Kindergarten Advice from Parents and Teachers

With the new school year right around the corner, there are many parents getting ready to send their little ones to school for the very first time.

To help make that big step easier, I hit up my social media friends and gathered words of wisdom from the trenches: from educators, parents and educator/parents...including some faces you just may recognize! (Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments section!)

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Michele Harrison (mom and Early Childhood Educator)

"Create an environment at home that is conducive to oral language development. Children benefit from being able to take part in a conversation, ask and answer questions, share personal stories and retell stories."

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Corrie Bell (mom and teacher)

"My biggest thing was realizing that my little one was more ready than I imagined. The amazing Kindergarten teachers "take it away" and really smoothed all my fears. Have faith in your little one, they will (most likely) exceed your expectations and are in good hands!"



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Tracy Moore (mom and host of Cityline)

The fall line of Tracy Moore Designed by Freda's launches on The Shopping Channel on September 10th. Find them on Instagram @tracymoorexfredas!

"We had two different types of kindergarten kids. The eldest walked in shy and reluctant while the little one said, 'Later!' and immediately made 7 friends.

Regardless of the type you have, trust that they are ready to take this step. It's going to be fun, they're going to love it and every transition takes time. The daycare transition was much harder for me and my eldest. He cried so much during drop-offs I got my husband and mom to do it for me. Yes I'm a coward and my heart couldn't take it. But kindergarten was a breeze so just hang on and enjoy the ride!"

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"It's just kindergarten, not university!" If the classroom isn't perfect or the teacher is new, it's OK! #1stworldproblems 

— Lisa @fabfrugalmama (@fabfrugalmama) August 11, 2016

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Natalie (mom, via Twitter)

"Don't take it so seriously. Don't be upset if your kids don't do what they're 'supposed' to do (read, write, etc.). Don't let the teacher or kindergarten stress you or your child out. I have three kids, and now that they're older I wonder why I stressed when I was told they couldn't use scissors properly or took too long putting their shoes on...they have no problem doing it now!"

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Cheryl Hickey (mom and host of ET Canada, also founder of natural, family-safe product company Ours by Cheryl Hickey)

"Well, truth: I am really not looking forward to my daughter starting preschool! So selfish, I know. This means I have to accept she is growing up. That said, this is not about me!
So for her, we will read some books about first days of school to get her excited. I went and got her her first big girl backpack, just like her brother's but in her favourite colour. Then before the school year ended I took her for a play date at the preschool so she will have a good memory of the place on the day. Other than that I will be like every other parent choking back tears...and maybe a G and T that evening!"

Photo credit: @kittyholland

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Michelle Green (mom and teacher)

"1. Encourage your child's independence by letting him carry his own school bag and enter the school/yard/classroom on his own, etc. Make him feel proud to be so big and grown up!

2. Send an extra set of clothes for the classroom if the teachers ask for one, no matter how neat and tidy your child is – and keep another set in his/her backpack if there's room (but make sure he/his teachers know it's there). And be sure to replace items as they get used!

3. Talk with your child about asking for help when he needs it. That's what teachers are for!

4. Don't expect your child to come home and tell you everything about his day, or to be able to answer a big open-ended question like "What did you do today?". Instead work on some specific, easy-to-answer questions to get a discussion going and break his day into smaller chunks, and be sure to model for your child by telling him a little about your own day. 

4. Label everything!!"

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Jessica Holmes (mom, comedian, author and mental health advocate)

"In Kindergarten it's many children's first time fending for themselves, so we focused on assertiveness. We asked our kids to tell us ways they can be kind and helpful to the teacher and to kids who are struggling and what to do if other kids are being mean or bossy - we actually role played bullying them to prepare our kids to react in the situation, even giving them a shove and grabbing things out of their hands. It was hilarious and we all ended up laughing but it did come in handy for them as every class has a few out of control kids. Our teachers described our kids as being very helpful in class, and that was a big source of pride for me." 

