I AM GROWING UP

Lacombe County Community Resource Guide

1 | Lacombe County Community Resource Guide

I Am Growing Up:
Lacombe County Community
Resource Guide
Published by
Lacombe County Early Childhood
Development Coalition
I Am Growing Up Text & Concept
Jeff A. Johnson
Developmental Description
Adapted from Early Child Development Mapping Project.
(2014). How are our young children doing? Community
profiles of early childhood development in Alberta.
Edmonton, AB: ECMap, Community University
Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth and Families,
University of Alberta.
Parents & Caregivers Role & Developmental
Areas Age Specific Milestones
Adapted from: Alberta Health Services (2013). Healthy
Parents, Healthy Children: The Early Years Alberta.
Photography
Photos submitted by Lacombe County Families
Community Guide Concept
Camrose & Area Early Childhood Development Coalition
Layout & Design
uc communications
www.uccommunications.com

4 . . . . . . Lacombe County Early Childhood

Development Coalition
5 . . . . . . Developmental Skills
8 . . . . . . Three - Nine Months

10 . . . . . Twelve - Eighteen Months

12 . . . . . Two - Three Years

13 . . . . . Three - Four Years

14 . . . . . Four - Five Years
15 . . . . . Five & Beyond

16 . . . . . . Alix Community Resources

17 . . . . . Bentley Community Resources

18 . . . . . Blackfalds Community Resources

21 . . . . . Clive Community Resources

22 . . . . . Eckville Community Resources

24 . . . . . Lacombe Community Resources

2 | Lacombe County Community Resource Guide

Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 3

Lacombe County Early Childhood

Development Coalition

Through the Early Childhood Development Mapping

Project (ECMap) with the help of seed grant funding
provided by Alberta Education, coalitions were formed
across Alberta. Coalitions are groups of individuals
who have come together to plan and promote
community-based supports for young children and
families. Your local coalition is the Lacombe County
Early Childhood Development Coalition.

Our Mission

The Lacombe County Early Childhood Development

Coalition aims to strengthen our Countys ability to
make positive early childhood development a reality
for every child in the County.

The first five years of a childs life are the

most critical period in development and
have a lifelong impact on learning, health,
work, relationships, and well-being.
By five years old a child should show age-appropriate
knowledge and behaviours in the following five areas of
development:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Physical Health & Wellbeing

Social Competence
Emotional Maturity
Communication Skills & General Knowledge
Language & Thinking Skills

Our Goals

These include:
Fine and gross motor skills (can hold a pen, crayons
or brush, can climb stairs, etc.)
Independence in looking after own needs (able to go
to the washroom most of the time)
Physically prepared for school (dressed appropriately,
well nourished and rested)
Able to sustain energy levels throughout the day

Provide current information on early childhood development in Lacombe County

Promote understanding of how childrens early years impact lifelong development and make
informed decisions
Provide credible information on early childhood development to communities throughout
Lacombe County to support local planning and action
Advance early childhood development research and knowledge

For more information please contact your local FCSS office or Neighbourhood Place.

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PHYSICAL
HEALTH &
WELLBEING

What you can do as your child grows:

Provide supervised tummy time to help strengthen
babys neck, back, upper trunk and arms
Provide a variety of healthy foods for meals and snacks
Ensure your child has adequate sleep and encourage
good sleeping habits by keeping a regular sleep routine
in a darkened, quiet place
Provide plenty of outside play and activity such as
walking, bike riding, etc.
Encourage fine motor activities such as reaching,
grasping, beading, drawing and cutting
Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 5

These include:
Plays and gets along with other children
Able to follow rules and instructions
Able to follow routines
Accepts responsibility for actions
Shows respect for others

SOCIAL
COMPETENCE

What you can do as your child grows:

Hold your baby close and provide skin-to-skin contact
Provide a safe environment so your child can explore
Work on establishing a routine for sleeping, feeding,
and playtime
Play turn taking games such as peek-a-boo, and
ensure turn taking by saying my turn and your turn
Provide opportunities for your child to be with other
children

COMMUNICATION
SKILLS &
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE

These include:
Able to deal with feelings at an age-appropriate level
Able to separate from parent/guardian
Not too fearful or impulsive
Able to focus

EMOTIONAL
MATURITY
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What you can do as your child grows:

