One of the Child Intervention Practice Framework Principles is that CS staff, caregivers, family and the children and youth in care, collaborate to ensure every child has a Memory Book. This months SPOTLIGHT is on creative ways and helpful resources for creating meaningful Memory Books.
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A memory book documents important moments, milestones and
accomplishments of a child or youth while they are in the care of the director.
Collaborate with the family, caregiver and the child or youth to gather documents,
items, and memorabilia that capture information about the child or youth’s life.
Working with the people who play a key role in the life of a child or youth to
create a memory book, gives the child or youth an additional connections to their
family, culture and personal history.When creating a memory book consider every one of the principles: Indigenous Experience, Preserve Family, Strengths-based, Connection, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement...
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How children in foster care benefit from creating a Lifebook.
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WHAT GOES IN A MEMORY BOOK? |
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Memory books can take the format of, but are not limited to, a scrapbook or
photo album. Involve the child or youth in the collection of materials and creation of the memory book. Memory books should preserves the child or youth’s journey through life, for example, from first smiles to the first day of school.
Include as many of the following materials as
possible:
• pictures of family, caregivers, friends, places, special events,
• letters and cards from significant people,
• schoolwork and report cards,
• awards and certificates,
• descriptions of favourite foods, activities, friends, and
• dates of special events and milestones.
Electronic memorabilia (ie. photographs, videos, electronic documents) can be
collected by CS staff and stored on the electronic information system and
incorporated with the memory book when needed.
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If you are providing foster or kinship care to an Indigenous, Metis or Inuit child or youth make sure to work with the CS staff and their family to incorporate baby pictures and special memories that may be missing from the early years or time the child spent with family. Pictures of where they were born, their family members or any other info that helps complete a picture of who they are and where they came from that strengthens their connection to their family & culture. |
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HOW TO MAKE A MEMORY BOOK |
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This easy, informative, free
slide-show tutorial is packed with great ideas and guidance!
Printable pages included.
(The Foster Parents Society of Ontario)
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Video
“One of the things I've heard over and over from former foster children is that they often miss out on having keepsakes and mementos from their childhood, especially if they've been moved between several homes. Here is my (very simple) system for keeping track of mementos for each of our kids. Hope you find it helpful!...”
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EXAMPLE of what a Memory book can look like and how much it really matters to children in care.
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Indigenous Stickers
Adding stickers to decorate memory books or boxes is always a great way to get kids involved. Check out these beautiful eagle feather decals from Strong Nations!
Additional places to get stickers
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Visit Etsy to find a HUGE COLLECTION of Native American-themed scrapbook paper!
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GREAT CONTENT IDEAS AND RESOURCES! |
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"Your Foster Care Memory Book" is an easy fill-in-the-blank format used to record important information and photos (Adoption World)
View the sample pages to get some ideas!
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Hopefully these memory book resources will help you on your way to supporting the children in your care. Older children and teens should play an active role in saving their special records and memories. Don't forget to reach out to your CS worker for more guidance - it's a collaborative process and together kids, families, caregivers and CS workers can ensure every child has a Memory Book!
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INDIGENOUS CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS! |
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Speaking of making memories... it won't be long until Christmas is here! The following list includes a variety of great gift ideas for toddlers, kids and teens that can connect them to their culture.
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LETS START WITH
Authentic Indigenous art wrapping paper patterns
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GIFT IDEAS FOR AGES 2 - 10 |
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Strong Nation
Indigenous Bath Toys! Check out these indigenous designed rubber turtles, beavers, frogs, ducks, orcas and more!
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A wonderful indigenous collection of children’s puzzles and beautiful indigenous designed hand puppets of eagles, bears, wolves, beaver, salmon and more!
Kool & Galt featuring a variety of toys to help connect children to the indigenous peoples and cultures through play.
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Raven Reads Seasonal Book Subscription makes a great Gift!
A seasonal subscription service that sends out beautifully curated boxes of Indigenous literature and giftware (boxes for both adults and child) The junior box includes three books per box written or illustrated by Indigenous authors.
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GIFT IDEAS FOR TWEENS & TEENS |
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Spreadshirt
Colonialism Skateboards
By combining skateboard art with a history lesson on Indigenous culture and colonialism in Canada, Micheal’s innovative approach is leading a conversation about how Canadians, especially youth, can move forward together through reconciliation....
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Virtual Cree Classes Edmonton Public Library Facilitated by Leslie Skinner Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00pm-8:00pm. This is a free registered, online class CLICK HERE for Monday classes. CLICK HERE for Wednesday classes
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Honouring Life Virtual Youth Program (AFC Calgary)
Calling all youth! If you’re interested in connecting with your community while learning all about your cultural history and identity, join up with Honouring Life Virtual Youth Program. This program runs on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – email bbairstow@afccalgary.org to register!
On the third Wednesday of every month, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, youth aged 6-17 years come together with their parents/guardians to learn the fundamentals of the drum and to learn how to sing and drum as part of a group.
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This years’ focus is on Truth and Reconciliation and healing and how this affects First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education, Culture, Elders, Youth, Community Wellness, Aboriginal Language, Alternative Medicine, Humor, Residential School Issues, and Healing. You can read more by going to the Workshops page
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SUBMISSIONS - If you have a cultural events, program, activity or resource that you'd like to share or if you'd like to suggest newsletter content ideas or things you'd like to see more off please send email to starrd@alignab.ca Subject Line - CONNECTIONS SUBMISSION
KIDS/YOUTH & CAREGIVERS If you have a child or youth or are a child or youth and tried some of the arts & craft activities or recipes, books or other resources from CONNECTIONS and you'd like to submit a picture to be included in the newsletter - please attach it to an email to starrd@alignab.ca with Subject CONNECTIONS SUBMISSION and include "permission to share" in the text of the email.
Note - no picture of or with actual people in the photo will be accepted for privacy purposes.
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