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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

Early Learning with Science

June 26, 2017 by Creating Together

Discovering together at the Ontario Science Centre field trip.

Pablo Picasso once said that “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” In an article in Wired Magazine, they presented the idea that the same can be said about children and science, because of how they learn through curiosity and play – and how that innate curiosity can easily be lost as they age.

There is a growing understanding and recognition of the power of children’s early thinking and learning as well as a belief that science may be a particularly important domain in early childhood, serving not only to build a basis for future scientific understanding but also to build important skills and attitudes for learning (K. Worth, 2010).

So how can parents, teachers, and caregivers navigate the fine line between giving kids a taste of fact & knowledge, while also creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty? Jonah Leher suggests “When we explain things to kids, we shouldn’t pretend that we have all the answers. We shouldn’t turn science class into a dry recitation of facts that must be memorized, or only conduct experiments in the classroom in which the results are known in advance. Because it’s the not knowing – that tang of doubt and possibility – that keeps us playing with the world, eager to figure out how it works”.

So if you’re ready to take this further, you’d be happy to know that Toronto has some great programs available. Let’s take a look!

Let’s Talk Science

This award-winning, Canadian, charitable organization is focused on education and outreach to support youth development. They create and deliver unique learning programs and services that engage children, youth and educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). They are passionate about promoting “science literacy” because doing science develops our ability to ask questions, collect information, organize and test our ideas, problem-solve and apply what we learn. It also offers a powerful platform for building confidence, developing communication skills and making sense of the world around us – a world that is increasingly shaped by science and technology.

They create, test and deliver free curriculum-aligned workshops for children and youth ages 3-17. For a list of sample workshops, check out our hands-on/minds-on workshops. If you’re interested in a specific topic, contact your local outreach site and they’ll work with you to fit the your class or group’s needs.

The Ontario Science Centre

Based on Toronto, the Science Centre is the public centre for innovative thinking and discussion around science and technology, inspiring a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. Their purpose is to delight, inform and challenge the communities they serve. They enrich people’s lives and their understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. If you can afford it, a yearly membership starts at $125 (2 adults and 2 children for the year).

Museum Admission Passes

If the cost of entry for the Science Centre is too high for you, consider an early Saturday morning line-up at our local Parkdale Library. Although the library doesn’t open until 9am, the line-up usually starts between 6am-7am on a Saturday morning because of all the free family admission passes they provide the community. The Ontario Science Centre is one of many passes they have available, and allows 2 adults and up to 4 children entry. You might also consider a pass to the Royal Ontario Museum for some science discovery. Don’t forget to make sure your library card is up to date and all fines are paid before you go!

Children’s Discovery Centre

This was Toronto’s only children’s museum, designed and staffed by a team of early childhood development professionals for kids aged 0 to 6 years to play, create, get messy, explore and use their imagination. Although their pilot program is over and their test location is now closed, this wonderful program has decided to launch a fundraising campaign to create a permanent location. To buy a brick and support their initiative, go here: http://www.childrensdiscoverycentre.com/support-us/

Filed Under: Featured, Special Activities

Family Baking: Healthy Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins

June 13, 2017 by Creating Together

On the first Tuesday of every month, Creating Together families come together to create a healthy muffin to share for snack. This month, we tried our hand at Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins!

Pumpkin is great source of beta-carotene, vitamin A and fiber. It is rich in carotenoids (health-enhancing antioxidants). Beta-carotene is important for maintaining healthy eyes, lungs, heart function and circulation. With summer around the corner, days can become a bit more hectic and scheduling healthy snacks throughout the day may be challenging. Take a look at the recipe card provided here, and save it for a fun summer activity!

 

Filed Under: Recipes, Special Activities

Fire Safety: Getting the Conversation Started

May 31, 2017 by Creating Together

Did you know that 7 out of 10 fires in Canada occur at home, with most occurring in the kitchen, and residential cooking being the leading cause of fire-related deaths? Please take a moment, and read through these helpful, life-saving tips for Kitchen Fire Safety.

And why stop there? Protect your family and home from fire with smoke alarms and by planning your escape, and raising awareness within your family about fire safety. Take a look at these kits and children’s activities, to help you get the conversation started:

  • Escape Plan Kit
  • Plan Your Escape Brochure
  • Multi-Lingual Fire Safety Information
  • Colouring Pages for Kids (Fire Prevention Canada)

To support families in the process, on May 19th Creating Together families and caregivers enjoyed an exciting trip out to the Parkdale Fire Station on Lansdowne Avenue. The kids enjoyed meeting the firefighters, and learning about fire safety. As always, the staff at our local fire station were great with the kids, and a great time was had by all.

A huge thank you to the Fire Fighters of our city, for the work they do in keeping us safe!

 

Filed Under: Featured, Special Activities

Gratitude and Support for Families

May 25, 2017 by Creating Together

Family is the single most important influence in a child’s life. From their first moments of life, children depend on parents and family to ensure they are safe and their needs are met. Parents and family form a child’s first relationships, preparing them for the world around them. And certainly, children thrive when parents are able to actively promote their positive growth and development. However, every parent knows that it’s sometimes difficult to do this important work without help, support, and additional resources.

Creating Together is committed to supporting parents and caregivers, understanding the vital role they play in nurturing the healthy growth and development of children. Here are a few examples:

Mothers and Fathers Day: Traditions of Gratitude

Last month, we honoured and celebrated Mothers Day with a lovely day of food, crafts, and activities.

It was beautiful to witness the moms and caregivers come out to celebrate and share this special tradition of gratitude and motherhood with the children of our community.  A lovely time was had by all! Keep in touch regarding what our plans are for Father’s Day next month!

Parent Relief Program

At Creating Together, we know how busy it can get being a parent. This is why we offer our Parent Relief Program every Thursday from 10am-2pm. If you haven’t tried it out yet, come in and ask the staff how it works. They’d be more than happy to share with you how to sign up, tips for nurturing the transition for your children, and when you can get started!

Parenting Workshops and Information Sessions

It can be hard to attend workshops and information sessions when you have a busy little one. Not an issue at Creating Together. Whether it’s a workshop in Toddler Food prep (Next visit: June 14th), or an onsite visit from a Health Nurse (Next visit: June 26th) to answer questions, we make it possible for parents and caregivers to access expert advice on important topics, in a child-friendly environment.

Toy Library 

Toys are expensive, and your child’s interests shift constantly. With the Toy Library, families and caregivers can borrow fun, educational toys all year long.

Clothing Exchange

Located in the storage cabinets in the kitchen, this program gives families the opportunity to bring cloths they don’t need any longer, and borrow cloths that would be helpful.

Resource Library

The Resource Library, located near the sign-up sheet at the front of the Centre, offers tips and tools for parents and caregivers on a wide range of topics. If there’s something you’re working through and you’d like to take a look at the literature, swing by – you can browse our collection yourself, or ask one of the staff for some guidance on a particular topic. Further resources online can be found on ParentsCanada.

See our Calendar for a listing of what’s on this month.

Filed Under: Special Activities Tagged With: Clothing Exchange, Parent Relief, Resource Library, Toy Library, Workshops

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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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