Health
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	Did you know?

• Take time to talk to your child about what s/he sees or hears about the grown-up world to help them understand such things as war, crime or death within an age-appropriate context.
• Be careful when discussing adult issues and problems in front of your children. Discussing worries about such things as finances or a family illness can make them worry unnecessarily.
• For school-aged children academic and social pressures can weigh very heavily on them. Take time out every day to connect with your child about how their day went and be available to listen if there’s anything they want to tell you.
• Try to balance your expectations of your child with their abilities. Unrealistic parental expectations can erode a child’s self-esteem and cause undo stress.

(Source: Kids Have Stress Too)

• One-quarter of all children who use the Internet have been asked to meet someone in person that they’ve only ever met online. (Media Awareness Network)
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• Nearly one in five students has been bullied online in the past three months. (University of Toronto study, 2008)

The internet is filled with fantastic educational resources and recreation opportunities for children, but with more and more kids going online it is more important than ever to be sure they are doing it safely. That is why BGCC, with the support of Microsoft Unlimited Potential, has developed two new internet safety resources that will teach kids how to be safe online and give parents the knowledge to protect their children.

The Internet Safety booklet for parents and Stay Safe Online quick reference sheet for kids provide important tips on how to avoid highly sexualized or violent content, keep their personal information private, avoid inappropriate contact and prevent harassment and cyber bullying.

“We are trying to get this information in the hands of every elementary school child in our region,” said Joanne Petersen, Program Manager for the Comox Valley Boys and Girls Club. “We want to be sure kids know how to be safe online and these new materials reinforce the issue in a very parent friendly way.”

 Cyber bullying and online victimization, in particular, are problems that continue to grow. Cyber bullies use email, text messages and internet sites to harass, exclude and threaten other children. Bullies feel they can hide online and their harassment continues both at school and home. “It is really easy to not know when a child is being bullied online, because many parents are not as connected as their children” said Petersen.

With these new internet safety resources, parents will have the tools to prevent this victimization before it starts and protect their child from other online dangers. Samples of these new support tools have been sent to every Club and the response has been amazing, with more than 4,000 items being distributed to Clubs across the country.

• Is your child legally old enough to be home alone?
• Is your child confident and independent?
• Can your child use the phone effectively and follow emergency instructions?
• Are there trusted adults nearby for back-up help if needed?

• Practice locking and unlocking doors with your child
• Show your child where the first aid kit is kept and review first aid and safety rules
• Prepare an emergency power black-out kit with flashlight and battery operated radio
• Discuss what your child will do if someone knocks at the door or telephones
• Arrange for back-up help from a trusted friend or neighbour
• Discuss phone rules and whether your child may have friends to visit
• Review emergency phone numbers with your child and post them in an easy access place
• Tell your child to lock all doors once safely home and call you to check in periodically

(Source: Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada: “Does This Ring a Bell”, a pamphlet for parents on after-school options for children)

• His/her name, address, telephone number
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• To dial "911" in an emergency
• To communicate with you when they feel unsafe
• To keep you informed as to their whereabouts at all times
• Never to admit being alone at home when answering the telephone
• Never to travel or play alone, always be with a friend
• To trust their feelings and say “No” to an adult if that adult wants them to do something that is wrong
• Not to accept gifts from strangers
• To tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you
• That no one has the right to touch any part of her/his body that a bathing suit would cover
• That if s/he is being followed or approached too closely, to run home or to go to the nearest public place and yell for help
• To report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who acts suspiciously towards her/him
• Never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas
• Never to enter anyone’s home without your permission
• To avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields
• Never to show her/his money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk injury
• To have a plan if your child gets lost
• That a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when s/he is lost or needs assistance

