Canada Limiting Phthalates ~ Making Kids' Items Safer

January 18th, 20 

Kid Companions Chewelry
phthalates  free

11, Leona Aglukkaq, Canadian Minister of Health, announced new regulations that will restrict the use of six phthalates in toys and child care articles in order to limit exposure to children and infants. "When the Consumer Product Safety Act comes into force in June, the Government will begin a new era of consumer product safety for Canadians," said Minister Aglukkaq.

 "Canada's Phthalates Regulations are now aligned with measures taken in the United States and the European Union and will ensure our children receive the same high level of protection." said Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada. 

Phthalates are chemicals that may hurt reproduction and fertility in children. Phthalates increase flexibility in plastic products, allowing them to bend without breaking, but they've been linked to genital and urinary malformations in boys, as well as prostate cancer. Phthalates limits will be placed in products that kids under four are expected to put in their mouths. The rules will also restrict the sale, importation and advertising of products over those limits.

Rick Smith, head of Environmental Defense, says if Canada lags behind, exporters will try to sell us “crappy poisonous stuff the rest of the world doesn't want anymore. Canada over the last few years has really put the pedal to the metal in terms of getting toxic chemicals out of consumer products, and this is just the latest in many announcements that are protecting consumers.”

Is Kid Companions Chewelry Safe?

Yes! Kid Companions Chewelry is a Food and Drug Administration, FDA approved product to be chewed and bitten by kids. With a lot of research we have made a durable, colorful and safe chewable pendant. Kid Companions are SAFE, bpa, phthalate, pvc, lead and latex free accessories made for children, tweens and teens. http://www.chewelry.ca/ 

Food and Drug Administration, FDA a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services established to regulate the release of new foods and health-related products.

The breakaway is small and lays flat. It was designed specifically for children and conforms to ASTM toy safety standard! Though not meant to be chewed, it is also BPA, lead and phthalate free.

ASTM, the American Society for Testing and Materials, is a group of voluntary members that tests and specifies standards of materials and procedures. It is currently known as ASTM International and is now international in range.

Pierrette and Lorna's goal is to help special kids be themselves and thrive.

Our Kid Companions Chewelry gives parents peace of mind and support their special children. Mother and grand-mother of special needs children, we have dedicated many hours to assure our chewy fidgets are safe and non-toxic. We pride ourselves on our made-in-Canada, sourced in North America commitment and our social and environmental responsibility.

Words of Advice to Parents

Many children with sensory issues like to put things in their mouth. To keep them safe:

• Check if the product complies with safety regulations for child care articles!

• Avoid PVC and plastic items with enamel or paint. Especially those at economy stores.

• Do not rely on retailers or manufacturers to meet voluntary standards, or even to comply with mandatory standards. Request

 Proof. Get informed. Supply chains notoriously have holes

• As with the Kid’s Companion, make sure the items are too large to be swallowed and can easily be sanitized (i.e. dishwasher safe or machine-washable)

• Replace any damaged products before they break, tear or can become small parts.

As always, if you’re introducing something new to your child’s routine, check with your child’s pediatrician, therapist or teacher first.

More words of advice for our readers?

Related Posts:

Kid Companions Chewelry ~ An Attempt At Restoring Sanity by Ali Foley Shenk

Passed Toddlerhood and Still Mouthing ~ Guest Post ~ by Emma Apple

There is a New Kid Companion on Our Block

Product Innovators Launch Unique Sensory Tool for Special Needs Youth

Kid Companions Chewelry Listed Among Favorite Pediatric Therapy Products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Kid Companions Chewelry Listed Among Favorite Pediatric Therapy Products

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dec. 8, 2010 – PIDA IMP Ltd., designers of a unique sensory tool for children who fidget, chew and bite, recently earned formal recognition for its wearable Kid Companions chewable fidgets.

The Kid Companions line was listed in the top three items of the Favorite Oral Motor Product category on the Your Therapy Source website http://yourtherapysource.com/2010awards.html

Based out of New York, Your Therapy Source is a popular online resource for parents and teachers of special needs children and for pediatric therapy professionals.

“This recognition is a wonderful boost for our chewable fidgets, and tremendous encouragement for our team,” said Pierrette d’Entremont, product designer and principal owner of PIDA. "Official accolades from professionals are a great addition to the positive and heartfelt feedback we get everyday from ordinary parents of special needs children."

