EarlyON Muskoka December 2021 Newsletter

WELCOME

The Perspective from Here

Well, the holiday season is upon us and where do you find yourself? Are you caught up in the holiday shopping of Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Or are you looking at a simpler way to celebrate and avoid the holiday stress?

A few months into the pandemic I began to realize how caught up I was in the busyness of life, even though I was a big proponent of the work-life balance. I hadn't realized how much life was consuming me rather than me consuming life! I said to myself - and others - that after this period of isolation I was not going to get back on that hamster wheel; that I was going to take time for daily walks, time for me and, quite honestly, just be more present in each moment.

And here I am today - my calendar is starting to fill up and I am thinking of the gift-giving, hostess giving, baking, and all that needs to be done. Fortunately, I have caught myself before I fall too far down the rabbit hole! Time to take a breath and a walk!

I am blessed in so many ways, and I do not mean materially, but in the basic needs of life - a roof over my head and food on the table. So, goodbye hamster wheel! There will be fewer gifts this year and more presence in my conversations with family. There will be many family walks and beautiful memories made in the appreciation we have of just being together.

I hope that you are able to gather with some of your family this holiday season and enjoy your time with each other.

Wishing you peace and health.

That's the perspective from here.

Stay well,

Pam Rennie, BA, BEd, RECE

7 Positive Parenting Tips for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us which can bring both joyful and challenging times for families. Here are some helpful tips to help manage the chaos of the holidays.

Have a pre-event discussion
Have a code word or safe place
Consider your child's temperament
Have age-appropriate expectations
Encourage gratitude, but don't force it
Don't force a child to show affection to a family member
Don't rush!

Read more about each tip here

EarlyON Registration

Although our programs remain free, registration is now required to ensure everyone’s safety. Please visit our website to complete the one time Participation form. You will then receive a family code to use for all future registrations for our programs.

UPCOMING IN-PERSON PROGRAMS

Families must register for each of these programs.

Playful Park Discovery – Let’s gather for storytelling, exploration, and fun! For all ages.

Baby Trails – Baby Trails is a chance for parents and their children up to 18 months to walk and connect outdoors with other families and EarlyON educators

NEW DECEMBER SCHEDULE! Check out our website for program locations and time: www.muskoka.on.ca/earlyon

Families are reminded to complete an online screening and temperature taking of all participants before attending the program.

EarlyON follows the COVID-19 guidance of the SMDHU and the District

EarlyON Team Favourite Holiday Traditions

Pam - decorating the tree with my kids

Autumn - decorating a gingerbread house

Chris - Christmas Day brunch with my children

Christine - making a Slovak feast on Christmas Eve

Judith - saying "Thanksmas", having a bowl of nuts for cracking

Jenn - decorating a freshly cut tree and watching Elf

Rachel - reading the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve

Sue - wrapping presents after shopping with my husband

Roberta - singing Christmas carols with my child

Sam - stay in our pj's, eat Chinese food and watch Christmas Vacation

Fostering Independence and Confidence in Your Child

How to Build Independence in Preschoolers

Helping youngsters develop skills — and a sense of self

Alexandra Levine and Laura Philips

From birth, children are on a quest for independence. We see this as babies try to spoon-feed themselves or insist on taking off their own diapers, as toddlers demand to dress themselves or turn the faucet on at the sink.

Opportunities to develop independence are immensely important for building a sense of self and self-esteem — not to mention frustration tolerance and perseverance!

Still, as parents, it’s hard not to groan at the thought of our preschoolers racing for the step stool, climbing up, and then trying to pour themselves a glass of milk. Letting children carry out tasks often means that the task will take twice as long — and be three times as messy. And it can be hard to watch your child try, fail and feel frustrated or disappointed.

Given how high our stress levels are at the moment, our tolerance for inconvenience and mess may be more limited than usual. But being home-bound during COVID-19 also creates a great opportunity for parents to nurture budding independence — and eventually get some more space for yourself. Here are some simple ways to do just that.