KidzBeat: Back to School

Kidz beatfriday, september 3, 2010 The VancouVer courier EW23

Kidz beat

Michelle Bond TCRG Instructor/Director OFFERING CLASSES TO CHILDREN & ADULTS (Wednesdays)

• Beginner to Advanced • Recreational & Competitive

Contact Michelle at 604-836-8201 or [email protected]

Sionnaine Irish Dance Academy

by Helen Peterson

“Stop fighting!” “Do I have to separate you two?” One more peep and you’re both

going to your rooms!”Parents have a lot to deal with when

raising children, and the interaction between siblings can cause a great deal of stress and frayed nerves, not to men-

tion worry for their safety, if things get out of hand.With a new school year upon us, brothers

and/or sisters egging each other on or “borrow-ing” things without asking or getting downright physical means chores and homework that need to be done can start to slip by the wayside.

So how do you get your children to behave (and buckle down for the school year) like little angels? Short answer: You don’t.

“Fighting, bickering and the general push-and-pull behavior of siblings is a very natural part of growing up,” according to Chasidy Karpiuk, an experienced local educator and counsellor who specializes in family dynamics, among other

areas of practice.“Parents can act as mediators when their chil-

dren are fighting or play-fighting, but in the end, children need to explore the boundaries of arguing

and debating and claiming their place in the family,” says Karpiuk. “It’s through this manner that children

learn conflict resolution. They’ll take away these skills to use in adulthood.”

Karpiuk realizes that parents have concern about one child or the other getting hurt, or lingering hard feelings between sibs, but if the parents set parameters ahead, things usually resolve themselves within the family unit.

“An example of the perfect storm is when you have two boys with four years or fewer between their ages,” she says. “Both are competing for a parent’s attention, and tempers can really flare.“ So, how do parents cope with the adversity?

“I always say there are three main methods for deal-ing with sibling disputes,” Karpiuk states. “The first is to ignore the situation; second option is to simply leave the room; and the third is to tell them to leave the room.

“While it sounds like you aren’t ‘challenging’ the kids, these methods are meant to help you cope, and when they realize their behaviour is not grabbing all your attention, they’ll often get bored and stop doing it!”

Brothers & Sisters – Unite!Karpiuk knows there are no perfect parents out there, and it’s a con-stant learning process. One area of concern when there’s fighting is - are they doing their home-work? She suggests finding a “homework zone” in the house that separates each sibling, and after the work is done they can reconvene to watch TV or have dinner.

The bottom line, says Karpiuk, is that anger, shouting, disagreements and even nasty name-calling, are all part of the dynamic of siblings finding their place in the family unit. And by disciplining based on each child’s maturity level, and estab-lishing common ground through nego-tiation, the school year can get started with a fresh outlook.

Chasidy Karpiuk is hosting a seminar series in the Lower Mainland entitled Building Strong and Healthy Children. On Sept. 30 the topic is Stay Calm: “Help my children are at it again!” Go to her website www.chasidykarpiuk.com for registration details.

SiblingSwithout rivalry

So kids can play afterschool games on the court, not online.

YMCA Action Kids is a new recreationalprogram for kids 5-12 years old runningMonday to Friday 3:00pm-5:30pm,at the Langara Family YMCA!

Kids need 90 minutes of physical activity a day!– Sports instruction and Nutrition activities daily– Drop off or walking school bus from Jamieson,

Sexsmith, and Van Horne Elementary Schools– $7.50/day for members

$9.00/day for non-members 604-324-9622

YMCA Action Kids

YMCAActionkids vanymca.org

EW24 The VancouVer courier friday, september 3, 2010

Kidz beat

the Vancouver Public Library Foundation supports three key programs for pre-school children:

Mother Goose, Man in the Moon and the Storybus. These extremely popular, and fun, programs provide critical early childhood literacy support to children whose parents may themselves have low literacy skills. Mother Goose and Man in the Moon are offered at East Vancouver community centres and libraries while the Storybus visits daycares and playschools around the city.

Research shows that more than 40 per cent of Canadian adults have difficulty reading, writing and using numbers. Parents with low literacy skills may not be able to provide the crucial support required for preparing kids to read during the first few critical years of their lives. The Vancouver Public Library Foundation is proud to support these programs that help children and families develop a love of reading.