The honor came after Your Therapy Source conducted a three-month survey on favorite resources for pediatric occupational therapists, pediatric physical therapist, and parents.

“This is a remarkable way to end our first year exporting our chewelry to the United States,” said Lorna d’Entremont, co-owner of PIDA. The Canadian-based company is also increasing sales in Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Kid Companions is a chewable and wearable fidget that is safe, stylish, colorful and effective. It is an ideal alternative to fidgets and chewys that are less discreet.

The chewelry is recommended for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism, or ADD/ADHD and others who need oral sensory stimulation or a fidget to focus.

The Kid Companions innovation was designed to North American safety standards. All components are safe, non-toxic and sourced in North America. A CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) 3rd party testing certificate is sent with each order and is available on the company's website.

For information, contact:

Pierrette d'Entremont
+1 902.762.0186
info@chewelry.ca
http://www.chewelry.ca/
http://twitter.com/chewelry
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kid-Companions-Chewelry/282403565744

The Eating Game and Kid Companions Chewelry Team Up for Promotion

From Nov 27 – Dec 10, 2010, order The Eating Game and receive a
FREE Kid Companions Chewelry

It is called a GAME but it is much more! The Eating Game, www.theeatinggame.ca invented by Jean Nicol  provides a very visual, structured, hands on tool that can be a fun way to plan healthy meals every day! Great to team up with the parent resource ~ The Eating Game ~ for a promotion. After a balanced meal, redirect chewing or biting urge to Kid Companions chewable fidgets. Child does not have to eat when he is not hungry just for oral gratification.

What is Kid Companions Chewelry

Kid Companions Chewelry was invented by Pierrette d'Entremont. These chewy fidgets, heart or circle shaped, worn around the neck, in belt hoops or clipped are bought online at www.chewelry.ca  or Special Needs stores. Kid Companions are COOL SENSORY ORAL-MOTOR TOOLS for kids and teens. Safe, stylish and effective, they are a perfect alternative to chewable, fidgeting toys less than discreet to be used at school, at home or during transitions allowing your special child to BLEND IN. More information see previous post here

About The Eating Game

As soon as you open the well packaged The Eating Game box, you know that great care went in preparing this meal planning tool. My grandchildren and I had fun getting to know The Eating Game. Here is what we wish to share with you.

Who is Jean Nicol

For more than 30 years, Jean was immersed in the field of education as an elementary and secondary teacher. In addition to dedicating 20 of those years to Special Education with a keen interest in working with children with Autism, Jean has served as an Autism Consultant and an Early Interventionist for families with children with special needs.

The inventor of The Eating Game, has a Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University. She also holds a degree in Nutrition from ST. F.X. and completed a Special Education Specialist program at the University of Ottawa. So YES she has all the experience and creditials needed to come up with this much needed resource.

Is The Eating Game Durable

Good quality paper has been laminated to withstand use by many little hands who will find pleasure in helping adults in their life plan healthy meals. The laminated pages, handily organized and protected in a ring binder can be easily removed and replaced.

What Age Group Would Use This Meal and Snack Planner

You will find nine laminated Daily Planning guides, one for each of the 9 categories of individuals (ages 2-3, ages 4-8, ages 9-13, females ages 14-18,… males ages 51+) Each guide follows Canada’s Food Guide by having the recommended number of food item servings per day needed for that age group and gender ( when applicable ).

Each Daily Planning guide has columns to plan three meals and three snacks eaten on one day. Everything, pictures and daily planning guides are color coded to correspond with the included Canada’s Food Guide.

Is The Eating Game Easy to Use

Yes, all is color coded and easy to use. For example:

* The vegetable and fruit products are GREEN in Canada’s Food Guide which says a child aged 4-6 should have 5 servings.

 *The Daily Planning guide for that age group has 5 GREEN squares here and there under the columns of meals or snacks.

*A laminated page with 63 clearly recognizable vegetables and fruits on a GREEN background is among the 4 food group pages. These small food picture squares are attached by Velcro

on the food group page and reattaches on the Daily Planning guides the same way.

Who Controls the Choices the User Will MakeThe parent or caregiver is in control of what choices the user (child) will see on the food group charts. Jean tells us to remove before hand, pictures of foods you never buy, foods the user will not eat and foods you do not have on hand. When the choices on the food group pages are presented, the user is in control, limited only by color matching to ensure all food groups are eaten everyday.

