Recreation Matters in Pictou

Quality Assurance and Child Development

Children are shaped by the opportunities and experiences they encounter at home, at school and at play. These experiences influence their sense of self-worth, their social development and their ability to succeed in later life. But positive learning experiences don't always come easily. Recreation and sport activities make an important contribution to how children develop, physically emotionally ,socially , and intellectually. In these settings, children learn skills that last a lifetime.

About the HIGH FIVE Program

Recreation Nova Scotia's HIGH FIVE Program is a Quality Assurance System designed to support the safety, well-being and healthy development of children in recreation and sport programs. This program provides parents and professionals with tools, training and resources that promote and support the principles of Healthy Child Development. Town of Pictou Recreation staff have HIGH 5 training to ensure that every child has a positive sport and recreation experience.

The HIGH FIVE program is based on the premise that a child's development is best supported when they are in a program that provides them with a caring and mature leader, and the opportunity to play, make friends, master skills and participate. HIGH FIVE refers to five key principles of a positive sport and recreation program:

• Participation
• Play
• Mastery
• Friends
• A Caring Adult

HIGH FIVE was developed by Parks and Recreation Ontario. For more information on HIGH FIVE in Ontario, visit www.highfive.org

HIGH FIVE in Nova Scotia

"HIGH FIVE is recognized as the critical building block for a healthy population. Being designated as a HIGH FIVE entity is seen as representing quality children's programming. HIGH FIVE is the premier certification for frontline leaders for children and the ultimate source of accessible tools, training and resources that lead to excellence in children's programming. HIGH FIVE is part of the culture of all organizations who care about healthy child development." HIGH FIVE is supported by Nova Scotia Health Promotion.

Contact

For information about the program in Nova Scotia contact:

High 5
Debbie Bauld, HIGH FIVE Coordinator
Recreation Nova Scotia
5516 Spring Garden Road, Suite 309
Halifax NS B3J 1G6
Email: dbauld@highfivens.ca
Tel: (902) 425-1128
Fax: (902) 422-8201

For information about High Five programs in the Town of Pictou contact:

Pictou Recreation, Tourism & Culture