#TeamGrandview Article

Many of us fondly remember riding a bicycle as a child. If you’ve kept up with it over the years, then you know all the positive aspects it brings to your life—a chance to get outside and explore nature, your neighbourhood, and your freedom! Bike riding has led me to meet new friends, motivated me to explore new places within my own neighbourhood, and provided my family with many shared outdoor adventures.

As a physiotherapist at Grandview Kids, I am focused on helping kids to be the best version of themselves, and I hope that as they gain new gross motor skills, they build confidence and develop healthy habits that will last them a lifetime. Biking is one of my favourite ways to help kids get moving, increase strength, and build independence. While I see bike riding as a therapy tool to help motor skill development, challenge motor planning, improve range of motion, and challenge cardiovascular endurance, kids see it as play. They love to ring the bell, show their bike off to their friends, and race a peer. Through the use of adaptive bikes, kids of all abilities are able to experience the joy that comes with riding alongside family and friends while becoming stronger and working towards their physiotherapy goals.

Grandview Kids Recreation Therapists agree with me that bike riding has many benefits. They provide Grandview Kids with a variety of opportunities to explore their bike skills. They currently have a fun-filled day organized on Saturday, May 4, where they will be offering support and information on bike safety, bike sizing and features, bike adaptations, and adaptive bikes.

Blog post was written by Allison H., a Grandview Kids Physiotherapist.

World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5 to celebrate all teachers around the globe. It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions. World Teacher Day celebrates how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.

Being a teacher provides the unique opportunity to make a transformative and lasting impact on the lives of others, contributing to shaping sustainable futures and offering personal fulfilment.

Meghan P., a Special Education Teacher and Literacy Coach at Campbell Children’s School (CCS), talks about her experience as a teacher at CCS:

“Teaching at Campbell Children’s School has given me the opportunity to work closely with a team of experts, and it’s a place of constant change and growth! The students and staff are remarkably caring and hardworking, which has profoundly influenced the way I live my life and perceive the world around me.

Meghan P is a white woman wearing a black shirt. She is standing in front of green trees. Meghan is a Special Education Teacher and Literacy Coach at Campbell Children’s School (CCS). — Meghan P., a Special Education Teacher and Literacy Coach at Campbell Children’s School (CCS).

CCS has actively promoted and supported my journey, from my early days as an Early Childhood Educator to becoming a Classroom Teacher and eventually a Literacy Coach. I have come to understand that I play a pivotal role in my student’s journey, and I am committed to providing them with the same level of support and motivation that this school has generously offered me.

Although we may appear to be a small school, our impact is significant, and it wouldn’t be possible without all the various components that make up our community. This diverse team of educators, therapists, administrators, parents, students, and more has empowered me to diversify my teaching approach and tap into students’ strengths while helping them develop essential skills. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have found a space that not only allows my career to flourish but also aligns with my core values, which advocate for everyone to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and belong.”

Written by Grandview Kids Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA), Nicole N.

On September 23, we recognize and continue to raise awareness of the use of sign languages around the world, the importance of protecting the linguistics surrounding it, and respect for deaf individuals and their culture. Today there are over 300 different sign languages used globally within the Deaf communities. For this, we celebrate ‘The International Day of Sign Languages.’

Nicole N., pointing to her white t-shirt which has the alphabet in American Sign Language (ASL). — Nicole N., pointing to her white t-shirt which has the alphabet in ASL.

This day is not only significant to deaf individuals but also to those who are allies in the Deaf community. Here at Grandview Kids, I take great pride in being an ally by educating others about the Deaf community, being an advocate for equality of language rights and sharing my knowledge of using American Sign Language (ASL). In 2019, I graduated from George Brown College with the American Sign Language and Deaf Studies Program, which taught about past and current social issues the Deaf community faces, how to communicate through ASL, and provided practical opportunities to connect Deaf individuals within the surrounding community.

In my role as a Communicative Disorders Assistant at Grandview Kids, I am able to share my ASL skills and experiences with clients, families and colleagues working in the Infant Hearing Program (IHP) and Preschool Speech and Language Program (PSL). This unique language allows for inclusive learning and can include a total communication approach, meaning finding communication methods that work for each individual, which can include ASL signs.

Nicole N., signing the word MORE in ASL.

Nicole N., signing the word COW in ASL. — Nicole N., signing the word MORE in ASL.

Within a session, I can connect with caregivers, families and clients to provide and model specific ASL signs/words to support clients’ communication for requesting, commenting and protesting, as well as provide a language-rich environment that can transfer outside of the sessions to daily opportunities. Supporting clients’ independence and confidence to communicate through ASL, watching vocabulary grow and develop from sign approximations to 1-word signs and move into 2+ word signing combinations is something I am grateful to watch and experience.

ASL will continue to be an ongoing learning journey for me as I grow personally and professionally, which I am proud to share within Grandview Kids!

This past weekend, Ari, our Research Student, had the privilege to represent Grandview Kids at the national Healthy Youth Summit in Toronto hosted by the Canadian Institute of Health Research-Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health. This impactful event took place over one and a half days.

