• Examples of Active Adventures
• Programs Around Terrace
• 10 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Be Physically Active

Terrace Make Children First Network and Success by 6 Northwest are jumping up and down, excited to draw your attention to the upcoming National Child Day on November 20th. 

Each year’s theme reflects Canada’s commitment to the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child. And, as you may have guessed, this year’s focus is on the Right to be Active.

Being a parent is the most important job we will ever land with often very little training or preparation. Early child development agencies recognize that and are here to support you, offer advice, resources and much more.

The Early Childhood Education students at Northwest Community College created a list of ways families could be active with their preschoolers throughout the seasons in Terrace, with little or no cost to get us started.

Outside Active Adventures:

• Walking through the trails on Ferry Island – trying to find the tree faces in the rain, snow, sunshine and cloudy weather. Try fishing too or just watch the fishers all lined up under the bridge.
• Hiking up Terrace Mountain to see the view at the top!
• Find your neighborhood park, make a portable lunch or snack and have a picnic. Then throw, kick and catch a ball. In the winter you can toboggan, sled, or just make snow people or angels in the park. 
• On a windy day fly a kite that children have made from paper and string. Walk to the library for some kite making books!
• Children love to help with outdoor chores: gardening as well as raking leaves and jumping in them, shoveling snow or packing wood.
• Outdoor games on a bit of grass – Freeze Tag, Go,Go,Stop!, What time is it Mr. Wolf?, Hide and Seek. Try to make games cooperative where everyone wins!
• Running through the sprinkle or walking in puddles on a rainy day.
• If you have access to a car you may want to go camping – even if it is just in your back yard or at Ferry Island or the lake. Also, Kitselas Canyon is an exciting and not too far destination to explore nature and culture.

Indoor Active Adventures:

• Put on some music and dance with your children. You can blow up some balloons and keep them up while you dance too. Or do a scarf dance.
• Make your own music – let children make some musical instruments from your old pots and pans or old plastic containers filled with beans – dance to the music.
• Keep those old boxes and make giant stacking blocks with them – see how high you can go!
• Make an indoor obstacle course on a rainy day with furniture, cushions, blankets and then cut out foot prints for children to follow. Get them to make an obstacle course for you to go on – they love adults being challenged physically too!
• Try some relaxation, deep breathing activities with your children and maybe get a book or CD from the library that helps you to do Yoga with your child.   
• Lots of action songs to sing with children- Shake Your Sillies Out, Head and Shoulders, Ring around the Rosy. The Library has more song books and tapes for ideas.
• Children like to help put away groceries and as well as helping with laundry and house cleaning – give them some active jobs to do!

These are just a few ideas, I am sure you have more to add!  

During the week of November 19 to 25 watch for active activities at these free programs :
Kermode Friendship Society (635-1476) everyone welcome
Monday, Parent Outreach Program from 1 till 2:30 pm
Friday, Parent-Child Drop-in meets from noon till 2 pm. The group is planning to go swimming.

Park Centre (635-1830) – Park Centre supports women during their pregnancies and encourages parents to have positive family experiences.
Wednesday, Building Healthier Babies
Thursday, Building Blocks
Thursday, Fathers Group

Skeena Family Resources (635-7087)
Parent Connections, parent-child drop-in program, visits several communities and neighbourhoods. Visit them at Kalum Housing Complex on Tuesdays, Gitaus Health Centre on Wednesdays and Kitsumkalum Hall on Thursdays always from noon till 2 pm.

Terrace Public Library (638-8177)
Active Families books and booklist will be available at your friendly and resourceful library but that’s not all. They offer great programs during the week:
Tuesday, Tales For 2's Storytime 10-11am
Wednesday, Pre-School Storytime 10-11am
Wednesday, Toddler Time Stories - 11:15-12pm

Northern Savings Credit Union (638-7822) will be celebrating National Child Day with face painting, balloons and children’s draw at the end of the day.

Skeena Child Care Resources and Referrals (638-1113)
Offers many resources for active living for both caregivers and families and prepared the following list:

Supporting Your Child’s Physical Activity

Activity is an important part of children’s physical, mental and emotional development.  Providing opportunities for them to develop physical skills reaps benefits in every aspect of their development, for the rest of their life.  A positive attitude towards active play at an early age positively affects their later involvements in physical activity and fitness.

10 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Be Physically Active

1. Be an active role model yourself
   when mom or dad participates in physical activity, the child’s participation rate tends to increase
2. Provide everyday clothing for your child that encourages free movement and mobility
   avoid fancy, frilly or stiff outfits or clothing your child has been told to “keep clean”
   for your own sanity provide clothing that is easy-care.
3. Photograph your child being active
4. Actively support your child’s involvement in physical activity
5. Take your child to the park and be active together
   help your son and your daughter learn the fundamental skills of running, throwing, catching and kicking a ball.
6. Emphasize fun rather than competition and slimming attributes
   encourage your child to try a variety of new activities, and help your child learn the skills and acquire the equipment he/she needs to participate
7. Introduce your child to active women
   all too often; women in sports are viewed as cheerleaders, water girls or chauffeurs.  Both boys and girls need to be exposed to women who are athletes, coaches, officials and leaders in sport
8. Plan active vacations and weekend excursions
   try hiking
9. Avoid comments about what boys and girls should or should not do
   Make observations without reference to gender. Avoid comments such as “you throw like girl.”
10. Plan activities within your child’s abilities so your child can achieve success.
    Praise and encouragement will foster your child’s self-esteem.

Excerpt from Resource Sheet #52 Supporting Your Child’s Physical Activity - Reprinted with permission from the Canadian Child Care Federation