Who Benefits from The Eating Game
Jean Nicol thought of everything to make this kit durable, efficient and fun to use. Not only would Special Need families benefit from The Eating Game; but all families who want to encourage their children to eat healthily. Furthermore, it is a great way to introduce new foods, learn the names of new foods and learn to read them as they are typed under each picture.

Planning meals in advance during a stress free time, perhaps the evening before, will ensure happier meal times for all family members.

 Jean has an information sheet with suggestions for getting started and also another page with suggestions for using the kit… told you Jean was very thorough when she created this wonderful resource. Furthermore The Eating Game is available in English, French and Mi’kmaq.

Want more information see previous post:  About The Eating Game and Jean Nicol, the Inventor

What have been your tactics to get a problem eater to eat balance meals?

There is a New Kid Companion on Our Block

“Mothers know best” when it comes to their Special Needs children." This mantra has guided many decisions in families and hopefully in our school system. So naturally Pierrette d’Entremont, designer of Kid Companions, took seriously the pleas of distraught moms who told her no cool, sensory chewable fidgets were available for their older children, especially for boys. Kid Companions went to work and may we introduce you to “A new Kid on our Block"

Our new, Blue, fidget chewy, adds another choice to our circled, sensory oral-motor tool Kid Companions line. You now have three attractive color choices: black, white and our new,

Kid in Blue. The circled shaped rubbery, chewable fidgets are smooth and pleasing with a hard embossed “dot”.
Tweens, Teens and Cool little boys seem to favor our circle shapes. Stylish and very discreet, these circle shapes can blend in but be easily accessible as a chewing or fidgeting tool when you need it.

Still want to wear it like a fashionable necklace?

Our 18’’ or 20’’colorful lanyards are now 100% organic cotton! They are colorfast and pre-washed with plant-based ingredients. MUCH more durable than our original rayon/cotton ones and still washable!  

Our lanyards can be personalize with style, color and contact information. We can heat press name and information in three choices of fonts: print, typed or swishy. Example-John Smith 514- 2005 Autism. Moreover, the lanyards can be sold separately, can be used for any pendant or ID badge and can also be personalized. More about lanyards here

Do you have a lanyard chewer?

Our new undyed cotton is a good choice. These undyed lanyards 100% cotton and non-allergenic. Personalized printing looks GREAT on them too!

The comfortable lanyards have a custom breakaway clasp that will release and can be re-attached with ease. This means no more lost, dropped or thrown mouthing and fidgeting aids. The breakaway is small and lays flat. It was designed specifically for children and conforms to ASTM toy safety standard! It is also BPA, lead and phthalate free.

Another unique feature that renders Kid Companions attractive to tween and teens are the new clips. Clipping the fidget anywhere you want it to be…clothing, pocket, belt, school bag. Discreetly accessible at all times.

If circles are not your thing, you can always opt for our heart shaped pendants with an added oval dip similar in shape and function as a worry stone. We now have a NEW  black heart for TWEEN and TEEN girls to blend in!

All Kid Companions are safe, bpa, phthalate, pvc, lead and latex free. Our materials are economical as possible without compromising safety or social  responsibility.

All our products are durable, washable, and fashionable. Furthermore, we already have a CPSIA compliance certificate that covers our complete line.

Made in Canada, sourced in USA or Canada, Kid Companions allow special children to relax, to focus and to learn. Tweens, teens, their parents and their teachers will surely welcome the new Kid and all our Kid Companions, chewelry.

Tell us about your experience with chewies or fidgets as a tool for your Special Needs child.

Chewelry- A Must Have~Interview With Bumples Family First

Today I am giving you the link to connect to Bumples Family First, a cross-promotional Blog for Bumples Interactive Magazine. It is about their interview with 35 year old mother of three and principal owner of Kid Companions, Pierrette d'Entremont. This kid-friendly "Chewelry" has an unique use. Read more...The interview covers the following aspects, but in a lot more detail,  of  the long, four year journey:

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I attended The University of Ottawa in the Health Sciences, Human Kinetics program. Also I am a jewellery designer and Accredited Jewelry Professional.

How did you come up with the “chewelry” idea?

... struck me that my 3 year old could chew and fidget discreetly while my nursing infant could tug and teeth to her hearts’ content...

Explain the Chewelry and the benefits of it and why Autistic children need it.

...Finally, we had a solution….a durable, colorful, non-toxic chewy pendant that was safe …something that could help any child be him/herself, anytime, anywhere. We called it the HeartString Kid Companion...

