-on-one professional consultations to help your child live up to their full potential. We offer a parent workshop three times a year as well as education presentations in schools and community groups. Keep up to date with the latest research about treatments, lifestyle, and safety issues for your child. We can be reached at www.headwayvictoria.com, or you can contact our Epilepsy Program Coordinator directly at 250-475-6677.

inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is a service agency for immigrants and refugees. Programs offered include cross-cultural counseling, parenting programs (child care available), family violence programs, employment services, interpreta-tion and translation, diversity workshops and training,

TM

Free Program Week at Oaklands Community Centre

Jan 5-11th

MondayZumba

TuesdayBootcamp

WednesdayYogalates

ThursdayInspiration

Yoga

FridayFlip Out Youth

(Gr. 5-7)

SaturdayYoga For Kids

(4-6 yrs)

More info: www.oaklandscommunitycentre.com By Registration Only: 250-370-9101


ESL instruction, volunteering, youth programs and tutoring, as well as intercultural arts programming. 930 Balmoral Rd, 250-388-4728, [email protected], icavictoria.org.

Learning Disabilities Association of BC, SVI Chap-ter, educates, supports and advocates for children and youth with learning disabilities and related conditions. Services include a public lending library, individual/group support for parents and children, professional/educational workshops for parents and professionals. Child and youth programs include: reading/writing, academic skills, social/emotional skill develop-ment and Fast ForWord. 1652 Fort St, Victoria, BC V8S 5J2. Ph 250-370-9513. Fax. 250-370-9421. ldasvi.bc.ca. knowyourrights.ca

Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) provides programs and services to the military family commu-nity including: 24-Hour Information Line; Deployment Information and Workshops; Short Term Counselling, Crisis Support or Intervention; Welcome/Relocation Services; Childcare and Family Support Services; As-sistance for Families with Special Needs and Respon-sibilities. Exciting Volunteer opportunities available! Call the MFRC: 250-363-2640 (1-800-353-3329) for information or visit esquimaltmfrc.com.

Parent Support Services Society (parentsupportbc.ca) provides support circles, parenting resources and referrals to all in a parenting role including grand-parents raising grandchildren. Our training in peer group facilitation is open to the community. Support circles are free with child minding and transportation assistance available. Volunteers are always needed. Call 250-384-8042; email [email protected].

Sooke Family Resource Society (SFRS) provides Family Resource Programs including: Prenatal Educa-tion and Outreach, Parent-Tot Drop-In Groups, Parent Discussion Groups, Family Support Groups and Out-reach, a Toy and Book Lending Library and Kingfisher Preschool. Sooke/Westshore Child Care Resource and Referral services are also provided by SFRS. Services are provided from the Child, Youth, and Family Centres in both Sooke and the Westshore. Call 250-642-5152 for more information or visit our website at sfrs.ca.

South island Centre for Counselling & Training is an affordable, non-profit, counselling and train-ing agency serving individuals and families from all social, ethnic, and financial backgrounds. We help people with a wide range of issues including low self-esteem, depression, grief, marital and family conflict, abuse and spiritual direction. We also offer helpful “life” courses. For more information contact us at 250-472-2851; [email protected] or visit southislandcentre.ca.

Attention Non-Profit Organizations

Would you like your informational brochures or magazines professionally distributed to 16 high traffic areas in Greater Victoria?

Victoria Community Information Services (VCIS), an Island Parent Group subsidiary, services these locations

on a weekly basis to ensure your brochures and magazines are highly visible for pickup by walk-by traffic.

Our wall-mounted distribution boards are outside partnering grocery stores and inside many recreation centres.

Space is available for either brochures (approx. 4" x 9") or magazines (approx. 8.5" x 11").

For distribution rates or additional information, please contact:Mark Warner

[email protected]


We always want what isn’t convenient. Think about Rapunzel’s mother, who, even with a garden full of nice

fresh greens, had to have the rampion from the yard of the witch next door. Did that end well for her?

The Earth is very organized, insofar as seasons and so on go. Those of us who roam the surface, particularly in this fertile corner of it, need only to draw on what’s growing, most of the year, to be well nourished. But is that enough for us? Or do we yearn for snap peas in December, and fresh raspberries all year around?

To every thing there is a season: we’ve all sung along to that song in the elevator, and if we think about it, it’s clear that the words are reminding us to be patient. To appreciate what we have, when we have it, and not to keep reaching out for what isn’t within grasp yet. Winters give us root vegetables, chock full of energy stored in the form of carbohydrates, as well as the side benefits such as beta carotene, fiber, antioxidants, and really nice flavour, too. Eating local and seasonal food is better for the environment

The Root of the Matteras doing so reduces transportation, and it is better for our health by getting the food to us directly from the people who grew it. There is a status thing about being able to eat whatever tickles one’s fancy, whatever the time of year, but there’s also a status thing in making considered choices around what we put on our tables. Choose local, and seasonal. Go back to your roots!

