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32 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday January 27, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Why do cats play hide and seek? Discovery Station y Nursery y School JUST PLAYING When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, " I just played. " Please don't misunderstand me. For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I'm preparing for tomorrow. Today, I'm a child and my work is play. by Anita Wadley, Gateways to Learning, Edmond, Oklahoma At the Oakville Parent-Child Centre, our nursery school program encourages children to learn through play. Our program is licensed under the Day Nurseries Act and is designed for children 18 months to 5 years. We offer half-day programs, morning or afternoon, two or three days per week. This program will be offered at our new location on the North Service Road, as well as our Sixth Line and Kingsway Drive sites. Our program offers: · Low child-teacher ratios · Activities that will enhance your child's natural curiosity and love of knowledge · Readiness for school; reading, talking, singing, drawing and more are tools that enable a child to be prepared for school and encourages the love of literacy · Weekly themes, which include the environment, the earth, community helpers, animals and other interesting topics · Staff who will support the creative, intellectual, social and physical needs of your child · Placement for children with special needs Registration for our Discovery Station Nursery School program is under way for the Fall 2007. As well, we are currently registering for the Spring Session of our Early Years Programs. Our random registration deadline is Wednesday February 7th, y y for both of these programs. Please drop by one of our sites to get these packages or contact 905 849-6366 to obtain more information about our Centre. The Centre is a registered charitable organization, that has provided programs and services for families since 1980. Our services are designed to support all families in their parenting role. We also offer early learning opportunities for children 0-6 years. Most cat owners have witnessed some type of hiding behaviour in their feline. Cats love small places, although there is no definite rationale why cats choose to hide in them. If you are seeking an answer there are a few possibilities. One theory suggests that when cats want to avoid things in the environment they seek out a retreat. At the Oakville & District Humane Society, cats like to hide in their litter boxes away from public view. In your household they may choose to hide in closets or under the bed, particularly if harassed by other pets in the household. Another theory is that these tiny, cozy spots help the cat to thermoregulate. Being inside a container could provide insulation from both cold and heat, depending on location. The cat can therefore regulate one constant body tempera- ture while in a hiding place. At this time of year in particular, cats that are left outdoors often seek the warmth under the hood of recently parked cars: a dangerous resting stop that could be fatal if the animal goes unnoticed. Always bang on your hood before starting up your car. It may save a cat's life. Environmental retreats and thermo regulation offer two possible theories. Alternatively cats may hide in small spaces because they like the feel of having something pressing around their bodies. There is a growing body of evidence that in both children and dogs, wrapping or "swaddling" certain individuals can relieve anxiety. Perhaps the effect is the same for felines. When the cat has something close around PET OF THE WEEK: Maggie is a charming little spaniel mix. She is pretty and very bright. She needs an active family to keep up with her. For more information on animals available at the shelter, visit our website at www.oakvillehumane.ca it ,leaving only its head visible, it may provide a sense of comfort knowing that it is ready for whatever comes its way. Its body is safe and able to react quickly should danger present itself. Tied into this may be that if the cat is tiny, still and virtually unnoticeable the threat may pass without detecting it. Small spaces may provide the comfort and security cats can feel safe in. Scientific research has yet to find one definitive answer to why cats hide. For truth seekers, more studies will have to be done to truly understand this common cat behaviour. -- Submitted by the Oakville & District Humane Society. For more information on programs, parenting and services offered by the Centre please contact us at 905-849-6366 or visit our website at www.op-cc.ca This ad is dedicated to all post-abortive women as well as the 1.3 million babies lost to abortion since Jan. 28, 1988, when the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the Abortion Law, thereby allowing abortion during all nine months of pregnancy.