VPL hopes to develop and deliver an exciting pilot project, Alligator Pie, that would focus on delivering literacy based, professionally developed, and needs-

appropriate library story-times to the many children in Vancouver who are in childcare programs. A special emphasis would be put on reaching Vancouver’s most vulnerable children in the most at risk neighbourhoods.

The Parent-Child Mother Goose program is a unique early literacy outreach initiative to target at-risk parents, specifically those in the Vancouver east side. Significant research in early childhood development shows that children across the socio-economic spectrum benefit from early intervention.

The Man in the Moon Program was developed in response to a growing body of research pointing to the importance of father (or father figure) involvement in the lives of young children, especially during the developmental stages of language and literacy.

VPL would also like to develop 50 Storyboxes to be circulated throughout Vancouver as literacy resource tools.

Parents interested in donating to the Vancouver Public Library Foundation can call 604-331-4094; website: www.vplfoundation.ca.

ABC’s and 123’s: Creating A Head Start

Super-sibs! Jamie, 11, and brother Cameron, 13, have their moments! In the typical opposite gender situation, it’s needling and poking fun that drives the relationship. But these local siblings like doing sports together: kicking the soccer ball around and even playing road hockey… as well as skiing together and playing wii.

Jamie is going into grade six. She’s looking forward to seeing all her friends again and finding out who’ll be her teacher. She likes Phys-Ed, drama and math. She is looking forward to trying out for the girls’ basketball team, too. Cam is going into grade eight (and a new school), so he is bit nervous. But he is looking forward to buying lunches from the cafeteria when he can. He’s looking forward to shop classes (making things) and gym. He really wants to try out for the school soccer team.

Sweet Siblings

Do Your Children Love to Sing? Do You Love to Sing?All are Welcome!

Please come celebrate the Joy of Music with Us!

Dunbar Heights United Church Music Program, under the direction of Dr. Greg Caisley, Music Director and Colleen Cotton, Children and Youth

Choir Leader, invites you to come and sing with us!

WHEN Children & Youth Choir 9:15am every Sunday morning, starting Sept 12th Adult Choir 7:00pm every Thursday night, starting Sept 9th

WHERE Dunbar Heights United Church 3525 West 24th Avenue, 2nd fl oor

Performances throughout the year.

For more information email [email protected] orvisit our website at www. dunbarheightsuc.ca

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Print sponsor:

Program Sponsors:

103.5 QM/FM, The Beedie Group, Bunt & Associates Engineering Ltd., Cirque du Soleil, CKNW Orphan’s Fund, Dr.Jean Carruthers Cosmetic Surgery Inc., Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, The Keg Spirit Foundation, The Koerner Foundation, Pitblado Foundation, The Please Mum Foundation Fund of Tides Canada Foundation, RBC Foundation

www.artsumbrella.com

Visual, digital and performing arts classes available for children and youth ages 5-19. Fall, Winter and Spring sessions available.

Register for Fall!

friday, september 3, 2010 The VancouVer courier EW25

Dr. Anita Gartner Certifi ed Specialist

in Pediatric Dentistry

Committed to.......· Building relationships with families· Promoting good oral health and well being· Providing quality preventative and restorative services· Creating a caring environment and a positive experience

219 – 179 Davie Street, Vancouver • 604-569-3669www.tot2teendental.com • [email protected]

Kidzbeat

by Kemp Edmondscontributing writer

the sound of “dialing up” to the Internet is something I use to demonstrate to adults how different

the world is for young people today. Most youth have never heard that annoying sound because they started using the Internet after it became always on and high-speed!

In high schools today, bullying isn’t only happening in the school yard. It’s happening outside of schools - through text messages or applications like Facebook. Another one is Nexopia - a social network for youth. This has created challenges for school administrators who say that this occurs outside of their area of control, the school.

There are many ways to protect young people from these kinds of things. The easiest way is to attempt to restrict all access to the online world, but this tactic rarely works. Youth can access the web through an iPod touch, school computers, library computers or a friend’s cell phone. And restricting something often makes it more appealing to youth.