Butternut Squash Quesadilla1 Tbsp olive oil, divided3 cups mushrooms1 cup chopped onions3 cups thinly sliced butternut squash (you

can substitute baked squash if that’s easier for you; a helpful tip around slic-ing butternut squash thinly is to use your vegetable peeler and just peel off strips of the flesh)

1 clove garlic, minced1 tsp chili powder2 tsp ground cumin1⁄4 tsp pepper1⁄2 cup chevre (goat cheese)4 whole wheat flour tortillas

Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, squash, garlic, chili powder, cumin and pepper. Sauté until lightly browned and

tender, stirring often. Meanwhile, spread chevre on 2 tortillas and top with vegetable mixture. Place remaining tortilla on top. In skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Cook 2–3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is becoming golden and crisp. Press down on the quesadilla with a spatula while it’s cooking—this helps the flavours to meld, and makes it less of a challenge to flip. Cook both sides until lightly browned. Slice into wedges. Serve.

Roasted Root Vegetables2 pounds of assorted root vegetable (Use

beets, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips, car-rots, and even potatoes)

1 medium onion

Just Eat it!katHY HuMPHReY

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1 head garlic, separated1–2 Tbsp olive oilsprinkling of sea salt1 Tbsp fresh thyme (if desired)

Scrub vegetables well, and peel where necessary (I leave the peel on my organically-grown carrots and potatoes). Cut into 1" cubes. Spread all vegetables except garlic in large roasting tin. Drizzle oil over and toss well to combine (you can mix with your hands to be sure that they’re all covered). Roast in preheated 400˚F oven for 1 hour, adding the garlic cloves after 30 minutes, and stirring occasionally.

Roasted Root Vegetable Soup (in case there are leftovers)leftover roasted root vegetablesabout 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock,

more as needed1 Tbsp curry powder1 Tbsp turmericblack peppersalt, as neededsplash of cream (or coconut milk)

Bring stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in vegetables. Add curry powder and turmeric. Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until vegetables have become extremely soft. Remove from heat and purée with a hand blender. Taste: adjust seasonings if necessary. Stir in cream. Serve.

Veggie Cakes2 parsnips, peeled and grated1 carrot, peeled and grated2 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and grated1 egg1⁄4 cup floursalt and pepper1 tsp grated thyme, optionalvegetable oil, for cooking

Using hands, combine all vegetables in a colander. Squeeze well to remove any extra liquid. Allow mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, and squeeze again. Transfer to large bowl. Stir in egg, flour, salt, pepper and thyme. Heat vegetable oil (approximately 1⁄4 cup, to start) in large skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is spitting hot, scoop about 1⁄4 cup of the vegetable mixture and place in the oil to cook, pressing out to be slightly flat. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper-towel lined plate. Kathy Humphrey lives in Victoria with her husband and two children. She tries to see cooking for a family not as a chore but as a creative outlet.

Sooke School Districtinvites 3 & 4 year-olds & families to

Ready, Set, Learn!• Play & learn with hands-on activities!

•Receive goody bag full of fun!• Find out how to support your child’s

learning & development.

Wednesday, January 28Sooke Community Hall (10am–1pm)

Westshore Town Centre (10:30am–2:30pm)

The Screen Actor’s Studio845 Fisgard Street, Victoria • 250 595 1339

Website: www.screenactors.ca • Email: [email protected]

Young Actors Conservatory: Winter/Spring 2015

Est. 1980

The Screen Actor’s StudioActing For Film & tElEViSion At

Term One: JAnUARY 10th – FEbrUArY 28th (8 Sessions)Programs for beginner, continuing Studies and Advanced levels

Saturdays: Ages 8–12 (10:30am–12:30pm) beginners/intermediateCost: 260 + GST = $273 payment plan available.

Saturdays: Ages 12–15 (1:30–4pm) Teens/AdvancedCost: 300 + GST = $315 payment plan available.

OPEN HOUSEChildcare Ages 1–5

Saturday, January 17th

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Where Children Are Honoured for Who They Are


CENTRAL SAANICH

Almosthome Childcare/Preschool ........ 250-590-7666Quality childcare with a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Experienced Early Childhood Educa-tors. Nurturing environment for ages 21⁄2 to 5 years old. www.almosthomecare.com.

Chrysalis Child Care ............................... 250-652-0815A nurturing and stimulating environment for a small group of 3–5 year olds. Qualified ECE promotes learning through play. www.chrysalischildcare.ca.

COLWOOD/LANGFORD

Almosthome Childcare/Preschool ........ 250-590-7666Quality childcare with a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Experienced Early Childhood Educa-tors. Nurturing environment for ages 10 months to 5 years old. www.almosthomecare.com.

Caring Touch Daycare ............................ 250-478-4886A warm, loving, fun family daycare in a safe, nurturing environment. Infant/toddler care for ages 1–5 years.

Goldstream Co-op Preschool .......................................Learning Through Play for 3 and 4yr olds! For registra-tion information go to our website: www.goldstream preschool.com.

Jenn’s Little Bears .................................. 250-478-8999A safe nurturing environment for children from infancy to kindergarten. Our Infant and Toddler Program enriches each child’s development while our 3-5 Program prepares children for kindergarten. Two separate buildings allow each age group space to grow!

Leap Forward Childcare ........................ 250-818-92252758 Peatt RD. Licenced group childcare for chil-dren ages 6 months to 5 years old. Offering full-time and part-time care. Open 6:30am-5:30pm. For more information please contact Amber: info@leap forwardlangford.com, www.leapforwardlangford.com.

Miles of Smiles Nature Junior Kindergarten ................... 778-265-4374Come see why learning in nature rocks! Reggio Influenced Philosophy for ages 3-5. Have your child become a nature detective today!www.naturejuniorkindergarten.com

CORDOVA BAY

Carrot Seed Preschool ........................... 250-658-2331Where children can discover, imagine, construct and learn through play. Wondrous natural playground. www.carrotseedpreschool.com.

ESQUIMALT

CIARA Early Childhood Centre .............. 250-386-7369Education and fun hand in hand. Exceptional care for little ones ages 12 month-5yrs in an inclusive centre with Christian values. Facebook.com/CIARAEarly ChildhoodCentre.

Island Kids Academy Esquimalt ............ 250-381-2929High quality child care (ages 1-5). Preschool curriculum offered within a warm, caring all-day program. Character development using the Virtues Project. Access to com-munity programs including swimming, skating, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Part-time spaces available. www.islandkids.ca.

La Pre-Maternelle Appletree Preschool ............................... 250-479-0292French immersion program. 30 months to school age. Licensed Christian centre. www.prematernelleappletree.com.

Simply Fun Childcare Centre ................. 250-881-3958A warm, loving, fun and nurturing place for children to grow and learn. We have spaces available for registration ages 2.5 to 12 in our Licensed Group Facility. We offer extraordinary childcare, before and after school programs and a preschool. Our teachers are extremely qualified with ECE training and have lots of experience. Call Brenda to set up a tour. Let your child’s light shine bright with us!

HIGHLANDS

Lexie’s Little Bears ................................. 778-432-3600Only seconds past Luxurious Bear Mountain our HIGHLY reputable Nature Program will not disappoint! Our NATU-RAL outdoor environment provides an experience like no other…in our own rainforest. Located on 2 acres of treed forest land, your child will learn and grow in NATURE! Our Brand NEW Infant/Toddler centre is tranquil and serene. All the furniture, shelving and some toys have been hand crafted using the trees on our own property! Programs for 3 to 5’s and for Infant/Toddlers. Spaces avail. NOW! Visit our Facebook blog, and website at www.lexieslittlebears.com. Call for more info.

METCHOSIN

A Growing Place ..................................... 250-391-1133Half day program (AM or PM) for 2.5-5 yrs. ECE educator, small class size. Our own petting farm. Summer program for July.

Metchosin Co-op Preschool .................. 250-478-9241Come visit our stunning natural outdoor playspace, and see how our inclusive, play-based program allowsparents to grow and learn alongside their children. Excep-tional ECE staff provide a warm and enriching experience for 2.5–5 yr. olds. Come Grow With Us! EST. 1960. Reg. begins March 1 @ 9am. [email protected].

West-Mont Montessori School .............. 250-474-2626Preschool Montessori instruction in a beautiful natural environment in Metchosin. Ages 30 months and up. Providing a balanced approach to incorporating Nature, French, Music, and Art. Stop by and feel what it is like to be part of a community devoted to the development of the whole child. Open House: Thursdays 9-11 am. www.west-mont.ca.

NORTH SAANICH

In The Garden Childcare Centre ............ 250-654-0306A GREAT PLACE TO GROW. Offering preschool, full day care, before and after school care for children aged 2.5 to 12 years old. Open all year.

OAK BAY

Creative Child ......................................... 778-679-0076At Creative Child, you will find a place of quality learning and care for a small group of young chil-dren in a beautiful Montessori-inspired setting. www. creativechildcentre.com

Emmanuel Preschool ............................. 250-598-0573Children learn through play in our non-denominational Christian preschool near UVic. Bright attractive setting. www.emmanuelpreschool.ca.

Gonzales Co-op Preschool .................... 250-727-1003Children use imaginations in a Learning through Play class-room and natural playground. Reggio-Emilia inspired, focus is on art, nature and music. Nurturing, highly qualified ECE and ECE assistant. Parent participation options. Allergy aware. gonzalescooppreschool.com.

Kindred Spirits Children’s House ............. 250-590-6966Now accepting registration for a small group of 2.5–5 year olds in a purpose built Montessori class-room. The prepared environment stimulates and en-gages the children at their own pace with hands on, size, age and developmentally appropriate materials. www.kindredspiritschildrenshouse.com

Oak Bay Co-op Preschool ....................... 250-592-1922Children Learn Through Play in this parent participation school. Our bright facility is allergy-free with a large outdoor playground. www.oakbaypreschool.com.

Recreation Oak Bay ............................... 250-370-7200Fully licensed, qualified ECE Daycare and Preschool with play based learning. After school care also available.

St. Christopher’s Montessori School ................................. 250-595-3213A beautiful, warm environment, steps from beach and park in Oak Bay. We offer an enriched Montessori program – half days for 3 and 4 year olds and half or full day Kindergarten. www.stcmsoakbaybc.com.

SAANICH

Arbutus Grove Children’s Centre .......... 250-477-3731Formerly known as Goosey Gander Kindergarten. Half Day and Full Day Preschool Programs. Children’s learning is supported and nurtured through inquiry, exploration, play and creative expression. www.arbutusgrove.ca.

Camosun College Child Care Services .....250-370-4880Quality licensed facilities on both campuses providing children, newborn to 5 years, with rich early learning experiences in a learn through play environment. www.camosun.ca/childcare.

Carrot Seed Preschool ........................... 250-658-2331Where children can discover, imagine, construct and learn through play. Wondrous natural playground. www.carrotseedpreschool.com.

