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The Perspective from Here

Our Words and Our Behaviour

During a recent Professional Development session, valuable insight was introduced that can be applied beyond the work environment. We explored what brings us energy and joy and what depletes us. That may sound straightforward, but through it, we gained the language and the understanding that often, negative behaviour is an unskilled expression of a need not being met; that our words and actions are saying so much more.

Like Dr. Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages and the Serve and Return, we encourage communication between parent and child; clear communication is vital. Understanding where we are at with our own needs being met influences our behaviour and communication toward others. We don't necessarily take the time to acknowledge our energy level and what is causing our depletion and, therefore, our behaviour; we say we are tired and carry on.

We respond to an infant's cry as a signal of need. We check their diaper and their need for food or a cuddle. They can't articulate their cry with words, so we use other cues to assess their needs. As the child grows, a cry can indicate an injury, so we check their environment, look for an injury or try to get them to explain. As their language develops, we respond with "Use your words."

From here on out, we are expected to know how to express our needs and wants, but we may not have the language or the understanding to do so. We know we are frustrated or elated and can't explain why. Often we haven't been taught about the relationship between our behaviour and our sense of being fueled or depleted.

Many of us can probably reflect on a time when our behaviour resulted from other factors that just happened to align at a time that resulted in a poor response to our partner or child. We may see how another is parenting their child and quickly judge their childrearing skills when we are not feeling competent as a parent that day, and it was easier to deflect our deficiency to someone else.

Like so many things, our daily actions and interactions are a culmination of many variables, and unless we check in with ourselves to see what lens we are looking through, it can lead to negative results. If we are not feeling fulfilled, perhaps it's easier to point to someone else and view them as doing a poor job. If we are feeling fulfilled and fueled, maybe we are a bit more gracious and willing to lend a helping hand.

I know there have been times over the past two years when I have complained or gossiped, only to realize I was feeling isolated and lacking that sense of belonging. My words and behaviour resulted from being at home alone too much. Understanding ourselves helps us articulate our own needs, and sharing this with others helps us in filling each other's cup.

Take a few moments to consider what fuels you? A sense of belonging, security, freedom, achievement and or making a difference? Once you determine what fuels you, don't be afraid to ask for what you need.

That's the perspective from here.

Stay well,
Pam Rennie, BA, BEd, RECE
MHCCA Visits EarlyON!
It is no secret that there is a need for more childcare spaces throughout Muskoka. It is also no secret that we have so many incredible parents, grandparents and private childcare providers who could be an incredible addition to the
 Muskoka Home Child Care Team!
We are looking forward to becoming a friendly and familiar face in the EarlyON programs over the next couple of months to have insightful conversations about what it means to join our team of Providers and break down any myths or misconceptions. Please feel free to ask us any questions!
We look forward to connecting with you,
Marianne, Monica and Cassandra 
What's Happening Here?
What do you see when you look at this photo? Does it provoke questions?

Here's what the children are saying and possibly thinking...

"Meteors are dropping on the eggs to help get the dinosaurs out!"

Observing solid changing to a liquid.
Patience as ice slowly melts and how the heat from my hands can speed things up!

Texture and sensory exploration - crunchy leaves, cold ice, hard rocks, thin birch bark, spikey dinosaurs!

Learning occurs through intentional and unintentional provocations.
EarlyON Registration
Remember, whether you are registering for a virtual program or coming to see us in person, you will need a Family Code.
Activities and local events can be found on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EarlyonMuskoka
In-Person Programs
Check out our program schedule to see when and where you can find EarlyONs in-person programming.

Playful Park (Outdoor) 9:30 - 11:00
Family INC. (Outdoor) 9:30 - 11:00
Play, Learn, Connect (Indoor) 9:00 -12:00
Baby Talk (Indoor) 12:30 - 2:00
Trek the Trails (Outdoor) 10:00 - 11:30
Baby Trails (Outdoor) 10:00 - 11:30


Virtual Programs
Baby Talk Link for virtual provided upon request
Food for Thought Last Tuesday in month 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Community Gardens are Back!
It's time to get out and dig in the dirt!

Our gardens provide a wonderful learning environment and an opportunity to watch our food grow! Families will be able to harvest the produce to take home for dinner.😃🥗

We will be posting days that we will run programs at our gardens, where we will be weeding, exploring, singing and playing.

We invite you to join us!
June 19th, 2022- Happy Father's Day
FATHER
F riendship - you are a true friend
A ffection - you always display your love for me
T eacher - you have been and still are my best life teacher
H umor - you display and showed me the importance of laughter
E nthusiasm - your never discouraged, you always encouraged
R ole model - you are an example for me to follow!
EarlyON What is your favourite memory of time spent with your father?
Pam - just the way he always made everyone feel welcome - the door was always open and he always made people feel valued
Caitlyn - ATV and snowmobile rides
Sam - playing James Bond Goldeneye on Nintendo 64 together
Roberta - My Father in-law turning his ATV and push mower into a riding lawn mower using a bungee cord.
Chris - going to the cottage with my dad and waterskiing
Christine - picking blueberries on Drury Lane
Judith - dancing with my dad, highlight dance Uptown Funk
Carly - rocking out with him to classic rock music in the car as he drove
Rachel - the best memories I have with my dad are being outdoors. We both enjoy spending time at the cottage, going for hikes and downhill skiing
Sue - going for walks together
What parent resource topic would you like to see next?
How to maintain routines in the summer time?
How to beat that summer heat?
Sun safety tips for parents
fun_beach_goggles.jpg
Why children are at risk
  • Extreme heat from the sun can be dangerous for all children, especially infants and young children.
  • Babies are not born with a developed skin protection system, so they burn more easily. Even children born to parents with dark skin need full protection.
  • Babies have more sensitive skin because the outer layer of their skin is thinner.
  • A young child has more skin (relative to body mass) than an adult, so sunburns can be severe.
  • A baby can't tell you when they're too hot or the sun's too bright. Your baby may begin to cry and you won't know whether they're tired, hungry, or hot.
  • Babies can't physically move themselves out of the sunlight. A six-month-old on a blanket is less mobile than a one-year-old who can toddle into the shade.
  • Babies rely on their caregivers to protect them from the sun and other related risks.

For tips on how to keep your children safe from the sun, click here
Would you like a copy of our monthly program calendar? Email us at earlyon@muskoka.on.ca and we will send you a PDF version.
EarlyON Muskoka | www.muskoka.on.ca/earlyon