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Parent Resources

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Welcome to Selis Learning Academy, where you play a vital role in shaping your children’s future, cultivating a generation of lifelong learners driven to create meaningful change in the world around them.

Guiding Principles for Our Future

Academy Mission & Vision

Selis Learning Academy is committed to offering an academically rigorous education within an inclusive environment where students can celebrate differences, appreciate the richness of diverse cultures, and cultivate the skills necessary to thrive in a global society. Our vision extends beyond academic excellence; we are dedicated to nurturing individuality and instilling in our students the belief that they are inherently capable of making a difference. We strive to provide opportunities for students to experience firsthand the remarkable potential they possess to create, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Our mission is to bridge the inspiring realm of children’s imagination and passion with their real-world accomplishments. We are dedicated to sparking their curiosity and creativity and guiding them in discovering how to transform their dreams into reality.

Discovering the Academy Through a Trial Day

At Selis Academy, we strive to gather as much information as possible about potential students to ensure a smooth transition and determine if our school can meet your child’s needs. In our center-based program, your child will be invited to spend a full day in their prospective classroom. This allows them to experience the learning environment, equipment, activities, and teaching methods firsthand. This trial day enables our staff to better understand the potential student, begin assessments, and develop initial learning goals and behavior management plans, while also making a final decision on enrollment.

Confirming Enrollment and Preparing for Selis Journey

The final step in our enrollment process takes place after the trial day, once both the academy and the family decide to move forward with enrollment. At this stage, we will finalize your child’s schedule, arrange tuition payments, and set a start date. We will also provide you with all essential information for a seamless transition, including orientation details, classroom logistics, and any required documentation. This ensures that everything is prepared for a successful beginning at Selis Academy.

Thank you for considering Selis Academy. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you and your child to our community and starting this exciting journey together.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any inquiries about Selis Learning Academy and our diverse programs.

Email
[email protected]
Call Us
(236) 335-3282
Address
212 - 3787 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada, British Columbia
Building Stronger Bonds Together

Connecting with Selis Community

If you would like to get to know the dedicated professionals at Selis Academy, we invite you to explore the “Our Team” section on our website. Here, you can find detailed biographies, contact information, and office hours for each member of our exceptional community. This section provides valuable insights into their backgrounds, expertise, and the roles they play in supporting your child’s educational journey, helping you feel more connected to the team that will be guiding your child.

Fostering Collaboration for Student Success

Parent-Teacher Communication

We place great importance on fostering strong connections between parents and the Selis community of teachers. To support this, we provide several opportunities for parents to engage with teachers:

Bi-Weekly Reports: Parents receive detailed updates on their child’s progress and experiences at Selis, ensuring they stay informed about their child’s educational journey.

Appointments with Teachers: Parents are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can schedule an appointment with teachers based on their office hours. Appointments can be arranged for in-person meetings, virtual consultations, or telephone calls, depending on your preference and convenience.

Monthly Parent-Teacher Dialogue Day: On the last Friday of each month, we host Parent-Teacher Dialogue Day at Selis Learning Academy. This event allows parents and teachers to come together, share insights, discuss contributions, and address any concerns. It’s a valuable opportunity for open dialogue and collaboration to support the students’ growth.

We encourage our parents’ community to stay actively engaged throughout their children’s journey with us at Selis. By maintaining open communication and participating in school activities, you can support your child’s development and success.

Refer to our calendar for details on the upcoming Parent-Teacher Dialogue Day.

Your Pathway to Learning Excellence

Curriculum Guides

At Selis Learning Academy, we are committed to delivering an educational experience that immerses children in the complexities of world they live in. Our curriculum is designed to offer children a comprehensive understanding of their environment, allowing them to engage with its beauty, challenges, and intricacies through experiential learning. By integrating real-world contexts into their education, we aim to foster critical thinking, curiosity, and a profound appreciation for the diverse aspects of the world.