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Kristen Steinberg (mom and teacher)

"Independence skills are valuable as they help the child build confidence in their own abilities. Examples: opening lunch food containers and baggies, wrappers etc., putting on footwear and coats, washing hands (using soap and paper towel). Also social knowledge: listening, following directions, using manners, treating others with kindness, sharing, taking turns, etc."


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Monica Lacy (mom and actress)

Monica will next be seen starring as a lead in the upcoming Amazon series "The Kicks", as quirky, idealistic soccer mom Sharon Burke - Watch Episode 1 for free on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Kicks-Season-1/dp/B00Z89OR0W)

"When your little one starts kindergarten, we moms can be overwhelmed with surprising emotions. We're so excited for our child to begin school and all the wonder that it brings, but we're also torn about saying 'goodbye' at the school gates for the very first time.  You're not alone if you feel a mix of thrill, sadness and pride all mixed together.  

1) Remember to project confidence in your child's new teacher and school.  Your child is looking to you for reassurance they are safe and that you are wholeheartedly behind this wonderful place called school.  For nervous kids, you might make a special book or calendar to illustrate how many things are NOT changing, even as one new thing called 'school' is added. The repetition of reading this book together can be very comforting.  For instance, illustrate that you will still be making pancakes in the morning and you'll still be cuddling with their teddy bear, and you will still have bath time and bed time routines every day.  Also illustrate general things that school will entail, like story time and snack time. My son especially needed these reassuring reminders about his day.

2) Expect your kid to come home exhausted for the first few weeks and months.  He/she may even save all their crankiness for you when they get home (mine did!). The many new expectations and challenges take their toll.  Don't schedule any big activities in the first month or so, and give them plenty of time to unwind when they get home each day. It looks easy to us, but being a kindergartner is hard work that challenges them emotionally and physically. Learning to control their bodies, wait turns, and follow directions as well as scholastic pursuits is hard work.

3)  Go easy on yourself too, mom.  There is a reason so many of my friends get puppies when their last child starts kindergarten! We have lots of mothering left in us still, and you are still an indispensable person in your child's life.  Enjoy the journey together."

Photos by Lesley Bryce

While you can find an abundance of school books based on licensed characters (Dora, Franklin and the Berenstain Bears all go to school!), there are many other great books out there to help your child get ready for this transition. Here are some of my personal favourites!

For even more ideas, check out this great article written by a mom and Registered Early Childhood Educator:

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Child Started Full-Day Kindergarten

If there's anything we've missed here that you think could help new kindergarten parents, please leave a comment below!

(P.S. My apologies for the gender imbalance in this post, but no dads replied to me!)

My New Eyebrows: Microblading from Permanent Beauty by Kalyna

Yes, I live a pretty blessed life that I have the time and money to spend on my eyebrows. Let's get over that one and move on.

And to be fair, I am not expecting that my kindergarten students will be paying any attention to the shape, colour or thickness of my brows. Partly because they will be just learning the concepts of shape, colour and thickness. However, my "moonlighting" work puts me on video and in photography quite often, and while I am naturally a very dark brunette, for some reasons my eyebrows seem to disappear on camera. Sure, I could keep filling them in for every special occasion, but when I started to see the great results women were having with the microblading technique, I was intrigued.

Enter Kalyna Cabral, who runs Permanent Beauty by Kalyna in Peterborough. I started checking out her Instagram account, and was super impressed by the before-and-afters I saw, so I took the plunge and made an appointment...which was today!

Since I was slightly nervous about the pain, I took two extra-strength Tylenol before leaving the house (that is NOT a professional recommendation, and please note that you're definitely not supposed to use alcohol or any drugs that are blood thinners before your procedure).

After filling out the standard paperwork (and realizing that I went to high school with the receptionist, and in fact knew her first when we were kids and our brothers played lacrosse together), Kalyna led me into the room where the magic happens. She and I also established that it's a small world (our significant others once worked together, someone she knows is engaged to someone I know) and we got down to business.

