Preparing for the new “post-pandemic” return will be a challenge for all of us, kids and grownups included. Imagine for a second the additional challenge it poses for a preschool child learning English as a second language or presenting with a speech and language delay. Help preschoolers better understand the new routine, respect the physical distancing measures and, facilitate this transition by adopting key communication strategies:
Category Archives: Families
Lunch Box Tips from an Occupational Therapist
As your child enters school, it is important to consider eating out of a lunch box as part of his/her school readiness skills. Learning to eat from a lunch box requires practice just like any other skill as your child needs to learn what to eat first, how to manage various containers and how to tidy up afterwards.
Social Stories for Going back to Childcare or School
As parents and educators, you might be wondering “How can I support and prepare my child or the children in my program to go back to childcare or school in a COVID-19 climate?”. A social story could be used to teach and familiarize children with new routines and expectations which could reduce anxiety and help keep everyone safe and healthy while at childcare or school. Continue reading
Creating a Calm Down Space at Home
SUMMER CHATTING: This summer, start talking and get children ready to succeed!
By Roxane Bélanger, M.O.A., SLP-C, Reg. CALSPO
Speech Language Pathologist, First Words Preschool Speech and Language Program of Ottawa and Renfrew County
We know this: language is the greatest predictor of a child’s success later at school and in life. Children with strong language skills do better with reading. At First Words, one of our key message for parents and educators this summer is to: “Talk to your child. All day. Every day” in order to help children’s language soar. With little set-up, these language activities can help you grow children’s speech and language skills – and get them ready for daycare, school or any post-pandemic routine!
Heavy Work
Heavy work helps to calm or alert the body by stimulating the proprioceptive system. Implementing Heavy Work can decrease challenging behaviours and help the child take initiative by learning what works well for them. Heavy Work is any activity that pushes and pulls the body and places pressure on joints and muscles giving the child input and awareness of where their body begins and ends.
Ways to Respond When Your Child Says: “I’m Bored!”
As we all walk (or sit) through the fight against COVID-19 we are hearing our children say, “I’m bored” more than ever. While the online world offers a myriad of options and parents have never-ending to-do lists, keeping our children involved and engaged is a priority as we adapt to this new normal. To help you through this, we have compiled 7 ways to respond when your child says, “I’m bored!”
View our Response Chart and Fridge Sheet
Short Webinars for Parents
Based on the questions the CISS team has received from families, our behaviour team has answered some of these in these short webinars.
Bored Children
Children Testing Limits
Anxiety in 3 year olds
Anxiety in 6 year olds
Anxiety in 10 year olds
Family Wellness Tool Box
Coping with Covid-19 Pandemic
We are collected links and resources on the following topics:
- Counselling Resources
- Self-Care – Tips for Coping
- Talking to Your Children
- Working at Home with Children
- Social Stories and Visual Schedule Ideas to Support Children
- Mindfulness Activities
Rainbows of Hope!
As the CISS team works from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, we wish to share our rainbows of hope to show that we will get through this together.
We invite you to share your rainbow at CISS-SIJE@afchildrensservices.ca
(by submitting your photo, you consent to us posting it on our website) Continue reading
