Family Resource Centre

The Benefits of Sand Play

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Last month, Creating Together introduced a new program feature: “Information Sessions” – opportunities for parents and caregivers to learn about the theory, thinking, tools and tips behind each of our learning stations.

While November’s feature was Block Play, this month we will be going over the benefits of Sand Play.

Did you know?

Did you know that sand play promotes physical development, hand-eye coordination, small muscle control, language development, mathematical skills and social skills?

How can you support your child?

Do you know how to support your child in getting the most out of their sand play? Try statements like “I wonder what would happen if . . .” and “Tell me about . . .”. To encourage play, include access to materials like measuring cups, ladles, funnels, sifters, colanders, or small manipulatives like plastic animals.

Bring your child and learn more on this Friday, December 7th, and stay for morning snack and circle time afterwards!

Adult Activities at Creating Together

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Many of the parents and caregivers who come to Creating Together have shared with the staff and students how much they appreciate a place to go and be with other adults while also caring for the young ones.

It may not come as a surprise that social support plays an important role for all of us in managing stress. This is particularly true for mothers and caregivers, who are often isolated with their child/children and have less opportunities to build and maintain trusting, supportive relationships. While time and obligations of life tempt us to spend less time with friends and family, research has found that the more parents and caregivers surround themselves and their child/children with loving social support, the healthier and happier the child will grow up to be.

This is why Creating Together has begun to implement “Adult Activity” sessions a couple of times a month. The sessions are designed to get parents and caregivers out to meet one another, talk, and create together. These sessions create a natural bridge for staff and parents / caregivers to mingle as well, so those with questions or any need for additional support or information can easily and informally access it.

Last month’s activity was making a fabric quilt. Our next “Adult Activity” is coming up December 6th, and the focus will be on creating a Hanukkah Craft. So come on out and meet some other parents and caregivers, and enjoy some adult company while creating together! We hope you can make it!

Join us for our Annual Holiday Party!

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Each year, the staff, students, children, parents and caregivers come together to celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable community event at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre in Parkdale (220 Cowan Avenue).

The day includes feasting, games, a visit from Santa, and entertainment for all ages. It’s an event that brings the community together in joy and celebration one more time before our doors close for the holidays until the New Year.

If you’d like to join us, please speak with one of the staff at Creating Together,

as it is a ticketed event and registration is required.

We certainly hope to see you there!

 

Thank You for Joining Us at the Diwali Celebration This Year!

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Diwali was celebrated on November 7th this year, in accordance with the Lunar Calendar, across Toronto. With over 2000 people identifying as Hindu in the Parkdale-High Park area alone, our local Diwali celebrations fostered a sense of home and community for those who observe the holiday, while increasing awareness, understanding, and compassion among children, parents and caregivers who observe other holidays.

At Creating Together, we celebrated with decorating paper diyas, henna painting, and the sharing of food and sweets.

According to Penn State Extension, children begin to notice gender and racial differences at about age 2, gender labels (boy/girl) and colours (including those applied to skin colour) at about 2 ½, and by 4-5 years, they start to display gender appropriate behavior and become fearful of differences.

Diversity activities teach young children to respect and celebrate the differences in all people, while also helping them understand who they are the context of race, ethnic group, culture, religion, geography, language and familial history. It helps them realize that we’re all humans, despite differences in how we look or dress, or what we eat or celebrate. Games and activities offer a fun way for young children to learn about differences and similarities among people and to introduce the concept of diversity. In so doing, we support them in their own identity formation and sense of belonging within the context of a diverse community.

Thank you to all of you who came out to enjoy Diwali with Creating Together this year.

May joy, prosperity, and happiness illuminate your life and your home!

 

Resources:

Public Broadcasting Sysyem. “Diversity in the Classroom.” Precious Children. www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/

Biles, Barbara. “Activities that promote racial and cultural awareness.” In “Family Child Care Connections” edited by C. M. Todd 4(3): 4. Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, 1994. Retrieved September 2012. http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_activities.html

Building Blocks With Your Child

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Next time you’re in Creating Together, look up – you’ll see a number of signs designating areas as stations for different kinds of learning.

This month, staff are offering information sessions on one of these stations – Building Blocks. The first session held November 8th was a great success, and if you weren’t able to make it, you can attend the next one on the 12th at 1:30pm.

Did you know that building blocks with your child has a number of benefits?

Benefits of Block Play

  • Teaches children concept of weight, height, balance, space, shape, size, mass counting, and colours
  • Enhances language skills, such as labelling
  • Improves motor skills, such as stability and coordination
  • Supports their social skill development, by helping them communicate ideas and cooperate with their peers
  • Encourages problem solving, creativity, and imagination
  • Fun!

Did you know that there is a guide that Creating Together uses in their programming, to ensure they are meeting guidelines and best practices for child development?

Learning Domains and Skill Indicators for Block Play

The 2007 provincial publication of Early Learning for Every Child Today: A framework for Ontario early childhood settings (2014) describes how young children learn and develop, and offers a guide for curriculum in Ontario’s early childhood settings, such as child care centers, regulated home child care, nursery schools, Ontario Early Years Centres, family resource programs, parenting centres, etc.

When we do Block Play, we tap into a number of learning domains and areas of skill development, according to this guide. Below are some examples of learning domains and consequent indicators of skill development, which Parents and caregivers can use, as the staff of Creating Together do, to support each child’s learning and development.

  • Problem Solving (4.2): Use blocks to experiment with balance and positions
  • Classifying (4.10): Move from random classification by one, or more
  • Cooperating (1.6): Exchange ideas and material during play
  • Interacting with Adults (1.9): Seeing adults as resources in exploration and problem solving
  • Vocabulary (3.3): Using new words
  • Language (3.5): Using descriptive language, such as sentences, to explain, explore, and describe objects

Block Play Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers can do a number of things to help children get the most of their block play:

  • Play at the child’s level
  • Use blocks to experiment with balances and positions
  • Expand interests with the use of pictures, books, and other aids
  • Build the world’s tallest / widest tower
  • Try to blow the tower down
  • Build small cities, trains, roads, castles, boats, buses
  • Have building blocks lead to pretend play (e.g., the houses of the 3 little pigs, the wheels on the bus)

For more tips and some hands-on mentorship in Block Play,

please come to our next Information Session on November 12th at 1:30pm!

Creating Together Parkdale Family Resource Centre

Our mission is to support the healthy social, cognitive, emotional and physical development of children 0 to 6 years and their families. We welcome children aged 0 to 6 years and their families/ caregivers to relax and connect with each other and with the greater communities through our many programs.
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MON 9:00am - 2:30pm
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