News Release: Parry Sound Parenting Campaign

PARRY SOUND, ON - Parents have a key role in supporting their children’s social and emotional development. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Health Unit), in collaboration with community partners, are reminding parents to listen, respond and connect with your child, to help your child work through their emotions, and to let your child play. In order to be there for your child, it is also important to make time to take care of yourself.

With the launch of the Parenting Campaign, key parenting messages will be displayed throughout Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness for parents and caregivers about children’s needs to feel safe, secure and loved.  Children thrive when their social and emotional needs are met through these early relationships.

“There is no such thing as a perfect parent and with today’s pressures to juggle demands, we want to reassure parents that even small moments with your child counts. Let your children play, let them get dirty and let them be kids. When the time comes and your child needs you, make time to connect, and listen to their concerns. They will feel important and supported which helps them develop skills to get through difficult situations,” said Doris Chartrand, Public Health Nurse.

For more information, call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5351, or learn more at myhealthunit.ca.

Quick Facts

• Senior kindergarten students in the Parry Sound District were vulnerable on each of the five growth and development domains of the 2015 Early Development Instrument (EDI) when compared to Ontario.
• According to the EDI, children struggled most with overall social and emotional competences:
  • 14.6% of children were not on track on the Social Competence domain
  • 15.6% of children were not on track on the Emotional Maturity domain
• A local parenting study demonstrated that 63.5% of parents want to learn more about the importance of building a relationship with their child (Health Unit, 2014).

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Media Inquiries

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca