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Post-Secondary Education Cost Gives 73% of Canadian Parents “Sticker Shock”

Parents Don’t Know the Full Costs of Post-Secondary and Don’t Have a Written Plan – Says Ipsos and Knowledge First Financial

Recent findings from an Education Savings Week Ipsos¹ Survey commissioned by Knowledge First Financial found that Canadian parents do not know the full cost of a post-secondary education. Two-thirds of parents of children aged 12 and under say they know the anticipated cost of post-secondary education yet, when presented with the average total cost of a four-year undergraduate degree based on their child’s year of birth, a significant majority (73%) are surprised by the costs.

Parents underestimated post-secondary tuition costs by up to 27%, and by 49-60% when additional costs, including residence, were factored in. New parents with children born this year (2018) can expect to pay $124,956 (including residence) for a four-year degree when they head off to school in 2036.²

“We found that the majority of parents accounted for tuition and textbooks, but missed other key costs,” stated George Hopkinson, CEO, Knowledge First Financial. Only 16% accounted for visits home, 37% accounted for residence or accommodation and less than half (42%) accounted for transportation. Once informed of the projected costs of education, 75% of parents said they plan to increase their education savings goal.

“Parents may have a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for their child, but 55% don’t have a written plan on how to reach their savings goals.” Knowledge First Financial, Canada’s largest RESP Company, educates and encourages parents to think about the future. “We have over 1,400 RESP specialists in Canada who know the future costs of education and can provide advice and a written plan that is unique to each family’s situation,” added Hopkinson.

Part of this advice includes how to maximize grants like the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), a 20% to 40% matching grant up to $7,200 from the Canadian government based on contributions and income level. 2018 marks the 20^th anniversary of the CESG, which is recognized during Education Savings Week (November 18-24, 2018).

For more information about RESPs or to speak with a Knowledge First Financial Sales Representative, please visit:www.knowledgefirstfinancial.ca

About Knowledge First Financial
Canadian families have relied on education savings plans offered by Knowledge First Financial for more than 50 years. Since 1965, payments from the plans have reached $6.6 billion and the Knowledge First Foundation has further enhanced Education Assistance Payments to students by over $50 million. Today, the company manages $6.4 billion in assets for more than 500,000 RESPs.

Knowledge First Financial Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Foundation and is the investment fund manager, administrator and distributor of Registered Education Savings Plans. Knowledge First Foundation is a not-for-profit Canadian corporation with no share capital. The Foundation is therefore able to reinvest excess revenues in initiatives that support students, such as the Knowledge First Financial Graduate Scholarship Awards.

December 6, 2018 0 comment

Education Events Health

Four Tips for Feeding Picky Gluten-Free Eaters

written by Guest Author

Trying to get a child to eat when they’re a picky eater can be stressful. When you add a food restriction to the mix, like gluten-free, feeding your child can seem like an impossible task; however, it doesn’t need to be. Kristen Yarker, a dietitian and child-feeding expert, shares practical strategies below to help you get your gluten-free child to try new foods.

1) List Your Options
The first step to support your picky eater is to change the focus from what your child can’t eat, to the many foods that they can eat. An easy way to change that focus is to write it down because seeing really is believing. Write a list organized by food group that lists every gluten-free food that your child does eat, and put it up somewhere handy so you can easily reference it when planning meals.

2) One Meal for the Whole Family
It can be tempting to serve your child their own gluten-free item when the rest of the family is eating something that contains gluten, but this can actually fuel picky eating. Instead, make one meal for the whole family. Kids are more likely to try a new food when they see people whom they trust also eating it. Life is busy enough with work, lengthy commutes, and chauffeuring kids around to extracurricular activities. Don’t add making multiple meals each night to your workload (and stress level). Plus, sharing food is a powerful way to connect people.

3) Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Getting a picky eater to try new foods is a lesson in patience. Studies show that it takes anywhere from 10 to 30 times before a child will eat a food, yet some parents give-up offering a food after around five times. It can feel like a waste of time, food, and money to keep making things that your child doesn’t eat; however, don’t give up. You never know when the magical day will arrive that your child eats the food you’ve served them over and over (and over) again. This is another reason why it’s important to make one meal for the whole family. Even if your child doesn’t eat it, you, and your other family members will. So, it’s not a waste.

4) Make Exploring New Foods Fun
Having a new food arrive on your plate in front of you at mealtime can be intimidating for a picky eater. Engage kids’ natural desire to explore the world around them by choosing family activities that involve experiencing new food.

