Make Your Own Toys

Here are some ideas for making your own toys just in time for the holidays! 

Feel and Tell Box
Cut two identical 2” squares of different textured materials such as velvet, corduroy, rug samples, sandpaper.  Glue one square to the top of a shoe box.  Glue the other square to a piece of cardboard and place inside the box.  At the end of the she shoe box, cut a circle large enough for a child’s hand to reach in.  The child then reaches in to feel a square and tries to match it to the lid without looking.  The square can be removed from the box to see if the correct match is made or to make the game easier for small children.

Box Camera
Decorate a small box to look like a camera.  A button can be used for the lens, yarn for the camera strap, and a red circle for the ‘on’ button.  Cut a slit in the top of the box so that your ‘photos’ can be placed inside.  ‘Photos’ can be magazine cut-outs, child’s drawings, or even real photos of your child.  The child then takes the picture, counts to ten, and pulls out the ‘photo’.

Scoop Catch
Wash fabric softener bottle thoroughly and cut off the bottom on an angle.  Decorate the scoop.  Child grasps the scoop using bottle handle and tries to catch a ball.  Younger children can roll the ball back and forth to each other with the scoops.

Natural Materials Add Wonder

Offering children an array of natural materials at the playdough table can encourage interesting design work.  Things such as polished stones, sprigs of rosemary, massage tools, and wooden cutting boards integrate an interesting array of designs.  The rosemary adds a beautiful scent opening an awareness of senses and is also beautiful to look at.

Creative Play Tip of the Day

A supply of columned paper encourages children to draw the steps in how to make things.  These can be used as directions or recipes by other children.

Hyde Park Santa Parade

As a member of the Hyde Park Lions Club, our Board President Matt Brown is helping organize their first ever Santa Claus Parade along Gainsborough Road on Saturday, November 28 from 11 a.m.  

The parade with begin at Sherwood Forest Mall and travel west on Gainsborough Road.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be available along Gainsborough Road,  so bring a lawn chair, pick out a good location, and enjoy the parade! 

The parade is operated by the Hyde Park Lions Club as a service to the Community.  Any profits will be used for Lions programs and community betterment. 

Plans are underway to have many community groups take part with parade participants collecting non-perishable foods to support the local food banks and the Salvation Army.  Canada Post staff will be collecting those important “Letters to Santa” and much more.  

Here’s the facebook event page .

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Matt. 

Ideas for Fall Outdoor Activities

As the weather changes, outdoor activities change.  The cooler days of fall are ideal for long walks of discovery.  Pack a snack of cut fruit, cheese curds, crackers or finger sandwiches and some water to drink.  Walking in familiar places makes changes more noticeable. 

Watch for:

• Flowers turning brown
• Leaves changing colour and drying
• Birds and animals gathering food
• Pets growing heavier coats

Encourage children to:

• Look, smell, feel and think
• Collect pebbles, twigs, leaves, pine cones, wild flowers
• Hug some trees and decide which is largest, smoothest, friendliest

Use nature collections for crafts and to decorate at home:

• Make a branch mobile with leaves and nuts.
• Dip leaves, feathers, evergreen sprigs, etc. in paint and then press onto paper.
• Adopt an abandoned spider web by sprinkling it gently with talcum powder – lift it by placing a sheet of black construction paper underneath.
• Create a table centrepiece of acorns, pine cones, pebbles in a glass jar, or flowers dried by hanging upside-down.
• Preserve leaves by pressing between wax paper (cereal and cracker boxes have super wax bag liners) or use a placemat-size piece.  Place gathered “treasures” on one piece of wax paper.  You could shave crayon pieces with a grater, cut out magazine letters to create a name or add magazine pictures for added interest.  Place another piece of wax paper on top and iron gently (no steam) to melt together.
• Press leaves between sheets of wax paper placed under a heavy book.  Preserve leaves permanently by covering with clear MacTac.  Cut around leaves leaving 1/16” MacTac around edges.  Hang these in a window to twirl and sparkle in the sunlight.
• Place a leaf or two under paper, rub the top of the paper with a crayon to see the leaves appear magically.
• Create an apple face with miniature marshmallows or raisins.
• Use apple chunks to add to muffins or pancakes.  Share a cooking experience!
• Use apple pieces dipped in paint or pudding to make apple prints.

