By Chad Polito
Special to Dawson
Formally known as the Parents and Tots Program, Dawson’s new Early Childhood Education (ECE) program has some exciting plans for 2022. The newly designed ECE program has the same community feel that parents have come to know and trust but with an added focus on childhood development activities. The new structure includes 4-week session blocks with each session having a theme. All the activities will be centered on the monthly theme and will work on the global development of the child.
Through play-based learning, our team of educators will emphasise social/emotional activities. In fact, each activity is focused on enhancing your child’s 5 stages of development: cognitive, speech/language, social/emotional, fine motor, and gross motor. What may look like children just playing with playdough is actually them working on their fine motor skills. Parents will receive a copy of each activity their child will be doing and what developmental stage they are working on.
“It’s been a long two years and the ECE program is here not only for your toddler but for parents too,” says Cindy Cohen, Children’s Programs Coordinator at BGC Dawson. “We offer parent-child activities during the week as well as respite twice a week for parents who need a break.”
At BGC Dawson, parents can expect a safe and happy environment where their children will experience an educational learning environment that is full of fun and games. While their child is learning, parents have the option to stay in the building and interact with other parents or may leave during age specific programs. Vaccination passports are required if the parent is staying and for parent-child activities. BGC Dawson follows all public health protocols and as such medical masks are mandatory.
Want to learn more? Why not stop by the open house at BGC Dawson on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Two time slots are available: 9 am to 11am for newborns -3 years old and 12:00pm to 1:30pm for children 3-5 years old. All are welcome to come by to meet Sarah and Lizzy, our new ECE team, and to get familiar with the ECE room. “I invite parents to check out our Facebook videos this week where Sarah and Lizzy will be providing some online content to get to know them and their favorite books!” concludes Cindy.
All ECE classes are free and can be accessed with a $15 annual membership to BGC Dawson. For more information and to register, please contact Cindy Cohen at cindy.cohen@bgcdawson.ca.