For example, the Gluten Free Expo taking place January 13-14, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre offers hundred’s of gluten free products you can sample and save all in one location, so you can try before you buy to take the mystery out of purchasing for your picky eater. The best part is that everything there will be gluten-free, so your child can try anything and everything! Kids 10 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the Expo or to get tickets, please visit www.GlutenFreeExpo.ca

By: Kristen Yarker, MSc, RD, www.KristenYarker.com

About the Author: Kristen Yarker, MSc, RD is a dietitian and child-feeding expert in the Victoria and Vancouver BC areas. www.KristenYarker.com

December 14, 2017 0 comment

Events Lower Mainland

Spend an unforgettable day with your family at the 2017 Vancouver Writers Fest!

written by Guest Author

With so many places to eat, shops to explore, art to admire and wildlife to spot, a trip to Granville Island makes an unforgettable family outing or field trip. But did you know that it’s also the home of the Vancouver Writers Fest, one of Canada’s premiere literary events? This year, the Festival celebrates its 30th-anniversary line-up this October 16-22 with an incredible lineup of 115 authors and 95 events (1/3 of which are for families and children). Whether you are new to the Festival or have been attending since you were a kid yourself, here are 5 events you (and your child’s class!) won’t want to miss.

Newfoundland Yarns
Tuesday, October 17 at 1pm – Studio 1398
Suitable for Grades 2-5
Gemini award-winning actor and former CODCO member Andy Jones will delight kids with his lively renditions of Newfoundland folk tales. In Jack and the Green Man, Jack encounters hairy giants, impossible tasks, a three-legged pig and difficult demigods.
A Series of Adventures
Wednesday, October 18 at 10am – Waterfront Theatre
Suitable for Grades 2-5
Cary Fagan and Andy Jones know how to talk to kids. Both are acclaimed storytellers and the authors of popular series. Cary Fagan introduces us to Wolfie and Fly in his new series about a girl who thinks friends just get in the way, until she meets the weird and slightly wordy boy next door. And Andy Jones brings fairy tales from his native Newfoundland to life with comedic flare.
Innocent Heroes
Thursday, October 19 at 10am – Studio 1398
Suitable for Grades 4-7
To mark the centennial of the battle of Vimy Ridge, bestselling author Sigmund Brouwer took a look at the stories of Canadian heroes who made a difference: there’s the border collie who warns of a gas attack, the cat who saves soldiers from rat bites and the carrier pigeon who delivers a critical message. Maybe not the heroes you were imagining?
Fault Lines
Thursday, October 19 at 1pm – Performance Works
Suitable for Grades 4-7
Join Johanna Wagstaffe, seismologist, meteorologist and science host for CBC Vancouver, for a highly visual presentation where you’ll learn the science behind what makes the earth rumble, how to prepare for an earthquake, and hear the stories of kids around the world who’ve experienced the wonder – and terror – of an earthquake.
Encouraging Creativity in Kids
Friday, October 20 at 10am | Studio 1398
Suitable for Grades 10-12 and adults
Teachers, educators and parents, this discussion on nurturing creativity in young people is for you. Join internationally-acclaimed author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay will empower you by offering to tools to engage children in making art of their own.

Tickets: $17 for adults | $15 for youth under 30 | $9.50 for school groups (plus service charge)

See the full list of events and authors at writersfest.bc.ca.

October 10, 2017 0 comment

Entertainment Lower Mainland

The Arts Umbrella makes a big SPLASH again!

written by Guest Author

Experience the – power of creativity at Splash – Arts Umbrella’s 35th annual art auction and gala, presented by TD Bank Group. On Saturday, October 14, Canada’s leading non-profit arts organization for young people will be hosting an unforgettable art auction and gala featuring close to 100 works by prominent BC artists.

“Arts Umbrella is thrilled to host the 35th annual Splash, where guests will discover awe-inspiring artworks by some of the most celebrated artists in Vancouver and the province,” says Paul Larocque, President & CEO of Arts Umbrella. “Support of Splash will empower young people to pursue their passions with life-changing arts programming.”

Arts Umbrella reaches more than 20,000 children and youth every year; more than 14,000 through free community programming, ensuring that all children, regardless of their socio-economic circumstances, benefit from artistic endeavours.

Splash 2017 will once again bring together over 600 corporate and community leaders, patrons, and art aficionados for this magical art auction and gala. This year, Arts Umbrella is excited to feature artists Douglas Coupland, Jeff Wall, Ian Wallace, Andrew Dadson, Bobbie Burgers and Andy Dixon, as well as other celebrated contemporary artists. Splash will be co-chaired by Christie Darbyshire and Bruce Munro Wright, both ardent supporters of the arts.

The spectacular event will take place at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, with CBC news personalities Gloria Macarenko and Fred Lee hosting the evening, and live performances by the Arts Umbrella Dance Company and Musical
Theatre Troupes. Leading the coveted live auction will be Canadian multimedia contemporary artist, curator, and cultural
leader, Hank Bull.

In celebration of the 35th anniversary, Arts Umbrella will also host an after party following the Live Auction, where guests will dance the night away to the musical stylings of DJ Chloe.

Since it began in 1983, Splash has raised more than $5.5 million in net proceeds, ensuring programs are within reach of all youth, through bursaries, scholarships, and free community programs.