The colder weather of early winter brings out mittens and scarves.  The changing textures of clothes and dropping temperatures can be discovered.

• The ground is hard.
• We see our breath.
• We hope for snow.
• Watch the grey sky, and move quickly when outdoors to stay warm.  Play FREEZE! – then HOP – FREEZE, JUMP-FREEZE and so on.  Let the children take turns calling freeze.

Parenting Circles

Project Overview

Childreach applied for Community Services Innovation Funding from the City of London in December 2008.  The proposal was accepted and will help to fund the development of parenting support circles in the Kipps Lane area.  This is a time-limited project.  It began in September 2009 and will end in the spring/summer of 2010.

This project will engage parents of children (0-13 yrs) in the Kipps Lane area.  Community surveys have indicated that families living in this area struggle with issues of isolation, poverty, language, literacy, and employment.  There are many single parent, immigrant, and young parent families.  The issues they face decrease their quality of life.  If we can influence the impact of these issues in positive ways, we can reduce the long-term negative impact on the development of young children, creating pride and hope for their future.  We will build on the existing strengths in this neighbourhood by providing leadership training and coaching to six parents with regards to facilitation of ongoing parent support groups.

Parent Leaders will be selected from this neighbourhood and represent diversity in age, gender and culture.  Monthly leadership sessions will be followed up with monthly parent circles (comprised of parents from the neighbourhood).  Topics for discussion will be determined by the participants.  Parents often request information and support regarding positive discipline, finding community resources, feeling more confident about their parenting, and stress management.  Childminding will be provided.  Snacks will be prepared by participants (funding will be provided for food purchases).  Feedback regarding group facilitation will be provided by the mentor after each parenting circle.  Subsequent leadership training will involve goal setting, problem-solving, reflection, and resource-seeking skill development. 

This initiative emphasizes citizen engagement and community development.  By building the capacity of parents living in this area, the project will build on the work of the City of London, ongoing work of community organizations, and countless individuals.  The project will also contribute toward strengthening the uniqueness and resourcefulness of the community.  An honorarium will be given to group facilitators for the duration of the project, and it is hoped that parents will continue to see the value of meeting together to improve understanding and increase support to one another.  This project will create an opportunity for community development and family leadership.

If you or someone you know would be interested in joining the parenting circles, please call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38.  Meetings are held at Northbae Public School, 335 Belfield St. here in London.  Dates to be announced.

Bullying: The Role of the Bystander

Childreach, in partnership with UWO, the City of London,  and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, is hosting a FREE workshop for parents on Thursday, November 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Dr. Claire Crooks will speak about the impact of the bystander, current research findings, and practical strategies. 

To register or for more information, call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38.

New Executive Director

After a thoughtful process, the Board of Directors of Childreach is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne McKay to the position of Executive Director effective immediately.  We are confident that given Anne’s extensive experience with this organization and within this community that she is exceptionally well suited to lead Childreach moving forward.

Anne has a long history of success throughout her over 20 years of experience with Childreach.  Most recently Anne served as the Program Manager for the organization where she managed the London system of Ontario Early Years Centres for London North Centre and was responsible for all aspects of Childreach programming in our community.  Anne’s dedication to children and families, to building community partnerships and to the Childreach team will be important assets in her role as Executive Director and will serve the organization well moving forward.

As Childreach approaches its 35^th anniversary in the coming year, we are excited about the vision and leadership that Anne brings to her new position in our organization.  We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with you as we work together to serve children and families from our community.

Childreach has a very proud history – and it has a bright future.  Please join us in welcoming Anne to her new role.

Sincerely

Matt Brown, Board President

Local Artist Donates Her Time & Skills

Childreach is thrilled to show off the new mural painting in our centre lobby!  Veronica Diago, a local artist, donated her time and skills to paint a brilliant futuristic playground wonderland.   Thank you, Veronica! 

If you’re interested in Veronica’s work, you can find her on Etsy and Flickr.  She also has a blog!

Open House Invitation

Childreach and Community Living London are pleased to announce the blending of the Toy Lending Library and the Teach and Play Program at Childreach, 265 Maitland St.

Please join Childreach Board President Matt Brown and Community Living London Board President Ann Hutchison at an Open House on Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. to celebrate this exciting partnership.

Please RSVP to Jane Powers by email or by phone at 519-434-3644 x36.