Our goal is to cultivate a mindset in students that not only encourages them to ask questions and critically assess information but also empowers them to harness their creativity in ways that lead to meaningful innovation and contributions. At the heart of our curriculum is the aim to guide students on a journey from the foundational level of learning—where they remember and understand—to the pinnacle of intellectual engagement—creation. We encourage you to review our lesson plan template, which illustrates how each class is structured to promote the development of students’ critical thinking and creativity.

Fostering Curiosity Through Discovery

inquiry-based learning

Building Knowledge Together

Social constructivist approach

Inquiry-based learning drives students to explore subjects guided by their natural curiosity, facilitating a deeper understanding through active participation. The social constructivist approach builds on this by emphasizing that knowledge is constructed collaboratively through social interactions and personal experiences. Rather than passively receiving information, students engage in dialogue, problem-solving, and reflection with peers and educators, actively constructing their own understanding. Our curriculum incorporates a variety of hands-on activities, interdisciplinary projects, and collaborative learning experiences, all designed to immerse students in authentic learning situations. This environment encourages students to engage deeply with content, facilitating their ability to apply concepts in real-world contexts and stimulate cognitive development.

In practice, our curriculum provides students with opportunities to experiment, reflect, and build upon their existing knowledge. Each lesson is designed to promote exploration and problem-solving, allowing students to make connections between new information and their prior experiences. The constructivist approach ensures that learning is personalized, with students actively constructing their understanding through practical application and reflection. The integration of these approaches shapes a transformative learning environment that not only builds knowledge but also equips students with the intellectual agility needed to thrive in a dynamic world.

Our curriculum adheres to the BC curriculum standards; however, it is designed to extend beyond these requirements, enabling students to reach their full potential. By incorporating innovative teaching methods and enriching learning experiences, our approach ensures that students not only meet but exceed the expected educational benchmarks, maximizing their knowledge and understanding.

Give Back, Grow Forward

Volunteer Opportunities

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Educational Event Organization

We deeply value the active engagement and collaboration of our parent community. Our curriculum features a range of educational programs, each designed with engaging activities that offer numerous opportunities for parental participation. Your involvement not only enriches the learning experience but also strengthens the connection between home and school. Parents are warmly invited to immerse themselves in classroom activities, becoming a vital part of their child's educational journey. We encourage participation in various ways, such as leading special projects, sharing expertise during themed lessons, and organizing or joining educational field trips. Parents can also enhance the learning environment by volunteering for reading sessions, guest speaking on topics of interest, and assisting with classroom management. Such active involvement fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that benefits both students and the school community.

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Cultural Event Organization

In addition, we take great pride in creating an inclusive environment that celebrates each child’s uniqueness. Our school embraces the diverse cultures and traditions within our community, integrating these into our events and activities. We invite our parent community to actively participate in these celebrations, helping to foster a vibrant and supportive atmosphere where meaningful memories can be made. Your involvement in events such as science fairs, arts and crafts sessions, and cultural celebrations not only enhances the educational experience but also fortifies the connection between home and school. By working together, we enrich our students' educational journey and cultivate a strong sense of belonging and community that benefits their academic and social development.

Hands-On Learning for Real-World Skills

Workshops

Selis Learning Academy deeply values our parents, recognizing their vital role in their children’s education and overall development. We are committed to providing robust support to our parent community, ensuring they have access to comprehensive resources and assistance to fully engage in their child’s learning experience.

Our dedication to this support is reflected in the range of educational workshops we offer, each designed to enhance parenting skills and knowledge. These workshops aim to build confidence and equip parents with practical tools to strengthen family connections and effectively support their child’s growth.

We offer the following educational workshops:

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Teeth & Oral Hygiene

This workshop focuses on teaching parents’ effective practices to promote excellent oral health and hygiene habits from an early age. Participants will gain insights into the importance of dental care in a child’s overall health and development.

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Nutrition, Health, and Safety

This workshop provides valuable insights into promoting healthy eating habits, ensuring proper health practices, and creating a safe environment for your child. Parents will learn about nutrition guidelines, safety measures, and health tips to support their child's overall well-being.