Kalyna asked me if I had any pictures or specific requests, and I just told her that I wanted my brows to follow my natural shape, but to be darker and fuller so they would stand out. She took some before photos (they're coming, be patient!), took some measurements, and then pencilled in the outline of the shape that she recommended, which I totally loved. She then cleaned up any hairs that were outside that shape (which you can tell when looking at the photos).

She numbed my skin before beginning, and then started the microblading process, which involves a micro machine, needle and organic pigments. (Random piece of info: I can't donate blood for six months now, because it counts as a tattooing procdure). Kalyna uses a feather stroke technique which really looks like individual brow hairs, and creates a 3D effect (it's not like a flat coloured tattoo on your eyebrow, there's actual texture there).

As far as pain goes, I would describe the sensation like someone scratching at my brows with a toothpick. I could feel something, and I could always tell where she was working, but it never actually hurt (though it did make me sneeze a couple of times, and luckily I was able to warn Kalyna so she wasn't mid-stroke!)

When it comes to colour, I've heard from a couple of people not to be afraid to go dark, and one girl regretted going lighter because the brows do fade over the first few weeks. In fact, Kalyna told me that the colour would lighten by 20%, so I went a bit darker than what I would want for my end results. The whole thing took less than an hour.

And...here are the results! (Photos are from the Permanent Beauty By Kalyna Instagram account - and if you're reading this post so far thinking I'm vain, please take note that I am voluntarily showing photos where I have absolutely no makeup and there are no filters used).

An extra highlight of the process was when we were all finished and Kalyna turned to me and said, "You know who you look like? Prince William's wife!" (My regular readers should already be laughing. My response: "Funny you should say that! Here's a picture...")

When I left, I was provided with a little bag holding the cream I would need to apply (antibiotic ointment for tonight and after care ointment for the next 7 to 10 days) as well as a cute themed cookie. (My girls don't know that I got a cookie, since I wolfed it down as soon as I got in the door, before they even made it up the stairs to check out the transformation. No one needs to tell them.)

I am booked to go back in December for a touch up, when Kalyna can darken or enhance the shape, as I wish.

For prices and more info about microblading and all of Kalyna's services, visit her website. Her Instagram account also has a ton of helpful before and afters to check out as well. While Peterborough might not appear (to the untrained eye) to be the most cutting-edge city, Kalyna is renowned far and wide for her work (and trains others in Canada and the U.S. on these procedures too) and there's a fairly lengthy waiting time so book as soon as you're ready!

In case you're wondering, this procedure wasn't a blog freebie - I'm a satisfied paying customer! However, Permanent Beauty by Kalyna does have a referral program, so if you end up there for an appointment, I'd love if you could put my name on the "Referred by..." line! (It's Kate Winn. You knew that, right?) And of course please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

Kate and the #Replikate Trend: Following the Style of the Duchess of Cambridge

This Mom Loves has moved! 

For updated content (plus all the posts found here) on our fresh new site, visit www.thismomloves.ca

Yes, I have begun to dabble in the world of RepliKaters (as my Instagram followers well know). What? Well, RepliKaters have fun following and copying fashions worn by Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. Sometimes this involves making identical purchases (while the designer items are out of my budget, sometimes Kate shops mainstream too) or trying to find less expensive choices that resemble what Kate wore.

I do love Kate's style, and in fact when I edited my closet this summer I had her in mind. Would Kate wear this? (Though that can get a bit confusing when it seems like I'm talking about myself in the third person.)

Now, I'm not for a moment saying everything in my wardrobe is Duchess-worthy (so please don't point that out when you see me running into the grocery store for milk). I'm sure I kept a lot of workout clothes that are way too casual for that Kate, and since I am not in fact royal (shocker, I know) and don't have the same need to be quite so conservative, I do have some items with lower necklines and higher hemlines. But stylists agree that it's a great idea to have a fashion icon in mind when both shopping and purging clothing to keep yourself consistent and help with decision making.

Now, before we get too far with this, let's preempt the critical viewpoints.

