What's On in Parkdale Archives | Creating Together Parkdale

September Calendar

September 5, 2019 by Melanie

Creating Together staff are back n full swing after a wonderful summer break, and excited to bring families a great September program calendar!

If you anything missing on our calendar that you’d like to see in our program, please come in and let us know!

Inter-generational Programming

Every day, children come with parents and caregivers of every day. In addition, wach month, we spend Circle Time with the senior citizens at White Eagle Residence. We sing songs together, read stories and chat with the residents. This month we’ll be doing this on September 5th from 10:45-11:15am. Meet us there, or walk over with us from Creating Together.

Healthy Eating

On September 12th, we invite you all to join us for a cooking activity at 9:30am. Also, our regular monthly guest, Marcella, will be offering a Toddler Food Prep workshop on September 18th at 10am.

Physical Activity

Busy Bodies exercise cards continues Wednesday the 4th and 18th from 10:45-11:00am and 2:15-2:30, using pictures to prompt kids to get moving! The exercises help to promote gross motor movements, improve posture, and promote concentration while enhancing language and vocabulary.

Rainbow Fun is another activity we will be holding September 16th from 10:45-11:00am, and 2:15-2:30. The Rainbow Fun Physical Activity Program was produced by the City of Toronto & The Grey Bruce Health Unit. We choose different physical activities for each session and adapt them as needed to suit the children’s developmental level. We always start with a warm-up and stretches, and we finish with a cool down.

You also won’t want to miss Scarf Dancing September 6th at 10:45am, and Parachute Play September 20th at 1:15pm.

Public Health and Inclusion

This month, Toronto Public Health Nurse will be returning September 25th so please join us and bring your questions and concerns at 10am.

Also, on September 26th at 12:30, we are welcoming guests from the Glitter Bug Program from the 519 LBTTQ2S EarlyON Mobile Program. They will be joining us for circle and sharing resources with staff and families. Join us and help us create safe, affirming, equitable spaces for everyone!

Literacy

Each Monday from 9:30-10:30am and 1:30-2:30pm is “Literacy Monday”, where children read and sing along with parents/caregivers and a staff member. This program is designed for one-on-one or small group storytelling, featuring developmentally appropriate books and CDs. Children also have a choice to listen to a story with headphones on their own.

In addition, every day at 1pm we gather and read a story together as a group for Story Time, to help children become familiar with sounds, words, language and the value of books. Together, we can build your child’s early literacy skills, helping them go on to read successfully later in life.

Music

We’ll be getting into a groove together with Circle Time with Musical Instruments on Tuesdays from 11:00-11:30 and 2:30-3:00pm.

Annual Summer Picnic Kicks Off Summer Holidays

August 1, 2019 by Melanie

Each year, Creating together welcomes children with their families and caregivers to enjoy a day of food and festivities at our local park.

This year, we’ll be having our annual picnic on August 8th, and hope you can make it!

We also close each year for summer holidays, and this picnic is our way of kicking off our summer holidays with a great celebration together.

Prioritizing Self-Care in Summer Months

July 27, 2019 by Melanie

With summer here and school out, the kids are home. Some look forward to it and some can’t wait for it to be over. Either way, it’s important to make self-care a priority.

Here are 5 tips to save your sanity and keep those stress-levels down so you can be the best you can be this summer:

Create a routine – for tips on how to create a healthy summer routine with your kids, check out this blog: https://gradepowerlearning.com/creating-a-summer-routine-for-children/
Take yourself out once and a while – schedule time to energize yourself with some me-time, be it a yoga class, a night out with friends, or a date night with your partner.
Be intentional about developing a connection with your child(ren) – when you fill your relationship up emotionally, it creates space for other things, and builds up a more meaningful relationship between you and your child(ren).
Get involved with community activities – be it a week-long camp or a day out at a local festival, schedule some time in your local community. For a list of things to do in Toronto, check out this link: https://www.toronto.com/parkdale-toronto-on-events/
Make exercising and healthy meal planning a family activity. This not only gets things done, but you’ll all feel better in your bodies. Here’s a list of 5 great ways to incorporate your child(ren) into your exercise routine: https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/fitness/a29404/exercising-with-children/. Also, here are some tips from KidsHealth on how to involve children in meal tasks: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=1465&language=English

Do you have other concerns about your family’s health and well-being? Join us at our upcoming Nurse Visit on August 7th at 10am.

