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2015 Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 1
Seeing PLAY through our children’s eyes!
2015 Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Published by
Valleyview & Area ECD Coalition
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/ValleyviewAreaEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentCoalition
Proud supporters of the Valleyview & Area
Early Childhood Development Coalition Initiative.
Town of Valleyview
www.valleyview.govoffice.com
M.D. of Greenview No. 16
www.mdgreenview.ab.ca
Photography
Quotes & Text
www.marycolleen.ca
[email protected]
Like me on Facebook!
Vince Gowmon
www.vincegowmon.com
Layout & Design
uc communications
www.uccommunications.com
© 2015: Valleyview & Area Early Childhood Development Coalition
CONTENTS
5.
Early Childhood Coalitions
6.
What is Play and Why is it Important?
8.
Different Types of Play
15. Home & Family Resources
17. Community Health Services
19. Valleyview & DeBolt Community
Resources
23. Regional Services
27. Child Care & Early Learning Programs
29. Recreation & Parks
35. Quick Reference Numbers
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 3
“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have
to be in their lives today.” - Anonymous
4 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Early Childhood Coalitions
Through the Early Child Development Mapping Project (ECMap) with the help
of seed grant funding provided by Alberta Education, coalitions were formed
across Alberta. Coalitions are groups of individuals who have come together to
plan and promote community-based supports for young children and families.
Your local coalition is the:
Valleyview & Area Early Childhood Development Coalition.
Our Vision
“Our wish for the children in our community - Nurture happiness and contentment, live with
imagination and play.”
Our Purpose
• Educate community on the importance of early childhood development; as giving children a good start in life strengthens our communities and economy.
• Identify and investigate community assets, so we can respond with a plan to develop, improve on, or support what is necessary in the community to achieve a solid foundation for healthy
child development.
• Advocate for optimum social infrastructure to meet the needs of families within the community.
• Provide support and increase awareness of the importance of “play” as a learning tool.
For more information visit the Coalition’s Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/ValleyviewAreaEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentCoalition
Email: [email protected]
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 5
What is play and why is it important?
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international agreement that defines
universally accepted rights for children. Article 13 of this agreement states that all children have the
right to rest, leisure, play and recreation and to take part in cultural and artistic activities.
–International Play Association
6 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
What is Play?
Play can mean different things to different people and can be defined in many different ways.
A widely accepted definition of free play is: “freely chosen, personally directed, or intrinsically
motivated” (Bob Hughes, 2012).
How do children benefit from play?
Free Play
From learning how to share and negotiate with others, to challenging boundaries and developing
creativity, through to fitness and simply having fun, children and youth most certainly need active,
unstructured play. Here are a few suggestions:
• Nature scavenger hunt
• Hide and Seek
• Pillow fight
• Magic tricks
• Build a fort
• Unstructured dance
How can you be a champion of play?
• Connect with your child. Be truly present with a child and free yourself from the distractions of a “busy” world that can often side track us from the joys of play.
• Unplug from technology and be truly present to connect in playful moments.
• Find moments in your day to incorporate play (running an errand, doing simple tasks, etc.).
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 7
Different Types
of Play
There are different types of play, and they often
overlap in many areas of a child’s play routine.
Parents and adults connected with children who
know to watch for these types of play will provide a
solid foundation for heathy child development.
Though the process by which a child may learn,
grow and develop through play remains a
subject for further research, the importance of play
is beyond dispute. This list of “Twelve key types of
Play” is adapted from Vince Gowmon’s (2013) list of
types of play. We hope this list will offer support so
you may connect with your child in play!
Large-Motor Play
Children love to climb, run,
slide, swing, jump and
engage in every type of
movement possible. Such
play develops coordination,
balance, and a sense
of one’s body in the
space around it.
8 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Small-Motor Play
Play with small toys
and activities like
stringing beads,
playing with
puzzles, and
sorting objects
into types
develops
dexterity.
Sensory Play
Most children enjoy
playing with dirt, sand,
mud, water and other
materials with different
textures, sounds, and
smells. Such play
develops the senses.
Language Play
Children develop mastery
by playing with words,
rhymes, verses and songs
they make up or change.
They tell stories and
dramatize them. They are
fascinated by foreign
languages,especiallly when
they are presented playfully
in story, verse, or song.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 9
Make-believe Play
This broad category
incorporates many other
play types and is rich with
language, problem-solving
and imagination. It frequently
begins with “let’s pretend” and
goes on to include anything
children might have
experienced or
imagined.
Construction Play
Building houses, ships,
forts and other structures
is a basic form of play
that requires both skill
and imagination.