It’s most important to work to keep lines of communication open between youth and their parents and teachers. Young people can become addicted to games and social technologies. Creating incentives around other kinds of activity is the best method for dealing with this brave new world kids find themselves in.

Today’s youth often know more about Internet technologies than their parents or teachers. What does all this mean for parents of youth today? It means that responsible digital citizenship is something that we have to teach children about.

There are so many opportunities for learning, growing and creating online. These opportunities shouldn’t be blocked

due to fear of the online world’s darker side. This is made easier for parents by the fact that old rules still apply: treat others the way you’d like to be treated, ignore people who are negative, be true to yourself and respect others.

Two rules of thumb that work for adults and youth is to never post or say anything you wouldn’t want your mother to read and posting negative things won’t help me while posting positive things won’t hurt me.

As in life, the Internet contains some shady characters and although they are a very small group, it’s best to avoid them. Here are some simple ways for young people to protect themselves when online:• Don’t connect with strangers online or

meet offline;• Watch what you say, post or do online as

it can be there forever;• Have an adult help with privacy settings

on social networks;• Don’t publish your legal name, birth date,

phone number or address online.Finally, while the urge to text the day

away, send photos of one another back and forth, play I-Pod and MP3 video games, and surf the ‘net constantly to stay in the loop may seem appealing to today’s youth, the bottom line is if their studies suffer from lack of attention, their chances of a successful outcome in school, and in a future career, diminish.

Just like kids in the 80s got hooked on Pac-Man and Mario Bros. at the expense of studying, the wired world can “eat up” a lot of valuable time. Teach children of all ages that, like the tempting bag of Halloween candy, having a little bit each day is fine, and then no more. Good luck!

Kemp Edmonds is a social media educator at BCIT - School of Business. He can be reached via email at: [email protected] or on twitter @kempedmonds.

SoCial StuDiESUsing, not Abusing, Social Media Tools

ABC’s and 123’s: Creating A Head Start


Kidz beatInverglen Scottish Dancers

Classes offered in Kerrisdale & Kitsilano

• HIGHLAND• SCOTTISH

COUNTRY• STEP

Non-CompetitiveAges 3 year & up

Concerts, Workshops & Travel Abroad

Sandra Crosby, SDTA, RSCDS, SDC, TAC

www.inverglenscottishdancers.com

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• Free Tryout ClassSept 11

• Youth Company Audtions

808 East 5th Avenue, 604.327.9313www.academyofinternationaldancearts.com

www.vancourier.com

SING! DANCE! ACT!

Learn from Broadway & Local Professionals.

We bring Broadway to you.

NEW

this fall:

GLEE!

classes

Adult

Classes!

Little Women: The Musical

Sept. 3-5Revue Stage, Granville Island

www.VancouverTix.com

CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 13Musical Theatre ActingImprov Glee!Voice Lessons/Singing YogaDance (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Combos, Stretch)

www.broadwayedgestudio.com119 W. Broadway 604.961.3161

Free Skating and Ringette hosted by the Vancouver Ringette Association(children ages 5-12 years, helmets/skates/sticks provided)

Friday, September 10th, 2010 5:30-6:30 pm

New Trout Lake Arena, 3350 Victoria Drive

Register online at: ComeTryRingette.com

compiled by Helen Peterson

Students of all ages are heading back to school in a few days, and it’s an exciting time for them.

As well, many kindergarteners are going to be attending for a full school year instead of the half-year that has been the tradition. This will be very helpful for parents, meaning they won’t be under the gun to arrange as much daycare support.

Whether your children attend public school, regular pri-vate school or specialized centres like Montessori, the activi-ties provided may not suit your family’s busy schedule. And the programs are quite general, like sports, band class, etc.

Think outside the schoolyard this season, by enrolling your child in one or more of the exciting activities as out-lined in this section. And clip out the handy website guide on page 28 for one-stop web shopping.

Don’t delay in signing up – these fun classes and activi-ties are going to fill up fast! Here’s a sampling of what’s on this fall around Vancouver:

For Sporty SortsFor those children interested giving the speedy sport of ringette a try, but are not sure if they want to commit for an entire season, there are a number of “Come Try Ringet-te” sessions that are offered by most associations at little or no cost. The Vancouver Ringette Association is inviting girls and boys (ages 5 to 12) to come and try this exciting winter sport on Friday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the new Trout Lake Arena, 3350 Victoria Drive.

