Agassiz-Harrison welcomes its new Early Years Coordinator Jessica Cool to the role. Cool has taken over from Kim Verigin and met up with The Observer to talk about her new position as well as some of the exciting developments on the horizon including the highly anticipated Story Time in the Park.
Cool is passionate about her work and looks forward to networking with the community to find out what it is that people want to see more of including new programs that would be of benefit.
She brings with her a business degree, the experience of running her own business as a freightbroker, and she was also a creative director at Focus on the Family in Canada in Langley.
The mother of three understands the challenges of parenting and brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She has been at her post since May 1 and has been busy coordinating events for the summer season.
“I feel that I have been equipped with the skills for multitasking and also with my life experience as a mom I can relate to other parents,” said Cool.
Her role description includes making sure that families know of the resources available to them in Agassiz and Harrison. Among some of the resources available, Cool lists Strong Start at Kent Elementary School, Family Place at the Seniors Centre on Morrow Road, Storytime at the library, and the various programs available at Agassiz-Harrison Community Services and the District of Kent with their programs to support families.
“I will be making myself available at various events or programs and moving in the circles of moms and dads and listening to what they’re looking for,” said Cool. “I can offer some of these resources if they haven’t already heard of them — I’m open to any ideas or suggestions to better what we have, or if they’re looking for something new that we could offer as a committee.”
The Early Years Committee, Cool refers to exists as a group of organizations that are committed to supporting families in Agassiz and Harrison.
Outreaching to the community is essential in developing and sustaining the program as well as determining what needs there are and how they can be met.
“Parenting is tough and sometimes it can feel lonely and some might feel stuck at home or if they’re new to the community it’s also a good way to meet people and to make friends and to develop those support networks and to realize, hey I’m not alone in this, whatever the situation may be.”
The goal of Early Years is to target families with children 0 to 6 and refer them to the right sources. They can also provide resources and information pertaining to older children as well. The main element Cool will be going after is improved communication within the community so that parents know what’s going on.
“People don’t always hear about the beautiful programs in the community of Agassiz and Harrison and I’m quite surprised and proud about the programs that we do have to offer,” she said. “We want to make sure parents know what seminars or workshops are available, whether they be on anxiety or bullying, or workshops for grandparents who are caring for young children.”
Some of the biggest struggles parents are dealing with regarding their children are self-management, and how to equip children with the skills emotionally and behaviourally to know how to cope with anxiety on their own.
“It’s about giving them the tools to manage these issues themselves whether that be thinking of a picture that comforts them or finding a special nest in their room with a blanky and a toy.”
Other modern day parenting concerns involve monitoring how much screen time is being used by the family including that of the parents.
“I’m hearing from parents that “being present” is important in their roles, as well as encouraging children to spend less time in front of screens.”
One of the issues with increased screen time is the concern of neck injuries from bad posturing over a lengthy period of time, according to Cool, as well as problems such as ADD, and instant gratification.
“Some of the top anxiety issues in children include concerns over studies and anything and everything — children suffering from anxiety are coming in younger and younger. I think kids are taking cues from their parents in terms of anxiety levels and there’s a wide spectrum and I think if we start young we can target and equip them with a good foundation to have tools to prepare them for their teenage years.”
Social media is another concern for kids who feel increased pressure to look a certain way or behave a certain way with the constant pressure of keeping up with their peers online.
The foundation of the early years are important according to Cool, who elaborates on that time period as a formative one, in which language and thought processing are coming into play as well as the learning of motor skills, cognitive development and soaking everything up like a sponge.
“It really is a great time to support the families and parents as much as you can and also these kids — they are our most valuable asset,” she said.
Over the past month and half, Cool has been throwing all her resources into Storytime in the Park, an outdoor reading tradition, scheduled over the summer months of July and August in Agassiz and Harrison.
Dates for Storytime in the Park include July 5, 12, 19 in Agassiz at Pioneer Park and a special reading at Seabird Island on the 26th with cultural dancing, drumming, free snacks and even a bouncy castle.
Harrison will also be hosting its own Storytime in the Park on August 2, 9, 16 and 23 at Harrison Hot Springs Elementary School. At every event families receive a free copy of the book of the day that will be read outloud by special guest speakers like Terrill Scott from the Agassiz Library and Ranger Station Art Gallery Artist in Residence Bren Simmers, as well as Mayor John Van Laerhoven on July 12 and Mayor Leo Facio on August 2.
As for her objective on the frontline of early years development, it’s about getting the message out and making families feel at home in the community.
“Most of all we want people to feel welcome when they move here and to be astonished at everything there is to offer and that families will feel supported and not alone — there are resources and people willing to help and love on them,” said Cool.
For more information on Storytime in the Park check them out at Facebook. It’s also important that participants know this year the event is completely separate from Hope’s Storytime in the Park.