NANA SAYS THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BRINGS EXCITEMENT AND HOPE

The school year has children of all ages starting a new stage life. Some going away to college and university, the first indication of how it feels to be an empty nester. Starting High School- that transition from elementary school to the new phase. For little ones starting Junior Kindergarten can be tough for parents as the realization that children are no longer preschoolers! Starting always has an exciting piece to it. Will I like my teacher? Will I be with my friends? If away from home, understanding what home sickness can be! Feeling uncool in High School as Grade 9 means being on the bottom of the Totem Poles! For Nana, seeing the pictures of my grandchildren all dressed for their first day! Very cute and looking smart! Then there's the pressure of having to compare how well one's child is doing! Don't compare! Let your child be the best they can be! An A in math does not mean the world will be conquered! A well rounded human being with skills, abilities and good social skills make the earth a better place. Sometimes Canada gets knocked for not pushing Math. Well we have play based learning for younger children. We teach social science and humanities. History, English, Geography and Business are valuable and meaningful subjects. Not everyone, yes not everyone can be a doctor or engineer. Believe this-not everyone wants to be! Obtaining a trade! Hands on skills like Art are needed to round out a culture. Where would we be without our Art Galleries and Museums!! The Canadian culture has many areas already including a diversity of skills and knowledge. Teaching children of all ages to be able to converse in many different areas is so valuable. So Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Friends be there to answer the endless questions. Be a "life teacher"! If you have a speciality, like the knowledge of bugs and how managing it helps the farm industry then teach the people in your life! My oldest granddaughter can knit now! She is a beginner but Nana helped her with that skill. What skills and knowledge can you give to those in your life?  As the school years starts for children, what about you the adults? What can be new learning for you? Taking a night course! Giving yourself a reading list of books neglected! Finishing a craft project! Along with the children in your life, be a role model of continued learning. Happy beginning of the school year! Happy Learning!