A – Podlings Naturally Childish

We are a consignment store specializing in Modern Cloth Diapers, local, organic and eco-friendly products, clothing and toys. Newly-Opened Resource Center offers Birthing From Within Classes, Yoga and more, rental Available.

Spend An Afternoon Combing The Beach For Treasure

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Jocie Ingram is here reminding us about our fabulous beaches and the treasures we can find on them. It’s time to hit the beach! Here she is:
On the weekend, we often take the kids up to “Granny’s house” at Miracle Beach. When we get there, our two-year-old son Alden heads straight [...]

Kindermusik w/ Carol Anne

Research proves that early integration of music into your child’s daily routine means improving her ability to think, reason, create, and express. We teach children – ages newborn to 7 – music to become better learners. Come to a free preview class and see.

Watercolor Painting In the Waldorf Style

Editor’s Note: If you missed Robin’s review of Canadian author Wayson Choy’s fabulous novel All That Matters, you can read it HERE. This afternoon, we have Waldorf educator Rebecca Watkin back on site with a look at the Waldorf method of watercolor painting. Here she is:
A Painting Verse
The sunlight shines into each day
And sends the [...]

Street Smart Kidz

Our goal to give kids and parents  the tools to be able to think their way through dangerous situations. “Safety First.”

Child Development Assoc.

We serve children needing extra support through services including autism, occupational and physical therapy, groups and more.

Laughing Oyster Bookshop

Courtenay’s full-service independent book seller, Laughing Oyster is your literary stop for the hottest new hardcovers and enduring classics.

Planet Kids

Our goal at Planet Kids is to exceed your expectations and provide quality, value and service with a variety of award-winning educational toys and games.

Is Montessori Right for Your Family?

Editor’s Note: Good afternoon. If you missed out on Wendy Johnstone this morning, you can read her post on the value of seniors in the community HERE. Now we have Pauline Rae on site with an in-depth look at whether a Montessori education is right for your child and your family. Here she is:
If you are considering [...]

Deciding on Kindergarten – Options, Talk & Opinions

Editor’s Note: If you missed the Sunday Morning Walk post, you can read it HERE. The forests are alive with mushrooms and fungus and other coolness this time of year. Now, we dig into Kindergarten options here in the Comox Valley. Please jump in on the discussion.
It’s the hot buzz among preschool parents in the [...]

Nature Journal – It’s The Peak Season for Swans

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Naturalist Jocie Ingram is here with some great information on swans. Until now, I had just admired them for their beauty and grace! Here she is:
I’ve recently introduced my toddler to the story of the “Ugly Duckling” by Danish poet Hans Christian Anderson. He loves the way the ugly duckling (actually [...]

Homeschooling – A Look At Theme-based Learning

It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a chance to talk about homeschooling here on OBE. For the last year or so, we’ve been mulling around our educational options for the tiny person and it wasn’t until this month, actually, that we solidly moved forward with our plans to home-school.
It’s not that I think [...]

Taking A Peek Inside A Waldorf Classroom In Action

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Waldorf educator Rebecca Watkin is on site this morning showing us the inner workings of a Waldorf elementary grade classroom. Here she is:
The first time I set foot into a Waldorf classroom my breath was taken away by its beauty. I am not sure what I expected, but I was transformed [...]

Product Review – Science Kits for Young Kids

Now that the holiday craziness has wound down and we are back to normal around our house, we are also back to our regular theme action when it comes to our home learning with the tiny person. She got a challenging diagnosis at the end of December and we knew this year was going to [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Discovering Community Literacy

When you say the word “literacy” the images of libraries and academia often come to mind. It takes you down a mental path of helping kids learn to read and guiding adults through the challenges of needing to be able to interpret for themselves written words in order to manage the day-to-day tasks.
To me, it [...]

Environmental Ed Books for Children (giveaway)

Editor’s Note: If you didn’t catch Karen Pantuso-Swanson’s sweet story this morning, you can read it HERE. This afternoon we have Gayle Bates sharing some of her favorite eco-focused children’s books. Here’s she is:
What a way to start 2010 – getting to talk about two of my most favourite things: the environment and books!
Recent years have [...]