Summer Fun in the Hood

July 4, 2019 by Melanie

Looking for some fun things to do with your child / children this month? Well, one of the beautiful things about Toronto is that it sure has a lot to offer families. Here are just a few things happening in our neighbourhood:

Pop-up Skatepark Saturdays at Ontario Place

This skatepark made of Freshpark ramps offers quarter pipes, rails, and fun boxes complete with an awesome view of the CN Tower!

Have your own skate gear? The skatepark is open daily from 10am – 6pm. If you need to rent gear or interested in taking a lesson, CJ’s Skatepark staff will be onsite every Saturday between 12-5pm to offer up some great lessons!

Magic with Scott Dietrich at the High Park Public Library

On Wednesday, July 17th from 2-3pm, popular and award winning Toronto magician Scott Dietrich comes to the High Park Public Library to put on a magic show for ages 12 and under and their caregivers.

Drop in, however space is limited. Large groups and camps should contact High Park branch in advance.

Art in the Park: An Outdoor Painting Event for Parent and Child

For children 6yrs old and their caregiver(s), “Art in the Park” is a 3 part series presented by Mama Soul Living. The event, held July 13th in High Park, will be coupled parent and child creating art together on one canvas. This event for the child will be Fun, Creative and for the parent, Connected, intimate. Both will get to know eachother at an equal level.

Both of you will have fun! and create art together!

Star Wars Day

This free event, held at the Toronto Public Library at 228 Roncesvalles on July 25th from 2-3pm, invites all those over 6yrs of age and their caregivers to come in costumes and celebrate all things Star Wars!

Museum of Contemporary Art

Mark Dion’s “Life of a Dead Tree” – May 24-July 28

“Life of a Dead Tree” by Mark Dion is an exhibit that brings attention to our role in observing and caring for Ontario’s natural ecosystems. With the support of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto and other partners, visitors can observe and participate in a kind-of autopsy of the tree that will unfold over the course of a two-month exhibition period. This shared investigation will remove, preserve and document all the various life forms the tree continues to support.

Most importantly, the project will act as a site for conversations around specific pernicious, invasive insects threatening North American forests, such as the Emerald Ash Borer and Elm Bark Beetle. Everything from beetles to liverworts, fungi to bug galleries will be revealed during the examination.

CultureLink’s Annual Picnic in High Park

CultureLink’s Summer Picnic was an annual tradition that got lost some years ago. But we are happy to announce that we are bringing it back!

Join our family and bring yours to enjoy a BBQ and an afternoon of outdoor fun. Food, drinks and games on us. All you have to do is RSVP(*) and count the days to July 27th. We’ll be at High Park’s Picnic Area #14, across the road from the Outdoor Pool. See you there!

Nature Play for Spring!

April 1, 2019 by Melanie

Even though it may seem like Winter is hanging on, Spring is certainly here – and with that, comes some great opportunities to get outside, and enjoy the benefits that nature has to offer.

We wanted to share some great activities coming up, to celebrate the nature of the season with your children in Toronto.

Children’s Garden Revamp at Evergreen Brickworks: This month’s theme at Evergreen is “Earth Month”. Come enjoy play, art and stewardship in celebration of the earth and it’s creatures! Hop on a free shuttle bus from Broadview Station, and get involved with the Children’s Garden Revamp this month! https://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/evergreen-brick-works/.
Riverdale Farm Field Trip: Explore the trails, visit the barns, and see the farm animals!
Sorauren Farmers Market: Open every Monday from 3-7pm, the Sorauren Farmers Market isn’t an outdoor affair until May – but the park and indoor vendors make for a great outing right here in Parkdale. Its also a great opportunity to teach your children the importance of shopping locally, and creating a healthy relationship with healthy food. It also has an incredible unobstructed view of the night sky for evening star gazers!
Signs of Spring Detective Quest: Spend a day in High Park looking for the signs of Spring. Become nature detectives and find buds, sprouts, mud, robins, while enjoying the trails, castle playground, and zoo!
Create a Nature Table: Bring some items from outside inside, and throw in some symbols of the season: eggs, seeds, flowers…create a tactile learning centre that brings your child’s senses in tune with the season. Take a look at these photos on Pinterest for some inspiration: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/45458277473802237/

More 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