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Spring into Reading: Literacy at Creating Together

March 21, 2017 by Creating Together

Spring has arrived!

The days will now get longer, the ground will slowly thaw, and pretty soon the leaves and flowers will show themselves. As you notice these beautiful elements of the season, consider coming in to enjoy our staff picks for Spring reads, or the amazing assortment of books shared in our Literacy Program on Monday mornings.

Did you know that a child’s knowledge of songs and rhymes at age 3 is predictor of his/her ability to read by age 6? Why not come and take advantage of the opportunities and support available to you at Creating Together?

Teach your child about the seasons and give them a love for literacy through reading!

 

Here’s a selection of books used for the Literacy Program on Mondays, 9:30-10:30am

Every Monday morning from 9:30-10:30, come in and enjoy “Literacy Mondays”, which bring together storytelling, music and song to support children in their love of reading. These interactive story times use age-appropriate, over-sized books, to make the experience of reading more engaging.

When speaking with Neha at Creating Together about tips for engaging children in the process, she emphasized the importance of giving children a choice in which book they’d like to read, choosing books that are age appropriate, and reading in ways that are also age appropriate. Take a look at this great tip sheet: Milestones of Early Literacy Development.

Tip: Have children choose their book for reading time!

Neha also encourages families to speak in their mother tongue at home, reminding us that bilingualism helps children with their sense of identity, self-confidence, and ability to think about their ideas and communicate in both languages.

For further resources and tip sheets for supporting your child’s language and literacy development, take a look at this great resource page compile by the Macaulay Child Development Centre: Early Literacy for Parents

 

Do remember to come by with any questions or support needs you have to Tanya or Neha – they’d love to connect and help you spring into reading with your child!

 

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: bilingualism, early literacy, literacy milestones, literacy program, reading

Celebrating International Women’s Day at Creating Together!

March 14, 2017 by Creating Together

For over a century, March 8th has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. Although it’s roots are in campaigning for better pay and voting rights, it has become a day of honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action – both globally and locally.  According to the UN:

It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

If you’re looking for some inspiration to help you through, take a moment to check out these inspiring quotes from 100 extraordinary women.

At Creating Together, we joined with dozens of organizations across the city to recognize the amazing role that women play in our communities. We were thrilled and honoured to host an International Women’s Day celebration on Friday last week,  and took special care to pamper the women of our community with cool cucumber eye soaks, henna treatments, and healthy food!

Thank you to everybody who came out to make this celebration so memorable!

 

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: International Women's Day

Warm Welcome to Emily!

March 8, 2017 by Creating Together

If you haven’t already met her, swing by Creating Together on a Tuesday or Wednesday and meet our new student, Emily DeHaan. Emily comes to us from Smithville, a small town in Niagara, and is here in Toronto completing her third year of a four year Nursing program at Ryerson. She’ll be staying with us until April 12th.

We are thrilled to bring Emily’s experience, inspiration, and love of children to the families of Creating Together. Join us in giving her a warm welcome!

When asked what brought her to Creating Together for her placement, Emily describes growing up in a large family, her love for babysitting children, and her experience volunteering at Sunday school.

Committed to helping families lead healthy lives, she wants everybody to know that she is here to help, and hopes to share knowledge to support our community of families:

Emily is genuinely looking forward to her time with the families and children of Creating Together, and welcomes questions, conversation, and feedback. Don’t wait too long – she is only with us until April 12th!

So if you have a question, come and speak with Emily in person at CT on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. She also welcomes emails or calls: edehaan@ryerson.ca  |  905-975-4006.

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Student Spotlight

Food, Family, and Community

March 2, 2017 by Creating Together

Communities around the world are brought together by food, and Creating Together is no exception. Last month, food really brought us all together, with our healthy choice muffin creations during our family baking time, our heart cookie morsels for Valentines, and Family Day potluck feast!

Involving our children in food creation is actually an excellent way to develop language, math, and healthy life skills.

Did you know that picky eaters are more likely to eat something that they’ve helped to make?

 

Give it a try at home! Print off the recipe card below, and enjoy these tips for cooking with kids, to help make cooking a great experience for everybody. If you missed our last family baking event, no worries – we’ll see you on March 7th at 9:30 for our next healthful muffin making extravaganza!

Print off this Healthy Carrot Muffin Recipe and enjoy!


Moving into March, we have some great workshops to help your family thrive. Note your calendars – we are now open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30-5pm!

In addition to our regular programming, take a look at these March highlights and mark your calendars by clicking on the date links provided:

  • March 7th 9:30am – Family baking! Join us as we bake muffins for snack!
  • March 13th 10-11:30 – Dental health and dental screening with Toronto Public Health
  • March 15th 10-11am – Hands on workshop in healthy Toddler Food Preparation with Marcela from Food Share!
  • March 27h 12:30-1:30pm – Public Health Nurse Aseema will be answering questions and providing resources for family health and well-being.
  • March 30th 11:30-2pm – Anniversary Potluck Celebration! Bring a NUT FREE dish and celebrate Creating Together’s 41st Anniversary!

Filed Under: Announcements, Recipes, Special Activities Tagged With: children, community, Creating Together, dental health, family, family baking, February, food share, health, public health, toddler food

Top 5 of 2016 – #1: Our Community!

January 1, 2017 by Creating Together

2016 was an action-packed year for Creating Together. Here is the last post in our top 5 favourite things series.

Without a doubt, our number one favourite thing in 2016 was the amazing community that has been fostered by Creating Together over the year. We are so thankful for this supportive community of families, staff, Board members and donors!

The delicious 40th Anniversary cake!

Our Board Chair, Alan McDougall, would like to share a note to our community:

Dear families and friends,

2016 has been another exciting year for Creating Together. As always, we’ve had our daily programs of activities, with circle and snack time, special parties, and tons of other activities – not to mention the day trips outside Toronto to pick apples and strawberries. On top of that, we successfully launched an extended hours program on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and we celebrated the Centre’s 40th birthday in style, not once but twice! The 40th Anniversary party at Fuller Avenue Park was a real highlight, with dramatic stormy weather followed by sunshine, plus face painting, craft stations, a barbecue and an enormous cake.

I’d like to thank my fellow Board members and our dedicated Staff for all of their hard work and good cheer this past year. Most of all, I’d like to thank you all for your continued support in making Creating Together such a great Parkdale institution. We have exciting plans to develop the Centre in 2017, so stay tuned to the website for updates!

 With best wishes for the holidays and New Year,

Alan

We look forward to seeing you at the Centre in 2017!

 

 

Filed Under: Featured

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About Us

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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

Please refer to our Calendar »

Contact Us

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