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Celebrating Community at the Annual Summer Picnic 2017

September 1, 2017 by Creating Together

It’s so important to come together and celebrate as a community – When we come together in this way as a community, we create a stronger foundation for our children while also creating a stronger community as a whole.

Each year, before Creating Together closes for the summer, the staff and board host a summer picnic at our local Albert Crosland Park. Families and friends all come together to celebrate the season with food, games, and great company.

Summer Picnic 2017

As we get ready to close the center for the summer (don’t worry, we’ll be opening again on September 5th), we remember all the fun had this year, and celebrate the relationships, memories and bonds that were created. Together, we had some really wonderful times, and it’s those memories that will create a better Parkdale, and a stronger connection between our children and community. These are the roots that last a lifetime.

We look forward to seeing all of you again in September, and hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

Filed Under: Special Activities, Uncategorized Tagged With: Celebrating Community

Keeping Cool at Wet N Wild

August 25, 2017 by Creating Together

Children with their families and caregivers piled onto the school bus for Creating Together’s annual field trip to Wet N’ Wild Toronto, a water park in Brampton. Everybody kept cool, had fun, and made some unforgettable memories!

Built on the site of the former Wild Water Kingdom the park features $25 million in new rides and attractions and 45 acres of water adventure. Wet’n’Wild is known for having the biggest and best water rides and Wet’n’Wild Toronto will be no exception to that reputation with all new rides for Canada that will be the longest and tallest in the country. New attractions include the Krazy Kanuck family raft ride; Bear Footin’ Bay, a mega treehouse kids play structure; Wet ‘n’ Wild Junior, a mini water park for the little ones; and the Klondike Express mat slide racer.

Huge thanks to Creating Together for organizing this, and ensuring the members of our community can access these amazing attractions!

 

 

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: Field Trip

Planning Your Trip to the Zoo

August 11, 2017 by Creating Together

As summer nears it’s end, you may be trying to squeeze in those last few field trips, camping trips, and family visits before school starts. One amazing opportunity last month was a field trip to the zoo for the children, families and caregivers of Creating Together.

In studies, after a trip to the zoo, children had more understanding of important environmental concepts such as conservation and endangered species. It also sparks curiosity & discovery, promotes family bonding, and is great exercise! When we took our annual field trip to the zoo this summer, an amazing time was had by all, and we wanted to share some tips on planning your trip to the zoo.

  1. Talk to your local Library about accessing a zoo pass for your family through the MAP Program (don’t forget your library card, and make sure it’s current and up to date on all payments!).
  2. Pack Your Own Food & Lots of Water: While there are some options onsight to purchase food if needed, there are also some great areas with tables and shelter for you to unpack your own picnic and save money.
  3. Download some kids fact sheets and worksheets from KidsKonnect or these Educator Resources from the Toronto Zoo.
  4. Plan your trip by taking a look at the Toronto Zoo website. Their “Explore the Zoo” section describes not only how to get there, but also some of the must-sees, exhibits, rides, and information about the family centre.
An amazing time had by all at our field trip this summer to The Toronto Zoo!

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: Field Trip, Zoo

Tips and Strategies for the Picky Eater

August 3, 2017 by Creating Together

Toddlers can become picky eaters for a number of reasons.

  • They are getting used to the different textures, colours, and tastes of foods.
  • They are becoming more independent, and learning how to make their own choices.
  • They have different nutrition requirements than when they had when they were a baby (being more active and not growing as much).

The Baby Center offers a number of tips for parents and caregivers of picky eaters who would like to introduce new foods. For example, choosing age-appropriate foods & amounts, maintaining a regular meal and snack schedule, keeping mealtime calm and free of distractions, and boosting nutritional value in foods they love. For more, take a look AT THIS LINK.

A few experts also recommend involving your child in meal preparation. Not only are finicky eaters more likely to eat what they have created, they are also developing an important life skill, improving their interest in food, and creating healthy family bonds. Eat Right Ontario answers some commonly asked questions about picky eaters, and gives a number of excellent tips on how to cook with kids of different ages:

  • 2-3 year old
  • 3-4 year old
  • 4-6 year old
  • 6-8 year old
  • 8-11 year old

Creating Together also offers Toddler Food Prep workshops each month from 10-11am, with Marcella from Food Share. Our next one is scheduled for September 13th. Here’s a peak at last month’s workshop with Marcella – “English Muffin Mini pizza’s”!

Toddler Food Prep Workshop with Marcella From Food Share.

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: Workshop

Connecting with Nature

August 2, 2017 by Creating Together

In July, Creating Together took it’s annual field trip to Bronte Creek, a Provincial Park in Oakville that offers trails, children’s farm, huge 1.8 acre pool, playground, and seasonal programming to help connect kids and families to nature. Children, parents and caregivers enjoyed a beautiful day of connection in nature, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

We all see the joy on a child’s face when they go to the park or the beach – but did you know that children today spend less time outdoors than any other generation in human history? A new term was coined in 2005 as “nature deficit disorder“, as a way to describe the cost of this alienation from nature. An expanding body of scientific evidence suggests that nature-deficit disorder contributes to a diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses. Research also suggests that the nature-deficit weakens ecological literacy and stewardship of the natural world. These problems are linked more broadly to what health care experts call the “epidemic of inactivity,” and to a devaluing of independent play (Children’s Nature Network).

Researchers and natural environmentalists have been studying the effects of exposure to nature on children, and have found some interesting results: Engagement with nature has huge benefits for children physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

For instance, Adams & Savahl (2017) discovered it has a significant influence on children’s emotional and social well-being, while Pensini, Horn, & Caltabiano, (2016) discovered that early exposure to nature improves one’s mental health as an adult. Would you like to help improve your child’s short-term memory and ability to focus? Another study shows that being in nature for extended periods of time promotes the development of attention skills, while protecting against inattention-hyperactivity symptoms such as (Ulset, Vitaro, et al, 2017). There are also a number of physical benefits, such as improved vision, and reduced risk of obesity.

 

Here are a few other places in Toronto you might want to check out to foster more connection in nature:

  • Visit Evergreen Brickworks, which offers free shuttle buses from Broadview Station, and excellent children and family programming: https://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/evergreen-brick-works/
  • Enjoy one of the free outdoor festivals or concerts offered at Harbourfront Centre: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/
  • After being closed due to flooding, Centre Island is now opened, offering a range of fun activities for children and families: http://www.centreisland.ca/
  • Spend a day in High Park, enjoying the trails, trainride, castle playground, zoo, and splash pad: http://www.highparktoronto.com/

Nature Resources and Activities for Children:

  • Free “Nature as a Classroom” guide by the David Suzuki Foundation
  • Free “Nature Explorers Workbook” by the National Recreation and Park Association
  • “Nature Activities for Children” images on Pinterest

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Featured, Special Activities Tagged With: Bronte Creek, Field Trip, Nature

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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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Hours

MON 9:00am - 2:30pm
TUE 9:00am - 2:30pm
WED 9:00am - 2:30pm
THU 9:00am - 2:30pm
FRI 9:00am - 1:30pm
SAT 10am - 2:00pm (twice monthly)
SUN Closed

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Creating Together
1342 Queen Street West
Phone: (416) 537-1004
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Charitable Registration Number:
12947 6248 RR0001
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