Why Kids Need Time in Nature

Here's an interesting article on the David Suzuki Foundation's website about the importance of giving children the gift of time outside. Give it some thought. We can do better and it starts with choices you can make in your family.

"Ontario's Healthy Kids Panel recently proposed a strategy to help kids get onto a path to health. The problem is that the path doesn't lead them into nature. Though the report quotes parents' comments and research showing kids spend dramatically less time outside than ever, it doesn't encourage time in nature.

That said, many of the report's recommendations should be implemented and supported locally, provincially and nationally to reduce the risks of obesity. Encouraging parents and children to be more critical about dietary choices and requiring more information and labelling from restaurants and food producers is long overdue.

Ontario isn't the only province working to reduce obesity rates and support parents raising healthy children, particularly in the early years. Alberta released relevant reports in 2011 and Quebec has had a ban on advertising junk food to children since 1980. No one can argue against public awareness and education around the benefits of healthy eating and active living. But a provincial, patchwork approach to addressing these issues isn't enough. We need a national strategy to get our kids eating healthy foods and being active in nature.

Although it seems logical that much of the time spent being active will take place outside, the Ontario report acknowledges that "many communities are not designed to encourage kids to move or be physically active...and have few safe green spaces." One parent in a focus group explains that the parks in his community are either gated or locked up once school is closed. So, even when there is green space, it's not always accessible.

Last year, the David Suzuki Foundation conducted a survey with young Canadians and found that 70 per cent spend an hour or less a day outdoors. The 2012 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card says they spend almost eight hours a day in front of screens. So it's not that kids don't have time to be outside. It's just not part of their lifestyle."
Read the full article.. Source: David Suzuki.org

Healthy Kids Need Time in Nature

Remember International Mud Day?

Remember how much fun we had celebrating International Mud Day at Discovery Child Centre?

Here's a blog post by LetTheChildrenPlay about letting kids have fun with mud.

1. Playing with Mud can make you happier - Scientists have discovered something that children have always known - playing in the mud can lift your mood. Recent studies have revealed that dirt contains microsopic bacteria called Mycobacterium vaccae which increases the levels of seratonin in our brains, helping to relax, soothe and calm.
2. Playing with Mud can make you healthier - Step away from the antibacterial hand wipes. Research has shown that playing in the dirt - including very wet dirt - is good for a child's immune system.
3. Playing with Mud can make you smarter - Throw away the flash cards and sent your child outside to play instead. Studies have found that playing in the dirt can make you smarter. The same release of serotonin that occurs when playing in M. vaccae dirt has also been shown to improve cognitive function.
4. Playing with Mud helps children learn and develop - Sensory, hands-on play feeds children's brains. Listing all the ways playing with mud - a delightfully sensory experience - can help children to learn and develop would be a whole post in itself. So I'm going to send you here for a thorough look at the value of sensory play.
5. Playing with Mud connects you to nature - If you never know something, it’s hard to care about it. Many kids these days never know the outdoors beyond the school playground or their own backyards, if they even have one. Getting kids outside to play (as a place to act out make believe worlds and explore) creates happy memories with the one most primal element in our world: nature.

Read the full article and see points number 6-10

Ten Reasons We Should Let Children Play in Mud..

And here, re-posted are our pictures from International Mud day!






Discovery Child Care offers interesting and educational before and after school programs. Call us for a tour. We'd love to meet with you and your child! 705-733-2052

Seeds of Empathy Program - Visit with Baby Rowen

Baby Rowen came to visit our Kindergarten class yesterday. To prepare, we have been reading stories about crying and emotions and doing various activities to reinforce the children's learning. (When I feel Sad by Cornelia Maude Spelman & K...athy Parkinson; and Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees). We learned that everyone cries when they feel sad or hurt. We can help friends who feel sad. Rowen was alert and happy and seemed truly engaged with the children. We sang him songs, and played a few games. We tried the toys again and everyone cheered when he reached for the cube! He is not only babbling now, but laughing too! Boy, how he has grown in three weeks! We can't wait for his next visit.

 

 

 

Discovery Child Care offers interesting and educational before and after school programs. Call us for a tour. We'd love to meet with you and your child! 705-733-2052

How to Dress Kids for the Cold Weather

Here's an interesting blog post to share now that we're heading into November. Having the right clothing makes all the difference to enjoying time outside in the fresh air. For children, water proof finishes are essential because they'll be in the water or snow given half a chance.

Don't curtail your outside activities once the temperature drops., be prepared with the right clothing and you'll be able to get outdoor exercise anytime.


http://alphamom.com/parenting/baby/cold-weather-dressing-for-kids/

Nature for Infants and Toddlers

Safety for children when you go outside is extremely important, but it's also important to give them challenges. Going outside and walking is different than walking inside on a flat surface. Different muscles are used and the toddler learns to adjust their balance.

Our children love going outside at our facility in all seasons. Even November!

Here's a video about Nature for Infants and Toddlers.

If you need more information about Discovery Child Care's nature focused child care programs, including before and after school care, please contact us 705-733-2052

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

Have a safe and fun Halloween evening!

Make Halloween safety part of your holiday fun. Start with these practical Halloween safety tips.

By Mayo Clinic staff
It's the time of year for costumes, sweets, and tricks and treats. Put Halloween safety first with these common-sense tips.

Carve safely

Are your children begging to carve pumpkins? Make Halloween safety a family affair.

• Decorate with markers or paint. Let young children draw faces on pumpkins with washable markers or child-friendly paint. Leave any carving to an adult.
• Use candles with care. Place candlelit pumpkins on a sturdy surface away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave candlelit pumpkins unattended. Better yet, light pumpkins with flashlights or battery-operated flameless candles instead.

Get clever with costumes

From furry animals to princesses and superheroes, choosing costumes wisely is an important part of Halloween safety.

• The brighter the better. Whether you buy a costume or make one yourself, choose bright colors and flame-retardant materials. If your child will be trick-or-treating outdoors after dark, attach reflective tape to his or her costume.
• Size it right. In case it's chilly outdoors, make sure your child's costume is loose enough for warm clothing to be worn underneath — but not long enough to cause tripping. Avoid oversized shoes and high heels.
• Skip the masks. A mask can obstruct your child's vision, especially if it slips out of place. Use kid-friendly makeup instead.
• Limit accessories. Pointed props — such as wands, swords and knives — may pose safety hazards.

Trick-or-treat with care

The promise of Halloween candy may leave stars in your child's eyes, but Halloween safety still rules.

• Get in on the fun. Accompany trick-or-treaters younger than age 12. Pin a piece of paper with your child's name, address and phone number inside your child's pocket in case you get separated. Encourage older kids to trick-or-treat with a group of friends, parents or older siblings. Make sure someone in the group carries a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Stay close to home. Don't allow your child to go door to door in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
• Set ground rules. If your child will be trick-or-treating without you, establish a route and set a curfew. Review safety rules, including staying with the group, walking only on the sidewalk, approaching only clearly lit homes and never going inside a home. You may want to give your child a cell phone for the evening should he or she need to contact you.
• Inspect the treats carefully. Don't let your child snack while he or she is trick-or-treating. Feed your child a healthy snack before heading out, and inspect the treats before allowing your child to dive in. Discard anything that's not sealed, has torn packaging or looks questionable. If you have young children, weed out gum, peanuts, hard candies and other choking hazards.
• Ration the loot. If your child collects gobs of goodies, dole out a few pieces at a time and save the rest. You may even ask your child if he or she would like to swap some — or all — of the candy for something else, such as a special toy, book or outing. You might also suggest donating excess candy to a food shelf or other charity.
• Plan a party. Consider planning a trick-or-treat party with a couple of neighbors instead of house-to-house door knocking. Decorate the garages, have a costume contest, and plan games and prizes.

Stay safe and sweet on the home front

If you'll be handing out treats, make sure you're ready for trick-or-treaters.

• Clean up. Put away anything trick-or-treaters could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Clear wet leaves, snow or other debris from the sidewalk.
• Turn the lights on. Replace any burned-out bulbs to ensure good visibility at the walkway and front door.
• Control your pets. Take no chances that your pet might be frightened and chase or bite a child at your door.
• Consider sugar substitutes. Instead of handing out sugar-laden treats, try stickers, glittery pencils, rubber insects or colored chalk.

If you'll be driving on Halloween, watch for children who might pop out between parked cars. Be especially careful entering or leaving driveways and alleys. Extra caution can help ensure Halloween safety for everyone.

Discovery Child Care's trip to the pumpkin patch

What can you say? These pictures show how much fun we had at Chappell Farm, celebrating the fall and enjoying a trip to a pumpkin patch.

Enjoy the show!

Chappell Farm Slideshow!

Discovery Child Care offers interesting and educational before and after school programs. Call us for a tour. We'd love to meet with you and your child! 705-733-2052