10 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Symbolic Play
Children take an object at
hand and convert it into
the toy or prop they need
through a fluid process of
fantasy or imagination.
A stick becomes a
“dragon slaying sword”!
Master Play
Children often repeat an action
in play and persevere until
they master it, such as making
dozens of “birthday packages”
to learn to tie bows, or playing
on a balance beam to become
a “circus performer”.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 11
Rough and Tumble Play
This fundamental form of play
is found in animals as well as
human children. Animals know
how to play roughly without injury
by rounding their body gestures
and not aiming for dominance.
Children can be helped to
do the same if their play
becomes too aggressive.
Risk-taking Play
Children extend their abilities
through risky play and learn to
master challenging environments.
They generally know how far they
can go without actually hurting
themselves. Regrettably, most
current play spaces are designed
to be as risk-free as possible,
giving children little change
to assess risks and set
their own boundaries.
12 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Rules Based Play
Kindergartners and
grade-school children enjoy
the challenge of making up
their own rules and the social
negotiation involved in
adapting the rules for
each play situation.
Playing with the Arts
Children integrate all forms
of art into their play, using
whatever materials are
at hand to draw, model,
create music, perform
puppet shows, and so on.
They explore the arts and
use them to express their
feeling and ideas.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 13
“Families that play together, stay together.”
- Vince Gowmon
14 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Home & Family Resources
Bring Back Play App – ParticipACTION (All ages)
This app provides tips and ideas to get outdoors and start playing today! You can search games by keywords, ages, play space, number of
players or play equipment. Bring up the following website on your phone: http://www.bringbackplay.ca/
Fun ideas for learning through play at home - Learning 4 Kids
(Ages 1-5+)
You will find lots of FUN and Simple IDEAS to do as a family that promote CREATIVE PLAY and learning! You can search by play categories and age. Visit http://www.learing4kids.net/
Outdoor seasonal activities to enjoy as a family – Active Kids Club (All ages)
Enjoying nature is a lifestyle and a way of life! This website includes
Simple Outdoor Fun ideas that are searchable by the four seasons
(Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall). Visit http://www.activekidsclub.com/
Things for kids and parents to do together! - National Wildlife
Federation (All ages)
Family fun activities such as crafts, recipes, outdoor activities, songs,
printables and contests. You can search activities by age, season, type, animals and subjects. Visit http://www.nwf.org/kids.aspx
Let’s Play Mobile App!-Zero to Three (Ages 0 - 5)
Let’s Play is a free app which provides parents and grandparents with
fun ideas for keeping babies and toddlers entertained and learning,
especially during daily routines. Parents can search activites by age,
share activities via social media, and tag their faviorites. Download the Let’s Play app on iTunes.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 15
“Sometimes
you have to
drop the rake
and play in
the leaves.”
- Douglas
V’Soske
In innocent play, we don’t
know what we don’t know,
and are blissfully content
in uncertainty.
In structured play, we
know that we know, and are
frightfully uncomfortable
with uncertainty.
In mature play, we realize
that the more we know the
more we don’t know, and
find wisdom and humility
in living with an open and
uncertain mind.
16 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Community Health Services
Valleyview Hospital (4802 Hwy St E)
780-524-3356
Valleyview Public Health Centre (4802 Hwy St E)
780-524-3338
Valleyview Medical Clinic (4804 Hwy St E)
• Dr. L. Schweggman780-524-4467
• Dr. L. Verberg780-524-4469
• Dr. Piercey780-524-4497
Valleyview Dental Clinic (4801 Hwy St E)
780-524-3864
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Health Centre
780 524-3717
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 17
“It’s less about finding time to play, and more about allowing
yourself to be playful in this very moment.”
18 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
- Vince Gowmon
Valleyview & DeBolt
Community Resources
Parent Link Centre
Office located at 5001 - 42 Street, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-8672
Offers support to all families with a focus on children under 6.
• Developmental screenings
• Parent education
• Family support
• Early childhood development & care programming
• Information / referrals
Green View Community Resource Centre
4707 - 50 Street, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-7603
Assists individuals and families.
Green View FCSS
4707 - 50 Street, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-7603
Website: http://mdgreenview.ab.ca/programs-services/departments/fcss/programs
Through a partnership with the province of Alberta, Family & Community Support
Services (FCSS) offers programs and services that allow residents to develop
their interests and to contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.
