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Celebrating Canada Day at Creating Together

July 13, 2017 by Creating Together

Children with their families and caregivers came to Creating Together to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary this month. A wonderful time was had by all, honouring the shared history, symbols, and values that define us as Canadians.

If you’re looking for more, here are some ways to honour Canada throughout the year with your children:

  • Check out the very best of Canadian literature for children with this “One Hundred Best” list from Kids Space (Toronto Public Library)
  • Learn more about Canada with National Geographic’s Canada Country Profile, offering information about Nature, Geography, People and Cultures of Canada
  • Understand the meaning behind the symbols of the Parliment of Canada with this great online resource, “Searching for Symbols” offering games, a symbols gallery, and symbols tour!
  • CBC’s “Best of Canada” video playlist – their favorite Canadian videos, all about Canada (below), offering a fun spotlight on what it is to be Canadian

Filed Under: Family Playtime, Special Activities Tagged With: Art, Canada Day

Busy Bodies Creates Healthy Communities

May 17, 2017 by Creating Together

Did you know that children who aren’t active enough are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular illnesses? On the other hand, adequate levels (60 minutes/day) of physical activity helps children:

  • develop cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and bone density
  • maintain a healthy body weight
  • reduce the risk of chronic disease and health problems
  • lessen the likelihood of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
  • feel better every day, through improved mental health and well-being

 

In 2013, only 1 in 10 children in Canada met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, so efforts are being made across the country to support children and their families in making physical activity a regular part of their daily living. Making regular physical activity a habit at an early age will provide your child with lifelong benefits. Adults with higher levels of activity are able to carry out their daily tasks more easily and with less fatigue and, later in life, enjoy lower rates of bone loss associated with osteoporosis while also maintaining strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

What Can You Do to Help?

As childcare providers, caregivers, and parents, we all play an important role in the development of good health habits in children. Children under the age of six are constantly learning by copying what they see and hear, being more likely to develop healthy attitudes and adopt healthy behaviours when they see and hear positive health habits at home, at childcare and at school.

 

Here are a few tips to help teach children the importance of daily physical activity:

  • Encourage – gently encourage them to walk or ride their bikes
  • Schedule – be sure there is active time scheduled each day
  • Mix it up – intersperse periods of moderate activity (e.g., walking or biking) with periods of more vigorous activity (e.g., running or or tag)
  • Register – check with the Fun Guide, local schools and community centres for affordable programs (e.g., swimming, soccer, gymnastics)
  • Unstructured Activity – For children who shy away from competition, build in physical activities that are informal and unstructured (e.g., tag)
  • Mimicry – children under the age of six are constantly learning by copying what they see and hear, so set a positive example by being physically active as a family.
  • Praise – remember to praise your children for being active. Confidence is the key to success!
  • Share – reinforce positive health messages with other parents and caregivers, with information about physical activity, healthy eating and self-esteem
  • Let us Help! At Creating Together, we apply the City of Toronto’s Rainbow Fun Guide in our programming – a physical activity and healthy eating program for children 3-6 years old.  Through this program, children build on skills like listening, singing, movement and participation, while developing their fine and gross motor skills.  Keep your eye out in our calendar for the busy body exercise cards, parachute play, and scarf dancing.

 

Other Resources:

  • Handbook for Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living –
  • Fitness Tax Credit – Allows parents to claim up to $500 a year for each child under 16 years of age or under 18 years of age if eligible for the disability tax credit, at the beginning of the year in which an eligible fitness expense was paid.
  • Towards a Healthier Canada – 2015 Progress report on advancing the federal / provincial / territorial framework on healthy weights.

 

 

Filed Under: Family Playtime Tagged With: busy bodies, children, health, physical activity, rainbow fun guide

Helping Children Thrive by Celebrating Traditions

April 21, 2017 by Creating Together

Did you know that of the 54,000 people living in Parkdale, 40% have a Mother Tongue other than English or French (Ward 14 Census, 2011)? At Creating Together, we celebrate the diversity of Parkdale as a place where people bring together their cultures and values, creating a safe and fun environment for children and families to thrive.

In fact, research since the 1950s shows us that no matter which language you speak or where you are from in 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. If you’re looking to create a family routine, take a look at our calendar and consider joining us for a weekly activity like Literacy Mondays, or Family Playtime every day at 9:30!

Last week, we celebrated Easter with the age-old traditions of egg decorating, egg hunting, and of course the sharing of food. In many cultures around the world, the egg is a symbol of new life, fertility and rebirth. Traditionally used as gifts during the holidays of Easter or springtime, egg decorating extends across many cultures, and the children of Creating Together had a wonderful time decorating with their parents and caregivers.

Mark Your Calenders!

Coming up, we help families and caregivers celebrate Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14th) and Father’s Day (Sunday, June 4th), so don’t forget to join us the week of May 8th-12th and May 29th-June 2nd to create some loving gifts for mom & dad!

Also coming up on May 6th, is our Annual General Meeting. This is a great opportunity to meet the Board, celebrate all that we have accomplished to date, and make suggestions for moving forward. Please confirm by April 28th if you’ll be attending (details in the invitation to the right).

We hope to see you there!

Filed Under: Announcements, Family Playtime, Special Activities

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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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