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Accessible March Break Activities for Kids in Calgary

Pacekids Programs March 18, 2022

March Break Activities Having your child or children home for March break can come with extra stressors. Breaking up routines and thinking of new activities to keep them occupied in meaningful ways is a lot of extra work. However, being at home doesn’t have to be a total loss of educational play time. We have gathered local and simple at-home activities that are accessible and can be modified for children with differing skill levels These ideas come straight from our Pacekids teachers, aides, and staff, who are very familiar with creating educational, fun, and appropriate activities for your children. Keep the fun

Read More »
Play based learning in a Pacekids classroom

Pacekids PUF Programming

Pacekids Programs January 26, 2022

Preparing to send a child to school for the first time is a crucial milestone for a parent. And the decision of where to attend school is important. This is especially the case for children with special needs requiring specialized intervention services. At Pacekids, we have teams across two schools in Calgary that are here to support and guide you through this milestone. With Pacekids PUF programming, children in the Calgary area can access our Early Childhood Services (ECS) Preschool and Kindergarten program. This program is offered to families who qualify for Alberta Education’s Program Unit Funding or “PUF”, which is education-focused funding

Read More »
Will-for-riding-feature

Will for Riding Foundation Generously Supports Pacekids’ Transportation Program

Pacekids Programs May 19, 2021

What is the Will for Riding Foundation? The Will for Riding Foundation was established in 2013 to provide therapeutic horseback riding sessions to children with physical, mental, and sensory disabilities ages 3-18 years old. In December 2019, Shelley Hilderman, the Founder & President of Will for Riding passed away. Even though the organization has now dissolved, Shelley and her legacy continue to impact the Calgary community. Pacekids had the privilege of serving Shelley’s son, William, who was the driving force behind the creation of the Foundation. William was in the Pacekids’ ECS Program. Pacekids is honoured to be chosen as the recipient of these

Read More »
2018_RaceForPace_0039

Virtual Race for Pace Presented by Grant Thornton

Pacekids Programs April 14, 2021

For over a decade, heroes across Calgary have laced up for Race for Pace and embraced their inner hero for children with special needs! This superhero event raises funds and awareness for the children at Pacekids; presenting an opportunity for community members to support a local charity while logging a few kilometers.  This year, we have all been doing our part and staying home, but we know that Race for Pace is a highlight for so many families in our community and an important fundraiser for Pacekids Programs.  This year, we once again look forward to hosting a virtual Race for Pace presented by Grant Thornton and being able

Read More »
Special Needs Child Playing on Playground, Down Syndrome

5 Accessible and Affordable Spring Break Activities for Children with Special Needs

Pacekids Programs March 19, 2021

Not sure what to do with your kiddos with special needs when they are out of school during Spring Break? Here is a list of 5 fun, accessible and affordable places to go and things to do. 1. Grab a coffee from Lil E Coffee and support individuals with disabilities. This local Calgary coffee shop employees’ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Open now in Ampersand (formally Sun Life Plaza) in downtown Calgary, Lil E offers life and employment skills, with the goal of creating 10,000 careers! Lil E is creating opportunities for these individuals with meaningful and productive employment. Grab

Read More »
PK-specialneeds-25

Searching for Speech

Pacekids Programs March 1, 2021

Nolan is a sweet Kindergarten-aged boy who is supported in Pacekids’ afternoon Speech and Language Enhancement program. Diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Nolan has struggled the past several years with family and friends not being to understand what he needs or is trying to say.   In September, Nolan had difficulty properly pronouncing his G sound. Since then, due to all his hard work and support from his Speech Language Pathologist and classroom staff, he is now correcting his G sound by himself during conversations! Nolan is also receiving Occupational Therapy support to further develop his coordination and fine motor skills. Nolan has

Read More »
A child playing

Accessible March Break Activities for Kids in Calgary

Pacekids Programs March 18, 2022

March Break Activities Having your child or children home for March break can come with extra stressors. Breaking up routines and thinking of new activities to keep them occupied in meaningful ways is a lot of extra work. However, being at home doesn’t have to be a total loss of educational play time. We have gathered local and simple at-home activities that are accessible and can be modified for children with differing skill levels These ideas come straight from our Pacekids teachers, aides, and staff, who are very familiar with creating educational, fun, and appropriate activities for your children. Keep the fun

Read More »
Play based learning in a Pacekids classroom

Pacekids PUF Programming

Pacekids Programs January 26, 2022

Preparing to send a child to school for the first time is a crucial milestone for a parent. And the decision of where to attend school is important. This is especially the case for children with special needs requiring specialized intervention services. At Pacekids, we have teams across two schools in Calgary that are here to support and guide you through this milestone. With Pacekids PUF programming, children in the Calgary area can access our Early Childhood Services (ECS) Preschool and Kindergarten program. This program is offered to families who qualify for Alberta Education’s Program Unit Funding or “PUF”, which is education-focused funding

Read More »
Will-for-riding-feature

Will for Riding Foundation Generously Supports Pacekids’ Transportation Program

Pacekids Programs May 19, 2021

What is the Will for Riding Foundation? The Will for Riding Foundation was established in 2013 to provide therapeutic horseback riding sessions to children with physical, mental, and sensory disabilities ages 3-18 years old. In December 2019, Shelley Hilderman, the Founder & President of Will for Riding passed away. Even though the organization has now dissolved, Shelley and her legacy continue to impact the Calgary community. Pacekids had the privilege of serving Shelley’s son, William, who was the driving force behind the creation of the Foundation. William was in the Pacekids’ ECS Program. Pacekids is honoured to be chosen as the recipient of these

Read More »
2018_RaceForPace_0039

Virtual Race for Pace Presented by Grant Thornton

Pacekids Programs April 14, 2021

For over a decade, heroes across Calgary have laced up for Race for Pace and embraced their inner hero for children with special needs! This superhero event raises funds and awareness for the children at Pacekids; presenting an opportunity for community members to support a local charity while logging a few kilometers.  This year, we have all been doing our part and staying home, but we know that Race for Pace is a highlight for so many families in our community and an important fundraiser for Pacekids Programs.  This year, we once again look forward to hosting a virtual Race for Pace presented by Grant Thornton and being able

Read More »
Special Needs Child Playing on Playground, Down Syndrome

5 Accessible and Affordable Spring Break Activities for Children with Special Needs

Pacekids Programs March 19, 2021

Not sure what to do with your kiddos with special needs when they are out of school during Spring Break? Here is a list of 5 fun, accessible and affordable places to go and things to do. 1. Grab a coffee from Lil E Coffee and support individuals with disabilities. This local Calgary coffee shop employees’ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Open now in Ampersand (formally Sun Life Plaza) in downtown Calgary, Lil E offers life and employment skills, with the goal of creating 10,000 careers! Lil E is creating opportunities for these individuals with meaningful and productive employment. Grab

Read More »
PK-specialneeds-25

Searching for Speech

Pacekids Programs March 1, 2021

Nolan is a sweet Kindergarten-aged boy who is supported in Pacekids’ afternoon Speech and Language Enhancement program. Diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Nolan has struggled the past several years with family and friends not being to understand what he needs or is trying to say.   In September, Nolan had difficulty properly pronouncing his G sound. Since then, due to all his hard work and support from his Speech Language Pathologist and classroom staff, he is now correcting his G sound by himself during conversations! Nolan is also receiving Occupational Therapy support to further develop his coordination and fine motor skills. Nolan has

Read More »