When my kids are out running around in the summer I always insist that they drink lots of water. They always have a sippy cup or bottle of water with them and I refill these constantly. I’m worried about them getting dehydrated, but is it possible for them to drink too much water? It is [...]
My son’s daycare supervisor often takes away outside time as a disciplinary measure, a punishment that I think is counterproductive. Sometimes kids are just restless and need to “shake out their sillies.” Keeping them in only makes things worse. What is your opinion? Outside play is an important and necessary part of a child’s [...]
I will be taking my children out of school for two weeks while we go on vacation. What can I expect from the classroom teacher in terms of keeping up with homework? Although parents have the right to remove their children from school during the school year, the Ministry of Education does not encourage the [...]
I will be registering my son for kindergarten for next year. I want to ensure that he is successful in school. What should I do to get him ready? Starting kindergarten is a milestone for children and parents. Children who have some school-readiness skills adapt more easily to their new environment. These skills include being [...]
My daughter’s school offers swimming lessons beginning in Grade 1. I just found out that the teachers do not supervise the children in the change rooms before or after class. What about the safety of our children? I think 6-year olds are too young to be unsupervised while they change. I understand the reluctance of [...]
What’s the right age for a child’s first sleepover? . . “It’s a matter of knowing your child and what they’re comfortable with,” says Dr. Nina Howe, a mother of two and a professor of early childhood and elementary education at Concordia University in Montreal. Kids as young as two might consider staying at grandma’s [...]
What are the pros and cons of soother and thumb sucking? I have friends that swear by (and against) both! Not sure what’s best for my baby. “You can take away a soother … but you can’t take away a thumb!” How often have we heard that? How many of us have chosen soothers as [...]
My four-year-old won’t eat veggies except a few baby carrots each day. Does she need a supplement? There are many reasons why children refuse food, says Phyllis Reid-Jarvis, a registered dietitian in Winnipeg. “The one that really jumps to mind is that children try and exhibit their independence. One way is through what they [...]
My four-year-old son has been in daycare for one year and he’ll start JK in September. What can I do over the summer to prepare him? To ease the transition, help your child become familiar with the school, says Gail Szautner, board chairperson for the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association and executive director of Children’s Choice [...]
