Preschool (Ages 0-5)

For children ages 0-5 getting parenting supports to help you navigate any developmental & behavior concerns is the first step. 

Parenting supports - Sea to Sky (free) 

• Sea to Sky community services – S.P.A.R.K. (Supporting Parents Along the Road to Kindergarten) is for parents whose children are newborn to age 5. Caregivers learn important strategies and fun activities that offer vital support to their child’s early learning in a 60-minute session every fall, winter, and spring until their child enters kindergarten.   https://www.sscs.ca/spark/

• Sea to Sky community services – Circle of security parenting program for children 0-2 – 8 week program about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened - https://www.sscs.ca/circle-of-security/ 

• Sea to Sky community services - Positive Discipline course (For parents and caregivers of children 2 and up) This program offers parents and child care providers the long-term skills needed to encourage their children to think for themselves, become more responsible, and have greater respect for themselves and others. https://www.sscs.ca/positive-discipline/ 

• Squamish nation - Shewaynewas family programs - provides supports for children 0-6 years old.  https://www.squamish.net/divisions/people-services/child-family-services/shewaynewas/

Parenting Supports - BC (free) 

• Mindspace – Raising Resilient Kids – virtual attachment based parenting program  https://mind-space.ca/ *needs to be referred under the parent’s name who will be attending the program * Parent requires a referral from thier primary care provider 

• Confident parents thrive kids anxiety program (ages 3-12 years old) – a phone coaching program for families to teach management strategies for anxiety **Child requires a referral from their primary care provider

  • https://welcome.cmhacptk.ca/anxiety/

•  Confident parents thriving  kids behavioral program –  (ages 3-12 years old) a phone coaching program for difficult behavior, emphasis on positive parenting strategies i.e reward charts *Child requires a referral from their primary care provider

  • https://welcome.cmhacptk.ca/behaviour/

• Big Worries / Fears (ages 3-12 years old - a phone coaching program serving First Nations, Metis, and Inuit families across BC whose children experiencing mild to moderate big worries/fears *Child requires a referral from their primary care provider

  • https://welcome.cmhacptk.ca/bigworries/

Online parentings supports - access online

• Collaborative parenting strategies – parenting strategies not linked to a specific diagnosis but rather the approach of working with your child to build lagging skills 

  • Book: “The explosive child”  by Dr. Ross Green 

  • Website: Lives the balance: https://livesinthebalance.org/parents-and-families/ 

• Healthy Minds BC: Early Years - resources for: big feelings, facing fears, sensory tools, helping with transition anxiety, recognizing and handling stress, self-care resources

  • https://healthymindsbc.gov.bc.ca/everyday-anxiety-strategies-early-years-at-home/

• Parenting resources- https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/living-well/parenting

• Parenting programs for specific age groups for families facing challenges to better understand their situations and build skills that will have a positive outcome for everyone in the family; specific courses also available for co-parenting in divorce/separations - https://www.bccf.ca/program/online-parenting-programs/ 

Finding 1:1 supports for your child:  supports for children 0-5 years old 

• Counselling - click here for counselling resources  

• Physiotherapy & occupational therapy: Sea to Sky Community services has free supports for 0-5 year old for physiotherapy (can help with motor skill delay) &  occupational therapy (can help fine motor skills needed for daily tasks, sensory concerns, swallowing/eating) -https://www.sscs.ca/physical-occupational-therapies

•  Infant development team:  Sea to Sky Community services can monitor your child's development through the infant development program from 0-3 years old. They offer groups as well to meet, play & socialize - https://www.sscs.ca/infant-development-program/

• Supported Child Development: does your child have difficulty participating in daycare? Ask your daycare about the supported child development program for extra support https://www.sscs.ca/supported-child-development/

• Key worker program: the key worker works with families whose children could have been exposed to alcohol or drugs before they were born. Key workers will help you develop a support plan and help advocate for your child.  https://www.sscs.ca/fasd-key-worker-program/ 

• Speech and Language pathologist (SLP): speech and language support is available through Vancouver Coastal Health for language delay & swallowing disorders -  https://www.vch.ca/en/location-service/speech-language-services-children-squamish-community-health-centre *you need a referral to access this resources through your primary care provider

• Dieticians:  can call Health Link BC 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a dietician ; or can have your primary care provider refer to to the North Shore Chronic Disease Services (Sea to Sky residents also eligible) - https://www.vch.ca/en/location-service/nutritional-counselling-program-ns-chronic-disease-services - they have picky eating groups & 1:1 dietician advice for selective eaters. 

Resources for specific diagnoses: to help you if concerned about a specific diagnosis and looking for more strategies & information

• Concerns for anxiety? 

  • Anxiety Canada - resources for learning about anxiety:  https://www.anxietycanada.com/learn-about-anxiety/anxiety-in-children/

• Concerns for ADHD? 

  • Center for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC) - has excellent parenting resources for preschoolers with ADHD ; these parenting strategies are also helpful for preschoolers without an ADHD diagnosis but are busy and need extra support: 

  • https://caddac.ca/about-adhd/ages-0-6-yrs/ - click the "ADHD & Education" tab

  • https://caddac.ca/wp-content/uploads/Understanding-Early-Childhood-ADHD-4-1.pdf 

• Concerned about selective mutism (not talking in social settings)

  • -Anxiety Canada – online articles and videos about selective mutism and approach to therapy - https://www.anxietycanada.com/disorders/selective-mutism/