The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in southeast Calgary is a large wildlife reserve with numerous nature trails where over 270 species of birds have been observed. Visit the onsite Nature Centre for exhibits and information on the sanctuary and nature and school programs offered.

2425 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary

Vancouver

The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is situated on Westham Island, just west of the community of Ladner in the Municipality of Delta, British Columbia, Canada.  It consists of nearly 300 hectares (850 acres) of managed wetlands, natural marshes and low dykes in the heart of the Fraser River Estuary.

5191 Robertson Road, Delta

Photo Credit: Kelly Jean Marion

Learning objective:  This activity enhances your child’s fine motor skills by stacking and creating with ice cubes. It will also enhance their math and visual perception skills by distinguishing colours. It can also be considered a great science activity. The children will learn about the properties of water and ice.

Implementation:

1. Hypothesize with the children what they think will happen when we freeze water and add food colouring.
2. Let the children fill up the ice cube trays and add the food colouring?
3. Let it freeze overnight.
4. Discover what happened to the water together with the children. Remind them of what their hypothesis was.
5. Then the children can build and create structures with the ice.
6. Variation: Try using different sized containers to make the ice to create different structures.

The Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area (ASCCA) consists of 4,800 acres of rolling foothills land. It was donated by Ann and Sandy Cross for the protection of wildlife habitat and conservation education. Located just southwest of the City of Calgary off Highway 22X, the ASCCA is open to hikers by registration only.

Photo Source: ASCC Site

Vancouver

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) consists of 5,668-hectares. The LSCR contains spectacular and diverse landscapes. Its alpine meadows, forested slopes and river flood plains are within minutes of downtown Vancouver and are easily accessible for hiking from many areas in the Lower Mainland.

Photo Source: Metro Vancouver LSCR Site

The kids will work together with their teachers to clear out the 4 x 4 plots, preparing each plot for a different purpose.  One plot will be prepared for harvesting, and be planted with various plants that the kids will tend to during the month. The second un-weeded plot will be planted, but will be littered with “pollution”, or classroom garbage; this plot will neither be watered nor tended to at all.  The third plot will be “planted” with the students ideas about how to help care for earth. Children will draw their ideas and pictures on laminated cards and attach them to popsicle sticks to be stuck in the dirt.

Last week all of the children at CEFA Kingsway participated in the project: the CEFA babies helped dig the plot, the JK1’s dug and tilled, the JK2’s planted flowers in the early stages of growth, and the JK3’s planted seeds. They will continue to hold responsibility for the garden by alternating days in which they are on “watering duty”. With the plots conveniently located by the children’s play space, they will be able to see their garden flourish and the plants grow as they tend to them.

By mid-April there should be thriving plants in one plot and little to no growth in the junky plot. After witnessing the differences, the children will collectively start the cleaning process of the garbage-filled plot by replacing the litter with plants, striving towards two bountiful gardens at the end of May.

“Through this project we hope to show the children what caring for the environment entails. By holding them accountable for their actions, they will see what happens when they respect and nurture it, and what happens when they litter it with garbage. We want to ingrain environmentally friendly actions in to their daily behavior at an young age.”

-  Selina Prevost

Principal, CEFA Kingsway 

This garden project may just be the beginning of a slew of projects for the children at CEFA Kingsway. With the notion that parks are like expansive gardens, the school may even organize a park cleanup nearby.

Want to learn more about CEFA’s “I Contribute to the World” program? Click here. 

Materials needed:

• 1 clear jar per child
• Funnel (2-3 per group)
• Water in a pourable container
• Vegetable oil
• Eye droppers and container with food colouring
• Alka Seltzer

Have the ingredients ready. Split your group depending on how many teachers you have. Each child gets a water bottle.

• Fill the bottle ¾ way with vegetable oil and the rest with water.
• Add drops of food colouring.
• Break alka seltzer into four pieces
• Add one piece at a time in to the concoction.
• Wait until the first piece stops bubbling, then add the next, until all four pieces are dissolved.

Description of How to Introduce the Activity:

Show the children the oil and ask them if they know how to make lava lamps. Ask them what they think will happen if you add oil to the bottle. Record quotes, then try. Ask the children if they know what will happen if they add water. Record quotes, then try. Record reactions. Ask the children what they think will happen if they add food colouring. Record quotes, then try. Record reactions. Then give each child a piece of alka seltzer. Record reactions.

Activity Extension/Variations:

Make a big bottle to keep on your science table.

Here are a few of our favourites:

British Columbia

Vancouver International Children’s Festival

May 27-June 2

It’s back – and it’s become even more hip with a recent move to Granville Island. The festival focuses on kid-favourite performers like Bobs and Lolo, as well as the theatrical production of “Baobab.”

Photo Source: Vancouver International Children’s Festival

The show ticket also provides access to all activities and workshops, including a Magical Mystery Maze, Twist and Toddle dance party, magic tricks, making music with found objects, African dance, shadow puppetry and more.

Tickets $5 to $25, activity site pass $8.

Cartwright St., Vancouver. 604-708-5655

Alberta

Zoofest!

August 3

Discovery Wildlife Park, with all its resident bears, tigers, jaguars, wolves and an alligator, invites you to monkey around. The park promotes education about animals, and you’ll find a star-studded cast – many of its animals were featured in movies like Air Buddies and Dr. Dolittle 2. Fans of Diego the Animal Rescuer will love that the park’s mandate is all about rescuing orphaned wildlife and providing them with a safe new home.