Get close and make eye contact with your child when
you feed, talk, sing and read to her
Help baby self soothe by offering a pacifier and
providing a comforting environment
Name your childs feelings so she learns the words
Creating art allows children to express themselves.
Provide clay, paints and building materials. These
items can be used to re-create things they experience
Maintain consistent expectations for your childs
behaviour and tell them in advance about changes in
their routine or when you are going somewhere

These relate to general communications skills and

knowledge, including:
Ability to communicate needs and wants in socially
appropriate ways
Ability to tell stories
Can say words clearly
Age-appropriate knowledge about life and the world
Ability to take part in imaginative play
What you can do as your child grows:
It is important to respond to your crying baby. Her cries
are her way to communicate she needs something
Talk to your baby; describe what youre doing and
name familiar objects
Reply when your baby babbles to encourage her to
take a turn to communicate
Praise your childs attempts to speak and repeat the
word correctly when pronounced incorrectly
Take time to talk to you child and ask open-ended
questions that start with who, what or where

These relate to early academic skills, including:

An interest in reading, writing and language-related
activities
Age-appropriate reading, writing and counting skills
Recognition of shapes, sizes and colours
Can easily remember things

LANGUAGE &
THINKING
SKILLS

What you can do as your child grows:

Read to your child every day. Name the objects you
see in books and in their environment
Provide quiet opportunities for play without interruptions
Provide age-appropriate toys such as ring stack,
nesting cups, farm animals, puzzles, blocks, etc.
Provide only one or two toys at a time. Alternate them
several times a day
Limit screen time (time spent with TVs, computers)
Less than 1 hour per day for children 2 - 4 years
Less than 2 hours per day for older children
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I AM
NEW
(nurture me)

PHYSICAL
HEALTH &
WELLBEING

SOCIAL
COMPETENCE

3 Months

6 Months

9 Months

Recognizes and prefers

familiar faces and voices

Smiles and approaches

reflection in mirror

Enjoys turn-taking games

such as peek-a-boo

Makes pleasure sounds,

coos, giggles

Responds to own name

Responds to simple
verbal requests; waves
bye-bye

Cries to signal needs

Says mama and dada

non-specifically

Babbles a lot; imitates

sounds and actions

Generally quiets when

comforted; may not stop
crying at times

Seeks comfort when

upset

Starts to read emotions

of others

Kicks, grabs and sucks;

based on reflexes

Sits up with support,

then independently

Rolls and crawls

EMOTIONAL
MATURITY

COMMUNICATION
SKILLS &
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE

Im a bundle of potential and need.

Im a consumer of information:
I watch, listen, touch, taste, and smell.

LANGUAGE &
THINKING SKILLS

Im a busy brain driven to learn.

Im a scientist and problem solver.
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Im hope and joy personified.

Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 9

I
AM
1

PHYSICAL
HEALTH &
WELLBEING

SOCIAL
COMPETENCE

EMOTIONAL
MATURITY

Im a curious, observant, energetic,

determined, focused, and sometimes
stubborn scientist.
Im a natural-born learner,
all-the-time explorer of stuff ...
an insatiable consumer of
sensory experiences.
Im a highly evolved and
very capable future adult,
eager to engage the world.
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COMMUNICATION
SKILLS &
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE

LANGUAGE &
THINKING SKILLS

12 Months

18 Months

Plays purposefully with toys

Finds it hard to share mine

Likes to stack, nest, and put

things into containers

Points to pictures when

named

Uses one to three words and

expressions like uh oh

Uses voice in conjunction

with pointing and gesturing

May show fear or anxiety

over new people and
situations

Explores from secure base

of parent or caregiver

Pulls to stand; walks

holding furniture

Likes to ride on toys; runs

Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 11

3 -4 Years

2 -3 Years

PHYSICAL
HEALTH &
WELLBEING

SOCIAL
COMPETENCE

I AM 2

EMOTIONAL
MATURITY

Begins to engage in pretend

play

Able to sort objects by

colour and size

Uses two to three word

sentences

(dont underestimate me)

Its not easy. Im realizing the world
no longer revolves around me like
it did when I was younger.

