By Alicia Mancini
Special Collaboration
Dawson’s toddler programs have been around since the 1960’s and this week will mark the return of BGC Dawson’s Early Childhood Education Program. We are proud to offer free activities with memberships and each program is created for children who are not yet in elementary school and range in age from newborn to five years old. We are also proud to offer programming for parents.
Located on the second floor of our centre, the ECE room is an inviting space that is transformed every week into a new theme. Our goal is for every child to feel like they have entered the storybook that will be the main focal point of the weekly lesson.
For the next 6 weeks, BGC Dawson is offering respite programs, where we will be highlighting six of our highly anticipated theme activities. We will start the programming with the classic Old MacDonald, then moving to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, the Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, The Little Engine that Could, and our finale will be The Snowy Day. Your toddlers and babies will be learning through play, while they enhance each of their five childhood developmental stages.
We know that often, parents like to peak into the room to see what their child is doing. Here is an example of what they might see: While it will appear that your child is simply playing with playdough, they are actually working on their fine motor skills, imagination and socialization. It is also meant to be a very calming activity for the children.
Every activity offered is crafted to help support the development of your child. For each session, the parents will receive a newsletter that will highlight what developmental stage we are working on. The ECE program not only offers age specific programs to toddlers, but also for postnatal families as well. On Wednesday morning, BGC Dawson offers a space that parents can come with their baby (up to 12 months old) to socialize, connect and learn fun, stimulating activities to do with their babies.
What can you expect in the winter ? Music programs, pre k readiness programs, baby massage, Karibou and the return of parenting programs! While your little one is enjoying their fun upstairs, parents are welcomed to stay in the parents’ program, where they can connect with other parents in the community and participate in activities that are developed around their interests. There will also be food, coffee and tea provided!
For more information, you can contact Cindy Cohen at cindy.cohen@bgcdawson.ca or 514-767-9967 ext 234. See you soon!