The evening is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor TD Bank Group. Arts Umbrella is also pleased to be partnering with luxury jewellery brand David Yurman this year, who will provide a stunning signature raffle piece.

To purchase tickets and find out more information about Splash 2017, please visit artsumbrella.com.
• Gala tickets: $350
• Luminary ticket: $500*

*Luminary tickets support the Arts Umbrella Bursary Fund and include special registration, name recognition, in print, at the event, reserved seating, special cashier checkout, and a tax receipt issued for a significant portion of ticket price.

About Arts Umbrella
Art can change the lives of children in incredible ways, which is why Arts Umbrella helps young artists cultivate creativity and grow self-confidence through dance, theatre and visual arts. Since 1979, the not-for-profit has opened the doors for all kids ages 2 to 22 to find and explore their artistic voices. More than 20,000 students discover the magic each year, with more than half participating at little to no cost to their families.

October 4, 2017 0 comment

Lower Mainland Okanagan Parenting Vancouver Island

Reclaim Your House After Kids Go Back To School

written by Guest Author

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — time to send the kids back to school and reclaim your household! After a summer of camps and goofing around inside, your house may need a little tough love to get back into shape for the fall. Research shows that the average North American home has 300,000 items in it, and back-to-school is the perfect time to get rid of the ones that you don’t need anymore.

As the kids head back to school and you take the steps to get your house back and order, I’m sharing ten of my favorite tips and tricks to declutter and organize your home this fall:

Pull out all the homework and artwork from the previous school year. Before the onslaught of this school year’s homework and artwork, make sure you have decluttered last year’s. We all know Little Timmy is smart as a whip, but you don’t need to keep every piece of homework he brings. Homework has one purpose and one purpose only: to help kids learn. It’s not to be immortalized in boxes in the garage that you’ll never look it. Empty backpacks, desk drawers and those piles you’ve been meaning to tackle and pick the best of the best. Save the things that are substantial and remind you who they were at the time in their lives. As for artwork, how many turkey hands does one family need? Pare down to a small but great representation of their masterpieces and let the rest go. Take photos if you just can’t bare to let them go. You might want to also consider making art books out of the artwork. A crayon self-portrait looks so much better in a book for the long run than in a box in your garage. You can make them yourself with any number of apps but if you need a little help, I love Souvenartebooks!
Donate (or toss if they are broken) toys that didn’t get used this summer. After a summer of “I’m bored,” you’ll have a great idea of what toys your kids really play with. And don’t forget the holidays (AKA more stuff) are just around the corner. 3.1% of the world’s children live in America, but they own 40% of the toys consumed globally. The new school year will jump them to the next developmental level, so really be honest about what’s going to get played with. If letting go of toys is difficult for your kid, try the half way there approach. Sort the toys into four piles: keep, donate, trash and not quite yet. Box up the “not quite yet toys” and put in a closet or garage. Tell your kids if they really miss the toy and want to play with it, it’s right there. But chances are, out of sight, out of mind, especially with all the homework coming their way.
Did summer reading lists create a glut of books in your home? Time to do a purge of the books that won’t get read again or won’t ever be read. Of course there are classics and favorites that will be kept but ask your kids if they really are going to read Captain Underpants for the 4th time. Most libraries are facing deep budget cuts so lots of them have turned to book sales to keep their doors open a little later and on weekend. Check with your local library to see if they are accepting books and while you are there, return those overdue library books!
Running around in bathing suits and sprouting up like weeds means your kids have outgrown a lot of last year’s clothes. Time to do a deep dive on their clothes and donate the clothes they don’t wear or can’t fit into any more. This is a great process to involve kids in as it gets them used to the idea of letting go of stuff they don’t use or wear any more. First do a pass when they are at school and make a pile of the clothes you think are too small or worn out. Then when they are home, ask them what they are okay letting go of. Have them try it one to make sure it really fits. If there are younger siblings or cousins, put them the hand-me-down box. Also, consider doing a clothes swap with other families. Peace Love Swap can help you organize one. And don’t forget back-to-school school shopping is on the agenda so make some room!
Donate old backpacks. Most kids get new backpacks for each school year. If last year’s pack is still in good shape, think about donating to a local nonprofit that works with foster kids. Use this as an opportunity to declutter backpacks, duffle bags and suitcases. Foster kids are in dire need of suitcases, duffle bags and backpacks. Because they are moving around so much and don’t have a permanent home, they often move to foster home to foster home with their belongings in a trash bag. Finding a local organization that provides these donations to local foster kids is a great way to teach your kids about giving back.
Donate old sports equipment. Has the team gotten a new logo making the old uniforms out-of-date? A client called me up to say that her daughter’s school team got a new logo and they had so many uniforms that were in great shape but they didn’t know what to do with them. I happened to be going to Kenya at that time to work with a girl’s school there, so I volunteered to bring the uniforms to Nyamasare Girl’s School and Orphanage for their football team. They were so excited about the new uniforms, they changed their mascot to the tiger to match the shirts. Talk to the coach about doing a team cleat drive. Everybody wins!
Donate old towels to local animal rescue groups. Pool, river, lake, or ocean have all wreaked havoc on your towels. Once everyone is settled into their new schedules, pull all the towels out and see which ones can go. This is an easy one because a tired towel is a tired towel. Keep a couple on hand for spills and floods, but donate the rest to a local animal rescue group. I even had a family recently that took piles and piles of old towels to the SPCA and came home with a new dog!
Tackle your garage. 25% of people with two-car garages don’t have room to park cars inside them, and after a summer of everyone home, the garage has become the dumping ground. Tackle this before winter comes because this is one of the biggest jobs on the list but maybe the most satisfying! Take a little time to come up with a plan to attack the garage. First, start with the purging. Then determine if some shelving would help keep you organized moving into the school year. Remember an organized garage is like staying thin — you have to be vigilant about the amount of calories/things that come in or else the weigh/clutter will pile on!
Return order to the kitchen. Constant summertime snacking has probably turned the kitchen upside down. The kitchen is a great place to start with a purge! Kitchens are magnets for clutter and you have to be brutal with the purge, otherwise you are drowning in coffee cups you never use. The first place to start is with food storage containers. Bring them all out on the kitchen counter and match tops with bottoms. If there’s no top (or bottom) … OUT! Check your plates, if they are chipped and broken, time to let go. Is there a drawer of old plastic Disney plates that the kids aren’t using anymore? Time to donate them. Next, take a look at your pantry. I feel really strongly about the food waste problem in this country. 40% of the food in the United States is never eaten, but at the same time, one in eight Americans struggles to put enough food on the table. That being said, we all have lots of food in our cupboards that our families won’t ever eat. So when doing your pantry purge, call your local food bank and see if they take slightly “expired” food. Most do! This is also a great time to take stock of what foods the family really eats. I like to make a master grocery list that lives on the computer or can be printed out. That way, before you go to the store, you can check the pantry to make sure you don’t buy staples you already have. And to stay ahead of the clutter in the school year, never go to the grocery without a list. It’s a surefire way to over buy.
Next year think about doing this decluttering while the kids are at sleep away camp! Once back-to-school hits, everyone is running at top speed. Many of my clients book me for one of the weeks that the kids are away at camp, and then save the second week for a kid-free staycation!

