Get Your Kids to Take the Future Farmer Mission!
Coming Monday, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI) and Earth Rangers are giving your children a mission! What is the Mission? The Future Farmer Mission explores how regenerative agriculture helps to improve soil health, fight climate change, and increase biodiversity to ensure plants and animals thrive. To complete the mission, kids will: Maple Leaf Foods Inc.…
Safe Waters, Happy Summers: A Guide to Pool Safety for
7 min readA backyard pool promises endless summer fun and a refuge from the heat. Yet, with this refreshing oasis comes the…
Fun at FUNBOX
3 min readDo your kids love a good bouncy castle? Are you looking for something different to do this summer? Well we…
Embracing National Self-care Day: Prioritizing Your Well-being
5 min readIn the hustle and bustle of modern life, taking time for oneself often gets pushed to the bottom of the…
Our Amazing Visit to Victoria
10 min readLast week, the family and I went on an adventure to Victoria. It was an amazing trip from start to…
Latest Issues
May 31, 2024
Helpful Annual Family Resource Guide 2024
Check out the 2024 Family Resource Guide
Read NowEducation Issue is here!
In this issue, we have provided more information about what these report cards will look like. The BC government has made some changes and the new format has been updated to better encourage our children’s learning. We have also included information about various learning approaches—critical thinking, project-based learning, music, and of course play and its…
Exciting Back to School is coming!
It’s been a great summer filled with quality moments with our families at exciting locations around the city. There are a few weeks left, but now it is time to start preparing for the school year. In this issue, we have an article to help you choose a location for a new early learner. It’s a tough…
Yay Summer 2023 is almost here!!!
Summer holidays can be fun and exciting - or long and boring. Luckily this summer there are amazing events to go to. There are also a lot of exciting camps that your kids could attend. They can sing and dance, learn STEM with LEGO, be around horses, and do many other great activities. Read our…
BC Parent Newsmagazine
Family Directory
In its 33rd year of publication, parents and caregivers have come to rely on BC Parent for relevant, up-to-date information they can trust. Going beyond recipes and crafts (although we have included our favourites in the past), BC Parent Magazine gives parents the information they want on healthcare, education, birthing, the arts, community events and so much more. From pregnancy through teens, BC Parent provides up-to-date, in-depth articles and information for all families.
We now want to extend our reach and provide even more information to our readers by giving it to them online and at their fingertips. Please add your business listing so our readers can easily find you, learn about you and connect with you!
Parenting
Keep children and youth sun safe now to help give
4 min readThe thought of skin cancer for our children may seem remote and not a priority at first thought. However, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. And the rates are rising. In fact, one in every five individuals in British Columbia will acquire skin cancer during their lifetime.
The Modern Dad: Juggling Sippy Cups, Wisdom, and Wi-Fi
4 min readWelcome to modern parenting, where being a dad is a tiring, wonderful, endless ride. Gone are the days when fatherhood meant just bringing home the bacon and occasionally doling out sage advice. Today, the role of a father is a full-time gig, complete with the joys of bedtime stories, the challenges of deciphering teenage slang,…
What Is Parent-Child Play And Why Is It So Important
7 min readWe are learning from the fields of neuroscience and child-development that children need many positive, face-to-face interactions with attentive, sensitive, and responsive parents or caregivers for healthy brain and nervous system development. Play activities between parent and child are excellent ways to provide these necessary interactions to children. Parent-child play offers unique benefits to children…
7 helpful tips to Manage Screen Use
5 min readParents need to take an active role when it comes to helping their child manage his/her online life. Here are 7 practical tips to help your child on their screen journey:
‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ at Dinnertime with These 6 fun Ideas!
5 min readEmbracing togetherness with family at dinnertime is a worldwide tradition spanning generations and a multitude of cultures. Sharing a meal with good conversation is a valued part of our social wellbeing, yet a recent survey1 by Maple Leaf Foods shows that this coveted time of togetherness is another aspect of our lives negatively impacted by…
More Families Seeking Help for Children with Support Needs –
4 min readAs a BC nonprofit organization working closely with children with special needs (support needs), and their families, leaders from our family programs at Options Community Services are observing how important inclusion, and adequate resources, are for both the increase in children with support needs, and their families. A 2022 Inclusion BC study examined how families…
Education
Visit the Britannia Mine Museum This Summer: It’s Time
5 min readAs summer unfolds, it's the perfect season to embark on new adventures and discover or re-discover the fascinating history hidden within the Britannia Mine Museum. Located in Britannia Beach, 45 minutes North of Vancouver this historical gem invites visitors to step back in time and explore the rich mining heritage that shaped the region. Rumble…
Navigating Dyslexia – Signs Your Child Might Need Support
5 min readSo often parents whose children are struggling at school are told they will “grow out of it” or that they’ll eventually “catch up”. But navigating dyslexia for children is not as simple as that, and as a parent, you know when something doesn’t feel right. In times like this, it is important to trust your…
Where To Go For Extra Learning Support For Your Preschooler
8 min readWhere do you go for support if you suspect your 3-5-year-old child has learning challenges? How do you know when your child might need some extra learning support?
Is Outdoor Risky Play The Secret to Healthier Kids?
7 min readThink back to a favourite childhood play memory. Chances are, it took place outdoors and involved a small element of risk—whether playing near a stream, climbing trees or enjoying a game of street hockey. Little did you realize it at the time, but this very activity played a crucial role in supporting your development. In…
CODE NINJAS IS LEADING THE WAY IN OFFERING FUN AND
9 min readRead more about our Managing Editor's visit to Code Ninja. "After spending a morning visiting one of these classes, it's no surprise to me that Code Ninjas is leading the way as the top franchise - globally - in offering coding programs for kids that are fun and educational. Across Metro Vancouver, there are 14…
LINDA SHIRLEY IS CREATING A LEGACY IN ARTS EDUCATION IN
11 min readMuch like any other curriculum or discipline, the arts offer so much opportunity for inner growth in our children and youth. Linda Shirley has created a legacy in Arts Education by providing every kind of imaginable opportunity a child or youth in these interconnected disciplines. Both the Renaissance Academy and The Arts Conservatory in Steveston…
Health
How can you protect your children during heat waves?
4 min readIt's official, we are in another heat wave. Temperatures expected to reach the low 40s C in some areas. Year over year, we are seeing extreme heat events become more common and severe in British Columbia and across Canada. In fact, the record-breaking heatwave British Columbians experienced in 2021 was among the most extreme since…
Men’s Mental Health Month: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,
5 min readJune is Men's Mental Health Month, a crucial time to acknowledge the unique challenges men face when it comes to mental well-being. While conversations about mental health have become more commonplace in recent years, a persistent stigma still surrounds men seeking help. This silence can have serious consequences, as men are far less likely than…
Is Outdoor Risky Play The Secret to Healthier Kids?
7 min readThink back to a favourite childhood play memory. Chances are, it took place outdoors and involved a small element of risk—whether playing near a stream, climbing trees or enjoying a game of street hockey. Little did you realize it at the time, but this very activity played a crucial role in supporting your development. In…
Breathe easy: doctors share tips to protect your family’s health
5 min readTaking steps to protect your family’s health at home is a natural instinct. If there’s mold, you clean it. If you have a pest infestation, you remove them. But, there's a major pollutant commonly used in homes across Canada that increases risks to health that not enough people are aware of: gas. Across North America,…
3 Important Head Lice Care and Prevention Tips
6 min readSo many kids get lice in January and it has nothing to do with their hair type, colour, gender or household income – it happens just after certain times of year when they gather in larger groups – like during the holidays. DAWN MUCCI, FOUNDER OF LICE SQUAD The fact is that head lice are an…
Overwhelmed and receiving little support? Have you considered applying for
5 min readAs parents, it is our innate nature to do all we can to support and nurture our children’s development. There are so many stresses, hurdles, and concerns. Parents with children with disabilities or medical conditions have overwhelming pressure both emotionally and financially as they struggle to find support and put in place early interventions. Getting access to testing,…
Activites
SPACES FILLING FAST IN THESE 15 AWESOME SUMMER CAMPS PICKS
8 min readFor all those families that haven't chosen your summer camps yet, they are booking up fast so make sure you get registered! Here are our top summer camps picks to help you get set up for your next summer adventures! From overnight and nature based camps to those where kids can connect with animals -…
Safeguarding Summer: Essential Water Safety Tips for Parents
5 min readSwimming isn’t just about fun splashes and summer days; it’s a vital life skill every child should learn. Beyond the joy of splashing around on a hot day, swimming offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond the pool. The Benefits of Learning to Swim Learning to swim, especially through a well-established curriculum, provides crucial water…
The 4 S’s Of Helmet Safety
5 min readHow To Fit A Child’s Helmet For Safe Riding I was a cautious child growing up. Like many of our campers, I was hesitant to try new things at first. I went on to become a Pedalheads bike instructor and it was there that I learned two big lessons when I taught children how to ride on their own…
Learn to swim with Pedalheads this Summer!
4 min readJoin Pedalheads this summer and learn to swim with exceptional swim lessons and camps using proven teaching techniques, in-water instruction, customized swim methods and specialized equipment. See why we've been experts in swim since 1986. As we shake off the cabin fever and Netflix overload that accumulated during winter, many parents start looking for activities…
Why Choose Summer Camps Offered At Schools?
4 min readSummer camps at schools offer a unique blend of structure, fun, and comfort. When summer camps are offered at schools, the familiar environment breaks through barriers and kids are quick to try new experiences as there is something really fun about having their school set up a little bit differently for these experiences. Science labs…
Playland – Vancouver’s Thrilling Amusement Park Is Back!
5 min readPlayland, is a beloved destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. With its exhilarating rides, midway games, and unique attractions, Playland promises an unforgettable experience. This year, they have several eye-catching special events that will excite and delight families. Let’s dive into the excitement that awaits! 1. Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides Playland boasts over 30…
