WHERE: Provincial Building, South Doors, 576 Main Street Cardston, AB
The Cardston & District Family Centre (formally the Parent Link Centre) provides a play based atmosphere for sharing information on child & brain development. Stay and Play and Family drop-in programs provide opportunities to share such information in a play based environment. Parenting programs that deal with topics such as brain development, toileting, discipline, positive family dynamics, infant massage and many others are offered to families with children from birth to 12 years of age. Prenatal information is also provided to families.
Early Childhood programs provide a safe haven for children birth to 5 yrs. of age to develop socially and for their parents and caregivers to enhance their parenting skills.
The Family Centre staff recognize that parenting can be a very isolating experience and the programs allow the parents to meet and visit with other caregivers while interacting with their children. Parents learn about age-appropriate activities that can be done with their children and the importance of play in early brain development.
Parenting programs teach coping skills and techniques that help parents build positive attachment. They encourage positive parent-child interaction and promote age appropriate activities. The programs help parents understand and watch for developmental milestones and provide helps that will aid the child’s development.
Seven parenting programs are offered throughout the year at the Family Centre with more being added as facilitators are trained.
Summer Youth programs provide an opportunity for youth ages 6-12 yrs. to participate and interact with other youth during the summer months when they are not in school.
The free programs allow youth, regardless of their financial means, to enjoy a wide variety of programs. Over 200 programming hours are offered in July and August and there is something that appeals to all youth.
New skills are learned and important self care tips share. For youth that have two working parents it is an opportunity to be with other youth and spend their days in constructive activities under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
After School Youth programs help socially isolated youth ages 6-12 yrs. engage positively with other youth that are experiencing the same self-doubts and often low self-esteem.
A variety of activities are offered, so youth can select the one that helps them succeed and makes them feel most comfortable.
All youth are welcome, but the majority of the youth that come are dealing with personal struggles and will not participate in main stream activities. The Family Centre is a safe-haven for youth that have been bullied, ostracized, ignored, or forgotten at school or in other social settings.
Contact Info:
Sonja Richards (403)653-7077
Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/242483205827106/ for a list of all current programs and schedules.