Happy Decluttering!

About Tracy McCubbin

Tracy has always referred to herself as “obsessive compulsive delightful,” but who knew she could turn that trait into a booming business? Nearly ten years ago, while working for a major television director in Los Angeles, Tracy discovered she had the ability to see through any mess and clearly envision a clutter-free space. Coupled with keen time-management and organizational skills, Tracy soon found more and more people were asking her for help. Before she knew it, dClutterfly was born.

Ten years and over 1,200 jobs later, dClutterfly has been named “Best in Nest” by DailyCandy and has received the Super Service Award from Angie’s List for five years. Tracy is a regularly featured expert on KTLA Morning Show, KCAL9, and Good Day Sacramento. She and her company have also been featured in Real Simple, Women’s Day and ShopSmart. Along with her team of expert dClutterers, Tracy is ready to tackle any project, big or small.

In addition to her impressive organizing tool belt, Tracy grew up with family members who hoarded and knows firsthand that the effects of living amongst an accumulation of possessions goes far beyond the home’s walls. This personal experience gives her an advantage over most professional organizers as she has a unique understanding of the mindset of the organizationally and spatially-challenged.

When she is not dCluttering, Tracy is the proud Co-Executive Director of OneKid OneWorld, a non-profit building strong educational foundations for children in impoverished communities throughout Kenya and Central America. OKOW is providing kids with the basic (yet essential) fundamentals like desks and books, as well as paying teachers’ salaries, building classrooms and even installing solar power technology so students can study at night. OKOW’s most recent project #OneGirlOnePad will provide access to reusable feminine hygiene kits to over 4,000 girls in Kenya, allowing them to attend school all year round. OneKid OneWorld is Tracy’s “full time, non-paying passion.”

September 20, 2017 0 comment

Education Fraser Valley Government Lower Mainland Okanagan Parenting Vancouver Island

Aggressive driving in school zones is putting kids in danger!

written by Guest Author

New school zone survey shows more parents driving aggressively in school zones – honking, swearing and stressing out— is putting kids in danger

BCAA asks parents to make a ‘new school year’ resolution to improve driving habits

Burnaby, BC, September 5, 2017 – BCAA’s second annual School Zone Safety survey shows that driving in school zones has gone from bad to worse. In fact, this year’s survey shows a marked increase in concern across the board. Particularly alarming is that hostile/aggressive attitudes amongst parents such as honking or using profanities has jumped almost 30 per cent (51% to 66%).

Last year, Shawn Pettipas, BCAA’s Director of Community Engagement called school zones the “wild west”. Shocked by this year’s results, Pettipas is more determined than ever to get parents (the worst offenders) to make—and keep— a ‘new school year’ resolution to improve their driving habits.

