Child Development Institute of Guyana

01/09/2024

As we embark on this new academic year, let's celebrate our diverse community and embrace the strength that our differences bring. This year, let’s focus on creating an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued. Together, we’ll learn, grow, and achieve great things. Here’s to a successful and enriching year ahead!

Wishing all students and teachers a great back to school.

(Stabroek Weekend)

01/09/2024

As we embark on this new academic year, let's celebrate our diverse community and embrace the strength that our differences bring. This year, let’s focus on creating an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued. Together, we’ll learn, grow, and achieve great things. Here’s to a successful and enriching year ahead!

Wishing all students and teachers a great back to school.

By Khadidja Ba Students thrive better in a classroom environment that embraces and supports diversity. So says Special Education Interventionist Sonam

24/05/2024

I am humbled and honored to be acknowledged among the remarkable nominees for the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award.

My commitment remains steadfast in elevating the needs of neurodiverse children, especially the voices of those with autism.

Heartfelt congratulations to each inspiring woman of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award shaping the landscape of Guyana.

Together, we empower change and inclusivity.

02/11/2022

02/01/2021

This year has been one where we have been tested and became resilient. I’m so proud of all the little ones that conquered this year and the grown ups who choose to lend a different perspective to life.

24/03/2020

Your kids will start to go stir crazy soon, very soon. This is different than any other vacation or break they would have experienced.
We have to explain to them that by staying home they will save a life.

💡Each child that sacrifices school, play dates, playgrounds, picnics, theme parks, trips, swimming, after school activities, competitions is activitely trying to flatten the curve.
Help them feel proud of their sacrifice, they are little superheroes.

💡Most children need to connect and this is a good time to confront fear, anxieties and shape thinking.

💡Communities are meeting online with zoom camps, video play dates, having window play dates, and so much more creative activities. Reach out! Join in!

💡While practicing Social Distancing keep the social connection.
Set up a date and time where two or more friends can do an online tour together.

💡Visit Disney world and head on one of their virtual rides!
We will be there tomorrow morning at 10am, see you there!

https://thepointsguy.com/news/virtual-disney-rides/

Let us build warriors of help !!

16/03/2020

We have been seeing terms such as Social Isolation and Social Distancing circulating recently as a form to curb the spread (flatten the curve) of COVID-19.

What is social distancing?

The report “Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada” found on the Government of Canada’s website states that:

“Social distancing measures are approaches taken to minimize close contact with others in the community and include: quarantine and self-isolation at the individual level as well as other community based approaches (e.g. avoiding crowding, school measures and closures, workplace measures and closures, public/mass gathering cancellations).”

Drawbacks of social distancing can include loneliness, reduced productivity, and the loss of other benefits associated with human interaction.

Let’s make this work. We have to show our children resilience in the face of despair.

We also need to remember that
SOCIAL CONNECTION is still important even though we are not in the same proximity.

💡Create group chats with classmates not just best friends, call a random classmate and you have no idea what conversation may blossom. (you can send voice notes or videos too, but it is not the same and a real time feedback of a direct conversation)

💡Hang your children’s art outside a window or veranda. Everyone can see your art of the day and you may spark an idea for another child

Make it a activity that we can drive by and see each others art work. “Let’s drive by Jane’s house and see what she painted today!!! I hope she painted rainbows and unicorns!!!”

💡create fun online group activities. Everyone today will do a funny video making animal sounds and share in your whatsapp/Facebook chats

💡Talk about coping strategies with other parents, what works and what doesn’t. “Joe seems to focus better when I have his uniform in and he sits to do work, what do you guys do with your kids? You can send a pic of Joe. Sam works better when he picks his clothes out that day, he seems in better spirits when he wears what he likes. In this process we learn more about each other and our connection is still there. Be comfortable in what you would like to share and respect others.

Just don’t loose that social connection because of our limited interactions. We still need our children to develop social skills. Planning is key and our village is strong.

14/03/2020

Here are some great Resources to help parents.

Remember that learning is fun.

Take learning outdoors!

💡If we learning about rocks today, make a rock garden. (You can also supplement with a short age appropriate learning video.)

💡Write your letters/ sight words in chalk outside and jump on the the right letter as the parent call them out. Take turns to implement social skills.

You can use this opportunity to set aside some time for CHILD DIRECTED LEARNING.
💡Have your child pick the topic they they want to learn during this time. They may be more focused and engaged. If they can’t choose you can offer two choices: do you want to learn about the science topic of natural resources or do you want do some language arts and practice to make sentences.

We can use this time as an opportunity to strengthen executive functioning like time management, goal setting, and decision making skills.

Cheers to all the parents!

https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/

Adjust your schedule to suit your family.

13/03/2020

You can start looking at Digital learning experience, this particular site follows the Canadian Curriculum and is used by many teachers.

Take a minute, have a look, know your options.

Canada Click here to view our Canadian curriculum alignments. The ideas of adaptive learning and comprehensive differentiation are based in research and complement the latest strategies that we’re adopting in our district, like manipulatives and blended learning. DreamBox Learning Math…Read more...

12/03/2020

Should you talk to your kids about Coronavirus? YES

It is always healthy to talk about current topics in an informed age appropriate manner. We can create a culture of responsibility with the younger generations, just by addressing topics and fears age appropriately.

Try to avoid feeding into fear and anxiety. It may show up in other ways such as stomach aches or even defiant behaviour.

Here is a helpful article that has enough information to your child digest.

Please have a read and continue to share.

With coronavirus being a concern for grown ups, kids might also be worrying. Here's how to talk about COVID-19 with your young children, plus ways to practice healthy habits all year round.

22/02/2020

"Today was a difficult day," said Pooh.

There was a pause.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.

"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."

"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.

"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what difficult days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.

"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right.

I hope that you have your own 'Piglet' on your difficult days. Encourage your children that friendships are so important. If we protect our friendships when we are young, then we can appreciate them when we are older.