Cloverdale Child Care ................................250-995-1766Full time daycare spaces available for 3-5 year olds start-ing Sept. 2014. Preschool spaces available Sept. 2014 for 3-year-olds Tuesday & Thursday 9am-noon. www.clo-verdalechildcare.com. [email protected].

Preschool & Child Care Directory

Looking for child care? Need help with subsidy forms?Taking care of children? Need child care training?

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 or 1-800-750-1868Sooke: 250-642-5152 Westshore: 250-391-4324

Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231PacificCare (Ladysmith north): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273

Funded by the Province of BC

www.islandfamilyinfo.cawww.ccrr.bc.ca

Child CareResource & Referral

Your community’s best source of child care information and resources.


Full o’ Beans Preschool ..............................250.360.1148Opening September 2013. We offer ‘learn through play’ programming designed to foster your child’s natural curios-ity and imagination. Flexible scheduling, 2.5 and 4 hour programs, qualified staff. Registration is ongoing!www.saanichneighbourhoodplace.com.

Island Montessori House ....................... 250-592-4411Inclusive, integrated and nurturing preschool, kindergar-ten, Grade 1/2 program. Located in a lovely rural setting. Extended day available.www.islandmontessori.com.

Lakehill Co-op Preschool ...................... 250-477-4141Where children’s development is nurtured through a child centered inclusive, play based program. Come visit our out natural outdoor playground and meet our loving qualified ECE team. Multiple Levels of participation available, please enquire. www.lakehillpreschool.org.

Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare ................................................. 250-477-8131Gordon Head’s only parent-participation preschool and childcare centre. Flexible options, play-based learning and outdoor play. Allergy friendly. Celebrating 40+ years. www.lambrickparkpreschool.ca.

Little Readers Academy ......................... 250-477-5550An enriched learn-to-read program for your 3-6 year-old! Reading, Writing and Math. Half-day, weekend and evening sessions available. www.oxfordlearning.com.

Montessori Educare ............................... 250-881-8666Beautiful learning environments in Broadmead and Saan-ichton. 30 months – 5 years. Summer program available. Special needs are welcome.www.montessorieducare.com.

Oakcrest Preschool ................................ 250-472-0668A welcoming, nurturing environment with a large, bright facility. Learn through play with 2 caring ECEs. www.oakcrestpreschool.org.

Puddles & Paints (Nature Daycare) ....... 250-658-6573Introduce your children to the natural world around them! Surrounding them with nature and animals, we build on their curiosity while exploring the outdoors! On 10 acres of parkland the children lead the way towards environmental awareness! With a new ART STUDIO, and weekly lessons from the Vic. Academy of Music... your child’s day will be FULL of wonder and NATURE. Strongly influenced by Reggio. Visit our facebook page for pics of our studio, and handmade toys!

Rainbows & Dreams Preschool ............. 250-479-1966Small classes for 3-5 yr olds in a safe nurturing environ-ment. Children learn through play and fun–developing a sense of confidence, independence and creativity. Highly qualified ECE teacher.

Ready Set Grow Preschool .................... 250-472-1530Caring, quality licensed Learning Through Play environ-ment. In Hillcrest School, Gordon Head. Highly qualified, warm ECE. [email protected].

Rogers Child Care Centre ...................... 250-744-2343Trusted High Quality Programs since 1991. Early Learn-ing and Out of School Care. www.rogerschildcare.com.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Preschool ................................... 250-479-1232 ext 120• A Christian child centre for 3–5 year olds.• A warm nurturing and challenging program• Offered by St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

St. Margaret’s School Early Learning Centre ............................ 250-479-7171Junior Kindergarten for girls age 3 and 4. Nurturing, play-based curriculum with art, STEM and outdoor exploration. Specialist teachers. New LEED-certified facilities on 22-acre parkland near Quadra and McKenzie. Half or full day options. www.stmarg.ca.

Preschool & Child Care DirectoryStrawberry Vale Preschool .................... 250-479-4213Programs for 3 or 4 year olds at “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” Choose between full or partial parent participation. www.strawberryvalepreschool.org.

Victoria Nature School ........................... 250-588-3303A nonprofit community based organization. Their licensed preschool, running out of the forest and beach at Mt Douglas Park, offers full-day and half-day programs for 3-5 year olds with Monday-Friday options. The VNS forest school phi-losophy focuses on fun, child-led, inquiry-based education. Visit www.victorianatureschool.com for more information. Contact: Bonnie Davison.

Wiseways Preschool & Daycare ............ 250-477-1312Fully licensed Christian preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. Designed to meet the needs of the whole child. Subsidized fees welcome. www.wiseways.lambrick.com.

SIDNEY

Acorntree Preschool .............................. 250-686-1408Balanced indoor/outdoor program, designed to stimulate natural curiosity and foster empathy and compassion towards others. We believe in the importance of both child and teacher directed activities. www.acorntreepreschool.ca.

Adel’s Play N Discovery House ............. 250-655-4888Licensed childcare, 3-5 years, Reggio Emilia inspired. Mon–Fri, 7:30am–5:30pm. 2146 Beacon Avenue W. www.adelplayndiscovery.ca, [email protected].

