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Filed Under: Opinions August 25, 2009 It seems so simple, and yet we seem to view prevention as if it is a new initiative. Women I know who have been in the education system for many years have been advocating for this approach since they began working with children. If a child is unhappy at home, is hungry, or is afraid at school, they cannot learn. Therefore, it makes sense to prevent children from loosing their opportunities at education by ensuring they can focus on their schoolwork. Some initiatives have already been doing this. The breakfast programs at school ensure that students can at least begin their day with a nutritious meal. Schools are teaching children to talk problems through instead of using fists. I messages are a part of a childs vocabulary from grade Primary onward. Even before a child gets to school, though, there are things that can be done to encourage a positive start in life. Family Matters is one of the Family Resource Centres in the province, and we focus on early literacy, positive interactions, and parenting skills. The following is a quote from the Child Poverty Report Card: A bank of evidence is building in Nova Scotia that shows community-based family support centres are providing crucial support to families more likely to have low socio-economic status (e.g., mothers parenting alone and young parents). In addition to providing programs and services that help unleash children’s potential through early childhood education such centres can help parents set and achieve important goals related to moving families forward. (Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition Society. Unfolding the Family Place Experience: An Evaluation of CAPC/CPNP). We can all make a difference in a childs life. There is a saying that you may be only one person, but to one person, you may be the whole world. Never is that more true than when working with children. Building healthy, happy families. Wendy Knowlton Editor/Publisher |
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