KEYS

Is your child born between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021?

Do you live in Wellard?

If you answered "YES" to both of these questions, do we have the program for you!!

Our KEYS to Kindy program offers FREE weekly sessions for both children and their parents and carers, focused on increasing the skills needed to be ready for school in 2025.

Do you want to know more?

Click the link below to register your interest!!

https://forms.office.com/r/dEscYQ9kT9

As 2023 draws to an end, our playgroup has ceased until the new year.

2024 will see our playgroup being held in a new venue on the grounds of Wellard Village Primary School.

Same vibe, Same time, Different location.

We can't wait to see you all on Friday, February 9.

Keep watching our page for more details!!

Do you live in Wellard and have a child starting Kindy in 2025? The KEYS to Kindy program starts in Term 1 2024. We are now taking registrations of interest.

A well written response to a common question.
The Right to Feel and Be Safe is not a reality for too many women and children.
Today KEYS will be joining the Rockingham Kwinana Safe Family Alliance in raising awareness about Family and Domestic Violence in our community, as part of the 16 Days in WA Campaign.
It's not too late for you to join us. Learn how you can play your part in creating a safer community for everyone.
Hear from someone with lived experience.
Join the memorial tribute and silent march for those who have lost their lives to family domestic violence by placing a rose and candle next to a pair of shoes to represent someone who has lost their live to FDV this year in WA (rose and candle provided).
Wear something orange and join us between 10am and 1pm outside the Mary Davies Library and Community Centre, 17 Settlers Avenue, Baldivis.

Say NO to Family and Domestic Violence.

This week we've been focussing on perinatal mental health. ForWhen exists to support families in those crucial few months and is available for expecting parents, and parents of infants up to 12 months of age.

Not sure what support you need? The website has helpful information on what to look for, so that you can receive help sooner.

The ForWhen Helpline is staffed by clinical practitioners, so you can be reassured with the best advice, knowledge, and understanding. And, because the helpline staff are local, you will be linked in with services and support in your local area.

ForWhen | For Parents Home For Parents A judgement-free mental health care referral service. Pregnancy and parenthood is a time of big change for new parents. You’re not alone in how you may be feeling. And while it can be difficult, it’s important to realise that help is available. In those moments, ForWhen can help...

Parenting can lonely. The problem with Lonely, is that it can fool us into thinking that NO-ONE can help, or understand. Add parenting to the mix, and the lie becomes bigger. Lonely can fool us into believing that we'll be judged, we're a bad parent, and all sorts of untruths that don't deserve to be mentioned.

Because they're just that. Untruths. The Truth is that you're NOT alone, there ARE people who understand, who can help, and these feelings DO NOT make you a bad parent.

Being a parent brings with it some BIG feelings. And sometimes those feelings aren't positive, they're unhelpful and overwhelming. When you're in the middle of these big feelings, it's important to get it all out of your head. Journalling, singing out loud, talking out loud, screaming at the waves, can all help.

And sometimes we need to talk with a person. At KEYS we're all parents, we understand that calling a friend isn't always an option. We also understand that sometimes it's easier to talk with someone not so close. And this is why we have Helplines. Here's some helplines for WA and Australia:

PANDA National Healthline (Mon - Sat) 1300 726 306
Ngala Parenting Line (8am-8pm) everyday 9368 9368
Beyond Blue (24/7) 1300 22 4636
13YARN (24/7) 13 92 76
Mensline (24/7) 1300 789 978
National Breastfeeding Helpline (24/7) 1800 686 268
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (7 days) 1800 882 436
1800 RESPECT (24/7) 1800 737 732
Sane Australia Mental Health Helpline (10-10 Mon-Fri) 1800 187 263
Lifeline (24/7) 131 114
Family Relationship Advice Line (Mon-Sat) 1800 050 321
ForWhen (Mon-Fri) 1300 24 23 22

Visit the links below for more information, and of course for more services local to Perth WA you can also DM us or call 9439 1838. Remember, it takes a village.

Lifeline WA 13 Yarn MensLine Australia Beyond Blue Pregnancy Birth and Baby PANDA ForWhen

This week we are are putting the spotlight on Perinatal Anxiety and Depression.
In other words, we're getting REAL.

Sometimes parenting feels like this. Not the happy, smiling, got-it-all-together images that social media often projects. That's not saying the posts you see on social media are fake. Most often they're not. They're very real.

BUT, we forget, as we scroll through perfectly planned images and captions, that what we're looking at is not a real day in the life of a parent. Nor is it a real morning, or a real hour.

