First published in the Etobicoke-Lakeshore Magazine, November Edition The Pandemic has taught us to value many local resources we may previously have taken for granted. We have been forced to shop local, eat local and enjoy the hidden gems in our community. These...
“I Spy” aims to help children improve language development, stimulate their minds and get familiar with their surroundings. It is also a great opportunity to work on their social skills when they play alongside other students in the classroom. They learn to take turns and practice amongst one another.
As we all know, adjusting to life in a pandemic can be difficult. For teenagers, this can be especially difficult as summer events were cancelled and many students missed out on exciting milestones. These days, excitement and fun is hard to come by and social...
It is clear that routine and a consistent schedule is helpful and healthy for kids. However as parents and educators can tell you, we can’t always stick to the same pace or keep our usual routines. As we have seen during the pandemic, life can certainly throw its...
The science resources below all feature exciting ways for students to explore science topics within the curriculum and beyond. Learning about interesting topics in science is also a great way to encourage students to practice reading and writing at the same time.
As students start heading back to school, whether in person or virtual, you may be looking for some fun ways to encourage math practice! The resources below all have fun and free options for students of all ages to learn and practice their math skills.
Your child can use these reading and writing resources to prepare for the start of the school year, or to support their learning once September rolls around! They are super interactive and will be sure to keep your child engaged when it comes to reading and writing!
It’s clear that 2020 has been a monumental year of unprecedented change and unfathomable shifts in the shapes of our expectations of daily life. For many of us, dealing with the events and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly intense, overwhelming, and...
Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunny weather while we can! Children are constantly learning and there are many outdoor activities that allow them to have fun while engaging with the world around them. Although kids are naturally curious and can direct their own learning by exploring the outdoors and asking questions, there are many activities that family members can introduce and facilitate to encourage students to think outside the box. One way to do this is with a sound walk!
Summer is in full swing, and for many families, it means that more time is spent travelling in the car. Some may be driving to family cottages, while others might be going on camping trips. No matter where you are driving, you will likely hear the phrase "Are we there...
Many children are drawn to dance. Whether they take part in lessons, compete on stage or just dance to music in their bedroom, they love moving and expressing their emotions to music. One of the best ways to encourage literacy learning is to find books that relate to...
Making music at home can be lots of fun, and many students may be interested in learning more about different instruments we can use to make music, how to read sheet music of their favourite songs, or even how to write their own songs. Chrome Music Lab is an excellent, free program that can be tailored to elementary students of all ages, and can also be lots of fun for older students and adults as well.
Whether your child already loves art or you are trying to encourage their budding creativity, there are many books out there that help to educate and inspire. We have compiled a list of 6 incredible children’s books to read with your little ones. Some are about...
As the school year comes to a close, many parents are looking for resources to continue their child's French curriculum. Parents who do not speak the language want to provide their children with exposure to it, especially if their kids are in French immersion or...
Firstly, I want to COMMEND all parents and guardians for being amazing and stepping into this new digital world of emergency distance learning. This has not been an easy process, and I want to begin by saying a sincerest THANK YOU for all that you are doing for your...
Willow OT recaps the Childhood Anxiety: 5 Key Strategies to help children and teens cope – a webinar offered by the
Institute of Child Psychology.
At-home learning can be a huge change from the daily grind of regular school but it's not impossible to adjust and make the most of the experience. With the global pandemic of COVID-19 shutting down schools, support systems and businesses around the world, many...
Special days of recognition are celebrated in our communities throughout the year and these present unique opportunities to have profound and enlightening conversations with the young people in our lives. Some of these days could include International Women's Day (Mar...