Family Learning Initiative
Ph: 780-524-4323
Offers pre-literacy skills based programs to families with children ages 0-5 in the
Valleyview area. Programs will enhance your children’s literacy skills and prepare
them for their achool-aged years while having fun! Progams are free and include
snacks. Transportation and child care can be arranged if needed. All programs
involve parent participation. The following programs are being offered:
• Rhyme Tyme
• B.O.O.K.S.
• Books for Babies
• LAPS
Heart River Housing
5213 - 48 Street, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-5554
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 19
South Peace Family Literacy
Ph: 780-897-4365 | Email: [email protected]
Provides parents of children 0 to 6 years with accessible information and
ideas that will help them foster their children’s literacy and language
development in an inexpensive and creative manner in Ridgeview/Debolt
area. Programs are available to families who live in the South Peace Region.
Programs offered include:
• Baby, Books & More
• Beyond the Book
• Rhymes Alive!
• Educational presentations to parents of preschool children
Playgroups
Valleyview Indoor Playground
5206 - 50 Street, Valleyview | Tuesdays from 9:30 am until 11:30 am
The DeBolt Centre
(Indoor Playground - Moms and Munchkins)
Ph: 780-957-3958
Churches
Many local churches provide a variety of services and programs for
families with young children. Please contact your local town office to find
out more about the places of worship in your area.
Libraries & Museums
DeBolt & District Pioneer Museum
Located on Virginia Avenue, DeBolt | Email: [email protected]
Public access and community programming.
DeBolt Public Library
Ph: 780-957-3770 | Website: deboltlibrary.ab.ca
Valleyview Municipal Library & Gallery
4804 - 50 Avenue, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-3033
Website: www.valleyviewlibrary.ab.ca
20 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
“Give children toys that are powered by
their imagination, not by batteries.”
- H. Jackson Brown
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 21
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels.
The trouble-makers. The round pegs in a square hole.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules, and they have no
respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them,
glorify, or villify them, but the
only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
And while some may see them as the crazy ones,
we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough
to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
- Apple Computers
Regional Services
Alberta Health Services - Community Health Services
Nurses provide a broad range of programs that promote health and prevent illnesses in the
community. Programs and services provided include:
• Aboriginal Services
• Healthy Family Program
• Adult Health
• Lactation Consultant
• Chronic Disease Management
• Nutrition Program
• Communicable Disease Control
• Postnatal Home Visits
• Dental Program
• Prenatal Classes
• Drop-in Service
• Preschool Public Health
• Family Health Immunization Clinics
• School Health
• Environment Public Health
• Sexual Health
• Genetics Program
• Speech/Audiology
• Health Promotion and Wellness
• Travel Immunization Clinics
• HealthLINK
Valleyview Public Health Centre
Lower level, Privincial Building (50 Street, Valleyview) | Ph: 780-524-3338
Grande Prairie Public Health Centre
Main Floor, Provincial Building (10320 - 99 Street, Grande Prairie)
Ph: 780-513-7500 | Toll free: 1-800-732-8981
Alberta Health Services - Community Mental Health
Providing counselling for adults and children with mental health issues. Adult/child walk-in is available.
• Valleyview Mental Health Services | Ph: 780-524-5096
• Grande Prairie Mental Health Services | Ph: 780-538-5160 or 780-538-5162
Alberta Health Services - Early Childhood Intervention Program
Provides support and information for families in a variety of settings and locations; family home,
playgroups and community settings. They work together with families concerned with their child’s
development and/or children at risk for developmental delays (premature, prenatally exposed to drugs
or alcohol, diagnosed disability).
• Valleyview Health Centre | Ph: 780-524-3338
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 23
Alberta Health Services - Addiction Services
Adult outpatient counselling for people (or their family members) struggling with alcohol, drug, or
gambling addictions, accessed through intake.
• MITAA Office in Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-2909
• Grande Prairie Office | Ph: 780-513-7500
Healthy Families - Valleyview & Area
Lower level Provincial Building, 50 Street, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-3338
This program provides individual in-home support for parenting, attachment, developmental milestones,
understanding temperament, understanding and coping with behavior, effective discipline, routines and
community resources. Supporting families with children from birth to five years of age.
“It is a happy
talent to know
how to play.”
- Ralph Waldo
Emerson
24 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Metis Local 1990
Suite 320, 9804 - 100 Avenue, Grande Prairie | Ph: 780-538-9333
Website: www.grandeprairiemetislocal.org
Effective parenting programs.
Northwest, AB. Child and Family Services Region 8
Adoption/foster care/kinship care, child intervention, family enhancement, child care licensing,
subsidy/support.
