Here are three tips that will set children up for success while easing the mental load for parents and caregivers.

Establish routines

A predictable schedule can help kids stay on track with their day-to-day activities and give them a sense of stability. When a child feels comfortable and safe, they are open to learning new skills – it’s why childcare or early learning centres are built around regular schedules.

What’s more, healthy, lifelong habits may be easier to instill when they’re tied into a routine, sometimes called habit stacking. It’s like brushing your teeth right before story time which comes before sleep. The more life’s annoying chores, like brushing teeth or flossing, can become habitual for kids, the more likely they are to carry them into adulthood.

Cook for life

There’s a role for kids in the kitchen, from toddlers to teens. Teaching children about food from a young age will give them the tools to take ownership of their health later in life. Exposing them to culinary variety also helps to build kids’ interest in the larger world. Something as simple as getting them to talk about the shape, smell and taste of a new fruit goes a long way in developing little palates.

Choose age-appropriate tasks, like stirring ingredients for little ones, or simple meal prep like grilled cheese for older children, with supervision as needed. Learning special family recipes not only develops teenagers’ culinary skills, it also helps them to celebrate cultural traditions. Teaching these empowering skills can also save caregivers some time in the kitchen.

Trust your community

Parents want their children to be curious, knowledgeable and well adjusted, but we can’t be everything, everywhere, all at once. You don’t have to be the only champion for your child’s future.

Aside from friends and family, many childcare centres, such as Childventures, employ early childhood educators to provide caring, learning-filled environments. It’s okay to trust that caregivers and educators are just as dedicated to your child’s well-being and growth as you are. Knowing they have the proper training and expertise can also relieve some stress.

If you’re passionate about children and looking for a way to channel your creativity, you may want to consider the field of early childhood education yourself. It’s much more hands on than being a teacher, and you get to play a greater role in fostering children’s emotional health. The career is in high demand, too, with childcare centres, such as Childventures, hiring for all age groups.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 3 tips to set your child up for success est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Here’s what you can do.

Get informed

Tune in to local forecasts or sign up to receive heat alerts on your phone so you know when to expect the heat. If it’s available, check the Air Quality Health Index in your area since air pollution is often worse on very hot days.

Don’t wait for thirst

Feeling thirsty is not a good sign of how hydrated you are, especially in hot weather, so be sure to drink water before you feel thirsty. Try leaving a glass by the sink as a reminder, and up your fluid intake by eating fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon or grapes.

Keep your home cool

If you find yourself in an overheated home, activate the air conditioning if it’s available.

If you don’t have air conditioning, close your curtains or blinds during the day to block out heat from the sun, and avoid using your oven to cook. If it’s safe, open your windows at night to let in cooler air. If it gets too hot in your home, relocate to a cooler area of the home like your basement or visit an air-conditioned space like a library or cooling centre.

Be friendly

Try to plan regular check-ins with family, friends and neighbours on hot days to help each other find relief. Head to an air-conditioned space such as a home, the local library or the movies.

Extreme heat poses health risks for everyone, especially for young children, older adults and those of us with breathing difficulties or other health conditions. It’s smart to stay connected to give and receive support.

(Source : News Canada)

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Ask the hard questions

You’ll have to ask some tough questions to really dig in and find a role you love. Take a deep breath and be honest with yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What makes you curious? What kind of work environment would be best for you – from home, in an office or more hands on? Full-time or part-time? What motivates you any given day and keeps you coming back?

For instance, if you love working with children but realize you prefer a more hands-on work environment versus standing in front of a blackboard or grading assignments, being an early childhood educator (ECE) is likely a better fit than being a teacher.

Consider all angles

When you’re trying to answer big questions, it sometimes helps to have someone act as an external sounding board. A mentor or career coach can help you think through strategies and direction for your career plan or job hunt. And don’t underestimate the value of colleagues, family and friends providing their perspectives. Ultimately you need to make your own decision, but other people can help identify blind spots or things you hadn’t considered before.

Do your homework

Once you have a better sense of the type of job you’re looking for, it’s important to do your research and see what opportunities exist. You might also realize there are educational requirements for your desired path. Scour professional blogs or take a free online workshop. Career days and job fairs from employers or schools can also be informative. And again, don’t underestimate the value of your own community for setting up networking interviews.

If you can find a job that taps into your personal passions and interests, success is sure to follow. For example, if working with children resonates with you, know that ECEs are in high demand across the province. Early childcare centres, such as Childventures, are currently hiring ECEs for all age groups.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 3 tips to find a job you actually love est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

This recipe is adapted from one developed by the chef and pediatric nutritionist at Childventures Early Learning Academy where the philosophy is “healthy body, healthy mind.”

