Innisfail residents helped celebrate National Child Day this year.
Parents, childcare workers, and caregivers gathered at the Innisfail Public Library/Learning Centre on Nov. 21 to hear Dr. Jody Carrington speak on the importance of developing strong relationships with children.
The community event was presented by the Envision Children First coalition in Innisfail, and was held to help celebrate National Child Day and what is considered the country's most precious resource -- its children.
National Child Day also recognizes the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“It was planned around National Child Day, to celebrate National Child Day,” said Enola Nygren, chair of the coalition. “Dr. Carrington is a well- known speaker on relationships, working with children and families and she is very well known in the area,” she added. “We really believe that families are stronger when they are connected. It's that interaction piece that we know really fosters early brain development.”
Carrington is a psychologist who was responsible for an inpatient unit at the Alberta Children's Hospital for 10 years, and now has a private practice in Olds, focusing on attachment work.
“The power of the relationship is really all you need,” said Carrington. “Being crazy about your kids is one of the most important things you can do,” she added.
Close to 80 local residents from Innisfail and surrounding areas came out for the morning presentation at the library and learning centre, noted Nygren, including parents, caregivers, day home providers, grandparents, foster care parents, social workers and teachers.
The Envision Children First coalition helps parents learn ways to support their children's development and help them grow to be the best they can be throughout their lives, said Nygren, adding she was very pleased with how well the event was attended and how well the message Carrington shared about relationships and parenting was received.
“She spoke to us about the circle of security, which I think is a tool or an understanding that would benefit us all,” said Nygren. “In every interaction that we have and in supporting our children.”
The Envision Children First coalition in Innisfail is comprised of volunteers and has been a part of the community since 2011.
Its next presentation, entitled “Kids Have Stress Too”, will be presented at the Innisfail Library and Learning Centre on Jan. 9.
Dr. Jody Carrington
"The power of the relationship is really all you need. Being crazy about your kids is one of the most important things you can do."
