Here is your June EYMPD newsletter that I hope finds you well, and basking in the warm weather that is finally here! As evident in a photo of the Weir Lake Trail that I recently took, we live in a truly beautiful area; it is my hope that many of you are able to find time to revel in the outdoors.
This month’s edition is dedicated to the topic of music. It is rather impossible to imagine what our world would look like without it. Apart from providing entertainment, music can enhance our experiences, lift our spirits, and, perhaps most importantly, be there for us in moments of sadness or even despair. In other words, music can be our best friend.
In anticipation that you may find it enjoyable, my District colleagues and I, created and gave a good start to a Mood Booster Muskoka EY Spotify playlist. Be sure to check out the Fun Corner section of this newsletter on how you could contribute to the playlist yourself. I do hope that you join in the fun! Also, if you are so inclined please share with me your thoughts on the playlist idea. Should we have more playlists in the future? If so, what themes would you like to be considered?
I hope you enjoy the playlist and the few resources on music included in this newsletter. Please share any resources on that particular topic with our Early Years Community if you would like. You can do so by sending the resources to me for distribution. Thank you~
On a personal note, I would like to share with you that I got my Covid-19 shot a few weeks ago. I was amazed to see how well organized the vaccine clinic was, and how palpable the feeling of overall jubilation was.
Stay in touch,
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Kasia Oxley, Children’s Services Community Facilitator, Children’s Programs and Services
Work Cell: (705) 644-1533
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Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is intended to encourage conversation and self-reflection and is not to be considered as advice. |
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Music and Emotion
Time commitment: 5 minutes, 3 seconds
Areas of interest: music and emotions, early years development, early years education
Format: video
This video is a lesson for younger elementary age children exploring music and emotions.
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The Benefits of Listening to Music
Time commitment: 5 minutes
Areas of interest: mental health, physical health
Format: article
In 2009, archaeologists excavating a cave in southern Germany uncovered a flute carved from a vulture’s wing bone. The delicate artifact is the oldest known musical instrument on earth — indicating that people have been making music for over 40,000 years.
Although we can’t be sure exactly when human beings began listening to music, scientists do know something about why we do. Listening to music benefits us individually and collectively. Here’s what research tells us about the power of music to improve our physical, mental, and emotional health. |
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Why Making Music Matters: Music and Early Childhood Development
Time commitment: 5 minutes (article) 45 minutes (report)
Areas of interest: music and emotions, early years development, early years education
Format: article, report
To better understand the effect of music in early childhood development, Carnegie Hall commissioned a new research paper from Dr. Dennie Palmer Wolf, an expert in the field. Titled “ Why Making Music Matters,” her research points to several key reasons why investing in children early and often is critical to healthy development and a successful future—and that music can play a role in everyday interactions that support our next generation. |
Oliver Sacks Observes the Mind through Music
Time commitment: 50 minutes, 7 seconds
Areas of interest: neuroscience
Format: podcast
Physician and author Oliver Sacks has spent 40 years studying the human brain and illuminating a host of neurological disorders through the compassionate telling of his patients' stories. His newest collection of clinical tales, Musicophilia, examines the uniquely human power of music. |
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Please write to Kasia to let her know your thoughts on music or any other topic for a chance to win a resource of your choice
(value of up to $50.00)
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EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONALS IN MUSKOKA |
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What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do?
My current job is Manager of Muskoka Home Child Care Agency. I currently have the opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic team of two Home Visitors along with an amazing Case Aide and a fantastic group of Home Child Care Providers. I always felt fortunate in my early career to know what I wanted to do. My passion led me towards working with children and that continues to be my purpose to today.
Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me about how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.
It is one of the most important decisions a parent can make, in terms of who you trust and who will provide quality care for your child. I think throughout my career I have viewed situations through the lens of a child and that continues to drive my passion, keeping the best interest of the child at heart.
What's most challenging about the work you do?
Currently, the most challenging situation is we need more Home Child Care Providers to join the Agency. We have a long waitlist of families needing care, and we would love to have them start, but we more need providers. We are hoping with brighter days ahead for us as a community, individuals reach out to us if they are interested in joining the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency and offering quality care to the families of Muskoka.
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What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy being outdoors, amongst the trees and by the water with my dogs and my family. It’s nice to find that time to unwind and reflect. I also started a gratitude journal to capture the positive moments that happen each and every day.
What book/resource could you recommend to our readers?
