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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.

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!

What is Risky Play?  Risky play is a form of play where children engage in a thrilling and challenging experience. Risky play can be many things, such as climbing, jumping from heights, rough and tumble play, exploring unfamiliar environments, and playing with tools or other materials that may cause potential risks.   Risky play is an important part of a child’s development. It promotes resilience, problem-solving, and confidence. However, as caregivers and educators, we often feel compelled to protect children from potential dangers, which can limit their exploration. The key is to find a balance between allowing risky play and maintaining a safe environment. One way to do this is by encouraging children to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their actions, while offering support and guidance when needed. Here are some strategies to help children engage in risky play within boundaries.  Instead of Saying "Be Careful" or "Stop," Try:  "I’m here if you need me."  Offering your presence without controlling the situation can encourage children to take risks while knowing they have your support. It reminds them that they’re not alone, but also encourages independence.  "What’s your plan?"  Encouraging children to think ahead about their actions helps them assess risks and outcomes themselves. It teaches them to problem-solve and make decisions based on the situation.  "How are you going to get down?"  Asking this allows children to reflect on their actions before making a move. It encourages them to think about safety in the context of climbing or other risky activities, without stopping the play completely.  Encouragement After Falling or Failing:  Falling and failing are a natural part of growth. Rather than discouraging children or jumping in too quickly to fix things, we can encourage persistence and problem-solving.  "What can you do differently next time?"  This question helps children focus on solutions and how they can improve. It promotes a growth mindset and the understanding that mistakes are part of learning.  "Practice makes progress."  Reminding children that skills improve with practice helps them stay motivated even when they don’t succeed on the first try. It reinforces the idea that persistence is more important than perfection.  "Remember last time, you figured it out!"  Referencing previous successful attempts gives children confidence. It shows them they have the skills to overcome challenges, even when things don’t go according to plan.    Natural Consequences: Empowering Choice s   When we allow children to experience natural consequences, they learn about cause and effect. Giving them choices, while maintaining boundaries, helps them make decisions and accept the outcomes of their actions.  Offer Choices:  Rather than just saying "no," offer alternatives. For example, if a child is climbing too high, you might say, "You can climb that high, but if you fall, you might get hurt. What else can you try instead?" This gives children the chance to make their own decisions and understand the risks involved.  "Accidents happen."  When accidents do occur, acknowledge the mistake without creating shame. A calm "Accidents happen. Let’s see what we can do next time" helps children understand that failure is just a part of learning.  "What do you think happened?"  After a fall or mistake, ask the child to reflect on what went wrong. This helps them analyze the situation and think critically about how they can make better choices in the future.  Balancing Safety and Risk   Risky play doesn’t mean abandoning safety altogether. It’s about offering the freedom to explore while maintaining reasonable limits. By using these strategies, adults can guide children to assess risks and set their own boundaries. This ultimately promotes physical and cognitive development, as well as confidence and resilience.  Read more about Risky Play here . Want to learn more parenting skills? Check out our FREE Parent Education Groups 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.