Brooke Tucker-Reid, momstown writer How is it August already? It’s like I blinked and July was gone. Before the rest of the summer slips through your fingers and you succumb to the craze of back to school shopping, here are a few fun activities to try with your kiddos. From farm to hungry little bellies…
“Slip, Slap, Slop”:Sun-Safety for Youngsters the Australian Way
Perhaps, you have not heard the Australian motto for protecting young children in the sun? Australians are matter-of-fact in their approach and use the saying “Slip, Slap, Slop” before going outdoors with youngsters. Did you figure it out yet? That’s right. Slip on a hat, slap on a shirt, and slop on the sunscreen when preparing for safety in the sun. These are the basics of sun safety, but, there are many more good ideas for keeping your baby and young child safe from the sun’s harmful rays this summer.
Montessori-Inspired At-Home Activities for momstown’s ‘Under The Sea’ Theme
As a Montessori teacher, I have a passion for hands-on learning, and believe that every child benefits from Montessori-based activities which focus on learning through the senses. So, the reason for this article is to give moms an opportunity to learn about, and to do some Montessori-inspired activities at home with their preschoolers. The momstown theme for the month of May is ‘Under the Sea’. So, have fun with these sea-markable, themed, do-it-yourself activities – Montessori style!
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Guelph
Free Video Series Helps Parents to Raise Healthy Kids
New research into child development demonstrates that parents and caregivers can play a critical role in ensuring their child’s individual success in all areas of development. In order for that to happen, we often need extra support, wisdom, and encouragement along the way, so that we can feel confident in our ability to give our child a healthy start and provide early intervention. This is why Dieticians of Canada and Alberta Health Care Services have created a free video series called ‘Raising Our Healthy Kids’.
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Guelph
Books and Tips for Building Stress Awareness in Kids
The month of April brings showers, flowers, and sunshine. However, for children with anxiety disorders, ‘showers’ and sadness are more predominant than sunshine and happiness. Studies show that emotional and social disorders in children are said to increase by 50 percent by 2020! Although childhood fears are common, they don’t have to be a problem. It is up to us to increase our stress awareness, to be an advocate, and to help our children cope with these fears and build their self- confidence.
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Guelph
Kids Who Help in the Garden are Smarter and Healthier
Did you know that kids who garden are more than twice as likely to eat the recommended 5 servings of vegetables a day? This is just one of the reasons to include your kids in gardening during the spring and summer months. Yet, there are many other reasons for children to garden which include emotional, cognitive and physical development.
SUGAR SHACKS AND MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVALS IN THE GUELPH REGION
You know that spring has sprung in Ontario, when daytime temps get above five degrees Celsius, nights are still below freezing, and the sap starts a runnin’ from those purely Canadian Maple trees! The sun is now warm, the ground begins to get muddy and mucky, and families head to the Maple Syrup Festivals by the droves!!!
So, here it is, Ontarian families! This is the official momstown round-up of sugar shacks, and maple syrup festivals in your area that host pancake breakfasts, horse-drawn sleigh rides or tractor rides, entertainment, and sweet treats the kids or grandkids will never forget!
Your Kids Are Gonna Flip Over These Lunch Box Pancakes!
Pancakes come in all different types and sizes. From griddlecakes, to flapjacks, to pancakes, to hotcakes – kids seem to love them all! This recipe is like a pancake, but called a flapjack, which originated in Britain, as a dense chewy, cookie bar. It is healthy, and great for kids’ lunch boxes, as a Pancake Day treat and throughout the school year!
You had better make them quick, though, as they will sell faster than a stack of hotcakes with your youngsters!
Tight Budget Family Vacation Ideas
According to a recent Trip Advisor survey, 92 percent of families are planning a vacation this year — up from 88 percent in 2009. If your family is on a tight budget, and you don’t think you can join this 92 percent, think again! You see, if you plan well, and use the following tips and ideas for cheap family destination spots, you too, can have some great and memorable family trips. Start your Family Vacation Scrapbook this year!
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Guelph
Should We Be Concerned About the Changes in Canadian Weather?
March marks World Meteorologist Day, and I would like to ask a Meteorologist, “Should I be concerned about the changes in weather as foreshadowing natural disasters here in Canada in the future for ourselves and our children?” What is really happening to our ‘normal’ Canadian weather and does the forecast look bleaker in the coming years? Or, more importantly, is the weather really changing, or does it just appear that way according to the media?
