Positive Parenting

Our parenting programs and resources at RCDHU focus on a style of parenting called Positive Parenting. It involves creating a home environment that is safe, loving and predictable. Parents help children learn to manage their behaviour and emotions in a positive way. This builds a respectful, loving relationship between parents and their children.

Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program

The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program is a free home-visiting program for expectant mothers and new parents with a child up to transition to school who need additional support with:

• prenatal health care;
• preparing for a new baby;
• building strong relationships;
• infant/child nutrition;
• managing a child’s behaviour;
• being a positive parent;
• mental health supports; and
• connecting to helpful services in Renfrew County and District.

Skilled Public Health Nurses, Social Workers and Home Visitors visit with parents and their family at home. The visits can be arranged Monday to Friday during business hours 08:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The number of visits and the length of each visit will depend on individual needs.

For more information about the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program and/or to view/download the HBHC Fact Sheet, visit the Government of Ontario website in English and/or French.

To inquire about participating in the HBHC program and complete the required screening for eligibility, you can:

• email: familyhealth@rcdhu.com;
• call: the Family Health Intake Line at 613-735-9774 (direct line) or 1-800-267-1097 ext. 589 (toll-free); or
• complete the online Healthy Babies Healthy Children Self-Referral Form.

For health care providers, complete the online Healthy Babies Health Children Referral Form for Service Providers.

Parenting Education

To learn more about our parenting programs, see our Parenting page under Clinics and Classes.

The Looksee Checklist

The Looksee Checklist, formally called the Nipissing District Developmental Screen (NDDS), is a checklist designed to be completed by a parent or caregiver. It provides a snapshot of your child’s development to discuss with your health care and/or child care professional. The screens identify key developmental stages up to age six.

If you answer “no” to any question(s) or have any concerns about your child’s development, follow-up with your health care and/or child care professional.

Websites

Caring for Kids

• Caring for Kids provides parents with information about their child’s and teen’s health and well-being.  It is developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society and voice more than 3,300 Canadian paediatricians.

Best Start Resource Centre

• Best Start Resource Centre is a bilingual resource that supports service providers that work in preconception health, prenatal health and early child development.

Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services

• Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services is a bilingual resource that helps to improve outcomes for children, youth, families and individuals who need support, advancing the interest of women across Ontario and helping new immigrants settle and integrate.

Healthy Baby, Healthy Brain

• Healthy Baby, Healthy Brain is a website developed by Best Start Resource Centre to help parents support their baby’s brain development.

About Kids Health (SickKids)

• AboutKidsHealth is a health education website for children, youth and their caregivers.

Safe Sleep

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Create safe sleep for your baby and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by:

• position your baby on her back to sleep;
• place your baby to sleep in a crib next to your bed for the first six months;
• keep your baby warm but not hot;
• keep stuffed toys out of baby’s crib;
• do not use crib bumper pads, duvets or comforters, sheepskin, blankets or pillows;
• breastfeeding your baby;
• and providing a smoke-free environment.

Safest place for baby to sleep

The safest place for your baby to sleep or nap is in a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets current Canadian Safety Regulations.

Room sharing is recommended. The current recommendations for room sharing are:

• place your baby to sleep in a crib, cradle or bassinet next to your bed, in your room;
• room sharing for the first six months (when the risk of SIDS is highest) to help your baby to sleep safely and lower the risk of SIDS.

Bed sharing or co-sleeping is not recommended. Bed sharing is when a baby shares the same sleep surface, such as an adult bed, sofa or armchair, with an adult or another child. Sharing the same sleep surface increases a baby’s risk of SIDS and suffocation. This risk is higher for babies less than four months old.

Safe Home

Children grow and learn rapidly during their early years of life. They are learning to do new things by playing and exploring. As they learn, they may also be at risk for an injury. Most injuries to young children occur in their home. The most common home injuries for children 0-36 months include; falls, burns, scalds and poisonings. Learn about your child’s risk for injuries and how to prevent them.

• Learn helpful hints on child safety (age 0-36 months)
• Help prevent falls, burns/scalds and poisonings
• Sign-up for free child safety emails

Safe Play

Children learn through play. There are many ways to create a safe place for your baby to play, learn and grow. Is Your Child Safe? Play Time is a guide for creating a safer play experience and choosing safer toys for children.

Safe Travel

A correctly used car seat or booster seat will reduce the chance of a child being injured or killed in a crash by 75 per cent. Make sure you use the right car seat for your child and use it properly every time. Read your car seat manual and your vehicle manual as they provide the information you need for proper installation and use of your car seat.

Car Seat Inspections

For car seat inspections and information, call Ontario Early Years Centre Pembroke at 613-735-7575.

SEATS for Kids Ottawa https://seatsforkids.ca/

Safe Seats Ottawa https://www.safeseatsottawa.com/

Car Seat Resources

There are different types of car seats for different ages and stages of growth. Keep them rear facing as long as possible, until your child reaches the weight and height limits.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/choose-car-seat.shtml

Pet Safety

Caring for Kids

Visit the Caring for Kids website to learn more about how to keep your children safe with pets in your home.

Kids Have Stress Too!® is a program from The Psychology Foundation of Canada. It is an evidence-based program, designed to teach kids how to cope with stress in a healthy and constructive way. This program also offers social and emotional support and development.

Toolbox Activities

A Child’s Life Things That Can Help Reduce Stress for My Child

My Child’s Life

Problem Solving Tips for Parents

Stop Look and Listen

Taking Care of Me

Talking Nicely to Myself

The What If Game

Things That Upset or Stress Your Child

Ways to Solve Problems

Resources for Parents

Various Parenting Tips and Strategies

For more information, please visit the Psychology Foundation.

Ten Tips for a Healthy Start

Healthy habits start young and prepare children to learn! Visit the links for more information on how to help with the transition to school.

1. Move more with your child to boost brain health.
2. Use Nutri-eSTEP to check child’s nutrition and physical activity habits.
3. Make water your drink of choice!
4. Minimize screen time and encourage more green time!
5. Ensure that your child has 10-13 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
6. Kids Have Stress Too!® Learn tips to help with the transition to school.
7. Ensure your child has a complete eye exam before starting kindergarten.
8. Keep your child’s teeth healthy. Good oral health leads to good overall health.
9. Make sure your child is up-to-date with the required vaccines to attend school.
10. Practice good hygiene habits like washing, brushing teeth and toilet use.

Dix conseils pour un départ en santé

De saines habitudes de vie débutent tôt et préparent les enfants à apprendre.  Visitez les liens suivants afin de recevoir des astuces pour faciliter la transition vers l’école.

1. Bougez plus avec votre enfant pour augmenter la santé du cerveau.
2. Utilisez Nutri-eSTEP pour évaluer les habitudes alimentaires ainsi que le niveau d’activité physique de votre enfant.
3. Faites de l’eau votre boisson de choix !
4. Limitez l’exposition aux écrans et encouragez votre enfant à jouer dehors !
5. Assurer-vous que votre enfant ait de 10 à 13 heures de sommeil non interrompu chaque nuit.
6. Nos enfants et le stress! Apprenez des astuces pour aider votre enfant à faire la transition vers l’école.
7. Assurez-vous que votre enfant passe un examen complet de la vue avant de débuter l’école.
8. Gardez les dents de votre enfants saines.  Une bonne santé bucco-dentaire est nécessaire à une bonne santé générale.
9. Assurez-vous que votre enfant ait tous les vaccins requis pour débuter l’école.
10. Pratiquez des habitudes d’hygiène saines comme se laver, se brosser les dents et utiliser les toilettes.