• Valleyview (#201 Provincial Building, 50 Street) | Ph: 780-524-4106
• Grande Prairie (10113 - 99 Avenue) | Ph: 780-538-5122
Odyssey House
10123 - 107 Avenue, Grande Prairie | Ph: 780-532-2672
Odyssey House’s mission is to have women, children, and their families free from family violence. They
are an emergency shelter that provides accommodation and support services to women and children
in need. Outreach services provided.
P.A.C.E. (Providing Assistance, Counseling & Education)
10031 - 103 Avenue, Grande Prairie | Ph: 780-539-6692
P.A.C.E. provides a variety of services in Valleyview and area including crisis intervention, family
support, educational workshops, and counselling services involving sexual abuse, sexual assault,
child abuse, and trauma. P.A.C.E believes that everyone dealing with or experiencing crisis and
trauma has the right to access skilled, caring and professional services.
Western Cree Tribal Council - Child, Youth and Family Enhancement
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Main Office Ph: 780-524-5978 | Grande Prairie Sub-Office Ph: 780-532-3009
Visit www.westerncree.ca/child.html for more information.
A tripartite agreement was signed by the Federal Government, Provincial Government and Western
Cree Tribal Council in 2000 and officially became operational in 2001. The Tribal Council consists of
Duncan’s First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. The program oversees
all child welfare inquiries for the three Nations. The Child Youth & Family Enhancement Board is
established with members appointed by the Chiefs from all three Nations. Working together to
enhance the ability of families and communities to develop nurturing and safe environments for
children, youth and individuals.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 25
“If we are not preparing children to live from their heart,
then we are missing the purpose of education and life.”
- Vince Gowmon
Child Care &
Early Learning Programs
Early Childhood Education
Northern Gateway Public Division #10 (Whitecourt Central Office Ph: 780 778-2800)
• Oscar Adolphson Primary School | 5209 - 48 Sreet, Valleyview | Ph: 780 524-3144
Holy Family Catholic Regional Division #37 (Peace River Central Office Ph: 780-624-3956)
• St. Stephen’s Catholic School | 5109 - 44 Street, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-3562
Peace Wapiti Public School Division #76 (Grande Prairie Central Office Ph: 780 532-8133)
• Ridgevalley School | Ridgevalley | Ph: 780-957-3995
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
• Sturgeon Lake School | Ph: 780-524-4590
Rosedale Christian School
• Ridgevalley | Ph: 780 957-2543
Choosing ECS Programs
Alberta Education provides information on Early Childhood Services as well as
links to many resources. To assist you in learning about ECS in Alberta visit
http://education.alberta.ca/parents/ecs.aspx
Choosing Quality Child Care & Early Learning Programs
(day care, family child care, preschool & out-of-school care)
For a list of licensed/approved child care and early learning programs please visit
www.nwalliance.ca. On this website, the Valleyview and DeBolt area programs fall
under the High Prairie Area (green tab). You will find specific programs listed on the
left of the web page under Program Listings.
Choosing a quality program that meets your family’s and child’s needs is an important
decision. We recommend you spend time learning about and researching your options
so you can feel confident and comfortable with your decision.
To assist you in choosing quality care please visit:
http://humanservices.alberta.ca/family-community/child-care-resources-for-parents.html
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 27
“As we grow up, we lose our spontaneity and freedom.
Look at how children behave: They twirl around street posts and
skip over lines while the rest of us walk straight down the sidewalk.
They dance carefree to a buskers music while the rest of us
stand and watch. They engage strangers like friends
while we offer only a generic courtesy.
They speak up fully and emotionally, while we keep our voices and
emotions in check. They dream up ideas such as being a butterfly and
flying across the sky, while we limit life to what’s ‘realistic’ and
practical. They colour monkeys purple when we only know brown.
Clearly their playground is much bigger than ours.”
- Vince Gowmon
Recreation & Parks
Where families play...
Recreation Facilities
DeBolt and District Agriculture Society and Community Centre
217 Alberta Avenue, DeBolt | P.O. Box 388, Debolt, AB, T0H 1B0
Ph: 780-957-2923 OR 780-957-3752
Amenities include a curling rink, fitness centre, indoor playground, kitchen, meeting rooms and offices.
Polar Palace (Recreation Centre)
4429 - 52 Avenue, Valleyview | Ph: 780-524-5158
Arena and curling rink, outdoor pool, splash park, Green Valley skate park, and recreation programming.
Ridgevalley Arena
Lot 1 Ridgevalley Road, Ridgevalley
Sturgeon Lake Recreation Centre
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
Indoor/outdoor arena surfaces, skate park and community centre.