What we're looking at is a moment. And that's just what real parenting is. Lots of moments that add up to minutes. Lots of minutes that add up to hours. Hours that add to days. Days that add up to weeks. And so on.

Sometimes we get stuck in moments, or days, or hours, or weeks. If that feels real to you, if this image looks real to you, then you're not alone. Recent figures show that at least 600,000 new parents, representing 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers, experience perinatal anxiety and/or depression each year in Australia.

Nor do you have to go through it alone. We were not designed to parent alone. Parenting is best done in community. If you need help finding your community, contact KEYS on 9439 1838 or send us a DM and we can put you in touch with the right people.

This week is Panda week. Not the furry variety with dark rings around their eyes (though many new parents may relate to that). This week is set aside to raise awareness of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression in Australia. You may also know it as PNDA or PND.

No matter the name we give it, the anxiety, stress, and depression that many parents feel during pregnancy and the early years following childbirth, can be debilitating.

PNDA doesn't discrimination between mother, father, or birth order. Each birth is different and even if you've had no difficulties in the past, it doesn't mean you're immune now.

Over this week we'll be posting information and encouragement for new parents and parents to be. For now, let us leave you with this reminder.

PNDA can leave you FEELING like you're not a good parent, but feelings often lie. It's normal to feel this way, particularly in this world of 'social media' which projects a standard of parenting which none of us can live up to.

For more information on PNDA, what it looks like and what help is available, head to the PANDA website below.

PANDA | Support that’s always there, for you and your family Support that's always there for you and your family

A reminder to make time to connect with your kids daily, especially during these heavy times. Don't wait for them to come to you with their worries, because many children struggle alone way too long before they ask for help.

Here's an easy tool to help. 3 questions, purposefully worded ......
'What was' you have to think of something (positive).
'Was there' not necessarily, but the option to discuss a negative.
'What is' another invitation to think of something positive, instilling hope for tomorrow.

Try it at bedtime, at the table, all at once or break the questions up. These questions give your child the opportunity to discuss worries, problem solve, have hope, develop resilience, and make for a stronger connection.

Try it, we'd love to hear your stories.

The Children's Emotional Wellbeing Series is back by popular demand. Bookings are essential and can be made via the link below.

This program is presented in two x 2hour sessions as follows -
Part 1: Raising Resilient Kids - Strategies for equipping children with the skills which enable them to adapt, cope, and grow through change, stress, uncertainty, and adversity.
Part 2: Understanding & Managing Anxiety - Understanding the difference between anxiety and feeling anxious, how to support children through anxious times, and where to go when further help is needed.
For parents/carers of children aged from birth to 15.

Tickets available from $49.50 (inclusive of both sessions) and payment plan is available. Creche is also available. https://www.trybooking.com/CMAPY

Do you have a child in year 6 who will be starting high school in 2024? They may be looking forward to starting high school, or they may begin expressing some worries.

Discover the 3 biggest worries as expressed by year 7 kids. Learn strategies to recognise where your pre-teen might be struggling, open up channels of communication, and support them to discover their strengths and to develop the skills they need for a strong and successful start to high school.

Wednesday 22nd November in Kwinana, 9:15am. Bookings are essential and can be made below. Creche available

Starting Strong - High School For parents/carers of pre teens starting high school in 2024. This can be a challenging time for many students, as they experience anxiety around getting lost, multiple room and teacher changes across a day, older students, separation from friends, and increased homework. It comes at the worst possi...

A great story filled with positive life lessons and encouragement for Primary School aged children. Click the link below to hear the story

Just Because - A Children's Book by Matthew McConaughey - Animated Read Aloud with Moving Pictures Have you ever felt worried and excited at the same time?Have you ever had your feelings hurt but forgiven someone anyway?Have you ever thought there was more...

💙 Upcoming Event This Tuesday 💙

Parents, are you sick of nagging? Feeling like there's more negative interactions than positive in a day?

123 Magic and Emotion Coaching starts Monday 30th October, 9:30 - 11:30 in Kwinana. This 4 week program covers strategies for parents of children aged 3 - 10, in guiding children's behaviour and supporting them to understand and manage their emotions. And to do it in a way that builds and strengthens your relationship with your child, which is most important.

Bookings are essential. Call 9439 1838 or send us a private message to book.
$10 resource fee per family. Creche is available.

It's impossible to shield our kids from news and information about world events. It's also difficult to know how to respond when they come to us with their concerns.
Emerging Minds have released a great tip sheet with information and links for further resources, for talking to kids about war and conflict

How to talk to children about war and conflict - Emerging Minds Are you unsure how best to talk to children about war and conflict? This fact sheet offers tips for honest, age-appropriate conversations.

