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The Fathers Network is an 8-week group for dads run by dads that looks at ways for men to be better fathers to their children. The group may include biological fathers, step-fathers, same-sex fathers, and males who are in a parenting role. It is also open to first time fathers or soon-to-be fathers. Call Steve Didham at 519-455-9000 for more information.
We also have two “dad-specific” workshops coming in the New Year at Childreach :
Play With Me Daddy
Saturday, January 23 from 10 am to 12 noon – for dads to learn the importance of play and how it builds the father/child relationship.
Infant Massage
Saturdays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 10 to 11 am – for dads and their babies under 6 months of age. Build a special connection!
Register online or call us for more information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“Children are miracles. Believing that every child is a miracle transforms the way we design for children’s care. When we invite a miracle into our lives, we prepare ourselves and the environment around us. We may set out flowers or special offerings. We may cleanse ourselves, the space, or our thoughts of everything but the love inside us. We make it our job to create with reverence and gratitude, a space that is worthy of a miracle. Actions follow thoughts. We can choose to change. We can choose to design spaces for miracles, not minimums.”
- Anita Rui Olds, author of Child Care Design Guide
I’m a Little Apple (to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little apple
Short and round
I make a crunchy
Munchy sound
If you bite into me
You will see
I’m delicious
As can be
Two Green Apples
Way up high
In an apple tree
Two green apples
Smiled at me.
So I shook that tree
As hard as I could
And down fell the apples
Mmm, mmm, good.
Serve with apples.
- 1 bottle liquid detergent
- 1 small bottle of glycerine
- Water (amount will vary depending on number of children)
- Wire loops
Mix 1 cup of detergent with 1 tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of glycerine. Mixture should be smooth. Test by dipping in the bubble wand and blowing.
Pick a lot of dandelions – the ones with the thickest stems are the best. Peel the stems length-wise from either end and then submerse in a bucket of water. It’s fascinating to watch the stems curl into all shapes. No two are the same!