COMMUNICATION
SKILLS &
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE

Im a force to be reckoned with,

a busy brain on the go.
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Has poor impulse control;

tests parental limits

SOCIAL
COMPETENCE

I AM 3
LET ME PLAY

(trust me, Im learning)

EMOTIONAL
MATURITY

COMMUNICATION
SKILLS &
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE

I am not built to sit still, keep my

hands to myself, take turns, be
patient, stand in line, or keep quiet.

Still, lifes not so terrible.

Its just a bit complex and
overwhelming at times.
Im trying to understand the world
and my curiosity and drive
sometimes look like trouble.

PHYSICAL
HEALTH &
WELLBEING

Jumps; catches a large ball

LANGUAGE &
THINKING SKILLS

I need motion.
I need novelty.
I need adventure.

LANGUAGE &
THINKING SKILLS

Begins to share and take

turns

Able to complete a fourpiece puzzle

Uses long sentences and

detailed stories

Able to identify and name

own feelings

Walks upstairs alternating

feet; able to put beads on
a string

And I need to engage the world

with my whole body.
Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 13

4 - 5 Years

PHYSICAL
HEALTH &
WELLBEING

Likes playing with other

children

Counts out loud to ten

SOCIAL
COMPETENCE

I AM 4
Im a smooth talking, agile, and
observant seeker of adventure.

EMOTIONAL
MATURITY

Im perceptive enough to sense

this can frustrate you,
but please dont discount
my inquisitiveness.

DONT RUSH MY
CHILDHOOD
Im a risk taker and mess maker.
Im a confident doer of exciting things.
Im not built for desk sitting.
My busy brain craves action and novelty.
Im not as grown up as some people think.
I still need to play, move, and explore.

COMMUNICATION
SKILLS &
GENERAL
KNOWLEDGE

Im kind of a know-it-all ...

as in ... I want to know it all.
I have more questions in me
than you have answers.

Speech is easily understood

by others; uses correct
grammar

I AM 5

LANGUAGE &
THINKING SKILLS

Develops real fears (of the

dark, etc.) as well as a sense
of humour

Uses paint and scissors; able

to draw simple shapes and
faces

Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 15

alix community resources

Alix School (K-12)

Ph: (403) 747-2778 | 4723 - 49 Street, Alix

Family & Community Support Services

Ph: (403) 747-2031 | 4831 - 50 Street, Alix

Moonwalkers Play Centre

Ph: (403) 747-2221 | 5008 - 50 Avenue, Alix

Preschool / ECS Program

Ph: (403) 588-5199 | 4723 - 49 Street, Alix

Public Library

bentley community resources

Bentley Community Services - Parent Link and Play Groups

For more information please phone Barb Carson, Community Services Manager with the Town of Bentley,
at (403) 748-2160 or visit the Community Services office at 4834 - 52 Avenue, Bentley. You can also visit
the Town of Bentley online at www.townofbentley.ca

Bentley Municipal Library (Family & Preschool Programs)

Ph: (403) 748-4626 | 5014 - 49 Avenue, Bentley

Bentley School (ECS & Kindergarten)

Ph: (403) 748-3770 | 5314 - 49 Street, Bentley

Summer Village of Gull Lake & Bentley Playgroup

Ph: (403) 748-2160 | September through May | www.centralparklandparentlink.ca

Ph: (403) 747-3233 | 4928 - 50 Street, Alix

Village of Alix

Ph: (403) 747-2495 | 4849 Main Street, Alix

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Blackfalds Schools
Iron Ridge Elementary Campus (Pre-K & Kindergarten)
Ph: (403) 885-4646 | 4710 Broadway Avenue, Blackfalds

Little Star Play School & Out of School Care

Ph: (403) 885-0138 | 5009 Broadway Avenue, Blackfalds

Blackfalds Recreational Facilities

blackfalds community resources

Blackfalds Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
Ph: (403) 600-9066 | 5018 Waghorn Street, Blackfalds

Kids Konnection Approved & Accredited Family Day Home

Ph: (403) 885-2755 | 5016 Waghorn Street, Blackfalds

Blackfalds Multi-Plex

Ph: (403) 885-4646 | 5302 Broadway Avenue, Blackfalds

Seasonal weekly Jim Hurley skate
Blackfalds Minor Hockey (www.blackfaldsminorhockey.com)
Blackfalds Figure Skating Club (www.blackfaldsminorhockey.com)

Blackfalds Abbey Centre

Ph: (403) 885-4039 | 4500 Womacks Road, Blackfalds

Indoor playground, running track, outdoor water park, fitness centre & classes, outdoor playground,
ampitheatre, TransCanada Trail & Veteran Memorial.

Blackfalds Public Library

Ph: (403) 885-2343 | 5018 Waghorn Street, Blackfalds

Blackfalds Walk In Medical Clinic

Ph: (403) 885-2237 | 5021 Parkwood Road, Blackfalds

Kids At Play Society

Ph: (587) 877-4316 | September through May | 4500 Womacks Road (Abbey Centre)

Blackfalds Parent Link Drop-In

Ph: (403) 343-6400 | September through May | 5302 Broadway Avenue (Multi-Plex)
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Blackfalds Playgrounds

Tayles Water Spray

Park / Playground
(Gregg Street)

Centennial Park
Playground
(Panorama Drive)

Pine Crescent
Park / Playground
(Pine Crescent)

Community Hall
Park / Playground
(4810 Womacks Road)

All-Star Park
/ Playground
(4800 Leung Road)

Abbey Centre
Park
(4500 Womacks Road)

Harvest Meadows
Park
(Willow Road)

Rolling Hills
Park
(Landsdowne Avenue)

Cottonwood Park
/ Playground
(Prairie Ridge Avenue)

Valley Ridge Park

*Ball Diamond*
(Westbrooke Road)

Iron Ridge Jr. Campus

Park / Playground
(5200 Leung Road)

Iron Ridge
Elementary Campus
(4710 Broadway Avenue)

clive community resources

Parents of Preschoolers Playgroup (POP)
Ph: (403) 754-5695 | Email: wwagner.fcss@platinum.ca

Little Red Hen Playschool

Phone Jamie at (403) 784-3369. Offers preschool for 0 to 5 year olds.

Skating Ponds
Outdoor Rink

Located beside Blackfalds Multi-Plex

2A Pond

Clive Public Library

Ph: (403) 784-3131 | 5115 - 50 Street (Basement), Clive

Clive FCSS / Neighbourhood Place

Ph: (403) 754-5695 | 5011 Railway Avenue, Clive

Located along Highway 2A

Clive School (Kindergarten)

Riser Pond

Clive Arena

Centennial Pond

Clive School Playground

Westridge Drive, Blackfalds

Panorama Drive, Blackfalds

Ph: (403) 784-3354 | 5016 - 52 Avenue, Clive

Ph: (403) 784-3580 | 5104 - 51 Avenue, Clive
5016 - 52 Avenue, Clive

Clive Centennial Park

Clive Outdoor Rink
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Healthy Families (Facilitated through Sylvan Lake FCSS)

Ph: (403) 887-1137

Eckville Public Library

Ph: (403) 746-3240 | 4855 - 51 Avenue, Eckville

Eckville Community Health Centre

Ph: (403) 746-2201 | 5120 - 51 Avenue, Eckville

Eckville Schools

eckville community resources

Town of Eckville

Eckville Elementary School

Ph: (403) 746-2297 | 5011 - 51 Avenue, Eckville

A pre-K to Grade 6 school that also offers a Before & After School Program

Ph: (403) 746-2171 | www.eckville.com

Eckville Parks & Recreation

Eckville Childrens Playgroup

Eckville Arena

Ph: (403) 746-3177

Impact Dance Studio

Ph: (403) 391-1148 | www.impactdancestudio.net

Eckville Community Services

Eckville Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
Ph: (403) 746-3177 | 5023 - 51 Avenue, Eckville

Eckville Neighbourhood Place

Ph: (403) 348-7105 | 5120 - 51 Avenue, Eckville

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Ph: (403) 746-2033 | 5312 - 51 Street, Eckville

Elementary School
Playground

Lions Campground
Playground

Millennium
Playground

Railway Avenue
Playground

Eckville
Spray Park

Outdoor
Rink

Andrew Field
(Ball Diamond)

Forhans Field
(Ball Diamond)

Credit Union Way

(Walking Trail)

Niemala Reservoir
(Fishing)

Hansens Reservoir
(Fishing)

Visit us online at
www.eckville.com

Lacombe County Community Resource Guide | 23

Lacombe Schools
Loving to Learn Preschool

Ph: (403) 597-5709 | 4930 Woodland Drive, Lacombe | http://lovingtolearnpreschool.ca