Do you have concerns about your child's development, behaviour, or emotional regulation?

The Sensory Kids information session is designed to help parents/carers understand their child's sensory preferences, and support their child to organise sensory input. You will learn what Sensory Dysregulation looks like, how it affects learning, behaviour, and social skills, and how to help your child manage the sensory input.

Our final Sensory Kids session for 2023 is on Tuesday morning 31st October. Don't miss out, bookings are essential and can be made via the following link

Sensory Kids T323 For Parents/Carers of children aged from birth to 17 years, where there are concerns about a child's development, behaviour or emotional regulation. This session is designed to help parents/carers better understand their child's sensory preferences, support their children to organise sensory...

Beautiful.

“This was built in 1912, right?”

“Yep, 1912.”

“Just think, mom: some kid over a hundred years ago sat in this seat, in this room. And maybe he was just like me, and we would have been friends. But he’ll never know I was here.” Her face took on an uncharacteristic furrowed expression.

“I know.”

“That’s so sad…” she looked at the desk top.

“It is. It IS sad.” And it was.

We looked around at the empty desks, most of which were reproductions, as the scent of dust and old wood settled around us. Our family was milling around, new visitors were creaking through the old school house, but I had this moment with her—right now—surrounded by memories of people long gone.

This is where it starts: with historical empathy.

I would take a child with historical empathy over a 4.0 and straight A’s any day of the week because, unlike tests (which are taken and forgotten), historical empathy has staying power. Historical empathy promises a lifetime of interest, grappling with weighty philosophical questions, and compassion towards people of the past.

Historical empathy is born out of personal interest, and if nurtured carefully, will reap the benefits of self-education the rest of her life.

I had to capture it.

“Can I take your picture?”

“Sure, mom.”

It was the best history lesson we ever had together.

Look at that face! As parents, it can be difficult to have warm fuzzy feels when we're faced with this.

If you're a parent with a child aged 3 - 10, and you're feeling more frustration than warm and fuzzy, 123 Magic and Emotion Coaching is for you.

This 4 week program starts Monday morning 30th October in Kwinana. For more information and to book contact KEYS on 9439 1838 or send us a private message.

$10 resource fee per family. Crèche available.

All children are unique, but some kids are more unique than others. They're either super sensitive or super active, anxious, don't like change, very fussy eaters, meltdowns, or they want to get into everything, touch everything ....

Maybe you've sensed something else is up but no one else sees what you see, or maybe there's something else going on that you just can't put your finger on.... or maybe ......
Maybe there's nothing wrong at all, it's just your child's sensory preferences and they need a little help with organising all that sensory information that's flooding their brain.

We all have our sensory preferences, and during this information session we'll be looking at what sensory integration is, what happens when our brain doesn't do it so well. strategies for helping our kids manage their sensory input, and where to go for help if needed.

Tuesday morning 31st October in Kwinana. Tickets available from $27.50. Payment Plan available. Creche available. Bookings are essential and can be made on the following link

Sensory Kids T323 For Parents/Carers of children aged from birth to 17 years, where there are concerns about a child's development, behaviour or emotional regulation. This session is designed to help parents/carers better understand their child's sensory preferences, support their children to organise sensory...

Celebrate Children’s Week in Kwinana at the annual Children’s Party in the Park!

2023 Children's Week Theme:
Children have the right to relax, play and to join in a wide range of leisure activities, appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

Free Activates:
• Face painting
• Animal Farm
• Cultural dance and Storytelling
• Arts & Crafts
• Sausage Sizzle

For children aged 0-5 years. All abilities welcome.

A joint initiative by , , , , and .

If you think your child is too young to be affected by what happens in other parts of the world, think again.
Our children hear, see, and feel everything, some more than others. It's important to shield our children from overwhelm by monitoring what they watch, read, and listen to. However we can't completely shield school age children and even infants will pick up on their parent's anxiety.
This article was written shortly after the Ukraine invasion. It's a different situation, but the principles are the same.

How to talk to kids about scary world events Ever wondered how to talk to your kids about scary world events? We'll discuss some effective communication methods to use with your kids.

