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Childreach and Investing In Children are bringing Judy Arnall, Speaker, Trainer and Canadian Bestselling Author to London on Friday, June 3, 2011 During the day, she will present an innovative workshop “Helping Parents Raise the Digital Generation” for professionals who work with families, and on the evening of Thursday, June 2 she will be speaking to parents.
Contact Jane Powers at jpowers@childreach.on.ca for more information.
This IS Literacy is an initiative of the Literacy Implementation Team of the Child and Youth Network. This team’s goals are to improve literacy by 2011 and to be a provincial leader in child, youth and family literacy by 2015.
What are we talking about when we say we want to “make literacy a way of life”? We all may use the word “literacy”, but not have the same understanding of what it means. In terms of the work of London’s Child and Youth Network and this website, literacy is defined as:
- The ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute using printed and written materials and
- The ability to express thoughts, feelings and ideas
- Literacy is a key piece of helping people achieve their goals, develop their knowledge and potential and participate fully in their community.
Why the Focus on Literacy?
The Child and Youth Network identified literacy as one of its top 4 priorities. Literacy is an issue for London’s children, youth and families.
- Over 27% of our children are not ready to learn when they enter Grade 1
- In 19 of 26 London neighbourhoods at least 20% of children are not ready to learn when they enter Grade 1
- At least 1 in 3 children in London ages 8 to 14 is not meeting the literacy and numeracy standards established by the province
- 19% to 23% of youth in London are failing to graduate from high school (within 5 years)
- 1 in 5 adults in London is functioning at the lowest level of literacy, often unable to read basic signs and medicine instructions
The emphasis on literacy needs to start at the beginning of a child’s life. Children who struggle with literacy will become youth and adults who struggle with literacy.
Although London is average in terms of literacy – no better and no worse than other communities – being average comes at a cost. Compared to those with low literacy skills, people with strong, well developed literacy skills are:
- Better able to earn a living and contribute positively to the workforce
- More likely to seek medical help when they need it
- More likely to maintain healthy diets and to be physically active
- Less likely to suffer from diseases such as diabetes and poor cardiovascular health
- Less likely to suffer from work related injuries
- Less likely to be involved in crime
- More likely to advocate for their children
What is Family Literacy?
One of the goals of the Child and Youth Network is to improve family literacy. How is family literacy different from literacy, in general? The term family literacy has 2 components. It refers to literacy activities that take place in the everyday lives of families and it refers to programs that aim to increase the amount and frequency of family literacy in homes and communities. It’s what families do together in their homes and out in their local community or neighbourhood. Family literacy is:
- About the ways families use literature and language in their daily lives
- About how families learn
- About how families use literacy to do everyday tasks
- Some examples of family literacy include:
- Shared reading activities
- Parents/caregivers modeling appropriate language skills, labeling objects and actions and describing what they or their child are doing
This website provides you with lots of ideas on how you can make literacy a part of your everyday life.
Charlotte Diamond will be returning to London to perform concerts for groups of children from child care centres and schools on the morning of April 12 at Forest City Community Church. There are two concerts – one begins at 9:30 am, and the second begins at 11 am. Tickets are $10 each and should be purchased in advance.
Charlotte will also be presenting a workshop for educators on April 11 at Childreach. For more information or tickets, please call Jane at 519-434-3644 x36. Check out Charlotte’s website and sign up for her newsletter.
This is a fundraiser for Childreach programs. Please help us spread the word, by sharing this with your co-workers, friends and family!
Friday, December 31 10-4 p.m.
Ring in the new year twelve hours early at the Children’s Museum! Enjoy lots of festive family fun including live music, cookie decorating, face painting, balloon animals, glitter fireworks, and crafts and activities from around the world! Don’t miss the countdown to the balloon drop at 12 noon!
October is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Ontario. The CAS of London and Middlesex has launched the Purple Ribbon Campaign this month to remind our community of the importance of preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect.
You are encouraged to visit the Purple Ribbon Campaign website www.useyourvoice.ca to learn more about how to recognize the subtle signs of child abuse and neglect, and the importance of reporting suspected incidents to CAS.
The CAS website www.caslondon.on.ca contains a comprehensive information package for both parents and professionals. CAS encourages us to download the information and share it with others.