The Wisdom of Children – The Freedom of Innocence

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Karen Pantuso-Swanson is with us this morning sharing a lovely story that displays the ease and confidence that come with the innocence of childhood. Enjoy. Here she is:
“Kids: they dance before they know there is anything that isn’t music.” – William Stafford
My mom is a tap-dancer. She taught me to dance when I [...]

New Kids Science Programs Make Courtenay Museum Come Alive

Editor’s Note: Happy Saturday! If you missed the morning post, you can read Robin’s review of two sweet Canadian authored books HERE. This afternoon we have the scoop on two new and very wonderful science programs offered at the Courtenay Museum. Check them out:
As self-proclaimed science nerds over here, the recent announcement from the Courtenay [...]

Year In Review – Favorite Family Nature Locales for 2009

Oh my goodness 2009 has been a fantastic year for weather, exploring and general outdoor adventures. The Comox Valley and Vancouver Island are absolute perfection when it comes to hanging in the outdoors and making family time nature time.
We’ve explored a lot of cool places, taken more than 150 kids and their parents on hikes [...]

Book Review – Favorite Stories to Celebrate the Solistice

Editor’s Note: Good afternoon. If you missed out on the morning post, you can check out Rebecca’s post on Waldorf Kindergarten classrooms HERE. Now, we’ve got four of my favorite books to celebrate the solstice with your kids through stories.
Although we are just short of a week away from celebrating Christmas, one of my [...]

A Waldorf Kindergarten

Editor’s Note: Happy Saturday! This morning we have Waldorf educator Rebecca Watkin giving us a look inside a Waldorf Kindergarten class. Here she is:
When I think of my own Kindergarten year my memory is a bit foggy. To me it is virtually the same as Grade One, but without the desks. There were stations, there were [...]

Getaways – Learning, Adventure & Airplanes Up Close at YVR

When I was a kid in the 1970s one of the things that I waited for all year was to be able to stand right at the gate, face glued to the glass, waiting for my grandparents to get off of the airplane – whether it be for Summer vacation or Christmas holiday. We would [...]

Kids Rock – Music Lessons Are Not for Every Musician

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Bobby Herron is on site today talking shop about why music lessons work for some kids and not for others. Finding creative ways to help your kids learn all kinds of things is a bit of an art in and of itself. One that is different for everyone. Here he is:
Music instruction [...]

Book Review – The Dino Adventures of Cats & Dogs

Editor’s Notes: Good afternoon. If you missed out on the morning post from Rebecca on the tradition of advent, you can catch it over HERE. Now it’s time for a review of two very fun children’s books and a giveaway…

We have moved into the comedy portion of our daily story routine these days. There’s still [...]

Montessori in the Comox Valley

Editor’s Note: Today we take a peek inside the world of Montessori education in the Comox Valley with Pauline Rae and learn a bit about why this public-school program is beloved by so many parents, as well as in need of strong community support. Enjoy!
During the year before my oldest child started kindergarten, we looked [...]

Gather for a Family Heritage Experience

Editor’s Note: If you missed this morning’s AMAZING nature journal, you’ve got to go check out Jocie’s fantastic post on identifying slugs HERE. It’s fantastic. This afternoon, we’d like to extend an invitation to families of all ages to join Our Big Earth and The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park for the Family Heritage Experience. [...]

Learning Through Online Music Labs

Editor’s Note: This morning we have Bobby Herron giving us a look inside the creative world of online music labs. Here he is:
I recently began looking online for websites that help teach drumming fundamentals and techniques so that my students would have some resources to help them learn at home. I stumbled upon a tremendous [...]

Book Review – Not So Scary Monsters & Witches

Some kids love Christmas. Some love Easter. Mine, she L-O-V-E-S Halloween. I love the wawawahhhhhhhh coming from her when describing vampires and ghouls. But, really when you ask the tiny person what kind of stories she wants to read right now, the terms mildly spooky, a little mysterious and a lot funny are on the [...]

What Is Your Personal Parenting Style?

Editor’s Note: Good Morning, today early childhood educator Heather Magdanz is here to talk shop about parenting. She’s got some interesting insight into why we all parent the way we do… food for thought. Here she is:
Have you ever considered what kind of parent you are? Come on… who thinks about that really?
It is busy [...]