******** NEW DATE ******** Creche Available ******* Starting 30th Oct 9:30 - 11:30am
123 Magic & Emotion Coaching is a 4 week program for parents/carers of children aged from 3 - 10, providing strategies for positively guiding children's behaviour and emotions.
We all want the best for our kids, which involves a delicate balance between discouraging some behaviours and encouraging others.
Sometimes it can feel like all you've done is nag all day, with very few positive interactions in between.
That's because many programs focus on teaching your child what NOT to do. It also doesn’t help that Discipline has become synonymous with punishment. Interestingly the Latin root of the word Discipline means ‘Pupil.’ So when it comes to raising children, wouldn’t it be easier if we focused on teaching our children WHAT to do instead?
This starts with first deciding if the behaviour in question really matters, and if so, understanding the right approach for that moment. Is it a moment for teaching new skills, for stopping an unhelpful behaviour or habit, or for managing an emotion?
Once we have a better understanding of behaviour as a means to an end, a language, or a lack of skills, we can better help our children to learn what to do instead.
The program is free except for a $10 resource fee per family for the workbook.
Places are limited. Please call 9439 1838 to register and for enquiries.

With the kids back at school this week, is it time to start to focus on YOU?
Our Being a Parent group provides a safe and supportive space to explore your needs and the often-unrealistic expectations we put on our parenting.
Don't miss your last chance to join this group for 2023. Our group starts this Thursday, October 12.
Click the link below to register your interest:
https://forms.office.com/r/4iUHEu7kv3
It is time to prioritise you!

Don't miss your last chance to register for our upcoming Baby and Us group starting Tuesday October 10th.
Meet other parents with a baby under nine months in a safe and welcoming space.
Click on the link below to register your interest:
https://forms.office.com/r/PEbBF1kUZg

Limited spaces left in our sought-after Being a Parent program in Term 4.

Click the link below to register your interest:
https://forms.office.com/r/4iUHEu7kv3

Don't miss your chance to join a program offering unrivalled support and strategies. Come along and find out why are past participants all love the BAP program.

We can't wait to meet you!!

Limited spots are left in our new Stronger Within program beginning next week.
Don't miss your chance to take some time to focus on you, and meet some like-minded people wanting to discuss parenting and their mental wellbeing.
Click the link below to register your interest:
https://forms.office.com/r/q1cz3mb5qs

Parents, you have made it through the first week of school holiday, WELL DONE!!

If by the end of this week you are looking for a space to take time for you, come along to our Being a Parent course, starting Thursday, October 12. It is an ideal way to meet up with like-minded parents to explore your parenting concerns alongside learning the importance of taking care of YOU.

If you want to know more, click the link below to register your interest!

https://forms.office.com/r/4iUHEu7kv3

These are just some of the positive feedback collected from parents who complete our Being a Parent course.

If you want to find out why our parenting are so passionate about the benefits of the program, click the link below and one of our team will call you about our Term 4 course!!

https://forms.office.com/r/4iUHEu7kv3

We now have a Book Swap Box here at our office in the Darius Wells Library and Resource Center.
Paint Kwinana REaD

Are you parent living in Baldivis?

Are you struggling to manage your mental well-being and looking for some additional support?

KEYS will be offering our Stronger Within program, starting Tuesday October 10th.

Click the link below to register your interest:

https://forms.office.com/r/q1cz3mb5qs

Are you looking for a safe space to meet other parents and process what being a new parent in 2023 looks like for you?
Come along to our Baby and Us Parent Group starting Tuesday, October 10.
Click the link below to register your interest. Places are limited!

https://forms.office.com/r/PEbBF1kUZg

⭐ Change of Day for KEYS to Play Playgroup starting term 4. ⭐

Who can relate?

We all know what a rewarding, but often tough gig, that parenting can be. We also know that it sometimes feels even tougher when we struggle to maintain our mental well-being. KEYS is offering a unique course, starting on Thursday, October 12, at the Mary Davies Library, Baldivis, that supports parents to build upon their strengths and wisdom whilst learning strategies to build self-esteem, self-worth and resilience in themselves and their children.

If this sounds like something you need, and you are a parent living in Baldivis, click the link below to register your interest.

https://forms.office.com/r/q1cz3mb5qs

We would love to see you there!!

Have you recently had a baby? Congratulations!!!
Are you wanting to make connections with other parents in a safe and welcoming space?
Come along to our Baby and Us group and take a little time for you. Our friendly, local parent facilitators will support you to explore your experience of welcoming a new child to your family, as well as encourage your learning about attachment, understanding your baby's cues and what to expect with your little one's development.
SPACES ARE LIMITED and BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.
Please click the link below to register your interest for our sessions starting Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.
Available for all parents and carers in Kwinana with a child aged nine months or under.
https://forms.office.com/r/PEbBF1kUZg