The importance of both free and guided play

Young children develop optimally when they can engage regularly in both free play and guided play. In free play, children practice moving at their own pace and discover their own areas of interest. With guided play, they learn to listen, to share and interact with their peers. 

“Play is the highest form of research,” Albert Einstein once said. Pediatric studies agree, suggesting different forms of play contribute to every aspect of a child’s development to help them reach for their full potential. The many benefits include:

Hit the Slopes

Head to one of the three North Shore mountains this winter break to ski or snowboard with your family. Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain, and Cypress Mountain all have adapted the ski experience to make it COVID-safe with increased cleaning and physically distanced lift lines. Remember to bring your mask and reserve tickets online in advance.

For a season that revolves around delicious treats, gifts and good times, the winter holidays are too often synonymous with stress and busyness. This year has added on a whole new layer of challenges, but that’s OK! With physical activity in your back pocket, there are still plenty of ways to stay happy and healthy during the festive weeks.

Why we’re feeling so exhausted

1. Go on a self-guided art tour – outdoors and free
   North Vancouver is home to over 150 unique, public art installations that can be found in community plazas, municipal buildings, commercial developments, parks and nature trails. Go on a walking or biking treasure hunt to admire them all. Here’s a full listing plus map.
2. Take a hike!
   

Interactive introduction to music and dance for preschoolers
The Centennial Theatre is offering interactive musical mornings for preschool children and their caregivers through the Tunes for Tots series. 

The first session in the 2019/2020 series was on a Tuesday in October with Daniel the Drummer, who set up the room with percussion instruments from different parts of the world. He introduced the audience to cajon drums from Peru, claves from Cuba, and tamborim and caxixi (seeds in reeds) shakers from Brazil. 

• Thinking and learning 
• Attention and focus (corelates with higher academic achievement)
• Emotional regulation and self-control (stress management)

Having fun adventures together strengthens relationships and builds memories. It’s also a great way to model an active lifestyle to your kids. As obesity rates rise in both adults and children, making movement a part of your family’s lifestyle is important. Keep in mind, too, the Canadian movement guidelines for kids (ages 5-17 years) include 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, while adults should be getting at least 22 minutes a day in bursts of 10 minutes or more.

1. Music and dance engages the brain
Children learn new things, like sounds, words and patterns through music. And with dance, they can explore and control their body movements.  These activities are great for development and stimulate connections in the growing brain.

2. It helps cultivate communication skills
Bringing together kids with songs, rhymes and actions lets them discover how to interact and connect with others.  They develop listening and social skills that will give them self-confidence and better prepare them for school.