Show your support for this campaign and help raise awareness of the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect by wearing the purple ribbon. If you would like ribbons for you and your family, friends and neighbours, please contact Andrew Holt at 519-455-9000 ext. 439 or at aholt@caslondon.on.ca .
It is Safe Kids Week – May 31 to June 5!
Head injuries are the leading cause of serious injury and death to kids on wheels. This year’s theme is “Got Wheels? Get a Helmet!” This is an opportunity to bring attention to the importance of wearing a helmet and the prevention of injuries sustained by “kids on wheels” (bicycles, scooters, in-line skates and skateboards). Activities with wheels are fun and a good way to get exercise but it is important to stay safe so that kids can stay active. A helmet could save a child’s life. Be sure they wear a helmet every time they ride. Remember, YOU are your child’s best role model. Everyone should wear a helmet when they ride or skate.
To learn more about helmet safety, visit www.safekidscanada.ca
The beginning of a new year often brings promises of resolutions. We often think of the new year as a new start about things we’d like to change or accomplish. As parents, have you ever thought about encouraging children to set goals for themselves? Children who set realistic goals and meet them can improve their self-esteem while it teaches them to manage their time, make good decisions and build their confidence. Goals can be set any time of the year. Have children pick a date that is meaningful for them, their birthday, valentine’s day etc. Then guide them through these steps:
- Set goals that are specific and realistic, like “I will save my allowance money to buy a new video game.” (Set small goals with small children)
- Have them write it down and post it where it’ll be seen everyday to remind them of what they’re working toward.
- Help them make an ‘action plan’ with a timeline and steps that can be crossed off as the goal is reached to give them a sense of accomplishment. (use a calendar, a running total of money collected and /or a bank account so they can see it growing)
- Help them ‘believe in themselves’ and staying positive about their progress by praising their efforts & recognizing their gains.
- Let them know that setbacks can happen, not to get discouraged, but to try again.
- Tell children you’re there to support them and to ask if they need help.
- Teach children to reward themselves or set a time to celebrate even small achievements together.
Written by: Mary Ann Avey, RECE
As the weather changes, outdoor activities change. The cooler days of fall are ideal for long walks of discovery. Pack a snack of cut fruit, cheese curds, crackers or finger sandwiches and some water to drink. Walking in familiar places makes changes more noticeable.
Watch for:
- Flowers turning brown
- Leaves changing colour and drying
- Birds and animals gathering food
- Pets growing heavier coats
Encourage children to:
- Look, smell, feel and think
- Collect pebbles, twigs, leaves, pine cones, wild flowers
- Hug some trees and decide which is largest, smoothest, friendliest
Use nature collections for crafts and to decorate at home:
- Make a branch mobile with leaves and nuts.
- Dip leaves, feathers, evergreen sprigs, etc. in paint and then press onto paper.
- Adopt an abandoned spider web by sprinkling it gently with talcum powder – lift it by placing a sheet of black construction paper underneath.
- Create a table centrepiece of acorns, pine cones, pebbles in a glass jar, or flowers dried by hanging upside-down.
- Preserve leaves by pressing between wax paper (cereal and cracker boxes have super wax bag liners) or use a placemat-size piece. Place gathered “treasures” on one piece of wax paper. You could shave crayon pieces with a grater, cut out magazine letters to create a name or add magazine pictures for added interest. Place another piece of wax paper on top and iron gently (no steam) to melt together.
- Press leaves between sheets of wax paper placed under a heavy book. Preserve leaves permanently by covering with clear MacTac. Cut around leaves leaving 1/16” MacTac around edges. Hang these in a window to twirl and sparkle in the sunlight.
- Place a leaf or two under paper, rub the top of the paper with a crayon to see the leaves appear magically.
- Create an apple face with miniature marshmallows or raisins.
- Use apple chunks to add to muffins or pancakes. Share a cooking experience!
- Use apple pieces dipped in paint or pudding to make apple prints.
The colder weather of early winter brings out mittens and scarves. The changing textures of clothes and dropping temperatures can be discovered.
- The ground is hard.
- We see our breath.
- We hope for snow.
- Watch the grey sky, and move quickly when outdoors to stay warm. Play FREEZE! – then HOP – FREEZE, JUMP-FREEZE and so on. Let the children take turns calling freeze.
“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
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!