By following the Duchess of Cambridge's fashion, I am not trying to *be* Kate. In fact, there's no reward in the world that would convince me to choose that kind of highly scrutinized life. Nor can I even pretend to know the woman. Even after reading two very thorough biographies, I likely know a tiny fraction about who she really is. Plus, why would I want to be Kate Middleton when I can be Kate Winn?

What I am doing, (and I think I speak for the majority of the other RepliKaters out there) is having fun following the fashion and tracking down the finds (there really is a thrill to the hunt - this could be a bit like Pokemon Go?) Plus, I actually feel I've become part of a community (just as you might if you share the same favourite sports team) as RepliKaters are very kind and supportive on social media as we share the same interest and goal.

There are certainly negative opinions about this out there. One online commenter (not on my site; my readers are much more savvy and understanding) talked about how women who copy Kate's style are "sheep", and others say that obviously these women have nothing better to do. Oh believe me, I have lots to do. But prioritizing some fun downtime always makes my list, so I am refreshed to do everything else. (Plus, treadmill desk = working out + RepliKating at the same time.) When I interviewed celebrity gossip blogger Lainey Lui and asked her how she responds to those who think that it's trivial to follow celebrities, I loved her response:

"It's about balance. We can still do our cerebral reading and our jobs and also make time for entertainment. I think sometimes it's an unfair question because nobody asks a man when he's doing his job and has an important career why he takes time out to watch the football game. I feel like the more that question is asked the more I bump up against it because men don't have to justify why they watch sports, so why should we have to justify why we like knowing about Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie, especially when the conversations about Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie could lead us to a better understanding of ourselves." 

Long story short: no judging us!

Now, for the good stuff! Over a year ago, while perusing the jewelry at Walmart (seriously) I came across this fun replica of Kate's iconic engagement ring (which of course was first worn by Diana, Princess of Wales). In this photo, the top shows the original ring, and the bottom is my single-digit-dollars purchase.

My next RepliKate purchase was just this summer, when I ordered the exact same Breton sweater from Me + Em (definitely in my price range, and on sale too!) that the Duchess has often worn.

Continuing to stay frugal, one day at the mall I spotted coral jeans (again, worn by Kate on several occasions) for $14.99 on the sale rack at Gap. Now that's a deal...and also breaks me out of my neutral colour rut! (Of course I didn't try for an exact copy of the sweatshirt...I have my own alma mater to support!)

Then, there's the navy blazer. Not the Smythe one favoured by Kate, of course, but the H + M version for under $40. I wear blazers to school all the time and needed a navy one for my collection. (No photo yet - I'll add it to my next post...since I'm sure there will be one!)

I could tell that Kate was a good choice as fashion inspiration since when I turned to my closet I already had several items resembling hers, like the blue pants shown below. As for the golf shirt...well, remember you don't have to shop in the women's section! This was 5 bucks at Old Navy...it's an XL Boys' shirt!

Finally, I turned to eBay and bought an affordable replica of the Duchess' L.K. Bennett Lasa poppy dress, which is ready to go for my next TV appearance. (For the most part I've been following her more casual choices, as I have little need for ball gowns and tiaras, but I had to have at least one Kate dress to be an authentic RepliKater!)

You can find an update to this post here, and many more of my Replikates on my Instagram account.

If you're interested in learning more about the style of the Duchess of Cambridge, here are some of my favourite sites for Kate fashion (and make sure you're following me on Instagram for all of my Kate/Kate updates too!):

Kate's Closet
What Kate Wore
Kate Middleton Style
What Would Kate Do?

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If you are a RepliKater or write about the Duchess of Cambridge's fashion, please leave a comment below so others can find you as well!

Kate's Favourite Things - August 2016

I've really appreciated the downtime in the last month, and I hope you enjoy these recos as much as I did!

By the way, if you do appreciate my suggestions - especially books - please consider following me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, as I share reading material as I go...and you won't have to wait for the next month to get the list! Thanks!

BOOKS

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - a fun summer read

Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton - this one was recommended by Melissa Grelo recently, and I really learned a lot about this fascinating actress

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh - amazing suspense novel full of twists and turns. I've spent a lot of time thinking about how it could be made into a movie without giving away the surprises!

