BAMBI Magazine November 2024

View BAMBI Magazine November 2024 PDF

Hello BAMBI community!

We’re already nearing the end of the year, and it feels like time has flown by! I read somewhere that June was speeding at 50 km/h in a 30 km/h zone, but September hit 80 km/h.

This November, we explore the dynamic partnership between schools and parents and their pivotal roles in shaping young minds. 

I know we all get tired of the constant emails and notifications from the school and the teachers, plus the endless pinging of Google Classroom updates. I joke that I need to hire a personal secretary just to keep up with this flood of school communication! 

When I was in school, I don’t think my parents even knew what I was doing in class, much less got involved in my projects and activities. But I think we’ve all taken a step in the right direction by being more involved in our children’s school lives than our parents’ hands-off approach—even though it can, at times, feel overwhelming. 

With the rise of “iPad kids” and greater awareness of conditions affecting behavior and mental health, it’s becoming increasingly crucial for parents to maintain open communication with teachers to ensure their children are adequately supported. Teachers, who observe children in structured environments for several hours each day, often notice behavioral patterns that parents may miss. They see how children interact with their peers, handle academic pressures, and manage their emotions in group settings. This makes teachers valuable allies in recognizing early signs of behavioral or developmental concerns.

By fostering strong partnerships between parents and educators, potential issues can be identified and addressed early on. Regular updates and feedback from teachers can help parents tailor their approaches at home, ensuring consistency and reinforcing positive behaviors.  

On this note, BAMBI was recently invited to a workshop by the Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC) in collaboration with Steps, and it was an eye-opening experience. This workshop highlighted practical approaches that organizations and schools can adopt, focusing on inclusivity through sensory-friendly spaces and environmental adjustments that benefit the entire workforce. The event reinforced the importance of how neurodivergent individuals contribute significant value to organizations. 

I would like to conclude by saying that by working together with educators, we can better support our children’s development and create more inclusive environments for them.

On a completely different note, don't forget to keep checking out BAMBI’s playgroups, activities and, of course, our annual parties!

Rocky

Secretary / Executive board member

View BAMBI Magazine November 2024 PDF