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Developmental Milestones

This comprehensive workshop is designed to provide parents with a deep understanding of the key developmental milestones their children will reach during various stages of growth including:
• Physical Development: Learn about the physical growth stages, recommended activities to support motor skills, and ways to encourage physical fitness.
• Intellectual Development: Explore strategies to stimulate cognitive development, enhance learning experiences, and support problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Social and Emotional Development: Discover techniques for nurturing social skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience. This includes strategies for managing emotions, building positive relationships, and fostering a supportive social environment.


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Professional Employability Workshop

We also assist our parents in refreshing their career skills. Our professional employability workshops are crafted to empower parents with the critical skills and insights needed to excel in today’s dynamic job market. These workshops provide comprehensive training in key areas such as resume creation, effective interview strategies, networking techniques, and personal branding. Participants engage in interactive exercises and real-life scenarios, fostering practical experience and boosting their confidence. Our workshops also emphasize understanding industry trends, honing essential soft skills like communication and teamwork, and utilizing digital tools for job searching and career advancement. Through targeted support and actionable insights, SELIS Learning Academy aims to enhance participants' employability and prepare them for successful career trajectories.

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Parent Networking Workshops

These workshops provide opportunities for parents to connect with one another, share experiences, and collaborate on best practices. We believe that by empowering parents with knowledge and skills, we not only enhance their ability to support their children but also foster a more connected and supportive school community.

Through these initiatives, Selis Learning Academy aims to create a nurturing environment where both parents and children can thrive together, making meaningful contributions to the educational journey and building a strong foundation for future success.

Refer to our calendar for details on the upcoming Parents Workshops.

Guiding You Through Parenthood

Parent Tips

Strategies for Positive Reinforcement and Effective Discipline

Positive Parenting

Positive Reinforcement:

  • Encouragement and Incentives: Celebrate your child’s achievements and good behavior with specific praise. For example, instead of just saying “Good job,” say “I’m really proud of how you cleaned your room today!”
  • Consistent Acknowledgment: Recognize positive behaviors consistently to encourage repetition. Small rewards, like stickers or extra playtime, can reinforce good habits.
  • Encouragement: Motivate children by focusing on effort rather than outcomes. Encourage them to keep trying and acknowledge their persistence.

Effective Discipline:

  • Set Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate rules and expectations, ensuring your child understands both what is expected and why these rules are important. It’s crucial to align expectations with your child’s developmental stage to avoid issues such as frustration, behavioral problems, and strained relationships. Misalignment can lead to unrealistic demands, resulting in stress and reduced motivation, which may hinder growth and learning. Conversely, aligning expectations can enhance a child’s independence and self-learning abilities. Choosing activities that suit the child’s developmental level, traits, and personality can foster lifelong learning skills. Children should be encouraged to strive for independence while also being provided with support when they seek it.
  • Consistent Consequences: Apply consequences consistently when rules are broken. Ensure that the consequences are fair and related to the behavior.
  • Time-Away and Reflection: Use time-aways as a way for children to calm down and reflect on their behavior. Discuss what happened and what they can do differently next time.
  • Modeling Behavior: Be a role model for the behavior you expect. Children learn by observing, so demonstrate respect, patience, and kindness in your interactions.
  • Targeted Feedback on Positive Behaviour: To foster foundational positive behavior in children, it’s important to praise their positive attitudes and actions. Parents should use specific and clear language to highlight these positive behaviors. Providing detailed feedback helps children understand what behaviors are desirable and encourages them to repeat or build upon these actions, promoting further positive development.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: To nurture critical thinking and problem-solving skills, parents should act as exemplary motivator in these areas. When conflicts arise, children should be given the opportunity to devise their own solutions, fostering their problem-solving abilities. It’s important for parents to have faith in their children’s capacity to handle responsibility and generate creative ideas to address challenges, whether those involve interpersonal issues or personal dilemmas. By consistently encouraging children to come up with their own ideas and solutions from an early age, parents help build their independence, confidence, and sense of responsibility. This approach not only supports the child’s immediate problem-solving skills but also prepares them for future challenges by instilling a proactive and resourceful mindset.

