Some of the little people in our lives struggle more than others to develop self-regulation skills. They need us to be their co-regulators in their moments of big feelings. Having a consistent adult that can be an effective co-regulator builds a sense of safety in a child that will give them the foundation to develop self-regulation skills.

Co-regulation is warm and responsive interactions that provide the support, coaching, and modeling children need to understand, express, and modulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. How can we be co-regulators when children are experiencing big feelings? *Check yourself – relax your body, remain calm and collected. *Come alongside – get down to the child’s level and acknowledge their feelings and the event that led to them. *Mirror their feelings – subtly mimic their facial expressions and name the emotion they might be feeling.

Sundrops Centre for Child Development is offering a FREE Virtual Circle of Security Workshop for Parents who wish to support and strengthen their relationship with their child. The Circle of Security (COSP™) Model helps parents and care-givers to understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs, support their child’s ability to successfully manage emotions, enhance the development of their child’s self esteem, and honour the innate wisdom and desire for their child to be secure. Sundrops is offering two 8 week sessions (one day time and one evening group) between October 6th and November 24th via Zoom.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Sundrops Centre for Child Development’s Kick Start the Bus Campaign. The generous Cowichan community has donated more than $15,000, meeting and exceeding Island Ford Superstore’s generous $10,000 matching donation! The Children & Family Support Program’s ‘Destination Summer Camp’ participants are enjoying being all together in this new, accessible vehicle and exploring the Cowichan Valley and beyond – enjoying activities such as swimming, bowling, visiting the Raptor Centre, and local parks. Thank you for making this possible. Clements Centre is still seeking and accepting donations for the remaining funds for the new bus – donations can be made online at clementscentre.org/kickstartthebus or by phone at 250-746-4135.

The Clements Centre Society is one of the largest not-for-profit societies in the Cowichan Valley, and delivers community-based programs to almost 200 adults in the region. Programs include supported recreational activities, vocational training and a residential program to connect clients with suitable housing options. The society also runs the Sundrops Centre for Child Development in Duncan that helps support children with cognitive and physical disabilities and their families. The new Stanko-Casswell Place in Cobble Hill will feature an open space for arts, crafts and education programs, sensory quiet rooms and a modern, accessible kitchen for cooking programs.The location provides a safe and accessible space for people served in the Valley’s south end, which has a growing population and a need for more accessible day programs.

Here are four tips to improve your immunity: 1) Sugar: Cut out or significantly reduce refined sugars. Sugar from fruit is NOT the same: fruit also contains antioxidants, nutrients and fiber. 2) Exercise: Movement helps oxygenate and move your blood and lymph. Do whatever you enjoy! Outdoor air will also invigorate you and refresh your lungs. 3) Vitamin D: Getting enough D allows your white blood cells to keep up, especially during times when your body may require more such as in fall and winter. 4) Vitamin C: Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, and supplement as needed. This vitamin helps prevent sickness and speeds recovery.

People with hearing loss have different travel experiences. Travel can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be. Many destinations are more inclusive to provide better accommodations for people with hearing loss.
Here are some tips: *Plan your itinerary to best suit your hearing loss and avoid dealing with communication issues. *Take advantage of technology and download relevant apps as they can be extremely helpful. *Advocate for yourself, don’t be afraid to tell people you have a hearing loss so they can communicate with you effectively. *Pack extra supplies to manage on the go.

When our kids are small and trying to manage emotions, they throw tantrums, throw things, have meltdowns, they scream and they whine. Because they can’t express what they are feeling, this is their way of communicating with us. Society tells us we should punish them for this. We teach and train them not to show their emotions. Don’t whine. Don’t complain. Your feelings are wrong. Be quiet. Eventually they stop expressing their emotions to us. Then when they turn into teenagers, we expect them to feel safe talking to us. We expect them to know that NOW it’s okay. They are subconsciously wired to think the opposite because this is what they grew up learning. Give your child permission to feel. Let them know their feelings are valid and that you care, no matter how small. Make sure they know that they are heard.