Childreach is thrilled to show off the new mural painting in our centre lobby!  Veronica Diago, a local artist, donated her time and skills to paint a brilliant futuristic playground wonderland.   Thank you, Veronica! 

If you’re interested in Veronica’s work, you can find her on Etsy and Flickr.  She also has a blog!

Calling all ECE professionals, students and mentors to join their community colleagues in celebrating Quality and Mentorship.  You are invited to an Open House on Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the ECE demonstration classroom at Fanshawe College, and Raising the Bar participants for 2008-2009 will be recognized.  This is a fantastic networking opportunity to learn more about the Mentor Pairs for Child Care Project and the Quality Child Care Project.  Please ensure you RSVP to Sheryl Ragobar at sragobar@fanshawec.ca by October 19.

 . . . to all of the mothers in the world every day.

I stumbled upon a blog recently that has inspired me to create a little writing nook for my daughter.    Jennifer Hallissy of The Write Start posts ideas about the “hows” and “whys” of getting young children ready to write. She firmly believes that each scribble and mark your child makes is a page in their own life story, and home is where that story begins.

I want to make feathery pencils, name slates, an alphabet clothesline, and a sandbox for finger-writing just to name a few.   What do you do to jumpstart your children’s love of writing and reading?

Nadine Reeves, Administrative Assistant

Why do parents yell?  Sometimes they’re tired, or kids don’t listen and yelling seems to work.  Often parents don’t know what else to do.  Yelling disrupts a positive, loving relationship; it leaves children and parents feeling unhappy.

It’s important to build a positive parent-child relationship.  Start by spending most of your time together having positive interactions.  Set a goal to cut down on negative interactions, which include nagging, blaming and criticizing.  Keep track of how often you are negative by using a piece of paper and place an X for each negative interaction or comment you make.  This may help you be aware of how often it happens.  Try to have 8 out of 10 interactions with your child be positive.

When your child does something you like, mention it.  For example: “You put all the toys away.  Thanks.” or “That was great listening today in the grocery store.” or “You were very helpful with the baby.”  Be specific about what you are praising.  Positive attention also includes hugs, kisses, high fives, pats on the back and saying “I love you.” 

Lastly, special time together is important.  It builds a warm relationship.  Try: reading, playing, colouring or cooking together.  Go on outings planned by your child.  Listen attentively when your child talks to you.

Yelling is a hard habit to quit, but positive time together can make it easier.

Lisa McIntosh, Parent Educator

Welcome to our blog!  This space is more personal and less formal than our website.   We’d like to use this space to tell you about what’s happening at the centre and out in the community, to speak up about current issues that impact families and children, to share our best tips and ideas, and to just have some fun.  We invite you to speak up by posting comments or writing to us directly at info@childreach.on.ca .  Suggestions for post topics are always welcome!  Ready or not, here we go!