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Author Archive for: jentwistle

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Keep Kids Brains Active This Summer Vacation

No more pencils, no more books… but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop!

It’s that time again… The report cards are done, the bell has rung, and summer vacation is upon us! Summer is a time for camps, vacations, trips, cottaging and so much more.  But with all the fun in store, where do they fit in time to learn? Ahead lies two full months of vacation from traditional schooling; which for many kids is enough time for their young minds to unlearn much of what was taught.

How do we as parents make sure our kids don’t suffer summer “brain drain,” while still ensuring they get the break and vacation they need? Check out the following from Parents Magazine which suggests some great ways to incorporate learning into fun outdoor activities.

Parents Magazine:  7 Fun Outdoor Activities to Beat Summer Brain Drain

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Inspired

“Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.”

Jack Canfield

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A Practical Guide to Barrier Free Design

There is a greater awareness in society that our buildings and spaces must be more accessible to all.  In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is ensuring that all businesses are accessible by 2025 in many ways, including design of public spaces.

Today we focus on the physical environment.  This is where barrier free design comes into focus.  What is barrier free design? It involves designing spaces, both public and private, to allow access for the greatest majority of people.

Some common barriers include:

  •  Curbs
  •  Uneven sidewalks
  •  Stairs
  •  Heavy doors
  •  Absence of handrails

In the following video from our OT-V series we discuss these obstacles and how occupational therapists promote accessibility, and assist individuals and businesses with creating a barrier free environment.

 

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Are You Sun Smart?

July is UV Safety Month and we wanted to discuss the importance of protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays. While avoidance and proper clothing is key, it isn’t always possible, so sunscreen becomes your best protection. However, many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to your health. Each year the Environmental Working Group compiles a database which ranks sunscreens based on their chemical components to ensure the protection you use isn’t harmful to your body. Now in its 10th year we invite you to check out the best and worst sunscreens, and be sure to search the brand you use to ensure it is the safest for your overall health!

EWG:  10th Annual Guide to Sunscreens

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Inspired

“There are many things that I would like to know,  And there are places that I wish to go.
But everything’s depending on the way the wind may blow.”

Oasis, Acquiesce