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Happy April!

We finally made it - the winter is over, and now it's time to make all those big plans for summer! Do you have your camps and programs picked out? Got a vacation destination in mind? Let's regain some momentum by thinking about how fun the next few months are going to be now that we can get outside again! 

We've got all kinds of articles, contests, tips and advice on how to shake off the snow this April!

Enjoy! 

Ellen
ON STANDS NOW
Our March/April 2016 Issue

Our Spring issue is packed full of tips & tricks to get families back into the bloom of things. This issue highlights your new baby and growing family, plus R&R for parents! This issue also includes the 2016 Parents' Choice Awards winners.  
  • Bump, Baby & Toddler Guide - Your Growing Family (includes Health & Wellness)
  • Home School 101 Feature - Spring Edition
  • Parents Only - The Rest, Relaxation & Getaway Guide
  • Early-Bird Summer Camp & Program Feature
Just click on the new issue cover at calgaryschild.com, or find it on stands across the city! 

Coming Soon: Our May/June 2016 Issue!

Here comes summer - get out and play! This issue will help your family get up and out the door to enjoy all the season has to offer. Plus, we'll help you prepare for end-of-school activities, exams, make holiday plans, choose a summer camp or program and more! 
  • Summer Camp & Program Guide: This guide is the 'go to' guide for parents looking for information about summer recreation for their children. This is Calgary's biggest and most comprehensive Summer Camp and Program Guide.
  • Home Central Feature - Spring/Summer Edition: Ready to dust off the cobwebs? Keep your house in tip-top style and function with regular updating, maintenance, design and decor, inside and out - we'll show you how!
  • New Tween & Teen Guide: Parenting doesn't stop after elementary school - sometimes, it feels like it just gets more complicated! Calgary's Child Magazine is here to support you through these fun, challenging and exciting years of growth. From support to resources, parties to getaways and camps to classes, we'll help you find options that your tweens and teens will actually like!
Calgary's Child Magazine's 2016 Family Guide

Our Family Guide is a collection of all of the year's resource guides in a handy, smaller format you can keep all year round. From classes to home renovations, dentists to birthday party entertainment, we've got you covered. 
 
Now available on stands and online! Click on the cover at  calgaryschild.com!

SPRING INTO ACTIVITY
FAMILY-FRIENDLY GPS FUN ON A BUDGET
Written by Carla Knipe; Photo: Fotolia.com

Do you want to go on a real-life treasure hunt? Then you have gotta try geocaching! If you've never heard of it, it is an activity loved by people of all ages across the globe. Best of all, it's practically free to do, is a great way to get some exercise and is especially good as a family activity.



Written by Barbara Sher; Photo: PhotoXpress.com

Into each life a little rain must fall and in our neck of the woods, it's buckets of snow that rain down as cabin fever sets in. The best remedy for youngsters' cries and sighs of "I'm bored" is an arsenal of easy, active games that you can play indoors, one-on-one with your child or with others joining in, using simple things like balloons, socks, rope, scarves, paper and a sense of fun. Best of all, there's no right or wrong way to play them. Don't forget to let your child lead you in play sometimes!



Written by Tanya Koob; Photos: Courtesy of Tanya Koob
It's not too early to start thinking about hiking again for another season. Many trails in Kananaskis come into condition by March or early April, and you'll find plenty of solitude hiking in the 'shoulder season' rather than in the middle of summer. Check out these suggested trails and put some on your list!




Written by Sandi Haustein; Photo: PhotoXpress.com



ONLINE BUZZ
Everyone's Talking 

The  CBC recently reported that more and more classrooms are including stationary bikes for kids who need to move during class. According to the CBC, "T eachers who have already implemented stationary bikes in the classroom have seen an increase in students' attention span with more engagement in the learning process, resulting in a significant improvement in academic achievement." 

We asked for your feedback, and you said: 
Ramie: " Don't children already have designated gym time? What is happening? Why can't we just teach children and teach them to sit down and pay attention?  A huge distraction that children are going to squabble over and one more thing for teachers to manage instead of teach."