Opportunities for Improvement: Parents should provide their children with genuine opportunities to make amends, as this helps both parties enhance their communication skills. By offering constructive ways to address issues, rather than relying on unproductive time-outs or self-destructive behaviors, children are encouraged to propose effective solutions. These opportunities not only help resolve conflicts more constructively but also foster a sense of responsibility and improve problem-solving abilities. Engaging in this process can strengthen the parent-child relationship and teach valuable lessons in communication and resolution.

Tips for Improving Communication with Children

Communication Skills

Active Listening:

  • Give Full Attention: When your child is speaking, give them your full attention. Make eye contact and avoid distractions to show that you value what they are saying.
  • Reflective Listening: Repeat back what your child has said to show understanding and empathy. For example, “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated because…”

Open-Ended Questions:

  • Encourage Conversation: Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer. This helps children express their thoughts and feelings. For example, “What was your favorite part of today?”
  • Be Patient: Allow your child time to respond. Avoid interrupting or finishing their sentences for them.

Positive Language:

  • Use Positive Statements: Frame your language positively. Instead of saying “Don’t run,” say “Please walk.”
  • Express Emotions: Help your child label their emotions by expressing your own in a healthy way. For example, “I feel happy when we spend time together.”

Non-Verbal Communication:

  • Body Language: Pay attention to your body language. Smiles, nods, and open postures can make your child feel more comfortable and willing to communicate.
  • Physical Touch: A gentle touch or hug can provide comfort and reinforce your support.
Advice on Balancing Work and Family Life

Work-Life Balance

Prioritize and Plan:

  • Set Priorities: Identify what is most important for both your work and family life. Focus on high-priority tasks and let go of less important ones.
  • Create a Schedule: Develop a family calendar to keep track of work commitments, school activities, and family time. Stick to a routine as much as possible.

Quality Time:

  • Make the Most of Family Time: Plan activities that the whole family enjoys. Even short periods of quality time, like reading a book together or having dinner as a family, can strengthen bonds.
  • Be Present: When you’re with your family, be fully present. Avoid checking work emails or taking calls during family time.

Set Boundaries:

  • Work-Life Separation: Establish clear boundaries between work and home. Set specific work hours and stick to them, ensuring that work doesn’t spill over into family time.
  • Communicate with Your Employer: Discuss your needs with your employer. Flexible work arrangements or remote work options can help you better balance your responsibilities.

Self-Care:

  • Take Care of Yourself: Ensure you are also taking time for self-care. Regular exercise, hobbies, and relaxation are important for maintaining your well-being.
  • Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family members, friends, or professional services if you need it.
Information on What to Expect at Different Stages of a Child's Growth

Developmental Milestones

Physical Development:

Physical development includes the overall growth of children’s bodies and their ability to use them effectively. This involves both gross motor skills, which rely on large muscle groups and coordination, and fine motor skills, which require precise control of smaller muscles. Physical development also encompasses the maturation of the five senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—which are essential for exploring and engaging with their surroundings.

Social and Emotional Development:

This involves a child’s capacity to stay independent and manage their emotions across different social contexts. The ultimate aim of social and emotional development is for an individual to attain profound self-awareness, allowing them to understand their own feelings and respond in a thoughtful and wise manner. Achieving this level of awareness requires cultivating autonomy, empathy, adaptability, and a resilient, positive mindset.

Cognitive (Intellectual) Development

Intellectual development refers to the enhancement of creative, critical, and problem-solving skills, along with the growth of memory and conceptualization techniques. Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development highlights that children reach their fullest potential when they are within what he termed the “Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).” This zone represents the gap between a child’s current developmental level and their potential level of development, which can be achieved with guidance and support from adults or more skilled peers. Key components of an effective ZPD include active social interaction with knowledgeable individuals—such as adults and advanced peers—and the use of cultural tools like language, symbols, and technology.

Below is a concise overview of the developmental stages of children, highlighting key milestones and characteristics for each phase. Understanding these stages is crucial for identifying typical behaviors and tracking developmental progress, and it provides valuable guidance for offering the right support and interventions to promote healthy growth and learning.

