Back-to-School Books

Hi, Parents,

School might look a bit different this year and giving children early literacy skills might be more important now than ever. And September is a great time to take stock of the family bookshelves. Studies show that being exposed to a number of and a variety of books early in life sets children up for reading success later on.

Here is a list of some books we love to get your child excited to dive into the world of reading!

DIVERSITY

Looking for ways to round out that bookshelf? Here are some great titles to get you started.

(3-7) An amazing picture book to help children see their own unique beauty.

(4 – 7) A poetic story about a young girl who is about to enter residential school, this book is a beautiful way to start conversations about this time in Canadian history and how it effected First Nations families.

(4-8) This picture book tells the inspiring story of Canadian hero Terry Fox and touches on themes of friendship and strength.

(6-9) Combining English and Cree, this book follows a young boy as he discovers the world around him through the guidance of his grandmother.

(8-14) A non-fiction account of the history of racism towards Indigenous peoples and the hopeful ways that allies are working to mend relations.

(4-8) The main character in this picture book is hesitant to participate because she feels different but as more and more children try to get to know here, she shares what makes her different and we see how her differences enrich the lives of everyone around her.

(4-8) A photo journey through the history of school segregation and integration.

(8-12) This graphic novel based on the author’s family history looks at the struggles of the Jewish people during World War 2 but also the hopeful experiences that that followed their struggles as a refugee family in Canada.

 

SCHOOL READINESS/EMOTIONS

No matter what learning looks like to your family this fall, transitioning from summer to school, can be tough. These books can help!

(3 – 6) A great story about how scary it can be to enter a new situation, especially when you feel different, and how sharing those differences with others, can help everyone grow and learn.

(3-6) A cheerful story about facing fears and trying new things.

(2-12) This beautiful picture book introduces the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals and how children can turn toward this tradition as a way to understand themselves and others.

(3-6) A cute story about the  journey to independence that kindergarten brings.

(3-7) A playful, multi-layered tale about the power of the stories we tell ourselves.

(2-7) A hilarious but heartfelt story about finding the good in new and tough situations.

(8-12) This book that traces the history of language as well as teaches phrases and numbers in different languages, is sure to stimulate the reader’s curiosity about the world and spark an interest in language and culture.

 

S.T.E.A.M 

Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, are the foundation of school learning. Check out these books that focus on S.T.E.A.M. in a unique and fun way.

(4 – 8) The curious star of this informational picture book explores her identity as a mammal, animal, and living thing.

(7-12) This story about entomologist Charles Henry Turner is a great example of how an inquiring mind and patience can lead to great scientific discoveries.

(9-12) This informative book answers all your environment questions from, what is the atmosphere, to how to we protect our beautiful planet’s future.

(4-12) If your family is learning at home this year, this book is packed with hands-on science activities for every age group.

Happy reading, everyone!

— Jackie

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How to Wash Your Hands: Fun Guides for Kids from Chirp, Chickadee, and OWL

Click HERE to print out the Chirp Handwashing Guide.

Click HERE to print out the Chickadee Handwashing Guide.

Click HERE to print out the OWL Handwashing Guide.

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Educational Activities for Kids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Parents!

Are you looking for some fun and educational activities for your kids to do during the break?

Check out the Owlkids Family and Parent Resources here.

You will find tons of learning resources to accompany past issues of Chirp magazine, as well as Chirp colouring pages, and cut-out activities.

Have fun!

— Jackie

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Family Wellness Tips from a Psychologist

Hi Owlkids Family!

Struggling to keep everyone in the house mentally healthy and happy? Us, too! So we reached out to local clinical psychologist and Owlkids consultant Dr. Ashley Major for some advice. Here’s what she said. Thanks, Ashley!

Check in with your child’s feelings.
Schedule one-on-one time with each child several times a week to check-in with how they are feeling. Provide children with an opportunity to discuss and express themselves, and any worries or frustration they may be experiencing. Give your child your full attention during this time, actively listen, and empathize with their concerns. Try to avoid giving advice, suggestions, or going for the bright side. All children need their feelings to be accepted, heard, and understood, just as they are, without being changed. This can help children dissipate the feelings and make them easier to handle.

Help your child connect with others.
Maintaining some form of social contact is an important antidote to feelings of isolation and loneliness during a time when we are all encouraged to keep our distance from each other. Help your child stay connected with peers in a safe way by setting up virtual playdates. Suggest activities such as Battleship or Guess Who. Children can also take turns reading stories to each other, doing crafts, creating or sharing music, or doing show and tell.

Balance family togetherness with personal space. 
With everyone cooped up together, it’s not uncommon for your home to feel like a pressure cooker. Times of positive connection and togetherness are important for families; however, everyone in the family should have some time to themselves to replenish their batteries. If you have a family schedule, be sure to include “quiet time” for each family member.

Start a family mindfulness practice.
Being “mindful” or being “aware” of our surroundings as well as the thoughts and feelings we are experiencing in that moment, has numerous benefits for mental health and well-being, including decreased anxiety. Children of all ages can benefit from mindfulness and it can help decrease stress in parents too. Mindfulness can be done in many creative ways to engage children and a quick internet search will yield many fun activities that can be done as a family.

Take control of your own thoughts and feelings.
During times of uncertainty, thoughts can often wander into the unknown, which can lead to “worst case scenario” thinking. However, the way we perceive a situation can affect the degree of anxiety and fear that we experience. It is important to remember that worries are concerns about what might happen in the future, but there are no guarantees and thoughts are not facts. Oftentimes, our worries do not turn out the way we expect and, in fact, we are able to handle much more than we believe we can. Mantras, which are brief phrases we repeat to ourselves, can help counter worry thoughts or “worst case scenario” thinking. Phrases, such as “I can handle this,” “I’m stronger than I think,” “this will pass,” or “thoughts are not facts” can be helpful. In addition, focusing on what we can control and accepting what we can’t can also reduce anxiety and fear.

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Fun Recipes for Kids

Looking for fun snacks to make with your kids at home right now? We’ve got just the thing!

Check out the Owlkids Recipe Book.

Click here to download your own free copy and head to the kitchen for some family fun!

— Jackie

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