Jennifer: "My son would love this, he's a kinetic  learner and learns best when he's moving. There's a bunch of other kids in his class that would benefit with this as well, it's a very busy high energy group."

Sophie: " I have a stationary bike in my classroom and my students love it!"

Dave: "They are surprisingly  quite expensive. Especially for a system already hurting for funding."

To have your say on this and many other topics, follow us on Facebook

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LEARNING AT HOME

Written by Christina Katz; Photo: Fotolia.com
  
If I have observed one thing after a decade of having a school-age child, it's that the arts motivate kids to perform better in school. Sure, my daughter comes from an artsy family already. Her mom is a writer, and her dad is a theatre director, but she's not an extension of us; she is uniquely herself, and her exposure to a wide variety of arts helps her discover her own passions, proclivities and personhood.
 
Read more...


Written by Christina Katz; Photo: Fotolia.com

School should be an adventure in learning, and so should life. But if you have not taken the time to observe how your child learns best, your child might be struggling in school unnecessarily. Identifying prominent learning styles in children is crucial in helping them identify their strengths and overcome their weaknesses as they progress into a more diverse spectrum of courses grade after grade. We often needlessly separate creativity from learning. But when parents help children understand their dominant learning styles, parent and child can both use this knowledge to improve the child's experiences, not only in school, but also in life.


 
Written by Kerrie McLoughlin; Photo: Fotolia.com

Although I've been home schooling since day one with my oldest and never looked back, I know plenty of people who didn't start home-schooling until their kids were well into elementary school and beyond. 

Whether you are just starting your home school journey with a kindergartner or have just taken your high schooler out of school, here are some common mistakes many home schoolers make starting out and how to avoid them. Keep in mind, there is no perfect way to home school, and every family has to do what's right for their educational and sanity needs!


THIS MONTH ON CALGARYSCHILD.COM
Contests

Take a Journey Into the World Creativity at The Banff Centre Children's Festival!
 
With a colorful lineup of over 20 free or low-cost arts activities and live shows including theatre, music, dance, circus and puppetry, The Banff Centre Children's Festival is the perfect event for both the young and the young-at-heart to discover and enjoy the arts. For full details on all the fun and frivolity of the day, visit  banffcentre.ca
 
For your chance to win a Family Pass of 5 to the Banff Children's Festival in Banff on Saturday, May 21, 2016, enter here (contest code: Banff). The pass covers admission to all ticketed shows!

Game On!

Animal Trackers from Family Pastimes is a great cooperative puzzle game to play as a class, at camp and at birthday parties for fun recreation and education! Look carefully and match the tracks in the Forest leading to the animal dens. When you arrive, flip the Forest card to see what animal you tracked to its den. Then read fascinating facts about the animal found. Everyone has a part in helping to discover the animals in the forest. Animal Trackers is suitable for ages 4 to 7. For more information on this and other great games from Family Pastimes, visit familypastimes.com

For your chance to win the Animal Trackers game, enter here (contest code: Animal Trackers). Entry deadline is Monday, April 25, 2016.

Wear Your Best Yellow & Blue for Splash 'N Boots at Kidsfest!

JUNO-nominated musical duo Splash 'N Boots returns to Calgary for the 30th anniversary of Kidsfest (The Calgary International Children's Festival), with a fresh lineup of fun, educational and upbeat tunes that will have parents and children alike dancing in the aisles. Featured regularly on TreehouseTV, Splash 'N Boots has released eight award-winning albums and have been featured in compilation albums along with Canadian icons Fred Penner, The Wiggles, and Sharon Lois and Bram. For more information, visit the website. Kidsfest takes place from May 25 to 28.

For your chance to win a family pack of 4 tickets to the Splash 'N Boots show on Saturday, May 28 at 10am, enter here (contest code: Splash). The tickets also include access to all the outdoor shows and activities at Olympic Plaza! Entry deadline is Monday, May 9, 2016.

Win 4 Tickets to A Day Out With Thomas at Heritage Park!

Start your engines for Day Out with Thomas: The Ready, Set, Go Tour 2016, at Heritage Park Historical Village! Little engineers and their families can win a ride on their favorite engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy a day of  Thomas & Friends  themed activities, as well as rides, model train displays, performers and more! Thomas the Tank Engine rolls into Heritage Park Historical Village on  May 7 , 8, 13, 14 & 15. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit  heritagepark.ca .

For your chance to win a family pack of 4 tickets to Day Out with Thomas at Heritage Park Historical Village, enter here (contest code: Thomas). Contest deadline is Monday, April 25, 2016.
 
Mr. Monkey Moo
 
Mr. Monkey Moo is a handcrafted line of essential baby and mommy on-the-go products. Produced in Northern Alberta and made with the utmost care and detail, Mr. Monkey Moo focuses on bringing a modern and trendy twist to your little one's accessories. From cozy blankets, durable bandit bibs, pacifier clips and reusable bags, each piece is handmade with quality materials, perfect for your own Mr. or Miss Monkey Moo! For information and to purchase Mr. Monkey Moo products, visit 
facebook.com/mr.monkeymoo .
 
For your chance to win the adorable, handmade Mr. Monkey Moo feather blanket, deer bib, mustard clip, and deer and dot bag, enter here (contest code: Mr. Monkey Moo). Contest deadline is Monday, April 11, 2016.
 
Little Tikes™ Lil' Ocean Explorers™ 3 in 1 Adventure Course 
 
This 3 in 1 Adventure Course stimulates and entertains baby throughout key developmental milestones: sitting, crawling and standing. Baby can first sit and explore fun rattles and spinners, then crawl through a sea-themed canopy to stand and play with their new octopus friend. With over 20 encouraging sounds and phrases, your little one can build the confidence to tackle any adventure after this course! For more information, visit littletikes.com. Purchase at Sears, Walmart and Toys "R" Us.
 
For your chance to win the Little Tikes™ Lil' Ocean Explorers™ 3 in 1 Adventure Course, enter here (contest code: Ocean). Contest deadline is Monday, April 11, 2016.
 
Fisher-Price® Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo
 
A press of BeatBo's tummy or any of the buttons on his feet activates fun songs, learning content and dance moves. This futuristic friend even allows mommy or baby to record a phrase, and he'll remix it into his favorite song! His three modes: Dance 'n Move, Learning and Games, and Customized Sing-Along 'grow' with baby to make him a fun, entertaining companion for years to come! And all the while, he's introducing baby to letters, colors, counting, music, cause and effect, and more! For more information, visit fisher-price.com. Purchase at Walmart, Toys "R" Us and amazon.ca.
 
For your chance to win the Fisher-Price ®  Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo, enter here (contest code: BeatBo). Contest deadline is Monday, April 11, 2016.

Free Live Webinar - "Chores and Allowances: What and When?"

April 21, 8 to 9pm MDT; Free Live Webinar, Chores and Allowances: What and When? Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and Calgary's Child MagazineRegister today!
WHAT'S COMING UP IN CALGARY?
CALGARY COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO
Apr 28, 2016 - May 1, 2016

The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo (Calgary Expo) is a four-day annual festival of all things pop culture including comics, sci-fi, gaming, fantasy, horror and more held each Spring at Stampede Park. 

Calgary Expo welcomes fans of all ages - adults, families, kids - to celebrate what makes them 'nerdy.' Come as you are, tuck your superman T-shirt under your jacket or cosplay as your favorite character. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

CALGARY'S CHILD MAGAZINE ON GLOBAL
For parenting tips and updates from the experts, don't miss our Calgary's Child Magazine segment on the Global Morning News show on Mondays and Saturdays. 

Each segment has a different guest and topic, from Family Fun to Health & Safety!

To find out who's on next, look down the left column of our Calendar!
family, childhood, season and people concept - happy family in autumn park
EVENTS CALENDAR
Want to know what's up in Calgary?
 
No matter the age, stage or size of your family, we can find you something to do! 
 
Check out Calgary's best events calendar for families at Calgaryschild.com! 
#723 - 710 - 20 Crowfoot Cr. NW  Calgary, AB T3G 2P6
(403) 241-6066 | [email protected]
 


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