Positive Path Early Learning ................. 250-655-7244Located near the library and Sidney School, our program has earned a stellar reputation for quality child care and is growing as fast as the children we care for. Space is available for your child to embark on a journey of active exploration and discovery, enjoying a natural outdoor playground and an expansive indoor learning space. Experienced educators foster a lifelong quest for knowledge and guide children with Christian values and virtues. [email protected].

Storyoga Preschool ................................ 778-679-4004Embracing and empowering children exactly as they are. Storyoga Preschool is a nature and yoga based program located in Sidney, BC.

VICTORIA

ArtsCalibre Academy ............................. 250-382-3533Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 5, delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts. Outstanding educators, locations and facilities. www.ArtsCalibre.ca

Babies to Big Kids Childcare .....................250-590-2722949 Fullerton Ave. Licenced group childcare for children ages 6 months to 11 years old. Offering full-time and part-time care. Open 6:30am-5:30pm. info@babies tobigkids.com, www.babiestobigkids.com.

Castleview Child Care ............................ 250-595-5355Learning Through Play & Discovery. Licensed non-profit, qual. ECE staff. Since 1958. Preschool and full-time care. www.castleviewchildcarecentre.com.

Cedar Daycare ........................................ 250-479-2032Community oriented, NFP Child Care facility. Wide variety of activities offered including the use of a private outdoor pool during the summer months. Licensed ECE educators devoted to nurturing children aged 30 months – 5 years. www.cedardaycare.com.

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare and Junior Kindergarten ........................ 250-383-5132ECE and specialist teachers provide an outstand-ing all day licensed program for 3–5 year olds in our spacious and welcoming facility in James Bay. www.cathedralschool.ca.

Downtown Y Child Care Centre ............ 250-413-8869Enriched program, for children ages 3-5 years, supporting healthy child development and future school success. www.victoriay.com.

Lansdowne Co-op Preschool ................ 250-370-5392An extraordinary learning environment for fami-l ies with young children. Parent participation. wwwlansdownepreschool.com.

Moss Rock Preschool ............................ 250-382-2065Join our ECEs in our play based licensed preschool which builds on the intellectual, social and emotional growth of the children through a pedagogy of listening and relation-ships. www.fairfieldcommunity.ca

Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten ........................ 250-595-7544

– Taking children’s learning forward –One of Victoria’s leading preschools and Junior Kin-dergartens. Balanced approach to play and education. Programme supports literacy, numeracy. Visit www.nightingalepreschool.com. Fernwood.

Parkdale Early Childhood Centre .......... 250-382-0512ECEs offer the highest quality care and positive learning experiences in our daycare and preschool. Full time or part time. Call for a tour or visit us at www.parkdalechildcare.ca.

Rainbow Express Daycare ..................... 250-382-2314Enriched preschool style program in a daycare setting. Visit our website at www.rainbowexpressdaycare.com.

Ross Bay Preschool ............................... 250-383-7445Positive/supportive program motivating children to learn, discover and grow through play. Daily outdoor time, special guests and community events! [email protected]

The Sir James Douglas Playschool ...... 250-389-0500Fun, creative and educational ECE program for 3-5 year olds to grow and develop life long skills. Come play and learn in our bright and modern centre in Fairfield.

Victoria Montessori ................................ 250-380-0534Unique, innovative learning environment combining the best of Montessori and Learning Through Play. Open yr. round. 30mths–grade 1. www.victoriamontessori.com.

VIEW ROYAL

A Secret Garden Preschool ................... 250-380-8293Program built on Christian values. Monthly themes, weekly topics and daily activities. [email protected].

Island Kids Academy View Royal .......... 250-727-2929High quality child care (ages 1-5). Preschool curriculum offered within a warm, caring child care environment. Character development using the Virtues Project. Access to community programs including swimming, skating, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Part-time spaces available. www.islandkids.ca.

Little Friends Childcare Center ............. 250-479-8423For a creative learning environment. Licensed group facility. Infants/Toddlers/Preschool. www.littlefriends childcare.ca.

Little Wonders Preschool (View Royal OSC) .................................... 250-744-2718A creative and supportive program that will pre-pare your child for a lifetime of learning! Out of School Care is also available for school aged children. www.viewroyalosc.com.

Quails’ Nest Daycare .............................. 250-721-2342At-home licensed daycare near VGH; multi-aged; all families welcome. Play-based environment promoting social, emotional, physical growth. Art, songs, story-telling, puppet shows, daily walks. $835.00 quailsnestdaycare.weebly.com.

Continues next page


trip? Cuddling in his refrigerator box cave? Or will he remember his snipped fingers when he grabbed my scissor-hand during a haircut? An argument Mike and I had in front of him? A consequence I considered justified at the time, but when remembered out of context will only be mean.

I suppose that’s to be determined. But luckily I have plenty of opportunity to re-inforce the positives. Angus’s most repeated demand these days, borrowed from a line in a Little Bear book, is: Tell me a story about me. Some of these stories Angus probably remembers experiencing; many of the early ones I assume he doesn’t. But he certainly remembers the way we’ve told them. He’s quick to correct when the telling changes.

Sometimes we try to put Angus on the hot seat: You tell us what you remember. But usually his stories are just echoes of the favourite stories we’ve already told him. The earliest memories are his favourite: what he looked like the moment he was born. The hilarious fact that he was only wearing his birthday suit. That he peed on the pediatri-cian. And once home, the many things Mike and I tried to do to make him sleep.