Have you ever discussed peer pressure with your child?
Have you discussed with your child what to do if they find themselves at a party with alchohol, drugs, no supervision, adult movies etc.?
Do you know if the party your child is attending will be supervised?
Have you physically checked out the facilities your child frequents (ie: daycare, sports center, clubs, arcades?
Does your child carry personal identification on her/him?
Do you know if your child is a follower or a leader?
Do you know if your child is a wanderer?
Can you account for your child’s whereabouts hourly?
Have you discussed with your child who to contact if s/he needs help and your unreachable?
Do you know how much money your child has for pocket money?
Do you know the addresses and telephone numbers of your child’s friends?
Have you met the parents of your child’s friends?
Does your child know how to reach you at any time?
Do you know the route your child takes to and from school?
Do you know if police patrol your neighbourhood on a regular basis?
Do you know your child’s favourite place to play?
Do you monitor your child’s use of the Internet?
Do you encourage your child to be aware of and trust her/his “gut feeling” or “intuition” about a person or situation?
Have you defined appropriate touching and personal space with your child?

(Source: City of Toronto, Police Services Division pamphlet called, “Protect Your Child”)

Do you know if your child is being bullied? Here are some signs to watch for:

• Feelings of rejection
• Low self-esteem
• Poor grades at school
• Isolation, withdrawal from group activities at school and outside of school
• Agressiveness, nervousness, extreme sensitivity
• Fear or refusal to go to school

What is bullying…
Psychologists define bullying as a power relationship carried on by one individual or a group of individuals towards another person. Bullying does not necessarily need to be brutal or physical violence. Rumours, threats and hurtful words also lead to feelings of rejection.

What does bullying look like?
Teasing, hair pulling, pushing, pinching or touching without consent, insulting somebody by making crude, sexist, racist or homophobic remarks
Spreading rumours
Threatening looks, unsightly gestures
Writing unpleasant things about somebody (on paper or by email)
Threatening or scaring somebody
Stealing, “taxing” (extortion of money and personal items)

Targets for bullying:
Choice of clothing
Physical differences or faults (fast, slow, big or small development)
Distinctive characteristics of parents (different education from other parents of the region, religion, origin, language)
Nutritional habits
Speech impediments
Introverted personality, solitary person

What Should Children Do?
Do not answer back with verbal violence
Ignore the insults by walking with your head up high
If you witness bullying towards another student, it is best to immediately refer what you have seen to an adult.

What Should Parents Do?
Discuss the problem with your child and try to obtain the name of the bully
Discuss the problem with the teacher and the principal of the school
Advise the child, but try not to do everything in his or her place.
Guide the child towards out-of-school activities
Do not encourage verbal or physical violence as a suitable means of defense
Do not trivialize the problem. Take it seriously!

(Source: Mia Lambert, Jeunesse J’ecoute and Annie Fernandez, Le Journal de Quebec)

THE AFTER-SCHOOL CHALLENGE

• What your needs and priorities are
• Is the location convenient to your child's school? Your home? Your workplace?
• Will the hours work with your childn's needs and your job? Are they flexible? Does the program meet a wide variety of interests?
• Does the program take a child-friendly approach?

• Find out what's available in your community. Check out your child's school, libraries and community information centres.
• Check to see how well qualified staff and volunteers are to work with children.
• Have they undergone security screening?
• Are the children in the program happy and engaged in fun, stimulating activities?

• Talk to parents who are already using the program or service provider.
• Talk to the service provider. What activities are available? What would be a typical schedule for your child?
• Discuss how your child would be disciplined.
• Discuss how you would communicate. Could you set time aside every month to discuss progress? Is communication formal or informal?
• Ask if a snack or meal is provided. Advise staff of any allergies to food or the environment.
• Discuss fees, including the procedure when a child is absent.

• Drop by during after-school hours when the program is operating.
• Check that safety and health standards are followed.
• Tour facility: Is the environment clean and well maintained? Is it pleasant and comfortable?
• What is the staff to child ratio?
• Do staff seem respectful, caring and able to relate well to the children?

• Talk to your child about the program. What is liked and disliked?
• Provide feedback to the program staff - both concerns and compliments.

