For the love of children
Fun and friendship await kids and parents during drop-in play sessions
It’s a quick turnaround. Every Tuesday morning, Marianne David and Wendy Hill, arrive downstairs at St. Pius X Church in Charlottetown to set up for drop-in play.
Thirty minutes later, these early childhood educators from CHANCES have unpacked their toys, teaching materials and art supplies, transforming an empty classroom into a fully functioning children’s learning centre.
In one corner, a blue sandbox, plastic bugs, flowers, gardening gloves and tools await tiny fingers.
In the infant centre, quilts, soft blankets and baby toys create a cozy nest for the little ones.
In a blue tent, books and puzzles await children needing a quiet peaceful space.
In the dramatic play area, there are costumes for preschoolers who like to dress up as well as a toy kitchen for those who like to bake or clean up afterwards.
The eager early childhood educators have even remembered to bring along fresh strawberries, carrot strips and tiny crackers for the mid-morning snack as well as purple playdough with sparkles for free time.
“It’s fresh. I just made it. You have to think of everything,” says David with a smile.
An outsider can only imagine all the preparation that goes on behind-the-scenes to create the relaxing and learning environment that makes each session special for the preschoolers and infants who will start arriving at 9:30 a.m.
But this CHANCES-to-go program, which works out of the CHANCES Family Centre, 77 Upper Prince Street, has everything.
“Today is an open group so parents and caregivers come with their children from birth to six years and we provide opportunities in all areas of development,” says Jane Arbing, family program co-ordinator, just before the fun and friendship begins.
Four year-old Kristina Walsh is one of the first children to arrive. Instantly she looks for Elena MacNevin. After attending drop-in play for the past year she and Elena, 5, have become best friends. So when she spies her gal pal at one of the nearby dollhouses the childcare educators have set up, she runs off to play with her. Soon they are rearranging the furniture.
Kristina’s aunt smiles as she watches them.
“The play sessions have been really great for Kristina. They have taken her out of her shell and made her feel comfortable with other children. That’s because, except for her brother, she doesn’t have many kids to interact with,” says Anne Smith. Her mother agrees. “Every week she’s happy and I’m happy,” says Linda Huyah, adding she is happy her daughter, who speaks Vietnamese and English, is learning new English words from the children.
Shantel Jackson and her son, Colin, have also been coming for about a year.
“We like the flexibility. You
can drop in whenever you want. So it gives Colin an opportunity to meet different people,” says Jackson.
At the playgroup she likes to watch and see which activity her son is attracted to.
“Today he’s dressing up,” she says.
Besides providing social opportunities for children, it’s great for parents and caregivers.
“When I travel around the Island, parents will talk about how isolating it is when they have a new baby. So, coming here and connecting with other parents and caregivers has been an important part of this group,” says Arbing, adding it’s one of two running. (The other group meets Fridays at the Town Centre Gym in Stratford from 9:30-11:30 a.m.)
Aleisha Robbins-Lee, South Winsloe looks forward to it each week.
“I love the social aspect of it. It gets you out of the house,” says Robbins-Lee, sipping a cup of coffee while Rexton, her son, whips up imaginary meals in the play kitchen.
Watching as group members become friends pleases Hill.
“Lots of times you get to see them making connections where they are meeting outside (the play group). So it’s something that keeps on growing beyond this.”
Ray MacNevin agrees. Each Tuesday morning he brings his grandson, Caleb, 3 and granddaughter Elana MacNevin, 5 to the group.
“It’s a good chance for them to get together and socialize. They need it, just like we do,” says MacNevin.