Grey Bruce Kids Fall 2021

your family, and explain why this might not be the same for all
families.
Model your behaviour. Watch your own fear-based behaviours
and intolerances. Respect others even in today’s climate of
negativity. Model the routines and procedures that you want
your child to adopt. All kids learn by copying.
START SMILING
Practice socialization. The lockdown caused a stunting of our
basic human social skills. We haven’t seen people’s mouths
in public in a very long time. Practice smiling and be aware
of how we can use body language and eye contact to help
communicate positivity and to express ourselves. In fact there
is an Instagram page dedicated to posting photos of smiles (@
smileyouhappy)!
Try role-playing to address social fears. Say hello to random
people on purpose. Reconnect with family and elders. We all
may have degrees of separation anxiety after lockdown.
Expect a fear of germs and of getting sick. These anxious and
catastrophic thinking patterns could be socially restricting,
so face them head on! Focus on hope, looking forward and
filling your environment with positivity. Establish new
routines that deliberately seek joy. Ensure humour is part of
your day-to-day life.
We can create resiliency by practicing many fun and useful
skills that simply keep us well as people and give us strength to
face any traumatic event. Most importantly, be aware of feelings
of negativity that don’t lift or change, and seek help if required.
The importance of good mental health is and there is no longer
a place for shame or silence. Ask for help and never stop asking
until you get the help and support you need.
SAFETY FOR TRAUMATIZED KIDS
Do not be afraid to talk about the traumatic event. Provide
a consistent, predictable pattern for the day. Be nurturing,
comforting and affectionate, but be sure this is in an
appropriate context. Discuss your expectations for behaviour.
Talk with the child. Watch closely for signs of reenactment,
and protect the child. Give them tools to talk and express
themselves. And don’t be afraid to ask others for help. GBK
REBEKKAH WILLIAMS, RP, Ex.A.T, TIR, is a Registered Psychotherapist
and Expressive Arts Therapist specializing in the treatment of trauma
for over thirty four years. Currently in private practice, she is the
co-founder and Director of Nemesis Group. Rebekkah contracts with
Health Canada Indigenous Services, NIHB/IDS, Indian Residential
Schools Resolution HSP, MMIWG, Internet Child Exploitation and
Canadian Armed Forces/Veteran’s Affairs. Rebekkah specializes in
training on trauma and is registered with the College of Registered
Psychotherapists of Ontario, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy
Association, and has recently trained in Trauma Informed Yoga. In
addition to her psychotherapy practice, Rebekkah is the author of
several fiction and non fiction books, curriculum, and numerous articles.
Live the
skilled life.
OYAP is a School to Work program that opens the door
for students to explore and work in apprenticeship
occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the
Cooperative Education program.
The goals of OYAP are:
• To provide students with the opportunity to
start training in a skilled trade while completing
the requirements for an Ontario Secondary
School Diploma.
• To enable students to make the school to work
transition by direct entry into apprenticeship
training.
• To provide employers with the opportunity to
train the skilled workers they require.
• To provide a viable solution to address the
problem of skilled tradespeople shortages in
general, and specifically the lack of young people
joining the trades.
Contact Dave Barrett at Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
Bluewater District School Board and Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board
351 1 st Avenue North Chesley, Ontario N0G 1L0
519-363-2014 | 1-800-661-7509
The program is funded by the Government of Ontario
oyap.com
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