“We asked over 300 school faculty and staff and over 400 parents or guardians what they’re seeing in their school zones, and it’s very concerning to see that unsafe driving in school zones has increased,” says Pettipas. “There’s no excuse for hostile behaviour and breaking traffic rules. Parents and motorists have to start driving safely, we don’t want someone to get hurt.”

In addition to more hostile/aggressive attitudes, BCAA’s School Zone Safety survey also reveals an increase in unsafe driving behaviours and ignoring traffic rules amongst parents and guardians dropping off or picking up their children: Over 80 per cent witness parents not following rules of the road, including not stopping at a marked crosswalk (82%) or driving over the speed limit (93%). Distracted driving has also increased and remains high (82% to 86%).

Shawn, a parent himself, understands how stressful school zone driving can be. “We appreciate the honesty of parents and guardians who participated in the survey and shared what they’ve been witnessing in their school zones,” says Pettipas. “Because parents and guardians are in school zones every day, improving safety in school zones can really start with them, and the first step is to improve their driving habits and keep the right attitude.”

BCAA provides tips for parents and motorists to help make school zones safer:

Avoid running late. A great deal of stress arises from feeling rushed. Give yourself plenty of time in the morning and consider completing tasks and preparing your child’s school items the night before.
Focus on what you can control. No matter what’s going on around you, be patient and courteous. Reacting with extreme frustration may aggravate the situation and increase the risk of unsafe behaviours.
Follow the rules, which includes school drop off and pick up procedures and rules of the road such as driving within the speed limit, stopping at marked cross walks and not driving distracted. If everyone follows the rules, problems and misunderstandings are less likely to occur.
Pay close attention while driving. Expect the unexpected and look out for safety risks such as kids darting from cars, along with kids who are cycling and other pedestrians.
Reduce congestion. Consider walking or cycling your child to school or park a few blocks away and walk your child the rest of the way to school.

When it comes to rules of the road, BCAA reminds drivers of sections within the BC Motor Vehicle Act which address common driving mistakes made in school zones:

Speeding. School zone speed limit is 30 km/hr between 8AM-5PM on school days unless otherwise posted. In playground zones, a 30 km/hr speed limit is in effect from dawn to dusk, 365 days of the year.
Crosswalks. Drivers must stop for pedestrians crossing the road at a crosswalk. The best and safest rule is for drivers to stop once they see a pedestrian standing on the curb at a crosswalk and to wait for as long as it takes for all pedestrians to reach the curb on the other side

Crossing guards/patrollers. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists must follow the instructions of a school crossing guard or student patroller.
Distracted driving. Using an electronic device while driving, including holding the device in a position in which it may be used, is considered to be distracted driving and is against the law. For parents and guardians dropping off or picking up their child from school, BCAA recommends they avoid using their cell phone altogether within a school zone, even when their car is parked and idling at the curb.

But the onus is not entirely on drivers. It’s also important for pedestrians and cyclists to follow the rules of the road. BCAA recommends that parents teach their kids how to walk or cycle safely near or on the road.

Visit bcaa.com/blog to learn more about school zone safety.

About the survey

Results are based on an online study conducted from July 15 to July 21, 2017, among a representative sample of 720 adults in British Columbia, including 307 who currently serve as principals, teachers or school staff at a British Columbia elementary school, and 413 parents or guardians who drop off and/or pick up a child from school. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error for the entire sample—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points.

About BCAA

The most trusted organization in British Columbia by its Members, BCAA serves 1 in 3 B.C. households with industry-leading products including home, auto and travel insurance, roadside assistance, Evo Car Share and full auto service at BCAA’s Auto Service Centres. BCAA has a long history focused on keeping kids safe on the road and at play through community programs such as its School Safety Patrol, Community Child Car Seat Program and BCAA Play Here. Please visit bcaa.com.

Examples of common driving offences and fines

Motor Vehicle Act section	Description	Fine	Driver penalty points
179(1)	Failure to yield to pedestrian	$167	3
147(1) and (2)	Speeding in school or playground zones	$196-$253	3
179(4)	Disobey school guard/ patrol	$167	3
214.2 (1) and (2)	Using electronic device while driving or emailing or texting while driving	$368	4

September 8, 2017 0 comment

Education Entertainment Product Reviews Uncategorized

10 Classic Games or Toys for Kids

written by Guest Author

The Top 10 Classic Games or Toys that Kids Today Should be Playing With Revised for 2017

In 2012, What To Do With The Kids® asked parents to submit their list of the top classic games or toys they felt that kid’s today should be playing with but this time we decided to ask toy and game industry professionals for their opinions and many of the choices have not changed.

A number of people suggested toys and games for specific age groups but for this list we wanted an overall view of what the kids should be playing with today. Brand name products are listed but for many, these are considered to be a “classic” game or toy.

Of all the suggestions made by the industry pros, very few needed batteries and not one suggestion involved a screen of any kind. Most emphasized the importance of play and how it helps in a kid’s development. Cassidy Smith, National Sales Manager at Hape Toys commented, “I truly believe the more we can have parents pull their children away from screen play and let them be kids again the better. Kids need to learn through play but what a lot of parents don’t realize is that it’s actually good for kids to be bored on occasion too.”

Legos top our list and it seems that its popularity has never been higher. Andrea Bergstein, Founder and CEO of Scribblitt, Kids Publishing commented, “Lego develops thinking in 3D, helps organizational abilities and planning as well as creativity.” Building blocks were second on our list but this can also include all types of building and construction type of toys. Beth Muehlenkamp, Brand Manager at Playmonster said “Early construction toys that are well designed and built, promote STEM, quiet play, dexterity, spatial awareness and fine motor skills.”

David Katzner, Founder and President of The National Parenting Center commented, “Active play is an essential part of growing up, toys like Frisbees, balls for kicking or throwing, etc.” The newest addition to our list is balls which includes the generic utility ball along with those associated with sports such as basketball, tennis or soccer.

The What To Do With The Kids® Top 10 Classic Games or Toys that Kids Today Should be Playing With according to toy and game industry professionals:

1. Lego
2. Building Blocks
3. Dolls
4. Scrabble
5. Monopoly
6. Jump/Skipping Rope
7. Chutes and Ladders
8. Assorted Balls
9. Chinese Checkers
10. Jigsaw Puzzles

This top 10 list was created with the participation of a number of game and toy industry professionals and they include:

Andrea Bergstein, Founder/CEO, Scribblitt Kids Publishing
Mary Couzin, President, Chicago Toy & Game Group
Ev Johnson, Founder, (www.werfungames.com)
David Katzner, Founder/President, The National Parenting Center
Jenny Kile, Founder, Kardtects Building Cards
Beth Muehlenkamp, Brand Manager, Playmonster
Brian Presley, President, What To Do With The Kids
Cassidy Smith, National Sales Manager, Hape Toys
Rachel Urso, CEO, Celebrity Baby Trends Public Relations

What To Do With The Kids® is the website that adults go to when they want to know what to do with their kids. The website features games, crafts, activities, party ideas, the What To Do With The Kids® Minute Podcast and is the home of SitterAdvantage™, the app that makes sitters and nannies better. Visit us at www.whattodowiththekids.com.

May 7, 2017 0 comment

Education Entertainment Health Product Reviews Technology

3 Ways to Ease the Pain of High-Tech Parenting

written by Guest Author

Last week, my teenager spilled a milkshake on his MacBook Air and I’m convinced it was on purpose. You see, he’s been lobbying for a PC because my current ability to satellite parent requires the household to be on Apple, lest I will have to come up with different parental controls.

Parenting has always been fraught with anxiety and frustration, but it’s gotten exponentially more complex in the last couple of decades as digital technology has exploded. Suddenly, parents are not only responsible for making sure their children survive to adulthood, but also protecting them from the barrage of problems that arise with the inevitable introduction of technology to a childhood.

When it comes down to it, we can’t simply raise our children without access to technology. It’s such a substantial part of the world now that digital capability is second only to literacy and numeracy in skills we need to instill in our children.

But how do we do that without making ourselves vulnerable to the infinite rash of downfalls daily tech use can invite? Here are three tips for navigating the intersection of parenting and technology.

Talk with Your Kids About Tech

The tech talk is almost as important as the sex talk when it comes to raising kids in the 21st century. And, like the sex talk, it needs to happen in stages across the child’s life.

Many experts agree that talking about technology needs to start when children are toddlers because that’s when they begin to meaningfully interact with their world. At that time, the talk is simple – it’s a matter of making sure children know that they need to ask before touching your technology. This is as straightforward as saying no when they reach for gadgets at inappropriate times and explaining that they are precious and easily damaged. By preschool-age, when parents often let their kids engage with items like tablets, it’s important to discuss clear boundaries like time of day, time limit, and use locations.

As children grow, explanations become more important. They need to understand that you’re not setting arbitrary rules, or being greedy with the technology. By making kids aware of the dangers technology can present – from stranger danger to how their posts and online activity can impact their lives into adulthood – your kids will understand that you have their best interest at heart.

Get to Know the Tech Trends for Generation Z

Whether you’re a Generation X or Millennial parent, the digital landscape is vastly different now than when you were a kid. Even the Millennial cohort, the first to experience the cultural repercussions of social media, had a completely different experience than their children are having.

Generation Z is engaging with tech differently than their predecessors. While Facebook has enough users to count as one of the largest nations on earth, it isn’t pulling with Z. It loses roughly a million of these younger users every year, a number which is poised to increase. They’re flocking to Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube instead, as Facebook is too static and long-form, and, let’s face it, full of their parents and family members.

Knowing where kids’ eyeballs are is important for knowing where to put energy to mitigate potential threats associated with technology. For instance, 100% of Gen Z uses the Internet for at least an hour each day, and 85% of them use YouTube, making it their most-visited destination by far. Following YouTube are all manner of communications and messaging services, like SnapChat. Just like every generation of kids before them, they want peers to relate to and communicate with, so the apps they use are ones where they feel the most comfortable doing so. Balancing our kids’ social and developmental needs with protection from potential threats becomes easier when parents are informed about the nuances of the platforms on which kids are likely to engage.

Leverage Technology

Technology might be the reason we’re in this mess in the first place but the other side of the innovation coin is this: as sure as a problem presents itself, a technological solution follows. Look no further than Superscreen’s viral Kickstarter campaign to see that parents are vying for a solution. Superscreen is a tablet alternative that replicates everything a paired smartphone does in real-time on a high definition screen. As of this writing, the campaign has raised over $2 million, crushing their $50,000 goal within minutes and blowing the expectations of the campaign’s managers out of the water. Why? A major use case is parental controls – parents can see exactly what a child is doing on the paired tablet and take control when necessary.

Another helpful piece of tech to have in your arsenal when allowing kids to interact on social media is Net Nanny Social. Many parents rely on friending their kids on social media to monitor their conduct, but there are problems with that strategy. For one, parents can’t see personal messages, and posts can be set so that certain people (i.e. parents) can’t see them. Some apps make it even worse. SnapChat, for instance, is built on self-deleting temporary communication, so even if you directly access the app, you can’t see what your kids have sent or received.

Net Nanny Social allows parents to easily Big Brother their kids’ social media use. It also doubles as a line of defense against cyber-bullying, allowing parents to be sure their kids aren’t being harassed.

An app that takes a little different path with parental tech management, FamilyTime, takes organizational and time management tools that apps are known for, and transports them to family life. It allows parents to set limits for screen time, even allowing you to remotely lock your kids’ phones or schedule tech-free time so kids can focus on homework and otherwise engage with the real world.

High-tech parenting is a nerve-wracking proposition, but a little preparedness, vigilance, and technological assistance can not only make it less perilous, but it can also add depth to family life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a mentor to CEOs worldwide, Adryenn Ashley is directly responsible for adding significant revenue to her clients’ bottom lines. Adryenn founded Wow! Is Me, Inc. after developing a proprietary social media business system that works with both retail and service-based businesses. Her elite consulting clients cover a broad spectrum of industries, including motion pictures, food distribution, and artificial intelligence. Adryenn earned her ‘high tech priestess’ stripes by crashing computers and breaking into banks…at their request, of course. She used her well-honed techniques to turn fan engagement into #SocialTV profits with CrowdedTV, the world’s first crowdfunding platform for broadcast television shows that goes a step further than just raising funds, by raising sponsorship and distribution, too. Using the CrowdedTV methodology, her first show, Wake Up!, went from idea, to airing on national broadcast TV in just 4 months and is in pre-production for Season 2, and starting development on their first 360 sitcom.

May 6, 2017 0 comment

Education Health Lower Mainland Parenting

Connection Between Exercising and Education

written by Guest Author

Move More to Learn More: The Connection between exercising and education

As parents, we’re all well aware that the mind and body are undeniably linked. Any new mother who has endured a sleepless night thanks to her newborn may have issues instantly recalling her breakfast from the previous day or that upcoming doctor’s appointment next Friday. This is why we look into the connection between exercising and education.

This mind-body connection is also evident in our children. Restless little ones with too much pent-up energy will inevitably have trouble concentrating on absorbing information or successfully completing their homework. The same applies if they’re hungry, thirsty or are feeling under the weather — optimal mental development requires their little bodies to be finely tuned and in tip-top shape.

But many kiddos these days simply aren’t moving enough to achieve peak physical wellness. The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is just one of many industry organizations that recommend 60 minutes of accumulated physical activity daily for children aged five to 11. And according to CSEP, that should include vigorous intensity activities at least three times a week.

Unfortunately, kids are simply not getting their hour of daily exercise. According to statistics from the government of B.C., three out of five Canadian kids aged 5-17 aren’t getting enough physical activity for optimal growth and development. And here’s a number that hits much closer to home: one out of every four children in B.C. between the ages of two and 17 is overweight or obese.

So, why aren’t kids moving enough? While many factors are to blame, budget shortfalls and deep fiscal issues are forcing some school districts to make drastic cuts to course electives like physical education. So school-aged kids are often stuck sitting sedentary for hours at their desks with little to no reprieve.

And while the lack of movement and physical activity in our schools isn’t a new problem, a recent study underscores that the absence of exercise during the day could have an even deeper effect than just expanding your child’s waistline. Recently released research published in the prestigious Pediatrics journal proved what many parents had suspected all along — movement is good for kids, particularly in learning environments.