Skates, helmets and an hour of fun on-ice activities led by Community Sports Initiative-trained coaches and hel-per/players will all be provided at no charge. To register for this event, go on-line to www.cometryringette.com or visit www.vancouverringette.com.

Dance FeverDancing is a great way to stay in shape, increase coordi-nation, have fun, meet new people, be creative and wear gorgeous costumes – what could be better? The Sion-naine (pronounced Shannon) Irish Dance Academy is an Irish dance school that offers classes for all ages and abilities. Classes are after school and along with Irish dance lessons and classes, students perform in shows, events and parades, and can enter local, national and international competitions. Lessons take place at the Cambrian Welsh Hall. Go to www.sionnaine-academy.com to find out all the “steps” required!

Scottish dancing is another popular activity for kids. Highland, Scottish Country and Step are offered by the Inverglen Scottish Dancers. It’s non-competitive for ages three and up. Find out more at 604-850-1605.

For Art’s SakeArt-Full Sundays at Arts Umbrella on Granville Island aren’t just for kids. This fall, the centre for arts education for young people opens its doors for Art-Full Sunday drop-in classes, encouraging the whole family to share in the joy of creating visual art. If you haven’t been to Arts Umbrella, never has there been a better chance to check it out. For parents or siblings of different ages who have always wanted to join in, this is a chance to make art together. All ages and abilities are welcome, Sundays, 1 pm to 3 pm, $12 per participant. Please note: all children participating in Art-Full Sundays must be accompanied by a participating parent/guardian. For groups, there must be one adult for every two children. Go to the website for full details: www.artsumbrella.com.

fall aCtivity rounD-uP


Austin Arciago

turns 12 on

September 12th!

April 24 – Sept 26

Book your Birthday Party now

604-252-3663 | www.pne.ca

Playland is perfect

for celebrating birthdays!Playland is perfect



for celebrating birthdays!

Packages include PlayPasses,

rock climbing, basketball

and a White Spot Triple O’s

or Pizza Pizza meal for

one low price.$27.95Birthday

PlayPasses only

per child (plus tax)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all these

SEPTEMBER Kids!

Commercial Drive DQ/OJ1629 Commercial Drive

604-568-4542Kitsilano DQ

2601 West Broadway604-732-3704

BirthdayMake a wish come true

Bring this adto either listedDQ and receive

$5.00 off a DQ cake!

expires 12/31/10

Birthday Club Entry FormName: ______________________________

Phone # _____________________________

Turning _______on: ____________________

Send to: The Birthday Club, 1574 West 6th Ave., Vancouver BC V6J 1R2. Deadline for entries for the upcoming month is Sept.24th, 2010.

NEXT BIRTHDAY CLUB WILL PUBLISH OCTOBER 8TH, 2010Hey Kids... Simply send us your name & birthdate and we willpublish it the month of your birthday on our special Birthday Page.You will also be automatically entered to WIN a birthday prize fromH.R. MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE & DAIRY QUEEN. Winners will becontacted by phone in addition to an announcement in the paper.

September 2 Ylinh Lee .................... 7Tyhree Nguyen-Serrano 11Eion Smith ................. 6September 4 Simone McCallum ..... 6September 5 Therese Margaret Robles 1September 7 Amanda Mah ............. 7Sean McNeil ............ 10September 8 Manikant Rai ............ 12September 11 Chelsea Jang ............. 9Jana Sutharshanan .... 7September 12 Matthew Eang ........... 8 Austin Arciago ........ 12September 19 Solana Yuen .............. 7September 21 Abigail Houghton ....... 8September 23 Francis Angelo Tabag 8Kristie Lau ................ 10Nicholas Tsang ........ 10

September 24 Sean Wyatt Thomas .. 2Dylan Nagalingam ..... 9Abhimen Suthakaran . 9September 26 Tyler Eng .................... 6Jordan Lopez Plechaty 4Keonna Grace Tan ..... 7September 27 Liam Jed Arizola ........ 2September 28 Raquelle Ruiz ............. 2

SCHOOLHOUSEmazefind your way through the maze and back to school!