Infancy (0-1 year):

  • Physical Development: Rapid growth in height and weight, development of motor skills such as crawling, standing, and eventually walking.
  • Cognitive Development: Recognition of familiar faces, responding to their name, exploring objects by putting them in their mouth.
  • Social and Emotional Development: Forming strong attachments to caregivers, expressing a range of emotions, such as joy and distress.

Toddlerhood (1-3 years):

  • Physical Development: Improved coordination and balance, ability to run, jump, and climb stairs.
  • Cognitive Development: Developing language skills, beginning to form simple sentences, engaging in pretend play.
  • Social and Emotional Development: Seeking independence, experiencing temper tantrums, learning to manage emotions with guidance.

Preschool (3-5 years):

  • Physical Development: Refining motor skills, such as drawing and using scissors, greater physical coordination.
  • Cognitive Development: Asking many questions, understanding basic concepts like colors and numbers, beginning to solve simple problems.
  • Social and Emotional Development: Developing friendships, learning to share and take turns, understanding rules and consequences.

School Age (6-12 years):

  • Physical Development: Steady growth, improved fine motor skills for writing and drawing, participation in sports and physical activities.
  • Cognitive Development: Developing reading and math skills, logical thinking, understanding complex ideas and instructions.
  • Social and Emotional Development: Developing a sense of self and identity, experiencing a wider range of emotions, forming deeper relationships with peers.

Adolescence (13-18 years):

  • Physical Development: Rapid growth and hormonal changes, development of secondary sexual characteristics.
  • Cognitive Development: Abstract thinking, critical thinking skills, setting goals and planning for the future.
  • Social and Emotional Development: Seeking independence, exploring identity, managing more complex social relationships and emotions.

Understanding these milestones can help parents provide the appropriate support and guidance at each stage of their child’s development.

Healthy Eating for a Healthier You

Nutrition

Parents must prioritize providing their children with optimal nutrition, which involves delivering the best possible nourishment through a balanced and appropriate combination of foods. Optimal nutrition ensures that children receive all the essential nutrients in the right amounts to support their growth, development, and overall health. This involves not only offering a variety of foods but also paying attention to the quality and balance of their diet. Children’s daily eating habits should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats to meet their nutritional needs and promote their well-being.

Children’s diet should consist of the following:

The Building Blocks of a Balanced Diet

Macronutrient

A substantial amount of carbohydrates and fats is essential in the diet, as they primarily provide energy for the body; however, proteins are primarily utilized to regulate bodily functions and act as fundamental building blocks for body structures like muscles, organs, and blood in addition to their contribution to energy supply.

  • Carbohydrates (4 calories)
  • Sample Sugars: The goal is for children to consume sugar in moderation and within the context of an otherwise healthful diet.
  • Complex Carbohydrates
  • Starch: The starches consist of multiple glucose sugars linked together in chains. Breaking down starches into simple sugars (glucose) through the digestive process makes them available for absorption in the small intestine.
  • dietary fiber:
  • Insoluble: it is derived from the structural components of plant cell walls, does not dissolve in water. It functions by absorbing water into the stool, resulting in softer and bulkier stools. This helps stools pass more swiftly through the gastrointestinal tract, aiding children in maintaining regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.
  • Soluble: Soluble fiber mixes easily with water to form gels, thickening foods. It provides notable health benefits, including prolonging feelings of fullness by delaying stomach emptying, which can help with weight management.
  • Proteins (4 calories)
  • High Quality Proteins: Animal-based proteins, such as those from milk, eggs, cheese, meats, fish, and poultry, contain all essential amino acids and are considered high-quality. Soy protein is also a high-quality protein, though gelatin is an exception.
  • Low Quality proteins: Some foods offer lower-quality proteins due to either low protein content or missing essential amino acids. For instance, fruits and many vegetables are poor protein sources, while other plant-based foods may contribute protein but lack certain amino acids.
  • Fats (9 calories)
  • Good Fat: Both reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol and reducing inflammation.
  • Polyunsaturated Fat
  • Omega-3
  • Fatty Acid
  • Monosaturated Fat
  • Bad Fat: They increase heart disease risk. Saturated fats mainly come from animal sources but also include coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil.
  • Saturated fats
  • Trans Fatty Acids