In the study, 500 Dutch children were closely monitored in Grades 2 and 3. One segment of the group was taught with “active” lessons, where they engaged in moderate to vigorous activity while doing math and language for 30 minutes three times a week. And the movement boosted their brain power when compared to their sedentary counterparts who learned at desks in traditional classroom settings. Those who learned with activity built into the curriculum performed better in speed, general math ability, and spelling, and were the equivalent to being four months ahead of the kids in their cohort. That’s some serious knowledge absorption.

With this undeniable boost in brain power, some local schools are ensuring that movement is a bigger component of the curriculum. Pear Tree Elementary, a new K-7 private school opening in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood this fall, finds that maintaining physical education is integral to ensure students are ready to learn and makes it an important crux of their curriculum.

“Essentially, our core focus is on the necessity for daily physical education, so having one hour of PE every day because children need to have that physical activity in order to be able to focus in classrooms,” said Pear Tree Elementary co-founder Paul Romani. “So, we use that not just as a way to develop their body, but also to help them academically in terms of concentrating.”

Schools are not the only ones trying to help reintegrate physical education back into the curriculum. Organizations and initiatives like Canadian Tire Jumpstart are partnering with some of Canada’s influential sport, wellness and health organizations to help Canadian kids get back into physical activity.

Active at School is a multi-year, multi-million dollar grassroots program that began in 2013, consisting of a broad-based group of more than 80 partners dedicated to ensuring Canadian kids receive the recommended hour of quality daily physical activity at school. Each partner brings individual networks, unique expertise, resources and marketing channels to promote the Active at School initiative with educators and decision makers across all levels of government.

Parents can also get involved in helping keep their kids active, healthy, and prepped to learn. Check with your child’s school about after-school physical activities or with your local community centre for organized sports leagues. If sports aren’t your child’s cup of tea, there’s always children’s yoga, hiking, walking, biking, and plenty of other low- or no-cost activities to get their blood pumping (and yours) regularly.

About Lindsey Peacock

Lindsey Peacock is a writer, editor, and American expat who recently transplanted to Toronto, ON. When she isn’t crafting stories, you’ll find her at the nearest dog park with her ginger husky pup.

May 2, 2017 0 comment

Education Health Parenting Uncategorized

5 Ways to Raise a Healthy & Adventurous Eater

written by Guest Author

5 Ways to Raise a Healthy & Adventurous Eater

Raising an adventurous eater is all about instilling healthy eating habits and a spirit of curiosity and exploration in your child at an early age. Adventurous eaters typically have an open mind and are willing to try new things. Here are five tips for parents on how to raise healthy and adventurous eaters, which will ultimately set them up for success in the future.

1. Introduce a variety of flavors and textures early on.

As a parent, you are your child’s primary outlet for trying new things. By offering a wide range of food flavors, textures and smells at a young age, you will promote an acceptance of new foods and develop their taste preferences. According to Russell Greenfield, M.D. and Clinical Professor of Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, repeated exposure (at least 8-10 times) during and between meals to various food textures and flavors in a positive environment promotes acceptance of new foods. Introducing a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains will encourage a love of healthy food from the start.

2. Read food labels.

It’s important to understand what is and what is not in the food you’re feeding your children. Many people find reading nutrition facts to be time-consuming and confusing, but it’s necessary to make informed choices and shape healthy eating habits. Look for food labels that contain words such as “certified organic,” “non-GMO” and “no artificial ingredients.” These benefits indicate that you are providing the best and cleanest ingredients that contribute to your child’s overall health.

3. Fresh is best.

Take your kids to the local farmer’s market to show them what fresh ingredients look like and the benefits of buying fresh and local. Not only is it good to support local farmers, but it can also be an informative and exciting adventure for the whole family. Engaging children in shopping and letting them pick out their own food may make them more willing to eat it and promotes a healthy palate.

4. Have fun with it.

Choosing and preparing healthy fare for your children and watching them not eat the food can be stressful for many parents. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, children pick up on parental stress, and it can manifest in different ways such as increased clinginess, tummy aches, or difficulty sleeping. “Coaxing a child to eat can backfire and actually negatively impact their food intake,” says Dr. Greenfield. “Parents should trust that as long as they are providing an appropriate amount of nutritious food to their child, the kids should not be hungry or malnourished.” Relax and try to keep things fun. This can be as simple as playing the tried and true “airplane game” with babies. For toddlers, you can get creative with the way you present healthy ingredients on their plate.

5. Repeat.

If your child won’t eat a new food you are introducing them to, don’t give up. Just because they aren’t ready for it this time doesn’t mean they won’t ever be. Keep trying. Just as it takes a few tries and some practice to ride a bike, it might take a few times before your baby or toddler gets used to certain flavors and textures. And don’t be discouraged if they grimace when eating a new food – this doesn’t always indicate dissatisfaction, it may only mean they aren’t quite used to a new taste or texture yet.

About Rick Klauser

Rick Klauser is the CEO at Sprout Foods. He provides tips on how to raise a healthy and adventurous eater

March 22, 2017 0 comment

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