The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha - nonfiction by the Canadian author who wrote The Book of Awesome (and other Awesome books)

The Children by Ann Leary - fiction about a now-grown blended family dealing with their issues and secrets

All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker - this is one of the best books I've read in a long time (right up there with I Let You Go, actually). It's pretty dark (dealing with the rape of a teen) with multiple points of view (as told to the narrator psychiatrist) and all sorts of twists.

MOVIES

Ghostbusters - not at all my type of movie, I went strictly for Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig and really enjoyed it...and can't understand why on earth a female reboot was so controversial. (The original cast members make fun cameo appearances, too!)

Eye in the Sky - this was a rental (starring Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman) about a military mission, asking great questions about the value of one life.

Lots more to come next month! Enjoy!

Vancouver Travel Guide and Trip Highlights

We've been east and we've been south, but until now my husband and I had never traveled to western Canada. (Yes, I realize I left out a cardinal direction, but unless I get invited to Santa's actual workshop that one isn't high on my list.)

A few months ago, we decided that to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary (and combine business and pleasure with a travel story), we would cash in our Aeroplan points and head to beautiful British Columbia - more specifically the city of Vancouver.

Today I offer you the highlights of our four day trip, and top suggestions for what to see and what to do in Vancouver.

First off, I love technology. Online check-in and digital boarding pass? Yes, please!

If you fly to Vancouver, consider taking the Canada Line train (leaving every 7 minutes) from the airport to Vancouver City Centre (or whatever stop you might need). It was $9 each to get us downtown, and we ended up just blocks from our hotel. As we trekked the short distance with our wheeled suitcases, my husband turned and joked, "Do you think anyone can tell we're tourists?"

Once you're in Vancouver (click on subtitles to take you to websites):

CENTURY PLAZA HOTEL AND SPA

Out hotel was perfectly located on Burrard Street. We walked almost everywhere, and had shuttle buses right at the door. They were kind enough to accommodate our early check-in, and our room had a great kitchenette with a coffee maker, toaster, microwave, kettle and fridge - which made it easy to have a couple of grocery store meals (there's a fantastic IGA down the street) and one of reheated restaurant leftovers! The on-site spa is another great perk - more on that later! The only thing that could make the hotel even better would be a hot tub along with the pool.


HOP-ON, HOP-OFF FROM WESTCOAST SIGHTSEEING*

This bus tour gives you a wonderful overview of the city highlights, and the guides are very informative (e.g., did you know the Lululemon owner has a 63 million dollar home - the most expensive in Vancouver?) Your pass is good for 24 hours, and really hits all the city highlights: Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Robson Street, Canada Place...the list goes on!


ABSOLUTE SPA

My massage was "absolutely" amazing, with incredible service throughout the spa. The change rooms were beautiful, there was a relaxation area for pre- and post-treatment, and even a mini cafeteria for free snacks after the service. Absolute Spa has several locations throughout the city, and you know, if it's good enough for Emily Blunt (who commented, "Best spa day ever!",) Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Elle MacPherson then I think it's good enough for me.
P.S. While I can't speak for other extended health coverage, my plan covers treatments (e.g., massage from a Registered Massage Therapist) provided in other provinces.


STANLEY PARK HORSE-DRAWN TOURS*

When you take any sort of tour, the guide makes a big difference, and the young man who toured us around Stanley Park was terrific - knowledgeable and funny. Interesting Hollywood North note: the horses for the hit show Once Upon a Time are the Stanley Park horses - and we got a little glimpse of Prince Charming's carriage too. (If you're an entertainment junkie like me and want to try to see a movie or show being shot while you're in the city, check out http://www.whatsfilming.ca/.)

VANCOUVER AQUARIUM*

If you go to Vancouver with kids, or you have a particular interest in aquatic wildlife, you can't miss a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium (located in Stanley Park). I texted the photo below to my girls (who were back in Ontario with their grandparents) and said "We found Nemo!" My eight-year-old was quick to send back a cropped copy of the shot with the caption, "I found Dory!"

