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Together with other parents, learn tips to support setting up rules, limits, boundaries, and realistic expectations for you and your child.

Learn more about effectively communicating with your child. Topics include: how to listen to your child as well as how to talk with your children so they listen.

Transitions can be little things like switching activities. For example: playtime to lunchtime bedtime playing at the park to when it's time to go home Transitions can also be big things like when a child starts daycare, Kindergarten, or if a family moves to a new home. In this blog post we will talk about managing those small, day-to-day transitions! Here are some tips and tricks to help make transitions easier for you and your child: Warnings Warning your child when a change is coming can help them prepare for the change and what is happening next. This might sound like: “In five minutes we are going to put away the toys and get ready for bed. ” “You can go down the slide three more times and then it is time to leave the park.” Make it fun! Turn a transition into a game! This might be: Racing to see who can pick up the most toys in two minutes or who can put on their shoes first. Singing a song about the activity. "We are walking, we are walking, to the park, to the park." Visuals Visuals can be a great tool for you and your child to use when moving from one activity to another. This might be: Using the timer on a microwave or cellphone to show that there are two minutes left of the activity. Creating a visual schedule for your child to refer back to, so they know what to expect and what is happening next. Choices Providing your child with choices gives them a sense of empowerment and control and can make it easier for your child to cope with a transition. Just make sure when you give a choice the choices you provide your child are possible and achievable. This might sound like: "Would you like to wear the red pajamas or the blue pajamas tonight?" "Would you like the pink plate or the blue bowl for dinner?" "What bedtime story would you like to read?" Prepare, prepare, prepare! When gearing up for a transition, talk with your child! Let them know what is happening, when it is happening and what to expect. Similar to using a warning, preparing your child for the transitions by letting them know what will happen next and when will help them prepare themselves for it. This might sound like: “I am going to drop you off at daycare and go to work. I will come back to get you around 4:00pm.” "We are going to the park for 30 minutes and then we will go home and make dinner." "At bedtime we will brush our teeth, put on our pajamas, read a book, and go to sleep!" The transitions where you and your child are separating can be the most difficult for them however, one way you might make these types of transitions easier is by having a special handshake to say goodbye or practicing these transitions at home in a fun way. While these transitions might be the hardest for both you and your child, remember that you are both strong and capable and that they will get easier with time! At Norwood Centre our team of qualified Early Childhood Development Subject Matter Experts work to provide tools that caregivers can use to support early childhood development. We hear you! If you have a question or concern, please ask us. We have a variety of Child Development Activities available on our website, find them at norwoodcentre.com/child-development-activities . For short-term one-on-one coaching, please call us at 780-471-3737.

Does finding time to take care of yourself seem impossible? Start small! Using toys such as pinwheels or bubbles are also great ways to practice deep breathing. Taking a deep breath will help both you and your child regulate your emotions. Deep breathing provides extra oxygen to the blood and causes the body to release endorphins, which are naturally occurring hormones that re-energize and promote relaxation. Supporting your child to manage their emotions will also build attachment between you. Practice breathing with your child. Here are some examples of fun breathing. Rainbow breathing  Imagine a rainbow in the air in front of you.   Move your finger from left to right to trace the rainbow while you inhale slowly through your nose.   Move your finger from right to left to trace the rainbow while you exhale slowly through your mouth.   Repeat as many times as necessary.  Bubble breath  Imagine you have a wand to blow bubbles.   Take a deep breath in through your nose.   Slowly breathe out through your mouth as if you are blowing a bubble through a wand.   Repeat as many times as necessary.  Remind your child not to blow too hard, or they will pop the bubble!  Soup breathing    Imagine you are holding a bowl of hot soup in your hands.     Slowly breathe in through your nose to smell the delicious soup.     Slowly breathe out through your mouth to cool down the hot soup.     Repeat as many times as necessary.  Balloon breathing  You can sit or stand up.  Place both hands on top of your head.  Begin to breathe in and out slowly. ... As you inhale, raise your arms above your head, like you are blowing up a balloon. When your lungs are full of air, your arms should look like a big, round balloon on top of your head.  As you exhale, slowly bring your hands toward your head.     Dragon breaths  Sit cross legged or kneeling with your spine long. Breathe in through your nose. Breathe out through your mouth whispering a roar while opening your eyes and mouth wide.  Repeat many times.    Find out more about emotional regulation in our co-regulation tip sheet ! Read more about self-care here . At Norwood Centre our team of qualified Early Childhood Development Subject Matter Experts work to provide tools that caregivers can use to support early childhood development. We hear you! If you have a question or concern, please ask us. We have a variety of Child Development Activities available on our website, find them at norwoodcentre.com/child-development-activities . For short-term one-on-one coaching, please call us at 780-471-3737.

Voting is an important way to have your voice heard in Canada's government. Here’s everything you need to know about the process of voting in the upcoming federal election. Photo by Elections Canada What am I voting for? Cast your vote for a person (Member of Parliament or MP) to represent you and your riding (neighbourhood) in the Canadian government. For information about the candidates in your riding visit the Elections Canada Voter Information Service  website. You can find a list of the candidates as well as links to their websites.   Who can vote? You are eligible to vote if you are a Canadian citizen, 18 years old or older on election day (April 28), and can prove your identity and address.   When can I vote? Monday, April 28, 2025 is election day. If you are unable to vote in-person on April 28, you can vote in-person at advance polls on: April 18 April 19 April 20 April 21 You can also vote at any Elections Canada office now until Tuesday April 22 at 6:00pm. To find the Elections Canada Office nearest to you visit Elections Canada’s Voting Locations  page.   Where can I vote? To find where to vote on April 28  visit the Elections Canada website  and enter your postal code or check the Voter Information Card you may receive in the mail. To find your advance polling station  location visit the Elections Canada website  and enter your postal code or check the Voter Information Card you may receive in the mail. You can also apply to vote by mail. For more information visit the Elections Canada website . In order to vote by mail you must apply on the website by April 22.   I want to vote! What do I do now? Step 1:   Register to vote . You can do this online on the Elections Canada website or in-person at your assigned polling station on the advance voting days or on election day. If you are unsure if you are registered you can find out on the Elections Canada website . To find your assigned polling station (the location where you should vote) visit the Elections Canada Voter Information Service website . If you register in advance, it will make the voting process easier.   Step 2: Make a plan! Sometimes you may have to wait in line to vote. When will you have time? Choose a day that works best for you. For more information about taking time off work to vote, visit the Elections Canada website  and talk to your employer!   Step 3: Gather the documents you need. In order to vote you must be able to prove your identity and your address. You can use your Driver’s Licence with your current address but if you do not have a licence, there are other options! For more information visit the Elections Canada website .   Step 4: Go vote! We encourage you to take part in the democratic process—your vote matters!