Kidz beat

KidzBeatBack to School

VOCAL LESSONSExperienced Professional Instruction

M.Mus., NATS, BCRMTA, CAEAProfessional singer/actress.

Private Sessions.Preparation for Auditions and Exams.

604-264-4649

SEPTEMBER REGISTRATION - Phonics Program

Heather Chapel PreschoolHeather Chapel Preschool– Est. 1976 –

SEPTEMBER REGISTRATION - Phonics Program2, 3 & 5 Day • a.m. & p.m. classes

777 W. 68th Ave. 604-321-7446 or 604-466-9271

Qualified TeachersAll Subjects • All GradesProfessional one-to-one

In-home TutoringCompetitive Rates

[email protected]

www.tutor.bc.ca

TEACHERS’ TUTORING SERVICE

3607 West Broadway, Vancouver604.736.3036

www.prussinmusic.com

Serving families since 1985

REPAIRS | SALES | LESSONS | ACCESSORIES

Be a part of this specialBack To School Section

Call Kaelan at 604-998-1204

Back to School Special

Back to School Special

Free Uniform

with Registr

ation!Free Uniform

with Registr

ation!limite

d time offer

Respect for OthersFocus & ConcentrationSelf-DisciplineSelf Defense SkillsPhysical FitnessInner Strength to handleBullies & Peer PressureSelf-EsteemSelf Confidence

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Classes for Children, Youth & Special Needs Starting at Age 4

Sirota’s Alchymy - Martial Arts Centre160 - 5640 Hollybrdige Way, Richmond

(Behind Fitness World at Gilbert)604-244-8842

www.sirotasalchymy.com

Sirota’s AlchymyMartial Arts & Lifeskills Centre6647 Victoria Dr. (at 50th), Vancouver

604-569-3395www.sirotasalchymy.com

Back to School SpecialOne Month Unlimited Classes

& Uniform only $99Expires September 30, 2010

Now in VancouverOpen HouseCelebrationSunday, Sept 5th11am - 3pmEveryone Welcome!

onlinE DirECtoryRegister for classes now! Go to www.:

academyofinternationaldancearts.comartsumbrella.combc-girlguides.orgbroadwayedgestudio.comdunbarheightsuc.caicschoolvancouver.cominverglenscottishdancers.comkidsmarket.camusqueamgolf.comoconnoririshdance.comphoenixgymnastics.comprussinmusic.comsionnaine-academy.comsirotasalchymy.comstagecraft.catomleemusic.comtutor.bc.cavancouverringette.comvanymca.orgvbcc-vbyc.ca


KidzBeatBack to School

Experience the thrill of explorationand the joy of movement at

Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics

www.phoenixgymnastics.com604.737.7693 [email protected]

SUNSHINECORNERDAYCARE

A warm & loving environmentwith an enriched stimulating program.

Qualified E.C.E. teachers

For children 3 - 5 years old

604-876-9722

VANCOUVER & NORTH SHORE

“To train and prepare childrenfor their future roles in life,whatever those may be.”

Now Enrolling for Fall SemesterCELEBRATING 10 YEARS!

[email protected] • 604.762.2491

www.stagecraft.ca

150th St. Stephens Group7025 Granville St.

604-266-9020

13th Ryerson Group2195 West 45th Ave.604-351-3659

SCOUTING

604-266-2334www.musqueamgolf.com

Contact Info:

AFTERSCHOOLAND WEEKEND

GOLF PROGRAMSFOR AGES 4-17!

Auditions for boys and girlsGrades 5-8 only

(All other Choirs full)

No experience necessary

Call immediately604-738-8593

Come see/try a lesson or two the first two weeks of September.Get Great Exercise - Make New Friends - Have Fun!

Now taking new dancers for Sept. & Oct. start dates.Ask about our New West Side Location & 6 week introduction.

OPEN HOUSE

Vancouver | North Vancouver | West Vancouver | Ladner

O’CONNOR • O’BR IENirish dancers

Terri Heckmann, TCRG • 604-506-2589

ENTER TO WINEMAIL name & phone# to:[email protected]

Subject:TICKETS TO SPACE CENTRE

Deadline:September 15, 2010

4 TICKETSto

HR MacMillan Space Centre

Documents

KidzBeat: Back to School