Humans are born curious. Our curiosity helps us make sense of the world and encourages us to learn through observation, play, and exploration AKA STEM activities. As we continue to grow, our curiosity and thirst for knowledge contribute to our ability to learn, build foundational skills and cultivate a love of learning that translates into…
I remember going to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival when I was a child. It was an amazing visit to see talented, creative performers and be swept up in the creativity with hands-on crafts. Now, after a two year in-person hiatus, the 45th annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival returns In-person from May 31 – June…
Summer Day Camps and extracurricular activities are great opportunities for your children to take part in something outside of their usual routine. Summer Camps help children to foster an open mind, build new relationships, strengthen interpersonal and work skills outside of their familiar zones, and learn or refine a skill. Whether your child is interested in sports,…
etting a great mark, and forgetting everything you learned after a few days. The status quo is only focusing on getting great marks, but not looking ahead at how to prepare for a changing world. Here are 8 common successful life mistakes.
Conversing with your children can be hard at times. This is especially true for young children who may have only recently learned how to speak in full sentences. Thinking about meaningful questions to ask kids, is important for their development.
We're happy to introduce a talented, local Vancouver mompreneur, Priya Tronsgard. Priya was the director of a licensed childcare facility in her hometown of East Vancouver. She is also the founder of Edify Learning Spaces and a proud parent of 2 neurodivergent children. She is currently working on an audiobook called Reframe: A Guide for Caregivers…
An article from Priya Tronsgard, a proud parent of 2 neurodivergent children, and an author of an upcoming audiobook called Reframe: A Guide for Caregivers and Parents for Neurodivergent Children. From all my experience, I can tell you that parenting children who are autistic is unique, rewarding, and insightful.
We were running errands when one of my teenagers shouted and pointed, “Look! It’s our old preschool!” Soon my other two teens were chiming in, “I loved it there!” and “That was my favorite school. Do you remember when…” And just like that, we were walking down a memory lane of craft projects, field trips,…
This Earth Day, it will be easier than ever to arm the next generation of youth climate activists with facts and give them hope with the new and free online Climate Restoration Course. This course, created by the Foundation for Climate Restoration (F4CR), is specially designed by teachers for students in grades 3-5. Start the…
Financial psychologist Bradley Klontz and his partner Sonya Britt believe the answer to that question is as complicated as we are. They say that the way we respond to money and the world around us is shaped by the generational forces of our family, culture, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Hiking is an opportunity to rebuild your connection with nature and remind you of the importance of maintaining healthy minds and bodies. Here are some ways to enjoy the time outdoors with your child and get a little learning in as well.
Come September, families are expected to send their kids for in-person learning at school. It is an important and welcome step for all. My granddaughter moving to grade two cannot wait to get back to school, especially to play with her classmates! This article provides some tips on preparing your kids for back to school…
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…
Most parents want their children to get outside away from phones, TV, and video games, and gardening is a great way to achieve this goal. However, recent research shows that there are several other reasons to start a garden with kids. The benefits range from making kids smarter to making them healthier. Here are 10…
If you are a new mom or have a new baby, how can you ensure you and your baby are more prepared for time in the water? Karina Renaud has the answer. As the instructor and owner of The Swim for Life program, Karina created an online course to help save lives by teaching young…
The Socratic method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. It is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors' beliefs or to help them further their understanding. Laura Sandefer, co-founder of Acton Academy, has…
A product of being on lockdown 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is the ability to see what's happening within your own family dynamic. Suffice to say, it became quite clear that my husband and I were doing the majority of the chores within our household. Rather than focussing on homeschooling and academics…
We know we all need to stay at home, but with kids hanging around asking for things to do, how do you fill the day? Who would have thought that the idea of activities "At Home" would become such a valuable resource? There are a few organizations that have developed some "At Home" resources. Check…
Once upon a time... If the pen is mightier than the sword, then the classic words beginning most tales are as strong as steel. Tales scare away the monsters under the bed; they teach the difference between right and wrong; they are educators and friends and soothing presences at the end of very long days.…
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…
Most of us underestimate the learning potential of games. Games don’t just promote curiosity and active problem-solving, they encourage deeper learning and high engagement. They create safe places for kids to take risks and learn to manage the emotions that come with failure. Just think, kids, replay games not just for fun, but for the…
There are seemingly endless options for after-school activities that your children can get involved in, from soccer to swimming to piano lessons. But what do your children really get out of these activities? Here are some reasons why your kids should participate in extracurricular activities, beyond the standard ‘it looks good on a resume.’ Extracurricular…
Back to School is just around the corner. It's now time to stop thinking about which Summer Camps to enroll the kids in and consider which activities for them to do after school and on weekends. Will it be the same as last year? Or are you considering something new? Here are some ideas that…
Over the past few years, the concept of physical literacy has grown in popularity around the world. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t feel bad – but before you ask, it’s nothing to do with running and reading books at the same time! According to the International Physical Literacy Association, “Physical literacy is…