...Special Need children, often those with ASD,  use Kid Companions as an oral- motor tool... As a chewable accessory, the tool addresses the issues of inappropiate biting and chewing and helps those with Sensory Processing Disorder.

Children with ADHD are unable to inhibit the impulse to move around...and Kid Companions with its textures and the worry stone dip in the heart shape are great fidgets...

Are Kid Companions fashionable?

...chewable and tuggable while still being “cool” enough to blend in. The heart and circle shapes and lanyards in their choices of colors worn as a necklace or clipped to clothing are discreet but yet fashionable...

For what ages do you make Kid Companions Chewelry?

...appropriate for all ages 3 years and up.

How can parents be sure they are safe?

...give parents peace of mind. Since our products are developed for infant use, we wanted FDA approved, North American sourced/made and socially responsible materials. THAT was a tall order, but we did it! We have followed ASTM standards...

Anything else you would like to add?

Let’s chew and fidget safely and fashionably!

What has been your experience with such Special Needs tools as chewies, fidgets...?

 

 

April 6 Sensory Tip- What Is s Sensory Diet

When a child has symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) the parents are often referred to an Occupational Therapist trained to help such a child. Parents are in the best position to observe and note their child’s behavior. Therefore, they should keep a daily journal of their child’s reactions as this will be of great value for the Occupational Therapist.

Each child is different and has different needs that vary during the day. If the Occupational Therapist determines that a Sensory Diet (coined by OT Patricia Wilbarger) would benefit your child, it will be carefully designed to meet his particular needs. Then you will implement these personalized activities or accommodations at home varying them and adjusting them to meet the sensory needs of your child on that particular day or even hour!

Some examples of activities in a Sensory Diet for smell/taste/oral comforts could be:

*Sniff spices and herbs

*Explore tastes: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, bitter

*Explore textures: crunchy, creamy, chewy, lumpy

*Use age appropriate “chewy”

 Eh! Our chewable Kid Companions Chewelry are an ingredient in the Sensory Diets! These Canadian made chewies are safe to place in mouth (no toxic materials, no breakaway pieces). The Kid Companions have a CPSIA compliance certificate that proves their safety. But best of all they have pleasurable textures, hard and rubbery to satisfy the urge to chew or bite.

Does your child find comfort in his Sensory Diet?

Kid Companions Testimonials – Word of Mouth Worth Its Weight in Gold

"ZACH was getting into difficulty at school because he always had something in his mouth - erasers, paper etc. We were always telling him "No! Stop fidgeting". Then I realised that Zach has a sensory need - so our next task was finding a sensory chewing tool to satisfy that need while being socially acceptable at school.

Just had to write and tell you a huge THANK YOU!

 

When I found Kid Companions! I was thrilled!!

Not only did the chewy fidget  help him but it was something that was still "cool" for a boy to wear. Zach was beyond excited to wear his "fidget" to school and it is making a big difference.

 Thank you for helping us say "Yes! you can fidget with Kid Companions!  "
Jodi Hargreaves

Do you have a story to tell about your use of Kid Companions?

Mar 22 Chewing and Biting Tip- Chewing Is a Form Of Moving

Excessive chewing is sometimes an indication that your child with ADHD needs to MOVE!

When a student with ADHD has to sit still for long periods of time his body is crying out to move. One of the strong, big muscles that would use this pent up energy is the jaw joint. Allow and encourage appropriate chewing or biting.

If movements can help your child with ADHD to sharpen his memory, hone his organizational skills and calm him to interact favorably with his classmates LET HIM CHEW!

Having his own discreet chewy, always accessible, enables this child to go about his day. The student knows that when he needs to chew, it will be around his neck, in his belt hoop or attached to his clothing. These children have enough worries in their lives that if this very simple tool, a chewy, gives him relief it should be allowed.

Chewies, like Kid Companions Chewelry, should never be called a toy for those who really need the benefits of chewing. A toy would have to be put away when the bell signals classes are to begin. On the contrary, peers and teachers should respect the needs of this child to chew or bite and the chewy should be seen as natural to a class setting as pencils, crayons or eye glasses.

Does your school allow chewies or fidgets in class?

Related Posts:
Hyperactive, Impulsive, Inattentive Children
ADHD Body and Brain Work in Tandem

Fidgets Toys or Tools
Tactics Tackling Homework With Your ADHD Child
Children and Teens With ADHD and Depression
Michael Phelps ~ ADHD Did Not Stop Him