Creating Together Blog

Creating Community Programs, Together

July 26, 2020 by Melanie

*We need to hear from you!*
PROGRAM FEEDBACK SURVEY

Creating Together began over 40 years ago thanks to parents in the Parkdale community working with agency workers to bring resources for children and their families. Even it’s name “Creating Together”, implies it’s origin – a community organization that was literally created, together.

For 40 years now, we have been responsive to the needs of our community, adjusting our programs and offerings based on what we hear from the people who use our services. Now with an incredible network of donors and community partners behind us, we are more ready than ever to support the Parkdale families we serve.

These are challenging times in the world, and we all need to work collaboratively and creatively, together, to create a community of wellness, support, and thriving.

It’s imperative that our planning processes continue to be informed by Parkdale parents and caregivers, so we are asking for your help in completing the following Program Feedback Survey so we can discuss the results at our AGM on August 8th.

Please take a moment to complete this survey, by August 7th 2020 at the latest, so we can continue to make our programming the very best that it could be!

PROGRAM FEEDBACK SURVEY

Community Resources

July 22, 2020 by Melanie

Especially during this difficult time, we at EarlyON are here to support you! Toronto Public Health has come up with numerous resources and support lines for you and your families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click final Community Resources_May5.pdf for a complete list of resources and hotlines or see the embedded document below.

The document is organized into the following resource categories:

Toronto Public Health (parenting, healthy baby, breastfeeding, etc.)
Telephone Crisis Lines (for assaulted women, shelter, suicide, kids help, telehealth, etc.)
Child Protection Agencies (various children’s aid agencies)
Medical Clinics (Just for Kids, Tele-medicine, etc.)
Mental Health or Other Supports (Skylark, Walk-In Clinics, BounceBack, etc.)
Legal Services and Information (Support related to COVID, as well as other services such as Legal Aid, etc.)
Financial Support and More (COVID-19 Economic Support and Recovery for individuals, businesses, etc.)

Early ON Resources for Families and Caregivers

July 16, 2020 by Melanie

During this time when physically distancing from others is important, having a plan and activities ready for your child may help to make your day go a little easier.
Early ON Resources for Parents and Caregivers

This is why Early ON and the City of Toronto compiled an extensive resource for families and caregivers to foster child development while social distancing. Whether it’s physical play or quiet play, this guide is filled with helpful resources for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. Click the download button for the full document.

EarlyON-Printable-Resource-0-6-years Download

The resource also has tips for how to speak to your children about Coronavirus, some useful telephone numbers and support links, and a plethora of helpful resources.

We hope you’ll find it helpful!

References

https://playandlearn.healthhq.ca
https://www.facebook.com/ladysmithwaterfrontgallery/
https://busytoddler.com/2020/03/pom-pom-tube-ramp/
https://hes-extraordinary.com/improve-emotional-regulation-just-7-minutes-perday?fbclid=IwAR08xB9WpvGwZc0MlS-5ww-HAKeLyw66wxjsOa97y6TiM9M88yUkjB_oZdo
https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-talk-your-child-about-coronavirus-covid-19

Enjoying Summer in Nature

June 24, 2020 by Melanie

Happy Summer Solstice everybody! Back in Spring we wrote about the importance of getting out in nature during COVID-19:

Free play in natural environments increases attentions spans, creative thought, and the desire to learn through exploration (1). It helps their motor, sensory, social and cognitive development – and is great for their general health and well-being (2).
(1) https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=39558
(2) https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/the-benefits-of-outdoor-play

Well, this week we celebrated the longest day of the year on the summer solstice, and it’s a great time to enjoy all that the sunshine has to offer us. Get out and enjoy the beautiful bounty of the season while shaking off those solitude blah’s, with these fun activities.

First we’d like to kick things off with a fun nature walk with Tanya (here’s a hint – make sure you gather some flowers and small bits from your walk for your nature craft coming up next with Neetu!):

Nature walk (exploring) with Tanya
Posted by Creating Together Parkdale on Monday, June 29, 2020

And when you return, from your walk, here’s a fun “Flower Painting and Nature Bracelet” craft you can enjoy with Neetu! The materials you will need include:

Flowers,
Paints,
Paper,
Double Tape, and
Clear Tape.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=553455038660914

Have a very wonderful summer everybody! We’ll see you soon!

Online Story Time

June 17, 2020 by Melanie

Literacy is key to our programming at Creating Together, for all of our families. And even when programs are closed due to COVID, we are here continuing to help reading be fun, for all of you.

Did you know that early literacy begins before a child can read? According to research by the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network, children who are successful readers have usually engaged in many early language and literacy activities before starting school. In fact, hearing and engaging with books read aloud to them is one of the most important activities for infants, toddlers, and pre-school children.

So join us from home for live storytime with our staff – and enjoy the reads below with your little one at your next reading time!

Happy Reading!

Why I Love My Mommy (illustrated by Daniel Howarth)

This charming book features children telling, in their own words, endearing things about their mothers, with gentle illustrations of familiar animals. Perfect for that special day for mom, be it Mother’s Day, her birthday, or just to lift her spirits.

For more books to celebrate mothers and fathers days (Father’s Day is around the corner!), check out: https://myfamilystuff.ca/mothers-day-fathers-day-books-harpercollins/

Story Time ( Why I Love My Mommy) with Tanya
Posted by Creating Together Parkdale on Tuesday, June 9, 2020

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie (by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond)

Help kids understand the importance of personal responsibility with this fun story about an energetic young mouse who follows a young boy making a string of requests…eventually tiring out the boy!

LEARNING TIP: Teaching our children that every action causes a reaction, is essential in parenting. Understanding cause and effect helps children see that our behaviors and actions has an effect on ourselves, others, and our environment. Use this book to continue this important lesson in personal responsibility.

"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"-Laura Numeroff
Story time
Posted by Creating Together Parkdale on Friday, June 5, 2020

Twinky the Dinky Dog (by Kate Klimo, illustrated by Michael Fleming)

This story is perfect for children who love dogs, and who are ready to begin the exciting and fun journey of reading on their own. Twinky is a mix of determination, practice, and bravery – and shows the town that he is most certainly, not dinky at all!

Story Time (Twinky The Dinky Dog) with Neetu
Posted by Creating Together Parkdale on Thursday, June 4, 2020

Hush Little Polar Bear (by Jeff Mack)

Jeff Mack has illustrated many books, but this one is the first that he both wrote and illustrated! Hush Little Polar Bear takes a girl and her stuffed polar bear on a beautiful trip through a variety of places before they return to her bedroom. A recommended bedtime read!

Story Time (Hush Little Polar Bear) with Tanya
Posted by Creating Together Parkdale on Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Creating Community Programs, Together

Community Resources

Early ON Resources for Families and Caregivers

References

Enjoying Summer in Nature

Online Story Time

Why I Love My Mommy (illustrated by Daniel Howarth)

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie (by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond)

Twinky the Dinky Dog (by Kate Klimo, illustrated by Michael Fleming)

Hush Little Polar Bear (by Jeff Mack)

Creating Together Parkdale Family Resource Centre

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