A Family Medicine Physician in Calgary: The Diversity and Inclusivity scorecard of Dr. Fahima Mustanzid.

A bright idea in the past that has become more brighter today

Dr. Fahima Mustanzid is a Family Medicine physician who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Creative Thinking School (CTS). She is a champion of diversity and inclusivity and has the passion to see Canada transforming into a culturally one nation. While interacting with her, I learnt that her drive and motivation to realize this dream is intrinsic and inherent. This drive led her into the idea of establishing CTS, which is a renown school in Calgary that focuses on child development and creative learning.

The Chief Executive Officer and Founder who never knew what the future was holding for CTS

When Dr. Fahima Mustanzid started Creative Thinking School (CTS), I am sure she never expected the direction that the school would take, and probably the exact framework upon which the school would be anchored. Today, the school has impacted the whole of Calgary, and Canada! In fact, with recent developments regarding the fashion Art show, the school is culturally influencing the global community on a creative sphere. This article has highlighted the milestones that the school has achieved, since inception.

What is the school all about?

Creative Thinking School (CTS) is a fun learning school, established in January 2022. The school has embarked on a journey to foster an inclusive peaceful community with a vision to contribute to a better Canada. It promotes a diverse range of programs and initiatives for children. These activities foster cognitive development and creativity for children through STEM-based workshops, literacy enhancement programs, storytelling sessions, sensory and motor skill development activities, and conservation theory. It also provides unique opportunities for artistic expression through arts and crafts and promotes cultural inclusivity through fashion shows and cultural representation events.

The Pivotal Phenomenon of Diversity and Inclusion behind CTS

Guided by a vision to Identify each child’s uniqueness inspired by creativity, CTS plays a pivotal role in fostering holistic child development across diverse cultural landscapes. By integrating innovative educational practices with a strong commitment to cultural inclusion, CTS is shaping the future of global child development.

Dr. Fahima Mustanzid with one of the CTS pupils in 2024

CTS believes in building an inclusive Canadian community by encouraging the role of parenting in promoting social cohesion. The workshops and programs offered by CTS are designed not only to enhance team-building capacities but also to instill respect for various ethnicities in the community through recognition of cultural diversity and inclusion. This commitment contributes to the progress of a more cohesive and better Canada.

Developmental Milestones for CTS

The school has had many achievements that one would relate with, on a global scale. Looking at the achievements that have been featured in this discussion, it is agreeable that CTS has a promising future for Canada and beyond in terms of cultural competence and future child development.

The Community Engagement scorecard

• In February 2022, CTS celebrated the International Mother Language Day through online activities with Children from 4- 12 ages, across the provinces of Canada.

• In April 2022, CTS conducted an educational session on Environmental Sustainability & Nature that teaches children the principles of conservation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. This program encourages children to think critically about their role in protecting the planet.

• In July 2022, CTS celebrated Canada Day for Children at the CITADEL Community in Northwest Calgary.

STEM Workshop

The STEM Workshop conducted by Creative Thinking School included five engaging activities designed for 30 children. Using Playdough, participants created models of the earth's layers, while STEM Planetarium Toys were used to introduce the Solar System.

A CTS pupil during one of the STEM workshops in 2024

Additionally, the exploration of rocks helped children understand basic geological concepts. These sessions are specifically designed to spark curiosity, promote problem-solving skills, and encourage innovative thinking from a young age, laying a strong foundation for future learning.

Literacy & Storytelling Program

CTS has Organized a “Literacy & Storytelling Program” that brings community children to public libraries, enhancing their reading capacity by exploring books of their interest.

Encouraged children to engage in reading activities, fostering imagination, passion, and creativity to unleash their full potential. This year-round program is offered free of cost to ensure accessibility for all.

Sensory & Motor Development Activities for Special Children

CTS has Implemented Sensory & Motor Development Activities tailored for children with special needs in the community. Facilitated sensory activity sessions using various hands-on activities to address communication barriers, focus issues, and hyperactivity. Emphasized resolving these challenges through a range of tactile, visual, and movement-based exercises to enhance coordination, balance, and overall physical development.

Art & Craft

Creative workshops that encourage children to express themselves through various art forms and craft activities.

These sessions focus on building fine motor skills, creativity, and artistic expression of their own identity, perspective, and challenges. Therefore, these activities enhance emotional Intelligence.

Fashion Art and Cultural Representation Ceremony

Dr. Fahima Mustanzid and CTS children during one of the study sessions

The Fashion Art and Cultural Representation Ceremony, Canada and Bangladesh, that was held on May 19, 2024, at the Rocky Ridge Shane Homes YMCA in Calgary, was a significant success. Event link is here (https://facebook.com/events/s/fashion-art-and-cultural-repre/895780332288410/)

The event highlighted the rich heritage and vibrant cultures of both Bangladesh and Canada, featuring a fashion show where 40 children showcased traditional Bangladeshi attire alongside contemporary Canadian outfits, drawing an audience of 210 attendees.

Talk shows

CTS Talk shows on Facebook Live are aimed at advocating creativity, emotional intelligence and cultural understanding among children and parents. CTS broadcasts include “Emotional Intelligence and Role Modeling and Emotional Optimism in Children”, “Emotional Intelligence for Childhood Development”, “Emotional Intelligence in Kids for Fostering Social and Cognitive Skills” and “Art Therapy for Children” The most recent one was How Nutrition fuels Emotional Intelligence in Children. The link can be found here https://web.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1593450264542043&rdid=3SgdpCE1mJANAPYgetc.

Why all these talk shows?

In these talk shows, the involvement of multiple resource personnel made it a success through community engagement, initiated by Calgarians aiming at the establishment of global cultural cohesiveness.

Therefore, CTS has promoted community engagement significantly and has achieved appreciation for its noble work within the global community sphere. For instance, our recent series of three talk shows on social media, discussing Art Therapy for Children in various languages, reached over 5,000 people, demonstrating our ability to engage a broad and diverse audience.

Conclusion

The CEO for CTS has a lot of opportunities to explore, and these will be avenues that CTS would leverage to advance its agenda. Calgary has a lot to benefit from CTS including the cultural competence that Dr. Fahima Mustanzid is building daily within the school. With all the support required through funding and advocacy from the community and government of Canada, I can see a future that CTS will provide; one that is full of harmony for the country and a novel dimension of cultural heritage that is likely to draw the country into a celebration.

Benard Chinua.

For more information about Creative Thinking School, write to the CEO at creativethinkingsch@gmail.com