I also texted my Pittsburgh-fan brother a photo of the penguins...in the park that's named after Lord Stanley...just like the coveted cup. Deep, I know.

CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE*

With a free shuttle right at our hotel door, how could we miss out on this huge tourist attraction? We were advised to go early or late to avoid crowds, so we were on the bus at the earliest pick-up time of 9 a.m. The morning was actually a bit misty and drizzly, which also helped with the crowds - we didn't have to wait in any lines at all. Not for the faint-of-heights, the park offers breathtaking experiences like the Cliff Walk, and of course the famous Suspension Bridge (both shown below). My husband says this would be one of his biggest highlights of the trip.

Cliff Walk

Suspension Bridge

HISTORICAL CHINATOWN TOURS*

Not a regular tourist's view of Chinatown, Chinatown Girl Judy Lam Maxwell takes visitors behind closed doors, up staircases and into alleys to get an insider's experience of Chinatown. She offers a thorough historical view and tons of informative tidbits plus customized tours. Ours ended with an interesting behind-the-scenes visit to 94-year-old Bill Wong at Modernize Tailors. Don't just wander Chinatown yourself when you can have Judy as your guide.

VANCOUVER HARBOUR CRUISE*

I love getting out on the water, especially for a view of a new city (which may surprise people, since I'm not exactly the most outdoorsy girl). This tour was both fun and educational, and next time I would consider splurging for one of their dining cruises (the Sunset Dinner one looks great), in order to be out on the water longer and enhance the experience even more.

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY*

While I certainly can't pretend to be a big art connoisseur, I may never again get a chance to see so much of Picasso's work all in one place, so we made time for a trip to the Art Gallery. I learned a lot about Picasso and enjoyed a quick walk through the other exhibits as well.

GASTOWN

This is definitely a "hop off the bus and wander" kind of destination. Cobblestone streets, unique shopping (as well as typical souvenir fare) and so many patios that you'll have a hard time deciding where to stop to eat or drink. Why choose one place? Lunch at one, drinks at another, dinner at a third!


ADELE LIVE 2016

Not that this is helpful to future Vancouver visitors, but one of our trip highlights for sure was seeing Adele live in concert. (I got last-minute tickets through StubHub). The woman is entertaining, funny, beautiful and what a voice!

And now, for the food!

THE WINKING JUDGE PUB

Just a block from our hotel, we had super friendly service (I'm happy to be called "hon" by waitstaff), large portions (I saved half my meal for later) plus it's always nice to get a bit of an Irish feel in every city we visit.

CACTUS CLUB CAFE AT COAL HARBOUR

Recommended by more than one of my Facebook followers, this restaurant - located at Canada Place - has incredible views...and even the bathrooms were some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. I recommend Rob's Crispy Chicken Sandwich - it has a nice little kick to it!

JOE'S GRILL (on Denman St., near our hotel) and DEACON'S CORNER (Gastown area) for those who like a delicious, filling, inexpensive diner breakfast.

CARTEMS DONUTERIE

The Triple Chocolate Threat is hands-down the best donut I've ever eaten.

BLUE WATER CAFE

This is where we had the meal of our lives. I had asked Vancouverite  Lainey Lui (who I know from my work with The Social) to recommend a favourite restaurant and this was her suggestion. I let them know it was our 15th anniversary celebration and from the moment we walked in we were treated with care. Price-wise this is definitely a special occasion restaurant (and while I saw some kids there, I wouldn't take my girls until they're older) but wow. Every course (including our after-dinner sorbet shown below) was delicious ("Have I mentioned how amazing this is?" my husband kept asking me) with a great atmosphere and convenient Yaletown location. This is the place for real seafood, though in a "you-can-take-the-girl-out-of-the-country-but..." kind of move, I ordered the beef tenderloin, which was incredible. Dessert? Of course! I indulged in the Warm Dark Chocolate Cake (come on, doesn't just reading the name make your mouth water?) and I was not disappointed.