I would recommend, The Visionary Director by Margie Carter and Deb Curtis. This book is a great resource for individuals in the field of child care, in any capacity. It’s a Handbook for Dreaming, Organizing and Improvising. The content provides so much insight and inspiration to create, reflect and do better.
What’s your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou.
Who inspires you and why?
There are so many people in my career who have inspired me, both past and present. I love discussing child care and how to have people achieve and be their best selves, both professionally and personally. There are so many people I have to thank that have sparked my passion and kept that fire burning in my journey.
In the last couple of years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Learning how to slow down, take time to enjoy the moment, being present. Trying not to miss a chance to share a laugh, a smile, say thank you and let someone know you appreciate them.
What have you learnt to say “no” to?
I try to say no more often to filling my schedule that it becomes too busy and then in turn having too many time restraints. I try not over schedule. I am working on giving my full attention to the matter at hand and not being distracted, by the next thing coming up.
Could you name a song that can easily put you in a good mood?
This was a hard question for me. I love all kinds of music and I am always listening to music. I picked the song I Can See Clearly Now, by Jimmy Cliff, it reminds me of a dear friend of mine and the joy this song brings to them and in return, that makes me happy.
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Kristina Robert, RECE:
I took some ideas from the “Let’s Talk Kindness” seminar and used them in my kindergarten class. We challenged the kids to go outside and to find a mix of natural materials. We talked about all the different things the kids found. Then we asked them to make a person from them. We asked the class to tell us about what they made. We read the book Stick Man to go along with it.
Here is one of the creations. The person is holding an umbrella and a picnic basket.
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The District Municipality of Muskoka, Children and Seniors’ Programs’ team member:
I read this article in college. I wanted to forward it onto you after your Literacy newsletter. I truly think it is impactful and it resonated with me. |
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Katie Cross, DECE:
My learning I took away from “Let’s Talk Kindness” webinar is the importance of slowing down and observing your surroundings with your children. What do you see, what do you hear, how does nature feel to you, can you taste the air and what do you smell? I especially like the integration of technology resources that were explored during this workshop. The app Seek is one I will be using with my students throughout the year. I think it is so important to take the outdoors into the classroom and the classroom to the outdoors. When we do this, there are lots of enriched hands on learning taking place and children are able to make real-life connections. I really enjoy the art discussion and how children can make connections to the real world. The nature art collage are always fun to make. This workshop gave strategies that would suppose children's social emotions and self regulation skills. I really enjoy it.
I had an opportunity to explore the app seek and have included a picture.
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Katie Cross, DECE, in response to the article "The Importance of Human Connection": |
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What do you do from day to day to care for yourself?
Connection is so much more than connecting with other people and being social. While it is good for the mind, heart, and soul to be with others, I find we forget to connect with ourselves and nature.
Building connections with ourselves allows us to find our creativity, passions, and interests and to embrace them. It allows us to find joy, happiness and peace within ourselves when we are enjoying things our hearts can connect to.
Covid has changed how we behave in our environment. During this time, I connected back to nature by remembering the activities that bring pure joy to my heart. When I am connected and engaged in a passion, it allows for my thoughts to become clear and loud. I can hear myself and I feel I can find many answers to my many questions. Covid has reminded me of how busy our lives have become and it has taught me to slow down and connect back to myself and nature.
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But what about your social connections?
This brings me to my social connections. This past year and a bit, our lives have changed socially, at least it has for me. I have a love for the arts and I join paint nights online with friends to socially connect to my and their passion for the arts.
Gardening has always been an interest since I was young. I always think of my grandfather as he share this same passion. While connecting to nature and getting my hands dirty, I have been able to share my love of gardening with family members and gardening groups online. We share ideas and growing updates.
These are two examples of how I connect socially during the days we currently live in. One of my favourite quotes by Brené Brown, "Connection is why we're here; it is what gives us purpose and meaning to our lives."
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May 2021 Newsletter Fun Corner Contest Winner is Allie Grant!
Correct answer to the puzzle is: Pooh sticks game from The House at Pooh Corner book by A.A. Milne
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Let’s Talk Kindness webinar draw results:
A copy of Just One Wish Character Alphabet book by Vandana Verna goes to Katie Cross, Chris King, and Kristl Gardy.
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Agencies Providing Services for Children and Families in Muskoka |
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Huntsville Public Library
(Thank you Amber McNair, Youth Services Librarian with Huntsville Public Library, for sharing this message with our Readers)
Huntsville Public Library has a collection of over 20,000 physical items aimed at children. Included are board books to read aloud to young ones, picture books, easy reads (levelled readers), books on CD to listen to on road trips, paperbacks, graphic novels, fiction, and non-fiction books for personal interest and school projects. There is also the option to make purchase suggestions or borrow from across the province using inter-library loan.
