ChildWatch

How to Keep Children Active and Healthy

Posted on October 15, 2020 (October 15, 2020) by Megan C

As a follow-up to September’s blog post on Childhood Obesity, we wanted to expand on ways you can keep your child active and healthy. With busy schedules and growing demands as children get older, it becomes more and more difficult to stay active, but its importance need not be understated. Being physically active every day is crucial for children to avoid health problems, while also managing bodyweight and building a strong body and mind. Of course, there are several ways to stay active. Here are a few of our favorite tips to cultivating an active lifestyle in children: Perhaps most […]

5 Ways to Deal With Bullying

Posted on October 3, 2020 (October 2, 2020) by Aliza S

When it comes to bullying, early care providers have a key role in teaching children how not to bully and how to respond when they feel they are being bullied. […]

Identifying Warning Signs of Childhood Depression and Anxiety

Posted on September 17, 2020 (September 17, 2020) by Megan C

Is My Child Anxious and/or Depressive? Although it’s more common to associate depression and anxiety with adults, the truth is that it can impact anyone of any age, including children. Due to everything that has occurred with COVID-19 and the number of ways it’s challenged and impacted our lives, it’s more important than ever to lend a watchful eye over your own children or young kids in your life who may be showing warning signs of anxiety and depression. Here are some tips to be better equipped at identifying key signals. Who is Primarily Affected? According to the Anxiety and […]

Addressing Childhood Obesity

Posted on September 1, 2020 (September 1, 2020) by Aliza S

Childhood obesity is a complex issue that is affected by – and affects – every aspect of a child’s life including as they move into adulthood. […]

Child Trafficking Awareness and Education

Posted on August 16, 2020 (September 15, 2020) by Megan C

Human trafficking, including child trafficking, is far more prominent in all parts of the world and an unfortunate reality for millions of men, women and children. As organizations continue to build awareness, we’ve sought to provide an educational series on what child trafficking is, ways to identify it, and how you can get involved. What is Human Trafficking? Trafficking of children falls into the category of human trafficking (or trafficking in persons) and is a human rights violation and form of modern-day slavery. Although exact numbers are difficult to obtain, the International Labour Organization estimates some 21 million men, women […]

Connecting Vision and Children’s Safety

Posted on August 1, 2020 (August 2, 2020) by Aliza S

August is Vision & Learning Month, a national observance established in 1995. The goal of this observance is to help educate parents, educators and caregivers about the prevalence of vision problems in children that often go undiagnosed or even misdiagnosed. According to the Vision Council of America, one out of every four children has an undiagnosed vision problem that interferes with learning. Vision problems that show up at a young age can not only worsen if not diagnosed early enough but can create additional problems. For example, if a child has a “wandering eye, it could be a sign of […]

Creating a Healthy Environment for Your Child

Posted on July 14, 2020 (July 23, 2020) by Megan C

Creating a healthy environment for your child takes work, discipline, and consistency. Children are sponges and as such, fully respond to and navigate their world based on the influence of their parents. Of course, needs differ depending on each child, and thus, parenting styles will as well. Of the numerous reasons to actively cultivate a healthy environment for your child, one of the best ones is to ensure their current enjoyment and future success. Children while inevitably grow in various directions and develop their own interests, and with ample love and support from their parental figures, they can truly thrive […]

Building a Child’s Self Esteem Every Day

Posted on July 1, 2020 (July 16, 2020) by Aliza S

Learning new things and gaining skills can provide a child with a sense of accomplishment. […]

What Are Sensory and Motor Skills and How Can I Help Develop Them in My Child?

Posted on June 12, 2020 (June 24, 2020) by Megan C

Sensory and motor development are two very crucial and pivotal developments in a child’s life and concurrently aid in the individual’s growth and learning. According to HealthLink BC, sensory and motor development are a gradual process wherein a child learns how to use and coordinate large muscles in the body, such as the legs, trunk, and arms, and one system simply cannot function without the other. A child gains various sensory awareness through sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing, and building a solid sensory and motor foundation is critical before advancing to higher learning. Motor Skills Of course, children grow […]

Successful Potty Training Takes Time and a Team

Posted on June 1, 2020 (May 25, 2020) by Aliza S

June is National Potty Training Awareness Month. Along with a child’s parents, day care providers can be important partners in successful potty training. […]