This guide is provided by Geneva Centre for Autism CBC Kids Days 2018 This guide is intended for caregivers to help plan a successful visit to CBC Kids Days. Tips for caregivers of children with a developmental delay. Page 1
CBC Kids Days is a fun event to attend but be prepared for lots of people and line ups at many of the activity stations. At some of the more popular activity stations you will have to wait your turn, and also let other visitors waiting have their turn. The least busy time to visit the event is on the first day, July 18, in the morning. If your child prefers not to be in crowds, or has a hard time waiting in line this might be a good time to come. CBC Kids Days can get very busy and noisy. Please visit Pablo s World where it will be quieter in comparison to the CBC atrium. There is also the CBC Parents Pit Stop, which is located in the CBC Conference Centre. You can access it via doors in the southwest corner of the main atrium where the stage is located. The CBC Parents Pit Stop is a toddler and baby friendly space for parents who need a quiet space for breast or bottle feeding or quiet play. CBC Kids Days is an accessible event for all to enjoy. The event takes place both indoors and outdoors. Please keep in mind the weather and dress accordingly. If it rains, outdoor activities may be closed or moved inside if possible. There are several food options available for purchase when visiting CBC Kids Days. You can bring your own snacks, food items, and beverages to enjoy while at the event. There are several accessible washrooms available for use. Note that there are smaller sized washrooms in the upper atrium area that have automatic taps, automatic soap dispensers, but manual paper towel dispensers. There is a larger bathroom in the lower concourse area that has all manual appliances. Page 2
Welcome to CBC Kids Days 2018! Date: July 18 and 19 Time: 10am to 3pm https://www.facebook.com/cbckidsca/videos/2067423296661245/ CBC Kids Days offer lots of activities for kids ages 2 to 6 and their families! There are also many activities that kids 6 years and older may enjoy. Kids can experience activities such as arts and crafts, interactive activities, outdoor games, and mascot meet and greets with their favorite characters. There will be activities that allow your child to be creative, active, curious, and interactive. When at each of the activities at the event, it s ok to let your child touch, feel, jump, and explore. Take a tour of Studio K. In the studio your tour guide will let you and your child know what you can touch and/or explore. Please speak to the guide if you have any questions or need assistance. Please note that the event has multiple entrances and exits that lead to the outdoors. The layout of the event may make it difficult to see all areas at all times. Please supervise your child at all times. CBC Kids Days is a very popular event, but it's an event that you won t want to miss! There is a lot to enjoy and you may not be able to do it all. Make a plan of what you want to see and experience. If possible, have your child help you chose what to do. With some planning you can make the day a fun one for you and your child. You can find more information on the activities here: http://www.cbc.ca/parents/events/view/cbc-kids-days-2018 Need assistance or have questions while at the event? Please ask the CBC staff and volunteers who will be on site to help. CBC staff will be wearing red shirts. Volunteers assisting at each activity will be wearing blue shirts. Page 3
The Main Stage There will be 6 stage shows daily. The shows are a great chance for your child to see their favorite characters - PJ Masks, Cookie Monster, True from True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Scout and Daisy, Chirp, Dot and Daniel Tiger will all be there! Pictures/visuals are a great way to let your child know what to expect. It may be helpful to show your child pictures of the various mascots so they know what to expect. Be sure to check the stage schedule upon arrival to the event. Make a plan so that you and your child watch and enjoy the shows you want. Share the plan with your child. Let them know what they will see and do. It can get crowded and loud during the stage shows. Try to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the show starts to get a good spot. Arriving early will give you time to get settled and comfortable before the show starts. Is your child ok with loud music or loud noises? Bringing headphones for your child to wear can help lessen the noise if needed. Is your child able to wait? Bringing favorite items like toys, books, or electronic devices from home can help to occupy your child until the show starts. Visit Pablo s World where there will be viewing stations where you and your child can watch the main stage shows. Main stage schedule both Saturday and Sunday: http://www.cbc.ca/parents/events/view/cbc-kids-days-2018 10:15-10:40 Studio K Live 11:00-11:15 True & The Rainbow Kingdom Dance Party 11:30-11:45 The Thrillusionists 12:15-1:00 Fred Penner 1:50-2:15 CBC Kids Friends Party 2:30-2:55 Studio K Live Page 4
Caregiver Tip: When the main stage shows are on, the crowds and lines at other activities may be lighter. The noise in some parts of the atrium and lobby may be less too. Try visiting some of your child s favorite activities during a main stage show. Check the schedule for timing. Pablo s World CBC Kids Days can be loud and crowded. Come visit the activities inside the inclusive space of Pablo s World (located inside the Glenn Gould Studio lobby) for a different sensory experience. Where possible, Pablo s World will have lower lighting, be less noisy, have fewer people, have space to move if your child needs, and have a variety of activities for your child to explore such as sensory bins and colouring/drawing. Some of your child s favorite characters will be visiting in Pablo s world. Caregivers, use this space when you and your child need. Come in and enjoy the activities, relax at the viewing stations, or use the space to help your child calm down if needed. Staff and volunteers will be available to provide support. Experts from Geneva Centre for Autism will be inside Pablo s World, come and say hello! Geneva Centre staff are happy to answer questions, offer information about autism, information about community resources, and offer support to you and your child. There might be a line up to enter Pablo s World. There will be a limit to the number of people allowed into Pablo s World at any given time. The staff at the door of Pablo s World will let you know when Page 5
there is space to come in and enjoy the fun. You can enter Pablo s World from the CBC lower lobby area (near the Welcome Centre at the Front Street entrance). Though Pablo s World will have staff and volunteers, please supervise your child at all times. Please note that there is an exit to the outdoors from Pablo s World. Outside Activities CBC Kids Days takes place both indoors and outdoors. Please keep in mind the weather and dress accordingly. Bring sun hats, sunscreen (apply sunscreen at home so your child is ready to enjoy the fun outside when you arrive). If you re feeling hot outside, you can come inside to cool down. There are lots of activities both inside and outside and you can go back and forth as needed. If your child does not like wearing sunscreen, try dressing them in a long sleeved shirt of light fabric to keep cool. If your child has a hard time with transitions, ending your visit to CBC Kids Days in the outdoor space may be a good idea. Enjoy some activities inside. Enjoy some activities outside. Then head home without going back inside where the crowds are. Be prepared for lots of people and line ups at many of the activity stations. At some of the more popular activity stations you will have to wait your turn, and also let other visitors waiting have their turn. Please note that the lines for face painting and the bouncy castle can be very long. Bringing toys, books, or electronic devices from home can help pass the time. *Face painting and the bouncy castle will close by 3pm. Please ensure you get in line no later than 2pm if your child wants to participate. *Please note that if it rains, outdoor activities may be closed or moved inside if possible. Meet the Characters of CBC Kids PJ Masks, Cookie Monster, True from True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Scout and Daisy, Chirp, Dot and Daniel Tiger will all be there! Your child can hug their favorite characters (but please be gentle!). Is your child able to wait? Bringing favorite items like toys, books, or electronic devices from home to occupy your child while they wait to meet their favorite characters. Characters can be scary for some children. It can be a good idea to show your child pictures of the characters at home so your child knows what to expect. Meet and greet lines can be long, but most of the mascot characters will also walk around during the day. All the characters will also be out at the end of the event. Page 6
Some characters will visit Pablo s World. Come visit us there to meet them. Food and Snacks You are welcome to bring your own food and drink to the event. Pack food and drink you know your child will eat to reduce any possible challenge. If possible, have your child help pick the snacks for the day. There are also many food options available in and around the CBC building. The CBC atrium offers two restaurants (ITO Sushi and 7 Wonders). There is a large food court accessible from within the CBC lobby at the base of the escalators. You can find the food court directory here: http://www.simcoeplace.com/en/foodshops/pages/fooddirectory.aspx There will also be food trucks, hot dog carts, and ice cream trucks that regularly park near the CBC building on Front Street. What to bring Backpack - packing what you need for the day in a backpack can be a good idea as it allows for both your hands to be free to help and keep your safe. Snacks, food, drinks pack items you know your child will reliable eat and drink Headphones to help with noise Preferred items: toys, books, electronic devices to occupy your child Rewards catch your kids being good! o Small rewards such as stickers, small edibles, small toys are great but don t forget that that high 5 s, thumbs up, big smiles, hugs, and simply telling your child they re doing a great job can go a long way too! Page 7
Positive attitude - focus on what s going well. Remember Create a plan for the day. Share the plan with your child. Use pictures to show your child the plan. Let your child know what they might expect to see, do, hear, experience. Visuals are helpful. Pictures add meaning to the words you tell your child. Showing your child pictures of what to expect at the event can be helpful. YouTube has video clips from previous years shows o What did your child smile at, laugh at, point to, vocalize or talk about? Include these in your plan for the day! The event is fun for parents and siblings too Try and visit activities everyone will enjoy You may not be able to do it all, but you can still have a lot of fun End your day on a positive - sometimes it s better to leave when everyone is happy. CBC Kids Days is fun for all! Page 8