Nature Journal – Leaf Watching 101

Editor’s Note: This morning we have naturalist Jocie Ingram on site, giving us the low-down on identifying leaves. Jocie is new to the OBE team and will be sharing her knowledge with us monthly. Here she is:
My toddler son is keen to collect fallen leaves, clutching fistfuls in each hand and sorting them by shape [...]

Public Ed – The Scoop on Split Classrooms

Editor’s Note: Good afternoon! If you missed our morning post you can find book reviews on salmon learning books HERE. This afternoon we have three experienced teachers Marieke Holtkamp, Michelle Honeysett and Eileen David giving us the scoop on public school multi-grade classrooms. Here they are:
At the end of the summer, that buzz of back-to-school jitters becomes more and more [...]

Learning Books About Salmon

I know I’m a bit salmon crazed this time of year. Heck, even the Fall NeighbourWood Walks are all about checking out animal migration and hot salmon spawn spots. (Come on out and join us on Thursdays. Get the details HERE)
But, these upstream-swimming dudes are the cornerstone of the ecosystem and getting kids excited about [...]

Fostering a Musical Environment for Kids

Editor’s note: This morning, we here at OBE are excited to unveil the debut Kids Rock column from Comox Valley musician and music teacher Bobby Herron. He’s the creative genius behind the seriously successful School of Rock program through Courtenay Rec and has been living music just about as long as he’s been alive. He’ll [...]

Product Review – Preschool Learning Games

I often have this naïve notion that anything educational I bring home will be received with stellar enthusiasm and a rousing round of “Mommy, you are so stinking cool”.
Obviously, this notion is something I entertain in the privacy of my own mind, since 90% of the time I offer the 4-year-old – who has completely [...]

Kid Science – All About Apples

Summer is starting to break a bit (gasp) and sooner rather than later it will be time to break out the turtlenecks and toques. The big sign for me that my favourite time of year is nearly upon us is the arrival of local apples at the market.
I am, thankfully, on the early end of [...]

Homeschooling – Find the Right Curriculum

Now you’ve pulled your kids from the public schools, for reasons that vary from family to family and it’s time to decide what you are going to do with them at home.  Chances are your mother and/or mother-in-law are breathing down your neck about wrecking your kids’ future because they don’t go to school.  (Not [...]

Books for Hands-On Nature Learning

Our month-long adventure in local food may have come to an end. But that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped thinking local. On our adventure out to Miracle Beach Nature House the other day, I made a very lengthy pit stop at the Nature House’s book store and picked up two fantastic nature learning books for kids [...]

Intergenerational Music Programs for Toddlers

Editor’s Note: Good Morning. Wow has this last month flown by. As we head into these last two days of the Eat Real. Eat Local 30-Day Food Challenge, enjoy a couple of great Brambles demos. Today, think dairy goodness as the folks from Island Farms are on hand at 11 a.m.
Don’t forget that, in order [...]

Get Into Nature – Miracle Beach Nature House

Editor’s Note: Where could that second post from yesterday possibly have gone? The heat made my brain disintigrate into a pile of goo and my computer nearly melt down.
We’ll check out Saturday’s fun later this week.
Anyway, it’s time to chill out today with the Eat Real. Eat Local 30-Day Food Challenge and head over to [...]

Foodie Crafts – Homemade Stickers

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Today is kind of chill in the Eat Real. Eat Local 30-Day Food Challenge universe. So, if you are thinking local, make some plans for a leisurely lunch or dinner at Anderton Bistro-Pub, The Great Escape, Bisque (I think we are headed that direction) or Locals.
A lovely meal is the [...]

Guides for Tiny Explorers

Good Morning. With the sun making a regular appearance these days and our NeighbourWood Walks finally started back up, we are spending a whole lot more time outside right now.
My scientist kid told me the other day that she wants to be a paleontologist (actual use of the word, which makes my jaw drop) when [...]

Mom-Rated Family Learning Websites

The kiddo totally decides what is cool in our house.
Yeah, I lead her in directions I would like to see her pursue. But, cripes if she thinks my coffee filter butterflies are lame and I am a dork for any number of not-so-veiled attempts and exercising my parental will in the educational universe lately.
She likes [...]

SPROUTS – Creating a Kids Garden

Another sunny day. Everyone loves it when warm days blow in. With all this good weather I can finally tackle the weeds that have been meandering in my garden beds and deadhead a few of the plants that escaped me in the Fall.