Ari shares her experience below:

“As a youth, I was also invited to the youth dinner the night before, where I was able to meet and connect with youth from all across Canada. It was a nice icebreaker before the main event, as this was my first-ever conference!

Photo of a grey wall with a television that has a screen which says "Welcome to IHDCYH's Healthy Youth Summit. — National Healthy Youth Summit in Toronto hosted by the Canadian Institute of Health Research-Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health

During this interactive event, researchers and youth advocacies from all over the country shared meaningful thoughts and plans on how youth can be better represented in research. Powerful youth speakers spoke about their experiences and shared how stakeholders can help improve our experience in this field.

Photo of a stage with dark blue curtains and 6 white chairs facing the audience. — Set of chairs where the speakers were seated.

We all had a chance to share our own thoughts during the break-out group session, where we spoke about the gaps and opportunities for youth in 6 categories:

Health and Wellness
Leadership and Impact
Innovation, Skills, and Learning
Environment and Climate Action
Truth and Reconciliation
Employment

Breakfast and lunch were provided on both days, and I was delightfully surprised by how good the food was! During meals and breaks, I had the opportunity to connect with other researchers, and I was introduced to ongoing research projects I had never heard of, such as the SickKids CHILD cohort study (13 years in progress)!

I enjoyed hearing about their research and was inspired by all their hard work. As I am relatively new to the research field, it was especially helpful for me as I was able to expand my network and learn about different areas in this field.

Photo of food/breakfast on a table provided for individuals at the conference. — Breakfast provided at the conference.

The key point that I took away from the conference was that “there is no future without supporting our youth.” Creating new opportunities for youth to get involved is essential for teaching them the required skills in order to advance their careers and contribute to the research field. Maintaining a safe and supportive environment where youth are treated as equals is vital. I am grateful to already have these here at Grandview Kids.

Overall, I had an amazing experience and would like to give a huge thank you to Dr. Taryn, who provided me with this opportunity and has continued to support me through my career!”

Written by Grandview Kids Peer Navigator Jacki N.

For the past few summers, I have sat down with my four children and created a Summer Bucket List. We brainstormed 15 items that we wanted to do in the summer, then constructed our list as a family. Going to a splash pad, hosting a family baseball game, and visiting an ice cream truck always seem to make the chart. Each year, we check off most of the list, and I can prioritize what is important to my kids over the summer.

But I was thinking I may put a spin on it this year…

Self-care is essential. When you fill your own bucket, you are a better parent and caregiver. That is why, this summer, I have decided to create my own Self-Care Bucket List (and don’t worry, my children are still getting their Bucket lists). I am going to challenge other Grandview parents and caregivers to do the same thing.

By thinking about my wants, priorities and dreams, I am practicing self-care. Self-care replenishes our energy, focus and positivity; it ensures our needs are being met. So often, we get caught up in the important role of taking care of others that we forget about ourselves.

I recognize that taking time away for some may be difficult due to your child/ren’s needs. Self-care doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive, but it should be meaningful and customized for you. Self-care looks different for everybody. Taking time to rest, re-charge or indulge means you will have more energy and strength to take on the next step in your parenting and caregiving journey.

Let’s see how you can commit to better self-care this summer.

Start your own Summer Self-Care Bucket List:

Grab a pen and paper and write down at least five things you want to do this summer; this equates roughly to one thing every two weeks. Think of places you may want to visit, something you have been putting off, or a new food you want to try. These items can be things you do with your loved ones or on your own. They also can be free or have a cost. The only requirement is that they are what you want to do.

Once your list is complete, put it in a location that is easily visible. Take pleasure in checking off the items on your list and loving yourself.

Here are some ideas from our Grandview Kids’ Peer Navigators’ Summer Bucket Lists:

Read by the water
Ride a roller coaster
Bake a cake
Have a spa day
Visit a new place
Take a course and learn something new
Bike ride in a scenic area
Watch a thunderstorm on the porch
Attend a concert
Revisit your love of woodworking and build a bench

Get hair done
Go on a day trip with extended family
Have a night away or date-night with your spouse
Try a new restaurant
Spend the day with faraway friends/family
Walk outside every day
Try Pilates
Watch a sunset and a sunrise
Start painting again

Go on… get started! What will fill your bucket?

Nominate a member of Team Grandview for the prestigious Power of One award

At Grandview Kids, we take great pride in our most valuable asset – our team.

Each member of Team Grandview gives their best every day. With every appointment, program or service delivered, our clinicians, staff, students and volunteers help build a welcoming and inclusive environment for all families. All Team Members sparkle, and we’re asking for your input to help them shine.

Has someone on Team Grandview made an impact on the life of your child, youth or family? Nominate them for the Power of One Award.

Any member of Team Grandview can be nominated, including physicians, clinicians, staff, students and volunteers.

One team member will be selected to receive the Power of One award, which will be presented at our June annual Staff Barbeque.

Submit your nomination

Nominations are now open using this online form until Friday, April 28, 2023.

Questions? Please email Communications@grandviewkids.ca.

Start your own Summer Self-Care Bucket List:

Nominate a member of Team Grandview for the prestigious Power of One award

The power of unconditional love: Liam’s journey

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