Welcome to our podcast, In Conversation with OCDSB.
Here, we speak with our experts to answer some common questions, share information about resources and supports, and learn more about, well, learning. Each episode is under 20 minutes and is intended to provide listeners with a friendly discussion on topics from K to 12.
Have comments or suggestions, write to us: [email protected]
Episode #4: Digital citizenship
It seems we’re all struggling to navigate the online world these days. If adults are having a hard time, how do we even begin to talk about it with our kids? In our latest episode of our In Conversation with OCDSB podcast, we talk about how parents can support kids to enter the digital world with confidence.
Additional resources:
Past Episodes
Episode #3: Joy of Reading
For a child, there is so much potential in a good book. For some kids, learning to read comes easy. For others, it can be a challenge for parents and children alike. In this podcast, we talk with Julie Butterworth, an instructional coach with the OCDSB Program and Learning Department. She provides a few tips to support early learners and how parents can help develop in their children a joy of reading.
Listen:
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/ocdsb/episodes/Episode-3-Joy-of-Reading-e1poqq6
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tmiKwOWXzDhnRBKoVhyQF
YouTube: https://youtu.be/IPCDEsp78Bs
Additional resources:
Ontario Human Rights Commission Right to Read Inquiry report: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/right-to-read-inquiry-report
Reading resources:
- Hanen Book Nook: http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Book-Nook.aspx The Hanen Book Nook shares favourite children’s books and talks about ways families can use them with young children to promote their emergent literacy skills. Every month, a new fun children’s book is highlighted and some simple strategies are shared for how you can use it to build the critical foundations of learning to read and write.
- Reading rockets: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-tips-parents-preschoolers This site offers some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. The tips are organized by age of your child. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.
Episode #2: It’s ok
Through the pandemic there has been a common expression on the topic of mental health: It’s ok to not be ok.
It means that with every shock or challenge added to your life, you might feel sad, grumpy, angry or just exhausted. And that’s completely normal.
We spoke with Emily Balla, the mental health lead for the OCDSB, about mental health, wellness, and how parents can support children (and themselves) to better deal with the challenges that come our way.
Listen:
Anchor
Spotify
YouTube
Additional resources:
To support the mental health of our community, the OCDSB’s mental health professionals have compiled a list. https://ocdsb.ca/our_schools/mental_health/resources
Episode #1: The Big Day
If your child is starting kindergarten for the first time, you probably have questions. We spoke with Brent Smith, a principal with the OCDSB, who works with our Program and Learning Department.
Listen:
Anchor
Spotify
YouTube
Additional resources:
More information about kindergarten, including how to register and links to virtual parent information nights, can be found here: ocdsb.ca/kindergarten