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!

Childreach and Community Living London are pleased to announce the blending of the Toy Lending Library and the Teach and Play Program at Childreach, 265 Maitland St.

Please join Childreach Board President Matt Brown and Community Living London Board President Ann Hutchison at an Open House on Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. to celebrate this exciting partnership.

Please RSVP to Jane Powers by email or by phone at 519-434-3644 x36.

Mark your calendars!  Friday, November 6, 2009 is Childreach’s 5^th Annual Soup & Chili Luncheon fundraiser for the United Way Campaign.  Last year we had more than twenty of the most delicious soups and chilis from which to taste – all home-cooked by our staff, and we raised over $750!   We guarantee you will not be disappointed.   It’s all-you-can-eat for a minimum donation of $7 to United Way.  Just drop in for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to fill up; although, we recommend coming earlier rather than later as the crockpots empty fast! 

Nadine Reeves, Administrative Assistant

See Last Year’s Event

Stress affects everyone!  Our bodies and minds both respond when we get excited, fearful, challenged or anxious.  Our brain tells our bodies to get ready to deal with these feelings and gets our body ready to “flee from danger” or to stand up and “fight it”.  This helps us deal with things that threaten us.  Special hormones are released in our body that prepares us to be alert and respond with lots of energy.  This is a good thing once in awhile, but not when adults and children are constantly dealing with stress.  These raised levels of hormones can make us feel very tired, create sore muscles and make it hard to fight off illness.  One group of researchers found that parents with more worries also had children who were sick more often.

Some signs of stress in children:

What can we do?

Eat healthy food, get lots of exercise, get enough sleep, learn to reduce or manage stress, spend time with your children, laugh a lot, ask your children if they are worried about anything and really listen to them, minimize competitive activities, provide regular routines, make a stress management list (like deep breathing) and post it where all family members can use it.  

Mary Ann Avey, Parent Educator

“Children are miracles.  Believing that every child is a miracle transforms the way we design for children’s care.  When we invite a miracle into our lives, we prepare ourselves and the environment around us.  We may set out flowers or special offerings.  We may cleanse ourselves, the space, or our thoughts of everything but the love inside us.  We make it our job to create with reverence and gratitude, a space that is worthy of a miracle.  Actions follow thoughts.  We can choose to change.  We can choose to design spaces for miracles, not minimums.”

- Anita Rui Olds, author of Child Care Design Guide

With funding from the City of London, Childreach is pleased to present Parenting Support Circles for parents of children 1-12 years old living in the Kipps Lane neighbourhood.   The next meeting is on Monday, October 26 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Northbrae Hub, 335 Belfield St.

Being a parent is a joyful experience, but it can also be very stressful. Parent Support Circles give mothers and fathers an opportunity to meet other parents and recognize they are not alone.   At Parent Support Circles, parents can invite guest speakers, organize activities for children and parents, talk about the worries (and excitement) of being a parent.

For more information, call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38.

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

Nobody’s Perfect is a free parenting program for parents of children from 0-6 years.  At a Nobody’s Perfect group, you and other parents will talk about  things like:

• why children act the way they do
• how to keep children safe
• what children can do at different ages
• how to keep your children healthy
• how to feel good about yourself and your kids

Free child care for children and snacks are provided.

When: Fridays, November 6 to December 18 (no class November 20)
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Northbrae Public School, 335 Belfield St., London, ON

To register or for more information, call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38.

3-4 sweet apples
½ cup water
½ tsp cinnamon 

Combine in a saucepan and cook on stovetop until mushy.  Cool a little and enjoy!

I’m a Little Apple (to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)

I’m a little apple
Short and round
I make a crunchy
Munchy sound
If you bite into me
You will see
I’m delicious
As can be

Two Green Apples

Way up high
In an apple tree
Two green apples
Smiled at me.

So I shook that tree
As hard as I could
And down fell the apples
Mmm, mmm, good.

Serve with apples.