• Check that there are age appropriate toys, craft supplies, and books available
• Discuss communication. Will you discuss progress informally or set aside a special time for feedback?
• Plan a schedule that allows both quiet and active times.
• Is there an area set aside for your child to do homework?
• If TV or the Internet will be available, agree what can be viewed and for how long.
• Ask for fee arrangements in writing. Agree on the procedure if child or childcare provider is sick or away.

• Is your child legally old enough to be home alone?
• Is your child confident and independent?
• Can your child use the phone effectively and follow emergency instructions?
• Are there trusted adults nearby for back-up help if needed?

• Practice locking and unlocking doors with your child
• Show your child where the first aid kit is kept and review first aid and safety rules
• Prepare an emergency power black-out kit with flashlight and battery operated radio
• Discuss what your child will do if someone knocks at the door or telephones
• Arrange for back-up help from a trusted friend or neighbour
• Discuss phone rules and whether your child may have friends to visit
• Review emergency phone numbers with your child and post them in an easy access place
• Tell your child to lock all doors once safely home and call you to check in periodically

• Boys and Girls Club
• Parks and Recreation Department
• Library
• School

Did you know that on average, eight Canadians are killed every week due to fires. According to Fire Prevention Canada (FIPRECAN), most fire deaths occur in the home. An alarming number of residential fires are caused by careless human behaviour that can be prevented. To reduce the number of preventable fires across the country, FIPRECAN's mission is to increase awareness of fire prevention and safety by educating the public. For tips on fire prevention and safety, visit Fire Prevention Canada's website: www.fiprecan.ca.

(Source: Fire Prevention Canada)

• Make math fun - Help your child measure out recipes or calculate batting averages
• Use time in the car to have fun with geography, science or math... ie: how far is it to the nation's capital?
• Encourage your child to plan for projects and set deadlines, notice when they meet them and reward their successes.
• Ask about homework. Encourage your kids to do homework every day and congratulate them when they do.
• Help with homework, but don’t do it for them.
• Provide a quiet, well-lit space for homework away from the distractions of TV and toys
• Encourage reading. Read with your child at least 20 minutes every day.
• Help your child start a hobby such as playing an instrument, doing photography or star gazing
• Limit TV watching and Internet surfing for the kids and yourself.
• Acknowledge and celebrate their success at school.
• Put aside your own worries for a moment and concentrate on what your kids are telling you.
• When your kids ask for your advice, present options and let them make choices.
• Delight in their discoveries when they’re reading, watching TV or a movie or just exploring.
• Take interest in their school and visit their teachers.
• Expect their best, but not perfection
• Be patient when your child is struggling with school or homework… focus on the positive.
• Schedule daily homework time at home and stick to it.
• Have a variety of books and other age-appropriate reading materials at home.
• Identify insects in your garden at home.
• Encourage your child to try new things.
• Ask your child to help create a recycling plan at home.
• Spell out words with alphabet soup or cereal
• Enjoy a family outing to the zoo, botanical gardens or bird sanctuary
• Talk about future travel adventures using a map.
• Ask your child to teach you games he or she plays at school.
• Try a new game or sport.
• Have a scavenger hunt around the house.
• Help your child make a budget for a trip, grocery shopping or to save for a gift.
• Have your child label household items in a language they are learning at school.
• Ask your child to teach you to make a craft or show you a magic trick.
• Speak positively about your own learning and work experiences… children are listening!
• Have age-appropriate word games and puzzles around the home.
• Attend as many school events as you can.

(Source: Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Power Up! academic support program)

• Boys account for 90% of juvenile alcohol and drug violations
• Four out of five suspects in juvenile crimes are boys
• Compared to girls, boys are more likely to be diagnosed as having a learning disability, a conduct disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder
• Boys are less likely than girls to graduate from high school or pursue higher education
• Boys commit suicide at a rate four times higher than girls
• Seventy percent of the victims of non-sexual assault under the age of 12 are boys