Technology is here to stay and will prove to be one of the most important tools in your child’s life. Parents must be careful not to villainize technology. By painting excessive screen time in a negative light or punishing your child for spending too much time on their device, this does not deter them away…
Since schools reopened in September, VCH has not recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases among school-aged children relative to other groups. Those aged 5-17 years of age accounted for 6 per cent of VCH’s COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, despite representing 10 per cent of VCH’s population. Evidence shows children are…
Virtual care is revolutionizing Canadian health care. Virtual care, or telehealth, allows you to connect directly with health care providers, from the comfort of home. In the case of physiotherapists, we use video chat to support our patients. From sprained joints, concussions, to muscular strains, your virtual care physiotherapist can provide you the same excellent…
Physiotherapy for children, or pediatric physiotherapy, is not only for children with disabilities. They can help with a lot of physical health conditions faced by any child.
Excerpt from: "What Young Children Need You to Know: How to see them so you know what to do for them" (May 4, 2020) - Please Don’t Worry So Much About Me
In late August, the Canadian government warned eligible Canadians who have not yet filed their 2019 tax returns about the possibility of getting cut off from receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or GST/HST credits moving forward until they file. The 2019 tax filing deadline was delayed earlier this year due to COVID-19, and pushed…
Around this time of year, we would begin planning our annual visit to The PNE Fair. Unfortunately, this year is not like other year’s and a lot of things have changed due to precautions to keep our friends, families, and communities safe from COVID-19. Luckily, the PNE has a very creative team and they have…
With the recent announcement of return-to-school plans, although with a minor delay, many children and parents are feeling a heightened amount of stress during this uncertain time. A teacher, a parenting coach, and a doctor gave some helpful suggestions for you to help your child prepare for September. A kindergarten teacher’s advice (Amy Tekatch, a…
After months of uncertainty, it’s now official: most B.C. students will be going back to the classroom in September. Parents are divided about this announcement, with half of them undecided about whether they’ll send their kids back to class. Regardless of which format parents choose, it’s time to help prepare kids for the transition back…
Parents across the country have been faced with the reality of school closures interrupting their children’s learning. As a parent reading this, you’re probably thinking you’ve gained a new title of full-time teacher! However, as we head into the summer months, parents aren’t just worried about the “summer slide” this year, but a major “COVID…
Summer has almost officially started in BC and working from home has become the new norm. Balancing work with kids can be tricky, but you can always fit parenting and online work from your home together. With only a handful of in-person summer camps available, how do you manage your day to actually be able…
With all the technology at our child’s fingertips, along with the fast-paced lifestyle that comes with living in this type of world, it is no surprise that more and more children report that they feel overwhelmed and anxious. They are overstimulated all day long with online programs, T.V., video games and never really get the…
I feel like I've been on my phone a lot lately. I've been connected with a group of girlfriends and it's great to have that constant contact to help navigate through the madness. It's obvious the kids would like the same. What is the best way to arrange digital play-dates for them and allow them…
With schools closing to help stop the spread of coronavirus, millions of kids will be at home and you may even be their new substitute teacher. If you’re new to homeschooling, you’re probably wondering how you can help your children learn and keep them occupied while you work from home too. It’s especially important to…
Last week, I wrote a six-step script for How to Handle the Big “What If’s?”, to address the Coronavirus anxiety in kids which is quickly increasing as Canada becomes more impacted, and there are more visible signs, such as people on the streets and in shops wearing masks. Here are some additional tips to help…
Do you have a child with a learning disability or ADD/ADHD? Is it putting an enormous financial burden on you? If yes, then this article is a must-read, because there is hope and relief for you in the form of the Disability Tax Credit! For over 30 years, the Disability Tax Credit has helped disabled…
I have recently been fielding questions from parents about protecting their children from coronavirus, COVID-19. While at some time in the future we may all be at risk of contracting COVID-19, the good news is that children seem to be less affected by this illness. In other words, your children may carry the virus, but…
The thought of post-secondary education can be terrifying for parents. The idea of their children leaving the nest and becoming adults, coupled with the fear of the, potentially, enormous education bill makes any parent concerned. As we all know, the cost of post-secondary education increases annually. If your child is currently five, the cost of…
Family Day is Monday! What have you got planned? I'm guessing the rain may keep you indoors, but here are some great options to fill your day. Sing, Dance, Tell Me A Story! (Family Fun Day) (Feb. 17, noon-3pm) at the Cultch is a full Family Day afternoon of fun times (along with some engaged learning).…
This post was brought to you by Reading Eggs, but the opinions are my own. Reading is an important skill. It’s something we always encouraged our children to do by reading them bedtime stories or doing reading activities on a rainy day. In the past, I never actively taught my children to read. I have…
Many of us here at The Yoga Buggy are Christmas lovers and celebrators, and together we’re brainstorming ways to keep ourselves and our kiddos peaceful during the holiday season. Here are some of our favourite suggestions. 1. Use mindfulness to keep things simple and observe our motivations. One of our holiday challenges is that we…
If you thought occupational therapy was just rehabilitation programs and exercises for adults in recovery from workplace or sports injuries, then think again. Occupational therapy (or OT for short) is a catch-all term for treatment strategies to help people of all ages overcome challenges, (physical or mental) to live as independently as possible. But did…
While it may have been 28 years since The Wiggles' Anthony (Field) first got kids excited to sing and dance along with simple, bouncing, bounding songs about fruit salads, hot potatoes, bears in need of bedtime, and soaring propellers, he still has at least as much energy as The Orpheum requires to fill it, in…
For some reason, getting kids to eat vegetables can be a challenge. Maybe it's because we want them to do it so badly. I know many parents have come up with ways to sneak the veggies in. Here is a great recipe for Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins from Vancouver-based Registered Dietician and mother, Lindsay Pleskot.…