The Town of Valleyview provides modern and maintained playgrounds
at the following locations:
• 5410 - 46 Street, Valleyview
• 4306 - 54 Avenue, Valleyview
• 4526 - 47 Street, Valleyview
• 4901 - 52 Street, Valleyview
Rural Community Centres
Community of Sunset House
P.O. Box 56, Sunset House, AB, T0H 3H0 | Ph: 780-524-5240
Offers playground, outdoor skating surface and community centre.
Community of Sweathouse
P.O. Box 155, Sunset House, AB, T0H 3H0 | Ph: 780-524-4495
Offers playground and community centre.
Sturgeon Heights Community Centre
RR 1, Site 2, Box 21, Crooked Creek, AB, T0H 0Y0 | Ph: 780-957-2401 OR 780-957-2357
Offers ball diamond, camping area, playground and community centre.
Hamlet of Little Smoky
P.O. Box 45, Little Smoky, AB, T0H 3z0 | Ph: 780-524-3884
Offers outdoor skating surface, playground and community centre.
New Fish Creek Community Hall
P.O. Box 1656, Valleyview, AB, T0H 3N0 | Ph: 780-524-3758
Offers ball diamond, camping area, playground and community centre.
Puskwaskau Community Hall
RR 1, DeBolt, AB, T0H 1B0 | Ph: 780-957-2731
30 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Local Camping & Parks
Hubert Memorial Park
Virginia Avenue, DeBolt.
Community park and playground.
Legion Park
4429 - 52 Avenue, Valleyview.
Offers walking paths, gazebo, and cenotaph (borders splash park).
Trout Pond and RV Sites
5602 - 50 Street, Valleyview.
Provides fishing pond, live performance area and accommodates a 12-stall RV Park.
Sturgeon Lake Campground
Located 1 km west of Williamson Lake Park on Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.
Offers campground for overnight camping.
Gundy Ranch Golf Course
Ph: 780-957-2150
Nine-hole golf course with grass greens close to DeBolt. Club rentals, licensed clubhouse with
kitchen, fully serviced camping sites.
Greenview Golf Resort
70527A Range Road 244 | Ph: 780-524-3673
The Greenview Golf Resort is located a half-hour west of Valleyview (Highway 43 to Township Road
704). It is a public nine-hole course situated next to Sturgeon Lake. Amenities include RV sites,
camp sites and club house.
Valleyview Riverside Golf Course
Located 6 km south of Valleyview and 6 km east of Highway 43 | Ph: 780-524-2449
Nine-hole public golf course situated alongside the Little Smoky River. Amenities include a fully
licensed clubhouse and pro shop, driving range, practice green and RV camping.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 31
Alberta Parks
For more information on Alberta Parks and
conservation areas in Valleyview and the DeBolt
NW Alberta area visit www.albertaparks.ca or
visit www.albertadiscoverguide.com
East Dollar Lake
Located approximately 30 km north of Valleyview.
Day use only. Fisheries access site.
Swan Lake
Located 33 km southwest of Ridgevalley. Fishing;
day use only.
Waskahigan River Campground
Seasonal campsite along the Little Smoky River.
Located several kilometres from the hamlet of Little
Smoky.
Williamson Lake Provincial Park
Overnight camping and day use, park,
playground, fishing, swimming. Located 20 km
west of Valleyview on Highway 43.
Young’s Point Provincial Park
Located on the north shore of Sturgeon Lake 23
km west of Valleyview and a short distance off
Highway 43. Offers day use, group use, boat
launch, campsites, trails for summer hiking/
biking and winter cross country skiing.
32 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our
children teach us what life is all about.”
- Angela Schwindt
“There is no WiFi in the forest, but I promise you’ll
- Unknown
34 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide
Quick
Reference
Numbers
Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-387-5437
Children’s Helpline
1-800-422-4453
Alberta Health Services Health Link
1-866-408-5465
MD of Greenview #16
780-524-7600
Town of Valleyview
780 524-5150
Sturgeon Lake Band Office
780 524-3307
find a better connection.”
Valleyview and Area ECD
Coalition would like to thank
all the local families who
participated in the project
and graciously allowed us
to use their photos
in this guide.
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 35
Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide | 35
“In this rapidly changing world we live in, the wisdom of play has a lot to offer. Play invites a
new kind of leader, a new way of engaging others, a new way of team play, and a new way of
creating possibilities for everyone from our children to the community at large.”
- Vince Gowmon
36 | Valleyview & Area Family Resource Guide