A library card is free with an address in Muskoka, for a child attending school in Huntsville, anyone working in Huntsville, or a non-resident fee of $20 per year.
To borrow books and other items, Library-to-Go is currently available. Library members may place up to 10 holds at a time, wait to be contacted by email or phone when their items are ready, then use this contactless pick-up service.
Kids Book Bundles is a service for busy families or children interested in authors and series recommendations. A parent/caregiver may complete a Book Bundle request form, and staff will select 5-10 items based on the child’s age and interests.
Huntsville Public Library participates in the TD Summer Reading Club, the biggest national reading club. Registration opens June 15. The reading club has a category for each age group: 0-6, 7-12, 13-17 and 18 & Up. Participants can register through READsquared, track their summer reading within the app or using a browser. Parents may register themselves with their child(ren) under their account. Participants are encouraged to read any books that interest them and to encourage reading aloud together. A recommended reads list helps with new ideas for readers to borrow, and there is the added incentive of weekly prize draws and grand prize draws.
Summer virtual activities include a Virtual Concert with Hannah Shira Naiman, Virtual Reptiles at Risk talk with Scales Nature Park, Virtual Sticky Science Workshop with Scientists in Schools, Virtual Storytime, and Virtual Lego Builders Club.
Huntsville Public Library has partnered local organizations to offer 3 StoryWalk® locations this summer! A StoryWalk® is a fun, socially distanced activity that places a children’s book, page by page, on laminated poster boards along a path or in a park. Kids and their families have the opportunity to enjoy reading a book while being active outside in nature. EarlyON in partnership with Huntsville Public Library will be offering a StoryWalk® on Hunters Bay Trail from mid-June to the end of July. Huntsville Public Library will be offering a StoryWalk® on Fairy Vista Trail from July 1 to mid-August. Arrowhead Provincial Park will host the TD Summer Reading Club’s StoryWalk® starting July 8, 2021 until the end of July, starting beside the new Visitor Centre. Ontario Parks will be offering free weekday day use visits Monday to Thursday from May 1 to September 2, 2021.
Visit our website or call 705-789-5232 for more information.
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Hello everyone,
Summertime is nearly here and with it, the promise of participating in some of our favourite summer activities, reconnecting with friends and family, outdoor dining and barbeques, and a closer return to 'normal'. We hope you and your family have stayed well throughout the lockdown.
Due to the great success of our first 2 online fundraising raffles, the CFM is offering our summer 2021 raffle beginning this week. Covid continues to play a significant role in charitable organization's abilities to adequately fundraise for the needs in the community. So we once again turn to you, our friends and supporters, to help us through this time period in order that we continue to be fully able to take care of the kids that need us most in Muskoka.
Once again, we have some incredible prizes to offer due to the generosity of our friends in the local business community. Here’s what you can win:
- Mission Reef water matt from SWS Boatworks (value $800)
- 4 person (13 years and older) Getaway Package from Wilderness Tours Adventure package on the Ottawa River (includes 2 days of rafting, 5 meals, accommodation in the Bayside Cabin, and full use of the facility) (value $1756)
- Master Chef Prime 4-Burner Propane BBQ from Gravenhurst Canadian Tire (value $250) and 2 tomahawk steaks, 2 lobster tails and 4 potatoes from Muskoka Surf and Turf (value $250)
- 2-hour sightseeing cruise on Lake Muskoka and Discovery Centre admission for 2 from Muskoka Discovery Centre (value $120)
- “Taking Off’, a beautiful painting by local artist Nancy Watt - 48”w x 24h” acrylic, gallery style canvas - (Value $1150)
Check out the visual below for more information on these great prizes! Once again, first drawn winner gets first pick of prizes. Second drawn, chooses from the 4 remaining prizes etc. Tickets are available here!
Thank you in advance for your continued support of the CFM! Good luck in the raffle and thanks for being there for us and for the kids of Muskoka!
All the best for a great summer from all of us here at the CFM,
Dave Lyons.
Dave Lyons Executive Director, Children’s Foundation of Muskoka.
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For a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50.00), please submit a reflection of yours to Kasia on a topic of your choice that you would like to be considered for publication in one of the upcoming newsletter editions.
Your submission does not have to be in a form of an essay, other forms of expression are welcome, such as: poetry, video footage, note, opinion piece, interview, photos accompanied by a short text, review, etc.
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