Photo Source: Discovery Wildlife Park

They’ve also got free face painting, minigolf, clowns and a bouncy castle. Hot dogs, ice cream and cotton candy are offered as toonie deals.

Adults $16; kids 13 to 17 years $14; three to 12 years $10; up to two years $1; special events included.

Innisfail. 403-227-3211

Get more information at discoverywildlifepark.com

Have some annual festivals that you think are exceptional? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Kayben’s Sunshine Adventure Park is 12+ acres of nature and farm for your kids to discover, learn and have fun in. Here at Kayben we are committed to sharing the natural world with you and educating the next generation about our earth & eating and buying local products.

Take Highway 2 or 2A, south of Calgary towards Okotoks & High River. Continue on Highway 2 for 3 Km past the Okotoks overpass. Turn right onto 306 Ave. Go west on 306 Ave. for ½ km. Turn left onto 32 St. East. Go 2 km south on 32 St. E. Sales Centre is on the left (east) side of the road.

Photo Source: Kayben Sunshine Adventure Park

Vancouver

At Krause Berry Farms, kids love the large picket fenced “Future Farmers at Play” playground. Have your cameras at the ready to catch those beautiful smiles on your children playing on the tractor and in the berry basket! And don’t forget to try one of their tasty pies!

Take Highway 1 east towards Langley. Take exit 66 for 232 Street N toward Fort Langley. Merge onto 232 St/BC-10 E. Turn right onto 72 Ave. Turn right, address is 6179 248th St.

Photo Source: Krause Berry Farms

We know there are so many other farms and parks to go to in Alberta and BC. Have any favorites? Leave us a comment and we’ll add it! 

Share your potty training tips, tricks and advice for the chance to win great prizes, including a year’s supply of Pampers!

Visit www.todaysparent.com/easyups for more info.

This year, an average of 445 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each week. Many of these women will be faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to turn their child’s world upside down.

I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer, but I have coached several mothers and families through the process. I have, however, had to have difficult conversations with my sons when going for two operations, in addition to preparing everyone for the varied outcomes, whether good or bad. As a teacher, researcher, early development expert, parenting coach and, of course, as a mother, I humbly offer you these words of advice:

To Tell or Not to Tell

This is a very personal and circumstantial decision. One of the major factors is age. I recommend telling your child only if he or she is older than two or three. Although it may seem young still, by then a child can already sense a difference in the household and is at threat of internalizing the problem. Children learn to trust you and it’s important for you to be honest with them. Breaking the news will also help the child prepare for the physical changes that may occur and give them time to process the situation.

When Not to Tell

If a child is too young to comprehend what cancer is and how it might affect their mother, the conversation is better reserved for when they’re a bit older. If your child is older, but you truly feel that they can’t emotionally handle the news, I recommend seeing a therapist, but still facing the situation. Likewise, if you’re having a hard time processing the news yourself, it’s not a good time to have a conversation with your child. Wait until you feel stronger, or consult a therapist yourself first. It is very important that you do not alarm your child.

When To Tell

Never tell until your doctor has confirmed your fears, and you have concrete, tangible information to share with your children. Depending on the family dynamics, it can be a good idea to gather everyone together to break the news. It’s important to choose a weekend or another time of leisure so everyone has time to process the information and answer questions as they arise. Pick a time when you’re feeling particularly strong, not emotional. As a mother, they will look to you for support, even during this time.

What to Expect Once You’ve Told

Your child will have a lot of questions and it’s important that you answer them all; if you don’t know the answer you can research together. You may also be surprised to find that many of these questions will pertain to them: “Who will take care of me if something happens to you?” Some questions may seem selfish and hurtful, but they are very important to your child, and they too need an answer.

Your child may feel angry with you but you must not take it personally. Understand these are normal feelings, even when they hurt. Have faith that these feelings will pass in due time.

More than ever your child will need reassurance that they are loved. Do things as a family as much as possible, but expect that your child may withdraw from you. That’s okay, it’s just a way for them to protect themselves. Respect their needs.

How Can I Make it Better?

Your attitude will have a huge impact on your child. Try not to show them your fears, but reassure them that things will get better. If you feel pain, it’s okay to share that with your children, and allow them to help by bringing you medicine, or a pillow and blanket so you can have a nap, for example. Likewise, when you are ready to go to the hospital, let them help as much as possible by picking a nightgown for you to wear during your stay, or drawing a picture to decorate your room. Your partner or a family member can help your children buy a new book for you to bring, or something you will really love. It is really important for your children to take a proactive role during this time, and to help in your recovery. It will be just as beneficial for them as it is for you.

Not Forgetting Yourself

As difficult and unfair as it might seem, you need to take some time for yourself when you feel you need it. Do something you love and do the things that make you happy; you will be better prepared to spend quality time with your children if you take care of your needs and wants. Not only will this help your children, it will tremendously aid in your recovery.

[ Source: The Huffington Post Canada ]

Her brother, Santi, is three years younger than her, and her sister, Rosa, is eleven years younger than her. All three siblings are very close and live in the Lower Mainland.

THEN:

NOW: