September is  quickly approaching. Browse exciting shopping, restaurant and program ideas and savings, to ensure that your family is prepared for back-to-school time.  

Lovable Labels

Sponsored Listing
Durable, Canadian-made labels, perfect for children’s belongings going to camp, school, and daycare.  Use our colorful and fun labels to ensure their items come home.  Labels for clothes, shoes, bags, and everything else!  Medical wristbands available for allergies/medical conditions. Shop online 24/7.
 
Contact: www.greatlabels.ca, LittleLadybug@sasktel.net, or 306-547-2260


A Perfect Party

Sponsored Listing
We carry a wide assortment of themed party supplies for birthdays and other occassions, as well as treat bag items, pre-packaged treat bags and pinatas!  Order online anytime from the convenience of home - save time and money.  Use coupon code 9192 at checkout for 10% off your purchase!
 
Contact: www.littleladybug.ca, LittleLadybug@sasktel.net or 306-547-2260

Go Back to School Waste-Free with Litterless Lunch Gear from Lavish & Lime

Sponsored Listing
Choose from a great selection of Goodbyn all-in-one lunch boxes (available in 8 colours), insulated lunch bags, portable cutlery sets, reusable sandwich wraps, snack pouches, fruit guards plus all kinds of stainless steel food containers, straws and water bottles. Take 10% OFF any purchase, any size with code KIDSCANADA through August 31st.

Contact: www.lavishandlime.com,
customerservice@lavishandlime.com or 1-877-216-5463
 

Bugalug Stay Put Accessories for the Urban Child

Sponsored Listing
Bugalug offers simplistic trendy accessories for both girls and boys, from our first product the ‘Silicone non slip clips’ to our newest ‘Embellished barrettes and Cinch Belts’ we know we can provide you a great accessory for your little one. Join our Clip of the Month club to receive exclusive membership pricing and a new clip for 12 consecutive months, use the code KIDS to save 15% off.

Contact: www.bugalugbaby.com, erica@bugalugbaby.com or 403-289-6344
  

Raspberry Kids
 
Sponsored Listing
Raspberry Kids is an online lifestyle store that features fresh, healthy & fun products for the little ones in your life.  We have a wide selection of Back to School brands and products including litterless lunch options from Goodbyn, Lunchbots, Lunchskins, backpacks and lunchboxes from Beatrix NY and Skip Hop and many more items to choose from. Save 15% by using the code: KAC15 until September 30, 2010. 

Contact: www.raspberrykids.com, info@raspberrykids.com or 1-888-950-KIDS (5427)

 
Thumbprint Adventures

Sponsored Listing
Thumbprint Adventures is an award winning learning through play and imagination program for children ages 18 months to 9 years. Each week our staff journey on a new themed adventure, embracing fine motor, gross motor and oral language skills into our playful program. Visit our Thornhill studio to register a class, book a Birthday Party, or shop our one-of-a-kind product. Click here for your $10 coupon.

Contact: www.tpadventures.com,
vaughan@thumbprintadventures.com or 905.597-TPA1 (8721)
 

Commensal - The Healthy Choice for your Family

Sponsored Listing
Enjoy the great tastes of a wide array of delicious vegetarian dishes at Commensal Restaurant with your family, friends or colleagues. Fast, fresh and delicious buffet options feature natural foods, organic ingredients and gourmet cooking. 655 Bay Street, Toronto, entrance on Elm. Free parking after 6pm. Click here for your 30% off coupon.

Contact: www.commensal.ca or 416-596-9364

 
Reptilia - Canada’s Largest Reptile Zoo

Sponsored Listing
Visit Canada’s largest Reptile Zoo and/or celebrate your next birthday party with Reptilia.  Get up close and personal with our reptiles and pet some of them.  Ask your teachers to have Reptilia visit your class with their animals to teach curriculum based science lessons.

Contact: www.reptilia.org or 905-761-6223

 
Kids Cultural Travel!

Sponsored Listing
Kids Cultural Travel! That’s what we’re all about. Broadening the horizons of our youth. We take kids to various cities and countries around the world to in efforts to strengthen the global community. Our packages are all-inclusive. Kids ages 8-18. Join the herd!

Contact: www.30-Elephants.com, Info@30-Elephants.com or 416-907-9734

 
Creating a Dramatic Difference

Sponsored Listing
Get 10% Off… Right Now, for a limited time on fall 2010 bookings of our exciting musical plays on Bullying Awareness and Character Ed. Call/Email us now and mention ad to get discount. We have the BEST customers. We’d LOVE to count you among them!

Contact: www.Kid-SafeProductions.com,
info@kid-safeproductions.com or 416-809-KIDS (5437)
 

Steeles West Gymnastics

Sponsored Listing
Steeles West Gymnastics offers skill-based recreational gymnastics and trampoline classes for children 6 and up.  We have been in business for over 23 years!  Our facility is newly renovated and geared toward fitness and skill enhancement.  We have highly experienced, certified and friendly coaches.  Located in North York. Major intersection: Dufferin and Steeles.

Contact: Ruthy Dunec or Larry Bialogrecki at 416-736-8759, ruthy@fitforlifegroup.com or www.fitforlifegroup.com

Five Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Selecting a Dance Studio

WRITTEN BY
Amanda Ramrup

Are you considering enrolling your child in dance lessons?

If so, you need to know that not all dance studios are the same.

Unfortunately, there are no licensing or certification requirements for dance studios or dance teachers in Canada. So it is important that parents choose carefully and wisely since improper training can result in injury and frustration for the student. To help you in your selection, Thornhill School of Ballet has prepared these “Five Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before Choosing a Dance Studio.”   
               
Extracurricular activities for children are abundant and selecting one that is appropriate and a good fit for your child can be difficult. You want to be certain the activity is an educational and exciting one that will bring your child delightful memories and experiences for years to come. So how do you choose? What questions should you ask? And when you ask the right questions, what answers should you be looking for?

How do I know I will receive quality instruction?

It’s always important to make sure that your child’s instructors are qualified. Dance instructors are not licensed in this country - anyone can claim to be able to teach your child to dance. Look for someone who has professional dance training, holds a degree in dance, education or a related field from an accredited college or university, or is a certified member of a national organizations such as the Royal Academy of Dance. Any of these is a good  indication that the instructor knows what to teach, when to teach it, and how it should be taught. A good school will follow a carefully designed syllabus of instruction in the teaching and well being of its students.

Ask about the Annual Performance.

An end-of-the year performance is important! It gives a dancer valuable stage experience, as well as the opportunity to use what they’ve learned during the year. Dance is, after all, a performing art! The year-end performance should be designed to compliment your child’s classroom training - not replace it. Preparation for the year end recital should begin approximately 16 weeks before the scheduled performance.

Ask about age appropriateness.

Music, costuming and choreography should all be reflective of a student’s age and ability level.

What should I look for in a dance facility?

A quality facility will provide a clean, neat, and safe environment and offer amenities such as a comfortable waiting area, full-length mirrors, sturdy ballet barres, adequate restrooms, and changing rooms. The single most important thing you should consider about a facility is the type of floor that is used. One of the best ways to enjoy dance safely is to select a school with floating floors which are specially designed to reduce fatigue and prevent injuries.

Ask about Customer Service and Assistance

In many studios the teachers or studio director conduct classes in addition to handling all administrative duties. By trying to do two jobs at once, the class may suffer as the teacher has to use valuable class time for customer service issues, or the studio may have no customer service available if the teachers are in class. To have a positive dance experience, it is important to select a studio that can assist you with your questions when you need them answered.

Amanda Ramrup is the owner/director of Thornhill School of Ballet. She has been responsible for educating hundreds of local area children in the art of dance for over a decade. She is available for questions at 905-882-9796.Thornhill School of Ballet is committed to providing our students with solid dance training in a caring and nurturing environment. We offer a complete curriculum ranging in classes for the preschool student to the pre-professional dancer. Programs of study include our highly successful Early Childhood Dance Program for students ages 3-6, our Enrichment Program for recreational dancers and our Intensive Program for serious students. Our college educated, professional faculty are affiliated with The National Ballet School, Banff School of Fine Arts, Waterloo, Ryerson and York Universities, Quinte Ballet School, Toronto Dance Theatre, the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre.