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Bubble Blowing Fun!

October 23, 2018 by Creating Together

Join us for some bubble play on October 26th at 1:15 – and get ready to have some fun!

But did you know that bubble play also an amazing way to work on developmental skills, such as:

 

Fine motor skills & hand/eye coordination

It takes a lot of fine motor skills to pinch the skinny wand, coordinate two hands to hold the bottle and dip, hold the blower with a pencil-like grasp, and using hands in different ways to pop the bubbles – who knew?

Visual tracking skills

Those little ones work their visual tracking skills when they follow where the bubbles go.

Sensory processing skills

Bubbles have such an interesting texture, your little ones will experience their wetness, sliminess, stickiness. What’s more, the act of blowing can also be a very effective sensory-based way to help kids “organize”, calm, and focus their bodies.

Social and communication skills

When playing in a group like we do at Creating Together, children practice taking turns, keeping personal space. They also establish eye contact and ask or signal to you for “more”.

Gross motor skills

Have you seen kids chase bubbles?! What an fun way to get kids to stretch up, squat to the floor, run, jump, and reach!

Identifying body parts

Pop with your finger, your elbow, your knee, or your nose!

Language and cognitive skills

You can use bubble play as an opportunity to describe what the bubbles are doing, what the children notice.

Come and try it out this Thursday afternoon, and feel free to ask the staff any questions on how to turn Bubble Play into an incredible learning opportunity for you and your little one!

 

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Special Activities, Tips and Tools

What’s on in our Neighbourhood for Halloween?

October 16, 2018 by Creating Together

If you’re looking for some fun ways to celebrate Halloween, Parkdale is the place to be! Take a look at these great events next week – all within the hood!

Pumpkin Carving at Creating Together

You can get started by joining us on October 25th at 1:15pm for a Pumpkin Carving extravaganza at Creating Together – we would love to see you there! Read more about where the tradition of carving pumpkins came from HERE.

Friday Night Movie Showing “Hotel Transylvania 3” at the Parkdale Library Auditorium

Come out Friday October 26th for an early Halloween treat for families! “Count Dracula and company participate in a cruise for sea-loving monsters, unaware that their boat is being commandeered by the monster-hating Van Helsing family.”

Halloween Howl at the High Park Nature Centre

Halloween Howl is back October 26th & 27th! Explore the haunting side of nature at the High Park “Halloween Howl” night hike. This walk through the woodlands will lead to lots of creepy nature spots to learn the not-so-scary truth about bats, spiders, toads, gnomes and decomposers. Finish off the night by warming up around a campfire. Fun for all ages! Costumes are recommended but not required. Don’t forget to bring a glass jar to make your own lantern!

Pumpkin Float at the High Park Wading Pool

Come carve a pumpkin ($3) on October 28th and set it afloat with other ghoulish gourds! Meet at the wading pool in the northwest corner of High Park, just west of the main entrance to High Park at Bloor Street West and High Park Avenue. Proceeds will send a class from a high needs school on a field trip to the High Park Nature Centre this fall!!

Pumpkin Parade at Sorauren Park

And you can bring that pumpkin along with other creations to Sorauren Park on November 1st for the annual, world-famous Pumpkin Parade! With more than 1,500 pumpkins on display in recent years, the Parade is a neighbourhood and even regional highlight of the season.

Costume Party at Creating Together

Come on over on October 31st for a Halloween Costume Party. We’ll have Halloween crafts, songs and other activities. Decorate cupcakes and trick or treat!

And More…

For more activities for kids thoughout Toronto and the GTA this holiday season, check it out – and have a wonderful Halloween!

https://www.todocanada.ca/Halloween-Activities-Events-in-Toronto-GTA-for-Kids/

 

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Special Activities, What's On in Parkdale

Celebrating Autumn with your Child

September 22, 2018 by Creating Together

In a blog we posted last April about the importance of traditions, we pointed out that around the world, traditions and rituals in family life are linked to increased happiness, emotional well-being, and a greater sense of identity in children. Whether it’s Sunday dinners, birthdays, or family game night, having routines that you do as a “family” is important on many levels.

The Autumn Equinox September 22nd also marks the first day of fall! This makes for the perfect time to honour the turn of another season with your child. If you’re interested in sparking a love of autumn through some family fun, here are a few ideas:

1. Learn some fun facts about the Equinox

The word equinox is derived from Latin, meaning “equal night.” On each equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are said to be equal. The equinoxes are considered a day of balance because day and night are approximately the same lengths. One equinox happens in March (Spring Equinox), and the other in the fall (Autumn Equinox). Here are some fun activities to do with your child, to help them understand the meaning of the fall equinox: https://www.kidzworld.com/article/2526-autumn-equinox

2. Create a seasonal rhythm for the home

Use this time to create a seasonal rhythm in your home – this will help you get things done and create balance in the home.  Children thrive on routines. Some are daily, some are weekly, and they can also be seasonal. Equinoxes are a great time for getting rid of clutter, letting go of those unused toys and giving away the outgrown cloths. Once those things are let go of, a seasonal bucket list is great way to get everybody involved in what they’d like to do the coming season.

3. Have a fall scavenger hunt

CBC has a great “print and play” autumn scavenger hunt guide online. Or, if you aren’t up for organizing it yourself, consider going to one at Evergreen Brickworks.

4. Create a fall nature table

Nature tables give children the opportunity to play with objects found in nature, helping them notice the little changes that happen when a season shifts, and connect with the natural world. They also create a sensory experience for the child, and can be used for pretend or imaginative play. Consider what the season represents for your family’s culture, values, beliefs, celebrations. Then, go around your home with that in mind and you’d be surprised what you can find (rocks, leaves, sticks, acorns, pine cones, seasonal art and crafts, silks and candles in the season, fall books for kids, etc)! Put these together, and voila!

*Of course, include only objects that are safe for your child to handle. Keep small and breakable objects off the table until you think your child is mature enough to handle them.

5. Go on a family nature walk in High Park

This is a great opportunity for young ones who need to get out, and are no longer using a stroller (but you can carry babies in a carrier of course). “Grandparents, parents, teens, children and babies alike will love this chance to discover the natural wonders in High Park’s incredible savannahs, woodlands and wetlands. Walks are led by our amazing nature interpreters, as well as the High Park Rangers and the High Park Eagles Youth.”

Calendar of upcoming High Park Family Nature Walks

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Tips and Tools Tagged With: equinox, fall, family traditions, Nature Play

Annual Summer Picnic a Great Success!

September 3, 2018 by Creating Together

We were all in wonderful company and the weather was on our side, at this year’s annual Summer Picnic at Fuller Park.

An old African proverb comes to mind: “it takes a village to raise a child“.

Certainly, when so many families and caregivers come together from different backgrounds to interact with the children of Parkdale, it creates an amazing experience for these children, of safety, happiness, and community.

There was a wonderful turnout, as family and friends of Creating Together gathered from all over Parkdale for an afternoon of feasting, games, face painting and splash pad fun!

It was the perfect way to celebrate an eventful summer, and the incredible community that Creating Together has created for all of us.

Thank you everybody for coming out and

making this such a wonderful day!

 

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Special Activities

Summer Outdoor Art Activity #6: Paint Splat Tape Art

August 24, 2018 by Creating Together

There’s something super fun about paint splatting, and this outdoor activity courtesy of “Buggy and Buddy” gives an added dimension…Tape!

Courtesy of “Buggy and Buddy”

Materials: 

  • Some white paper (e.g., thick watercolour paper)
  • Paint brushes
  • Paints in various colours (e.g., BioColor, Tempera)
  • Blue/Green painter’s tape

Steps:

  1. Place pieces of  painter’s tape all over our blank paper. Your child may be able to tear their own tape and use the pieces to make a pattern.
  2. Prepare paint in plastic cups and added a brush to each.
  3. Set up your materials outside so the kids can feel free to create without worrying about making a mess. Tape them to a log or weigh the corners down with rocks. Set up the paint cups of paint nearby.
  4. Offer a demonstration in splatting and have the kids take it from there!
  5. Allow the art to dry
  6. Bring the artwork inside, remove the tape, and reveal your designs!
Courtesy of “Buggy and Buddy”

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Tips and Tools

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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

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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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