A final note: as I mentioned earlier, I'm not a huge outdoorswoman, though I enjoyed spending four days of beautiful weather walking all over the city. Keep in mind though that there's so much more to see and do for nature lovers - including well-marked bike paths on city streets and trails. Be sure to visit Tourism Vancouver for a comprehensive guide to everything the city has to offer.

As always, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions (leave a comment, email me or message through social media) and please feel free to leave your own Vancouver recos that we may not have had time for!

Disclosure: I was provided with a media Experience Pass through Tourism Vancouver, and received free admission to several attractions. Opinions are, as always, my own.

A Healthy School Helps Children Succeed: Guest Post from Ophea

Today I'm opening up the blog for a special guest post from Chris Markham, Executive Director and CEO of Ophea.

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Come September, if you walk through the doors of one of Ontario’s certified Healthy Schools, you’ll see student leadership in action—plus some serious fun underway.

Students might be whipping up healthy smoothies, leading heart-rate-raising playground activities, or easing pre-exam anxiety by visiting with a therapy dog.....and they’ll be doing it all in an environment that supports their health and success.

That’s because, through Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification, schools are embracing a holistic approach to health and giving students a leading role in making it happen. In addition to helping kids make healthy choices, Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification teaches important life and leadership skills, and can also result in increased academic success. After all, studies show that healthy students are in a better position to learn.

What is Healthy Schools Certification?

Ophea is a not-for-profit organization that supports the health and learning of children and youth in Ontario. Last year, we launched an initiative called Healthy Schools Certification (funded in part by the Ministry of Education) with the goal of celebrating school communities that plan and taking action to address important health topics.

In the first year of the program, 107 schools were certified—but, most importantly, each school that participated gained invaluable experience and support in creating a healthy environment at their school.

Creating a Healthy School takes teamwork and focus.

When a school signs up, their first step is to put together a team that represents the school community, including administrators, teachers, community partners, parents and students themselves. This ensures the team has the best support and resources to set the school up for success.

Next, they choose a priority health topic such as healthy eating, physical activity or mental health. They then work throughout the year to apply Ophea’s 6-Step Healthy Schools Process, which is in alignment with the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School resource, and implement activities that address their health topic.

Healthy Schools are also a whole lot of fun.

One school that focused on mental health put together a Feel Well Be Well day where student leaders led various activities that modeled stress management. They had a yoga centre, an art wall and even a station where students could make their own “soothing smoothies.”

Another school, that chose to focus on healthy eating, worked with a public health partner to host a NutriThon. Students learned about healthy food choices through physical activities like a relay race to sort images of foods into different nutritional categories.

Other schools planned and took part in bike or walk-to-school weeks, breakfast clubs, lunchtime Zumba, cooking programs, sports nights, mindfulness days, and so much more. One school even brought in a therapy dog called “Yulli” from St. John’s Ambulance. Yulli is in the school three days a week to help students who are struggling with anxiety and depression. During exam time, Yulli is joined by therapy puppies to help further reduce stress levels.

Want to see this change at your school?

Registration for the new school year opens September 6, 2016, and if you’d like to see your child’s school get certified, start by finding out whether your school has already participated. From there, we recommend approaching a teacher or member of the administration to discuss the idea, and then plan to bring it up at the next parent council meeting—you might even discover some exciting possibilities for community partnerships. Does someone on parent council teach yoga? Work as a chef? Does the school already have a partnership with the local public health unit, parks and recreation department or other community partners who could contribute? The opportunities are endless.   

The bragging rights are nice—but the long-term impact is the real prize!

When the school year nears its end, schools submit information about their progress to be considered for certification at the Gold, Silver or Bronze level. And even though we’re happy to report that almost half of last year’s schools received the coveted Gold status, we’re even happier to say that many of them told us they saw a real shift in their school culture—and that’s the real prize.  

After all, when students grow up in a school that supports holistic health, they’re more likely to adopt and maintain healthy habits for life... and when that happens, we all win.

To learn more about Ophea’s Healthy Schools Certification and how your child’s school can get involved, visit www.ophea.net/HSCertification.