Whole Wheat Veggie Macaroni Casserole

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 ml) green zucchini
• 1 cup (250 ml) yellow zucchini
• 2 cups (500 ml) broccoli
• ½ cup (125 ml) red onion
• ¾ cup (175 ml) red pepper
• ¾ cup (175 ml) green pepper
• 2 cups (500 ml) of homemade or jarred marinara sauce
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
• 2½ cups (625 ml) dry whole wheat macaroni (note: pasta will double in size after cooking)
• 1 cup (250 ml) cottage cheese
• 2 cups (500 ml) shredded mozzarella (or as desired)

Directions:

1. Chop all vegetables into approximately 1 inch pieces.
2. Heat oil in a pot. Add all vegetables and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add marinara sauce and bring to a boil.
4. Meanwhile, boil a pot of water and add pasta. Cook according to the directions on the package. Drain.
5. Add sauce with veggies, cottage cheese and three-quarters of the mozzarella to the pasta and mix.
6. Pour into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
7. Bake in preheated oven at 350° F (200° C) for 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.
8. Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Try this kid-approved veggie casserole recipe tonight est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Seasonal thaw

Clogged eavestroughs can cause a number of problems, from damaging the soffit and roofline to basement flooding. Ideally, you’ll clean out your eaves in late fall after the leaves have dropped and before the snow arrives. If you missed doing last season, it’s worth doing now anyway.

Your downspouts should eject water at least four feet from the foundation, and channel it away from your house. If your yard slopes towards the house, contact a landscaper to get it regraded.

Interior flooding

Inspecting your plumbing fixtures and appliances that use water should be on your annual to-do list. Check all the fittings and drainpipes for signs of corrosion or leaks.

You can also buy affordable electronic leak detectors that will set off an alarm if they come in contact with moisture. Set these up near your water tank, washing machine and dishwasher for peace of mind. There are also other smart devices now on the market that will detect and notify you of unexpected increases in water use or volume.

If you have a sump pump, you should also have a battery backup system in case the power goes out.

If you’re on a municipal sewage system, consider installing a backflow valve on your sewer pipe. This simple yet effective device will prevent sewage from entering your home if the sewers are clogged or flooded.

Overland flooding

If you live in a flood plain, near a river or other major waterway there are steps you can take to help protect your home from damage.

The first thing to do is make sure there are no cracks in your foundation. Inspect the entire perimeter from the outside, and inside if the basement is unfinished. Call in a contractor for remediation options if you do spot any gaps.

If you have below-grade windows, there are covers you can install over the window well. There are also reusable, absorbent barriers you can buy to place in front of doorways or other areas where water may get in.

Emergency prep

If you’re in an area where overland flooding is a risk, you need to be prepared for an emergency evacuation order. Make sure you have enough gas in your car to get out of the flood zone. Prepare an emergency bag with essentials including cash, your passports, insurance info and other important documents, medicine, non-perishable food, water, a flashlight and a first aid kit.

To protect yourself from any type of flooding, never store important documents or other valuables in the basement.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article How to protect your home from flooding est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

It is also possible to go directly to our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linkedin pages, as well as our Youtube channel.

It should also be remembered that the people of Laval can also obtain the paper edition of their local newspaper in order to be informed from a trustworthy Canadian source.

Your local newspaper remains the best source for reliable, fact-based news. In Canada, four out of five people already trust newspapers to provide the information that matters most to them.

More relevant than ever

As News Media Canada shares on its webpage, every week in Canada, nearly 30 million newspapers (print or digital) are distributed across the country in markets of all sizes, including Laval.

Four in five Canadians (83%) read newspapers every week in Canada, whether in print or digital form.

“Print and digital newspapers are an effective advertising medium, regardless of the audience you are trying to reach. Do you want to join the younger generations? They read the newspapers. Want to join the older generations? They have always read newspapers,” adds News Media Canada.

Still strong in the digital age

It should be noted that 4 in 5 Canadians (83%) read newspapers, in print or digital, at least once a week, a figure that remains virtually unchanged from the inaugural study (85%) carried out in 2012.

Despite all of media options and digital distractions, readers still turn to traditional, more accurate and reliable sources of information.

Let us conclude by mentioning that newspapers and news media are an essential service that connects communities across the country.

The news media play an essential role in our democracy by providing Canadians with reliable and credible information.

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If you’re among that dominant group, here are four ways you can help fight against climate change.

Book a staycation

Planning a holiday at or close to home has multiple benefits. For one, you don’t have to break the bank with pricey airline tickets or multiple tanks of gas for an epic road trip. Cutting out those items also reduces the carbon footprint of your vacation.

Visiting nearby attractions helps you better connect with your community and keeps your hard-earned money circulating in the local economy.

If you do plan to go abroad, consider adding carbon offsets to the budget to help reduce your impact.

Apply the three Rs to your wardrobe

Globally, “fast fashion” is a major contributor to climate change and it also fills up landfills. Rather than buying cheap clothing that will fall apart after a few washings, invest in better-quality garments that will last for years to come.

Another option is to shop at thrift or consignment stores rather than buying new. You’ll save some money, and someone else’s previously loved clothing will get a new lease on life.

Finally, you can repurpose old clothing into new with some adornments or strategic snips with the scissors. Are we ready for the return of the iconic Daisy Duke jean shorts?