It is so refreshing to be outside for hours these days – with [...]

Kids In The Arts – Get Perspective on Competition

I had a conversation a while back with someone who asked why I did not place my students in competition.  When I conveyed my mandate of non-competition the reply was, “Oh, you mean just for fun.”

This is an interesting perspective because it is not necessarily what I have in mind when I talk [...]

Homeschooling – Choose The Right Books

Editor’s Note: Good Morning. Today, Royston farmer and homeschooling mom Louisa McClellan is here to talk shop on how to find the right books for your kids.
Reading is a HUGE part of our lives around here and I, seriously, pound through dozens of books a month searching for the gems out there (long live the [...]

SPROUTS – Composting, Family-Style

Editor’s Note: Good Morning. SPROUTS gardening goddess Kendra Quince is here to kick off our Earth Month goodness with a quick lesson in composting.
While I’ve got you thinking gardening, this gives me the chance to announce some big news here at Our Big Earth.
On Monday morning (April 6), if you wake up bright and early [...]

Book Review – Art Science & Messy Math

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a kid who wanted to move her life to one centrally scientific and seriously fun location – Science World.
Somewhere between the dinosaurs and Lego land, her brain engaged the science universe (or at least the serious fun universe) and now there’s no turning [...]

Home Learning – Life Cycles for Preschoolers

OK, so there are a couple realities to working on “learning” projects with a preschooler:
1. Attention span that generally amounts to nanoseconds
2. The constant reminder that 37-year-old mom obviously knows far less than 3.5-year-old child
3. Permanent mess syndrome
4. Sitting at the dining room table is the LAST thing on anyone’s mind when the sun is [...]

Kids In The Arts – Get Them Dancing

Dance in the Comox Valley is absolutely on fire.  Given a population of less than 70,000 people, you would assume one or two choices for your tyke would be the maximum a community of this size could sustain.
When I was approached to take over leadership of Pantuso Dance I looked at the fact that there [...]

Stories for you Ears with Odds Bodkin

There once was a little, orange record player. You know, the kind that had it’s own case that you could close up, tucking the electric cord inside and would play LPs or 45s if you hadn’t lost the little insert that made the tiny records fit on the turn table.
It followed me everywhere – on [...]

Sir Ken Robinson – Creativity, Crux of Education

A few weeks ago, as he often does, Ken slipped me a link to a www.ted.com talk on creativity in education. Ted, Ken and I have developed a long-standing mutual affection. So when I saw the link wasn’t a Saturday Night Live skit from Youtube (Ken likes to send those along too), I snuggled up [...]

Homeschooling – Car School

Editor’s Note: I am sad to announce that this is Rosina’s last homeschooling column with Our Big Earth. Life is a busy, happy, complete place for her and balance is the key to anything good and true in life.
So, she is off to pursue more homeschool, family-focused goodness and we’ll all be looking forward to [...]

Establishing A Homeschool Co-Op

Homeschooling parents are the primary educators of their children and with this comes the responsibility and challenge of making learning fun while covering all academic subjects.
It can be overwhelming at times to say the least! That’s where co-ops come in.
They are groups of like-minded moms coming together with one common goal of creating great learning [...]

A Sustainable Partnership

Last Wednesday, as our daughter and I were headed off to the NeighbourWood Walk out at Lazo Marsh, we drove along the dyke road in the gleaming sunshine and she made an announcement.
“Look at the magic, mommy?”
I had no idea what she was talking about.
“Look, out on the ocean, it’s like magic sunshine out [...]

Homeschooling in BC, How to Get Started

Homeschooling Valley mama Rosina Huber is here today to talk shop about how to go about getting your kiddo hooked up as a homeschooler this year.
If you’re considering or continuing homeschooling your tiny people, Rosina is the mom in the know.
Her article was originally published on the BC Homeschool Network.
Here she is:

It’s that time of [...]

Family Craft – Waldorf-Inspired Watercolors

The gig is up.
Our kiddo is a painting maniac.
Seriously, the older she gets the uglier public painting becomes. Just the mere mention of tempera paints and paper sends her into an uncontrollable frenzy during which she paints every inch of her body – and anyone standing within swiping distance, gets a gooey paintbrush on all [...]