Sometimes he surprises us.I always cried, Angus said last week. Yes, I said. You always cried. Why did

you cry?The machines in the hospital, Angus said.

Because of the noise.There were machines, and they were noisy,

but I don’t remember telling him this. And there are no photographs that include them. Lucky guess? If not, it’s a memory Angus formed in the first two weeks of his life. Well before my perceived three-year grace period.

I suppose there’s no use in worrying about what memories Angus will keep. Every day he makes more of them. May 2015 be a year of building more great ones together. Laura Trunkey is mother to the amazing Angus and the author of a forthcoming short fiction collection from House of Anansi.

One day, before Angus was born, a friend called me in tears. I just traumatized my child, she sobbed. I lost it, and I

screamed at her. The child in question was a tantruming two year old.

Now, having lived through numerous toddler tantrums, I’d have a better idea of how to respond, but at the time I was at a loss. And so I said: At least she’s too young to remember.

In the early trial-and-error days of par-enting, I held fast to this mantra. So long as Angus didn’t opt for any deep hypnosis in adulthood, he’d never remember when his squirmy body slipped from my hands in the baby bathtub, or the time I drew blood while clipping his nails. I did not have to worry about my angsty teenager rehashing my mistakes, or my middle-aged son haul-ing them out when deciding how nice of a nursing home I deserved. I had about three years to get this parenting thing down before my son’s brain was capable of preserving any specific details.

Angus is three and a half now. I would not say that I have parenting down, nor do I expect this is even possible. And while I hardly make any of the mistakes I made when Angus was a baby, I make a lot of other ones. Daily. What is almost certain: Angus’s first real memory—that event he’ll haul out for his own children when he’s trying to see how far back into his life he can reach—has already happened.

My first memory occurred when I was two and a half, moving from my first childhood home into my second. I left my Miss Piggy plastic figurine on the living room floor, and when I remembered this on the drive, my parents wouldn’t turn the car around. I remember a lot of pleading, and even more tears. It is very possible that I was reunited with Miss Piggy at a later date, but if this reunion occurred, it didn’t make the memory bank cut. All I remember is the unfairness of a car driving further and further away from a thing that I cared about.

While I feel no lasting sadness over a lost Miss Piggy, this recollection proves how powerful dark memories can be. How can I ensure that when Angus looks back at his early years, the good things shine the brightest?

Often, when I’m with Angus I wonder: will he remember this? Will he remember riding his cousin’s horse? Our first camping

First Memories

Maternity & BeyondLauRa tRuNkeY

View Royal Preschool ............................. 250-479-8067An exciting inclusive program in an exceptional care environment. Licensed 3–5 year olds. Outside play and themes enrich this program. [email protected].

MILL BAY / COBBLE HILL

Cedar Montessori .................................... 250-710-9007A beautiful rural setting where children are lovingly sup-ported to learn at their own pace within a stimulating Montessori environment.

Starchild Centre ....................................... 250-929-3240Unique infant/toddler daycare, combines the best of Montessori and Waldorf. Our 9 acre hobby farm enables each child to have a garden plot, participate in planting trees, picking fruit, feeding animals, and other outside adventures. www.starchildcentre.ca.

DUNCAN

Maple Tree Play House Licensed Family Childcare..................... 250-746-5060A daycare program that provides enriched outdoor play time and activities that build on a child’s intrinsic love of nature. Healthy meals and snacks are provided. [email protected].

Queen Margaret’s Preschool/Junior Kindergarten ............... 250-746-4185Offering a co-ed enriched curriculum in a friend-ly atmosphere. Morning ECE/afternoon daycare. www.qms.bc.ca.

Queen of Angels Early Learning Centre .............................. 250-701-0433We believe that the development of the whole child (physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritu-ally) encourages each individual to develop to their full potential. We offer an enriched full day program for 3–5 year olds based on Kindergarten readiness.

Sunrise Waldorf School Preschool .......... 250-743-7253A warm, nature-based rhythm where wonder is nurtured. www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org.

CHEMAINUS

Cherry Tree Child Care Centre .............. 250-246-9195Preschool program nurturing creative play and engaging learning activity. 30 months to age five. Qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educator.

St. Joseph’s Preschool........................... 250-246-3191An enriching preschool program allowing children to grow as individuals in a safe and nurturing Christian environment.

QUALICUM BEACH

Children’s Discovery Centre .................. 250-752-4343Our program recognizes the uniqueness of each child and provides a nurturing, safe and creative learning environ-ment. Preschool, Groupcare, Out of School care. ECE qualified staff. [email protected].

Little Star Children’s Centre .................. 250-752-4554Earth friendly preschool education inspired by nature. Kinder-Prep classes. Licensed group care. ECE instructors. www.littlestardaycare.ca. [email protected].

Thimbleberry Childcare .......................... 250-752-8342A place for preschoolers to seek out adventure and ex-ploration in a natural environment. A magical forest of 20 acres right on our door [email protected]

PORT ALBERNI

John Paul II Catholic School ................. 250-723-0637“Where children grow and learn through play.” We provide a program that will inspire development physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, creatively and spiritually.

Preschool & Child Care Directory continued


Ad Directory1Up, Single Parent

Resource Centre ....... 6Arbutus Grove ........... IFCArt Gallery of Greater

Victoria .................. 41Artistic Statement ...... 35BC Parent Roster

Society .................. 43BCRPA ...................... 55Brigadoon Dance ....... 27Cinecenta .................. 22Conseil Scolaire ......... 39Cowichan Therapeutic

Riding .................... 26Discovery School........ 14Dr. Joslin, Dr. Morin

& Associates ......... IBCEaton Arrowsmith ....... 12Ecole Victor Brodeur ... 31Emmanuel Preschool.. 22Family Literacy Day .... 33Four Seasons Musical

Theatre .................. 41International Nannies.. 23Island Farms .............. 28Island Kids Academy .. 49Island Montessori ....... 15Island Rhythmic

Gymnastics ............ 34Kaleidoscope Theatre ... 7Kate Rubin ................. 21KinderSpiel ................ 36Lansdowne

Preschool ............... 33Leap Forward Dance .... 7LIFE Seminars ............ 38Lifestyle Markets ........ 18Lighthouse Academy

of Dance ................ 36Lizzy Lee & MeMad Science.............. 48Making Tomorrow

Conference ............ 55Maxine Fisher ............ 20Mothering Touch .......... 5Mount Washington .... IFCNorth Cowichan

Parks ..................... 26O’Brien Irish Dance .... 26Oak & Orca .......... 18, 20Oak Bay

Figure Skating ........ 22Oak Bay Preschool ..... 21Oaklands Community

Centre ................... 46OCEAN 98.5 .............. 17

Rainbow Express ........ 54READ Society ............... 3Restart Computers ..... 19Royal BC Museum...... 43Saanich Dental .......... 38Saanich Recreation ...... 1Scouts Canada .......... 54Screen Actor’s

Studio .................... 49SD #61 ................. 9, 37SD #62 ..................... 49SD#63 ................ 15, 44Selkirk Montessori ....... 4Serious Coffee ........... 35Sportball ................... IFCSt. Margaret’s

School ................... 45Stages................. 11, 32Sylvan Learning ......... 56The Children’s

Treehouse .............. 45The Light Within

Photography ........... 33Theatre One .............. 27Thrifty Foods .............. 29TJ’s The Kiddies

Store ..................... 48Tom Lee Music .......... 54Van Island Parenting

Conference ............ 19Vancouver Island

University ......... 26, 27Victoria Academy

of Ballet ................ IBCVictoria Conservatory

of Music ................ 13Victoria Epilepsy &

Parkinson’s Centre . 44Victoria Good

News Choir .............. 9Victoria Gymnastics ....BCVictoria Kids

Consignment .......... 30Victoria Midwives ....... 10Victoria Pediatric

Dental .................... 23Victoria Recreation .... IBCVictoria Symphony

of Music ................ 42VIHA .......................... 40Vitamin Shop ............... 3Welcome Wagon ........ 34West-Mont School ..... 23Westshore Parks &

Recreation ............... 8

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We crowd around a young cedar and peer at the tuft of brown fur snagged in the bark. My friend Nitya bends

over the sample. “A Black Bear,” she grins.A small group of us had been tramping around the Sooke Hills since the early morning, bundled in mitts and toques to begin with, then shedding layers as the winter sun melted the hoarfrost off shrubs and grasses and turned frozen puddles into sticky mud. We’d found a dell where pebbly scat and fl attened grasses proclaimed that a small herd of elk had rested there for a while. We crossed the trail where a couple of years ago Nitya had been escorted home—from a distance and with consummate courtesy—by a pair of wolves. This is actually called “escorting be-haviour”: the wolves are making sure you’re leaving their territory. We bushwacked overgrown trails, crossed rushing streams and admired the view of Mt Empress from several hilltops. We surprised a small fl ock of Northern Flickers stripping berries off a grove of Arbutus trees. And now we were on the track of bears.

Nobody knows for sure how many bears roam the Juan de Fuca Forest, the wide swathe of mostly second growth that makes up two thirds of the Capital Regional District (CRD). Black Bears are not on the provincial list of species at risk, so overworked and underfunded Ministry of the Environment staff can’t spare the time to focus on them. In the absence of population studies, a dozen or so wildlife cameras were put up around the forest by local residents. “Bears, wolves and cougars, as well as deer and elk and even pine martens all trigger these cameras,” explains Nitya. “It helps track the changes in movement patterns and populations.”

Back in Langford, over tea and hot choco-late, we look at the recent crop of pictures from the cameras. It turns out that “our” cedar is the place where local bears go if they want a back rub. “Bear sightings on cameras are still pretty good,” says Nitya, “you see them rubbing their backs on trees or swimming in their favourite swimming holes. But we’ve noticed over the years that there are fewer wolf and cougar sightings and signs. This is cause for concern: in 2013 and 2014 we lost 18 cougars and 22

Wolf Tracks& Bear Trees

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bears in the Capital Regional District due to conflict with humans.”

The conflict is not about hikers getting attacked in bear country. In recorded his-tory, there has only ever been one single case of a person attacked by a Black Bear in the CRD. BC conservation officer Peter Pauwels says the single biggest issue driving

human-wildlife conflict is garbage. “Once bears become habituated, conditioned to human food sources, they will keep coming back—and sooner or later, we will be called in to deal with a ‘problem bear.’”