Mother Goose Playschool

Ph: (403) 782-4450 | #2, 5227 C&E Trail, Lacombe | www.mothergooseplayschool.com

Terrace Ridge School (Pre-K)

Ph: (403) 782-0050 | 6739 C&E Trail, Lacombe | http://terraceridge.wolfcreek.ab.ca

lacombe community resources

cole James S. McCormick School (Pre-K, English & French Preschool)

Ph: (403) 782-3096 | 5424 - 50 Street, Lacombe | http://ejsm.wolfcreek.ab.ca

Lacombe Community Health Centre

Lacombe Christian School (Kindergarten)

Lacombe Hospital & Care Centre

College Heights Christian School (Kindergarten)

Ph: (403) 782-3218 | 5010 - 51 Street, Lacmobe | www.albertahealthservices.ca

Ph: (403) 782-3336 | 5430 - 47 Avenue, Lacombe | www.albertahealthservices.ca

Lacombe Mental Health Centre

Ph: (403) 782-6531 | 5206 - 58 Street, Lacombe | www.lacs.ca

Ph: (403) 782-6212 | 5201 College Avenue, Lacombe | www.collegeheightschristianschool.ca

Ph: (403) 782-3413 | 5033 - 52 Street, Lacombe | www.albertaservices.ca

Child Care (Day Care & Registered Day Homes)

Addiction Services - Adult Counselling

Lacombe Day Care Society

Ph: (403) 340-5274 | 5102 - 50 Avenue, Lacmobe | www.albertahealthservices.ca

Lacombe Parent Link Centre

Ph: (403) 782-4686 | 5214 - 50 Avenue, Lacombe | www.centralparklandparentlink.ca

Wolf Creek Primary Care Network

Ph: (403) 782-1408 | 4956 Highway 2A, Lacombe | www.wolfcreekpcn.com

Mary C. Moore Public Library

Ph: (403) 782-3477 | 5033 - 53 Street, Lacombe

Small Wonders Day Home

Ph: (403) 782-6637 | #210, 5214 - 50 Avenue, Lacombe | www.smallwondersfamilydayhomes.ca

Lacombe School Age Program

Ph: (587) 377-5727 | www.facebook.com/pages/Lacombe-School-Age-Program

Ph: (403) 782-3433 | 5214 - 50 Avenue, Lacombe | http://lacombelibrary.org

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Recreation & Parks

www.lacombe.ca/living/amenities

The City of Lacombe has a wide variety of recreational amenities and facilities, including:
Sports fields & ball diamonds
Kinsmen Aquatic Centre
Trails & parks information
Barnett Arenas (1 & 2)
Campgrounds
Lacombe Memorial Centre
Lacombe Sports & Leisure Complex (Ph: (403) 782-6666 | 5429 - 53 Street, Lacombe)

Support for Families

Lacombe & District FCSS

Ph: (403) 782-6637 | 5214 - 50 Avenue, Lacombe | www.lacombefcss.net

Healthy Families, Home Visitation Program, Small Wonders Day Homes, Lacombe Parent Link Centre.

Lacombe Neighbourhood Place

Ph: (403) 782-0886 | 5102 - 50 Avenue, Lacombe | www.lacombenp.com

Lacombe Neighbourhood Place is a resource and referral centre. We provide office space for the
Womens Outreach, Central Alberta Womens Shelter and Central Alberta Refugee Efforts. We have a
community clothing closet for people that are looking for work, going back to school, changing careers,
graduating, or just in need. We also provide space for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Volunteer Link.

Alberta Supports (Red Deer)

Ph: (403) 340-5353 | 2nd Floor, 4911 - 51 Street, Red Deer | www.AlbertaSupports.ca

Central Alberta Child & Family Services

Ph: (403) 341-8642 | 3rd Floor, 4826 Ross Street, Red Deer
Adoption, Child Care, Child and Youth Support Program, Child Intervention Services, Family Supports for
Children with Disabilities (FSCD), Family Violence Prevention, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, First Nations/
Mtis Relations, Foster Care, Protection of Sexually Exploited Children.

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Your guide to community resources in Lacombe County.

From first-rate health care facilities to endless recreation opportunities,
Lacombe County is a great place to raise a family.
In this book you will find information on the services and resources that are
available for families with children ages 0 - 5 in our community.

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