Micronutrients are required in much smaller amounts compared to macronutrients, yet they are vital for children’s overall health and development. These essential nutrients help the body effectively utilize energy from macronutrients and play a crucial role in promoting growth and development. Each micronutrient, such as vitamins and minerals, has a distinct and important function within the body. They support various physiological processes, including immune function, bone health, and cognitive development. While micronutrients are present in a wide range of foods, certain foods are particularly rich in specific micronutrients. Ensuring a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods helps meet the body’s micronutrient needs and supports optimal health and development in children.

  • Vitamins
  • Water-soluble: Including B and C, dissolve in water and are absorbed into the bloodstream. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, they can’t be stored in the body and should be consumed daily.
  • Fat Soluble: Including A, D, E, and K, dissolve in fat and are stored in the body for later use, so they do not need to be consumed daily.
  • Minerals
  • Macrominerals: Including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, and potassium, with a daily requirement of 100 mg or more.
  • Microminerals: Including iron, zinc, iodine, fluoride, selenium, manganese, copper, chromium, molybdenum, and cobalt, are required in amounts of 15 mg/day or less
The Essence of Life and Vitality

Water

It is vital for survival, as it supports all bodily systems and is essential for various life processes. It facilitates the transport of nutrients through the bloodstream and aids in the elimination of waste products from the body. Additionally, water is crucial for regulating body temperature by enabling perspiration, which helps cool the body. Children obtain water from the fluids they drink, including water, milk, and juices, as well as from the foods they consume. Many fruits and vegetables have high water content, contributing significantly to their daily hydration needs. Ensuring that children receive adequate water from both beverages and food is important for maintaining their overall health, supporting growth, and enhancing their bodily functions.

Nutrition, health, and safety for young children: Promoting wellness. Figure 2.4.

In addition to evaluating daily values and reading food labels, which are essential healthy habits for both you and your young children, the following guidelines can further enhance your understanding of the specific components of a nutritious diet. These guidelines will help you gain a more comprehensive grasp of how different nutrients and dietary choices impact overall health. By applying this knowledge, you can make more informed decisions about your family’s eating habits, ensuring a balanced and healthful diet that supports optimal growth and well-being for everyone.

 

Focus on Children’s food Preference

Regardless of children’s preferences for various food components, parents should concentrate on creating an environment that provides balanced eating options while incorporating their favorite foods. This approach not only makes mealtimes more enjoyable but also supports the development of healthy eating habits. When children are offered a variety of nutritious foods alongside their preferred choices, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude toward eating and be more willing to try new foods. The following factors significantly impact young children’s appetite and willingness to eat depending on their developmental stage:

  • Exposure to verity of food from early stages of development
  • Appropriate and comfortable environment free from distraction
  • Suitable textures and consistencies
  • Regular meal scheduling
  • Appropriate portion sizes
  • Effective strategies for introducing new foods
  • Setting a good example
  • Educational activities on healthy eating appropriate for their developmental stage
  • Division of responsibility in eating between parents and children
  • Food with appealing appearance and smell

Division of Responsibility in Eating

One of the most crucial responsibilities that parents have is managing the division of roles in eating to help their children establish healthy eating habits. This approach dictates that parents are responsible for determining what, when, and where food is provided, while children are responsible for deciding whether to eat and how much. It’s important for parents to recognize that babies and young children have an inherent ability to understand how much food they need to feel satisfied. However, due to a lack of knowledge or the well-intentioned desire to ensure their children eat adequately, parents may sometimes insist or pressure their kids to consume more than what is appropriate for them. Understanding and respecting this natural ability is key to supporting a healthy and balanced approach to eating.

parents can help foster a healthy relationship with food, encourage good eating habits, and support their children’s overall growth and well-being.

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