Pauwels and his colleagues work to edu-cate people on what they can do in their yards to avoid these conflicts. “Don’t leave your garbage out; pick your fruit as soon as it’s ripe; protect your chickens with an electric fence. These simple steps can literally save a bear’s life.”

Once a conservation officer is called in to deal with a “problem bear”, in 99 per cent of the cases they have no other option but shoot it. If a bear shows up in your yard or a schoolyard, tranquillizing it is not a safe option because the drug takes too long to work. And, on the Island, relocating a bear rarely works in the long run: either they come back, or they get into trouble with garbage in their new location.

We are lucky to have the Sooke Hills and the Sea to Sea Greenbelt on our doorstep. Hiking a trail a half hour’s drive from your home, you may be stepping over a wolf’s track or resting under a bear rubbing tree. You may even meet a bear in person! Witnessing a wild place where ecological integrity is intact, where predator and prey continue their ancient dance, is a privilege. It is also a responsibility. If we live up to this responsibility, then our life will continue to be blessed and enriched by wild encounters. Ana Simeon is a writer and activist in Victoria. She works for Sierra Club BC, the province’s oldest environmental group. Nitya Harris is chair of the Coexisting with Carnivores Alli-ance, a volunteer group that works to educate CRD residents about the importance of large carnivores in the CRD, and to find collabora-tive solutions to prevent wildlife conflicts.

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Nature NotesaNa SIMeON


Cut It Out! Tips from Parent Educator Allison Rees of LIFE Seminars

Perceptions What you think plays a big part in your

parenting and how you react. It really matters. So if you make assumptions,

label, think catastrophically and dread the future, you might want to Cut It Out. Your negative thinking robs you from enjoying your kids and your parenting experience.

We often put adult-like intentions behind a child’s actions. “He’s doing this just to press my buttons.” Or “She is so manipulative.” Or “He just doesn’t care about anyone else but himself.” While these may appear true, they are unhelpful perceptions that increase our negative reactions. We must acknowledge the part played by our beliefs and perceptions in triggering our feelings, and not blame our kids or anyone else. We need to learn to address specific issues and detach from what we think the other person’s intent was.

Labels are extremely damaging and are never true. He’s mean, disrespectful, bad, shy—even positive labels such as she’s so good or nice, aren’t true. If a child believes that he

of our thinking is spent worrying about something that may never happen.

Parenting requires a lot of self-discipline and a good tool for regulating our own emotions is to take charge of the habitual, negative thinking and replace it with more neutral or helpful thoughts. Remember, just because you think it, doesn’t make it true! LIFE Seminars has two books available, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Par-ent Child Connection. See lifeseminars.com.

and his behaviour are one and the same thing, every time anyone criticizes his behaviour or attempts to change it, the child will feel that his self-esteem is being attacked. Children need to know that while their actions can be upsetting, we still love and cherish them.

We need to learn to focus our perspectives on a more neutral view. Rather than attaching to catastrophic thoughts that will raise anxiety in both you and your child, grab a perspective that feels peaceful. This takes practice but thinking is habitual and it can change. So a catastrophic thought is, “I’m losing my mind, these kids are driving me crazy.” Change it to something more neutral, “This is just a stage and my child is coping the only way he knows how to right now.” Or “I’ll get through this, this too shall pass.”

Finally, watch out for the fearful future think-ing. It classically sounds like, “If he is like this at four, what is he going to be like a teenager?” Or “My child won’t amount to anything if he doesn’t learn to be responsible.” How much

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Did You Know?That needing to wear glasses does not mean you have unhealthy eyes? Eyeglasses are used for eyes that cannot focus light properly. Unhealthy eyes have diseases and may need medication or surgery to make them better.You may be able to tell if your child has a visual problem. Some indications of this may be:

• Sensitivity to light

• Covering or closing one eye

• Holding objects very close to the face

• Avoiding books and television

• Visible frustration or grimacing

• Tilting of the head or unusual posture

Free Program Weekat Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre and Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Visit victoria.ca/crystalpool for a complete list of programs. Call 250.361.0732 for more information.

January 5 –12, 2015Try before you buy! Test drive a week of free programs at Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and participating Community Centres.

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Why Victoria Gymnastics?

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Boys & girls, ages 2 through adult, beginner through advanced

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Morning, afternoon & evening classes seven days a week

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Start any time – continuous enrollment

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Monthly payments with no further obligation—cancel any time

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Trial classes available

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Make-ups for missed classesWe guarantee your child will flip over our Birthday Parties!

Benefits Victoria Gymnastics Will Provide for your Child:• Unlike other gymnastics clubs, our priority is ‘non-competitive’

gymnastics where all students are treated equally and fairly. Our objective is to provide students with a foundation of gymnastics that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

• Your child's progress is monitored daily, and every 3 months, each student is awarded a medal indicating his or her progress in our 14 level, 600 skill program.

• Our ratio guarantee of a maximum of 8 students per instructor will provide your child with the Individualized attention he or she deserves.

• We are a family oriented business. Classes are scheduled so that varying ages and genders can take part in different classes at the same time.

• Clean. Very Clean. Our facilities are ozone treated.• Consistent, safe and experienced coaching in a well structured, safe

and fun environment—all of our coaches have their NCCP certification and First Aid.

www.victoriagymnastics.com250-380-2442

Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence!

ctoria

island parent january 2015

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