Eat smart

Much like a staycation, buying your food from local providers has multiple benefits, including reducing the carbon footprint required to get the food to your table and supporting nearby producers.

Wherever you source your food from, take steps to not waste it. Planning a menu ahead of time means you can use up leftovers and items you already have in the fridge or pantry before they go bad.

You can save yourself time and money by buying food in bulk and making large batches of your family’s favourite dishes. Reheat some of the leftovers for an easy meal the next day and freeze the rest in single-serve containers for healthy, homecooked lunches later on.

Conserve energy at home

Reducing energy consumption at home not only helps the planet; it also helps your wallet. One way to reduce your energy use is by using Wi-Fi enabled switches such as Square D. By pairing your switches and plugs with an energy monitoring system like Wiser Energy, you can use your phone to control light switches for intelligent home energy management.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article How you can do your part to fight climate change est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

What do smart home technology products do?

Smart appliances and fixtures are ones that can be controlled and monitored remotely and, through machine learning, will detect and adjust to your lifestyle automatically. This means you can turn the lights on or off from wherever you are, can check to make sure you didn’t leave the curling iron on or fridge door ajar and reduce energy consumption by shutting down items that aren’t in use.

Are they hard to use?

No need to feel intimidated. Most smart home appliances can be operated through their controls, via a separate keypad installed in the home or on an app. Once your contractor shows you how to install and use the app, you’ll be off and running.

What does a home energy monitor do?

A smart home monitoring system can help you keep tabs on your home 24/7. You can use Wi-Fi enabled switches like Square D and pair it with Wiser Energy, a home energy monitor, to receive custom notifications via your smartphone. This is great for homeowners who want to receive alerts about things like when your garage door opens, when your dryer turns off or if you leave a curling iron plugged in.

Are they expensive to install?

Like anything, it depends on your budget. You can buy a smart home monitor starting at a few hundred dollars, and a qualified electrician can install one in minutes. But many homeowners typically find they quickly recoup the cost of installing these systems with the energy savings they’re able to implement.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 4 questions to ask your contractor about smart home technology est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Here are a few ways you can take some time back for yourself while you adjust to life as a parent.

Listen and learn

Make feeding time multi-tasking time. Turn on your favourite podcast or an audiobook, or binge that series you’ve been hearing so much about. If the sound disturbs your baby, connect some headphones or turn on closed captioning and hit mute.

Enlist the kids

If you have older children, get them to help out with age-appropriate chores. Younger kids can be tasked with cleaning their room and tidying up common areas. Give older kids some tasks that teach independence and show your trust, such as snack prep or running the laundry or dishwasher.

Up the comfort

If you’re having a hard time relaxing, try a warm bath and soothing music, or give meditation a go. Comfy clothes like soft jogger pants or bike shorts, breezy zip-ups and cozy socks can help you chill out, and nursing clothes, like the Medela sleep bra, can help you nurse more comfortably with less fuss. Nursing with one of their silicone milk collectors also lets someone else feed the baby later while you get some rest or get out of the house.

Pamper yourself

Feeling good about yourself is a great way to boost your mood even when you’re feeling worn out. Getting outside to enjoy the sunshine can brighten your spirits and provide health benefits for both you and baby. For a real luxury, consider treating yourself to an in-home appointment with a personal grooming service such as a haircut or pedicure, or even an at-home massage.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 4 ways a new mom can take time for herself est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Keep kids in the loop

Surprises are overrated when it comes to vacations. Is it worth the potential meltdowns? Kids have little control over their lives day-to-day and their regular routines help them feel comfortable, confident and safe. Talking through each step of your trip ahead of time can help prepare them for unfamiliar situations and put them at ease. Showing them your route on a map, for instance, can help kids feel involved and get them excited.

Take advantage of family perks

Many hotels and resorts have family discounts or special activities for groups. If you’re flying, check with your airline about baggage, as some will let you check strollers and bulky baby gear for no fee. Arriving early and using the family boarding time will also help reduce stress. Remember too that breast milk is exempt from the 100 ml carry-on liquid rule.

Pace yourselves

It can be tempting to cram every possible activity into your limited time away, but remember to schedule in some down time too. Constantly being on the go is a recipe for exhausted kids and tantrums. And if you’re travelling with a new baby, accept that your pace will likely be slower than before you had kids. Enjoy your time together and allow for one-on-one side trips with older kids or grandparents too.

Pack smart and streamlined

You know you can’t pack everything, but some items can make a big difference. For new parents traveling with little ones, look for simple streamlined versions of the tools you need, such as a collapsible stroller, folding booster seat or a compact breast pump that moms can use on the go. Some Medela pumps are hands-free and USB rechargeable for up to six sessions, so you don’t need to hunt down a power outlet. If you’re preparing to pump and nurse on the go, pack less by choosing one of Medela’s pumping and nursing bras.

It’s also always a good idea to pack snacks, diapers and small activities to keep the kids happy too!

(Source : News Canada)

L’article How to minimize stress on a family vacation est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.