Cold-Weather Cabin Fever Fun

Is the cold weather giving you cabin fever? I was surfing around looking for some good articles and came up with this one written by Nava Atlas. I found it at http://www.pedsforparents.com/articles/3036.shtml  The website is the online version of the magazine/journal "Pediatrics for Parents". You'll find tons of helpful articles on their subject index page  http://www.pedsforparents.com/articlesindex/subjectindex.shtml

The article starts out:

"Instead of feeling frustrated by the cold, dark days of winter, try to savor a slower pace, and incorporate simple pleasures into your days. Teach your children to do the same. It can be a delightful time to retreat to the shelter of home and hearth and get things done without the distractions afforded by the other seasons. Create special "cabin fever" rituals that will help you actually look forward to, rather than dread, those long cold days at home. This is especially helpful if you have preschoolers or young school-aged children home on snow days and sick days..."

It goes on to give you some good suggestions that may help eliminate the winter blues for your kids.
Happy kids = Happy mom

5th Annual Family Fun Festival

Consider bringing your family to the 5th Annual Family Fun Festival on Sunday, February 27, 2011 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Hellenic Community Centre.

It's a fundraiser for Childreach, tickets are $10 for children 2 to 12 and $40 for adults, and it's fabulous value and fun for all ages. This year's event is shaping up to be the best year yet with Storybook Garden's Imagination Playground, crafts from the Children's Museum, karaoke, cupcake decorating, crafts with the Waldorf School, face-painting, clowns, and visits from Princesses Belle & Aurora and Spiderman! There's a child-friendly brunch buffet, a sundae bar, a family-focused silent auction, a big loot bag for each child, and so much more!

For more information or to buy tickets, call Jane Powers at 519-434-3644 x36 and check out the website at
http://www.familyfunfestival.ca/

New Additions to the Resource Centre

There are always new items available in the Resource Centre for you to borrow. Follow this link to our list of new purchases http://www.tvcc.on.ca/new-and-hot-2.htm

Special Needs Recreation Directory

The Child & Youth Network's publication "Recreation and Healthy Living Resources" is a great list of contacts for:

1. financial assistance
2. specific disability groups
3. specialized sport and leisure opportunities
4. other healthy living resources & programs
5. respite & inclusion supports

Looking for toys for Christmas?

Learn about toys for children with special needs at AblePlay This site has a lot of information to help you make the best choices. The toys are categorized according to disability and age group.

Born Learning

Born Learning helps parents create high-quality early learning opportunities using everyday events for young children. The web site provides comprehensive developmental information on children from birth to 5 years of age.

The Spina Bifida Association of America has a fantastic website

go to  http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/


The "SB University" section has health related seminar videos for you to watch.

The "SB Preparations" section was created for parents and clinicians but it also has information for young adults seeking ways to become more independent and lead a fuller, richer life.

Signing up for these sections is easy and free.
 
It is jam packed with reliable information on spina bifida.