Hyde Park Santa Parade

As a member of the Hyde Park Lions Club, our Board President Matt Brown is helping organize their first ever Santa Claus Parade along Gainsborough Road on Saturday, November 28 from 11 a.m.  

The parade with begin at Sherwood Forest Mall and travel west on Gainsborough Road.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be available along Gainsborough Road,  so bring a lawn chair, pick out a good location, and enjoy the parade! 

The parade is operated by the Hyde Park Lions Club as a service to the Community.  Any profits will be used for Lions programs and community betterment. 

Plans are underway to have many community groups take part with parade participants collecting non-perishable foods to support the local food banks and the Salvation Army.  Canada Post staff will be collecting those important “Letters to Santa” and much more.  

Here’s the facebook event page .

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Matt. 

Thanks & Giving

While family and friends are gathering for Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate and share all that they are thankful for, Childreach invites you to join a new tradition of giving back, called Thanks & Giving.  Make your Thanks & Giving contribution to Childreach here or to another charity of your choice through www.canadahelps.org. 

Childreach knows that parenting is learned, not inherited, and recognizes that it is the most important job you will ever do!  Everyone needs help at some time, and our special parenting groups and one-on-one supports are provided to the London community free of charge.   These programs are dependent on grants, donations and the proceeds of special events held throughout the year.   In 2009/2010 Childreach must raise $50,000.  Please give as generously as you are able. 

Thanks & Giving is an initiative of Imagine Canada to encourage philanthropic giving in Canada.   Imagine Canada is a national charity that looks into and out for Canada’s charities and nonprofits.

For more information, please contact:

Jane Powers
Community Relations & Development
519-434-3644 x36

Family Day – February 16

What do you plan on doing this Monday to celebrate Family Day?   If you need any ideas for activities, we have a few for you here and here.  Enjoy spending the time with your family!

For more information about Family Day, click here.

Make a Time Capsule

 

What you need: a tin or metal box with a lid that seals; paper; pens; materials you collect (see below for ideas).

 

 

1.      Decide when you will open your time capsule—in 1 year? in 10 years? In 20 years?

2.      Gather Materials that will be interesting in the future.

3.      Put everything in the capsule, seal it, and label it with the words “Do not open until (date you have chosen).”

4.      Here are ideas for things to place inside your time capsule:

·        Photographs

·        Newspaper clippings

·        Menus from your favorite restaurants

·        A list of today’s prices for things such as gas, milk, and a movie

·        The names of top film stars and actors

·        The name of the Prime Minister

·        Hit songs and popular bands

·        Pages from a current fashion magazine

·        The names of the teams that won popular sports events such as the Super Bowl or the World Series

·        Predictions for the future

·        Secret notes to other members of the family, not to be read until the capsule is opened

Happy Holidays

Warm wishes for all the magic and delight the season brings!

From all of us to you!

Taking Time to Celebrate

 

Creating celebrations together will fill your children’s lives with memories, magic, and traditions – the best and only legacy you can give.

 

But why are traditions important?  There is a reassurance in knowing that some things never change and satisfaction in observing these family ‘rituals’.  Working together, children, parents, and extended families gain a sense of belonging while strengthening their ‘roots’.  What better gift to give a child than happy memories?

 

Often, however, the best laid plans turn into stressful, exhausting obligations.  Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate your family’s celebrations and make some changes.  Deliberately create your own traditions which will increase the anticipation of a special family activity.  Here are some tips for success:

 

·           Traditions need not be elaborate, costly celebrations requiring much time and effort.  Remember, even the simplest traditions take on meaning when they’re associated with feelings of joy.

·           Allow all members of your family to participate from the youngest on up.  Keep in mind ages and stages.  In most cases, little ones can work with help, middle children can participate with little assistance, and older children can do it themselves.

·           When working with your children, treat them as if they were somebody else’s and lower your expectations.  Encourage everyone with constant praise.

·           Save time by having things well organized in advance.

·           Work in stages, allowing for breaks when necessary.  Choose a time when no one is tired or hungry.

·           If projects are messy, work in old clothes and make clean-up part of the fun, e.g. try “Beat the Clock” using a kitchen timer.

·           Relax and enjoy yourself.

Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

 

 

Believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner!  Here are some ideas for your preschooler to make their own wrapping paper for future gift giving.  Use non-toxic tempera paints.  Suggested papers include large sheets of flip-chart paper, computer paper, rolls of plain brown or white paper.

 

Vegetable Prints

Cut some fruit and vegetables in half (potatoes, green peppers, apples, carrots) and have your child dip them into paint.  Press the fruit/vegetable on a piece of paper to make designs.

 

Marble Painting

Put a marble into a yogurt container filled with some paint.  Cut a piece of paper to fit the bottom of a shoe box.  Place the marble into the shoe box and move it all around to make designs.  This is a good activity for children who don’t like to get their hands dirty.

 

Hand Prints

Paint your child’s hands, and they can press them onto a sheet of paper.  Have all family members do hand prints and compare sizes!  Great idea for grandparents’ gifts – if you want to get really creative, add your foot prints too!  (Keep a towel and a pail of water handy.)

 

Coloured Tissue Paper

Place two sheets of white tissue paper together.  Fold many times until it is about 2” x 4”.  Dip corners into dishes of water that has been coloured with food colouring.  Carefully open, and allow the paper to dry on newspaper.

 

Sponge Painting

Cut an old sponge, and attach a spring clothespin.  Dip sponge into paint and dab onto paper.

Stretching Your Toy Budget

 

 

Here are some ideas to help you be frugal.

 

·           Join a toy library!  Our toy library membership costs only $25 which you are able to renew each year after for free.  When you no longer need our services, you are entitled to a $15 refund if your account is in good standing.

·           Exchange toys with friends – create your own mini-toy library.

·           Take advantage of yard sale and consignment stores.

·           Avoid one-day wonders.

·           Buy quality toys.  Consider how long they will last, play value, and possible resale value.

·           Make up a wish list of toys that you would like to purchase.

·           Consult the toy report.  It will give you information on play value, price, and any safety concerns.

·           Expensive toys should be considered carefully.  Borrow the toy to make sure it appeals to your child.  If you are purchasing a set like the Brio train, start small and gradually build on it.

·           Consider storage space and floor space.

·           Avoid toys that are heavily advertised.  Beware of the education dig – “Buy this education al toy, do not let your child fall behind.”  Evaluate these toys carefully.

·           Make your own games and toys.

·           Plan to rotate toys.  Toys that have been put away for a week or month appear “new” again.

 

Looking for Educational Toys?  Shop local!

• Louise Kool & Galt
• Scholar’s Choice
• The Toy Shoppe of London

Halloween Safety

COSTUME TIPS

·            Choose bright fabrics and decorate costumes with reflective tape.

·            Purchase fabrics that are “fire resistant” when making costumes.

·            Search for “flame resistant” labels on purchased costumes.

·            Keep pants and skirts at ankle length to prevent falls.

·            Use face paint and makeup instead of masks to improve a child’s ability to see.

·            Give your child a flashlight.

TRICK OR TREATING SAFELY

·            Children under nine years of age should be supervised by an adult.

·            Children over nine years old should trick or treat with an adult or in a group.

·            Review traffic safety rules.

·            Remind children not go inside homes.

·            Have your children bring their treats home before they eat them.

·            Have an adult inspect their candy.

·            Throw out any treats that are not wrapped, those in torn or open packages, or any that have small holes in the wrappers.

Adapted from Safe Kids Canada

 

For more information check out the Safe Kids Canada website .

Reviewed in August 2008 by the Middlesex London Health Unit .