Connections Early Years Family Centre
795 Giles Blvd. E. N9A 4E5 Windsor, ON, Canada

Here is our February calendar, full of virtual activities for families to join in on! While in-person sessions are paused, our EarlyON and Be Back Soon staff are available to connect with you. Please contact us to register for any of our virtual parenting classes or Come & Play sessions at 519.252.9696 or email [email protected] As we evaluate when we will be returning to in-person services, we continue to place names on our lists for upcoming Come & Play sessions. Please monitor our social media pages or contact us for updates.

Did you know new parents and their babies meet virtually every week to socialize, hear from guest speakers and get information on parenting and child development? You can join anytime by calling 519.252.9696 or e-mailing [email protected]

Try this fun and easy letter stacking and letter matching activity that promotes print knowledge. https://learnasyouplay.net/

Snack Time with Juanita This week, Juanita shares a recipe for Quinoa Pizza Bites from Live Well Bake Often: https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/quinoa-pizza-bites/... #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Be sure to join us for an extra special Come & Play session this week! Special guest Gina Liovas will tell families all about Children First and the services they provide. To sign up for any session, call 519.252.9696 or e-mail [email protected]

Our cultures are combinations of our beliefs, our experiences, and our histories. This year we join in recognizing the 25th anniversary of the establishment of ...Black History Month and the celebration of the 2021 theme - The Future is Now. For more information and details about activities and events to honour the legacies of Black Canadians and their communities, please visit @CdnHeritage Black History Month website https://www.canada.ca///campaigns/black-history-month.html #TheFutureisNow #BHM2021 #BlackHistoryMonth #theMCC

Here is our November calendar! Our EarlyON programs are reopening to in-person services and livestream activities will continue! Readers Are Leaders free early literacy packages are still available for curbside pick-up every Thursday!... For more info or to preregister for programs, call 519.252.9696 or e-mail [email protected] #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

As a parent myself, I know I would want my child at a place that I feel comfortable with, that the staff is warm and caring and kind to my child and that my children really love to come to. Amy is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who has been a staff member at Connections for more than 20 years. She talks about some of the key features of the Be Back Soon program, how it works and what parents can expect. Be Back Soon provides free, short-term, unlicensed child care fo...r children 0 to 6 years old. Care is provided for parents who qualify at no cost while they attend medical, legal, social service or counseling appointments, job interviews or workshops. A variety of times is available. For more information or to book an appointment, please call 519.252.9696. The Be Back Soon program is funded by Pathway 2 Potential: Social Investment Windsor-Essex. https://www.citywindsor.ca//pathway-to-/Pages/default.aspx Special thanks to Pathways to Prosperity: Canada for providing the footage and highlighting the Be Back Soon program. For more about Pathways to Prosperity, please visit www.p2pcanada.ca

Barbara Coloroso, an international author and parenting consultant, talks about the positive outcomes in children when parents choose Discipline over Punishment. When parents choose discipline they: - Show children what they’ve done wrong - Give them ownership of the problem... - Give them ways to solve it - Leave their dignity intact Watch Barbara Coloroso on Discipline vs. Punishment here: https://youtu.be/wPShs9ZeSIY

We like to think of our champions and idols as superheroes who were born different from us. It is more motivating however, to think of them as relatively ordinary people who have made themselves extraordinary." Carol Dweck

DADS don't miss out on this amazing FREE package for your kids 0 to 6 years old! Available for pick-up TOMORROW Saturday, November 21st at Connections between 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please call us to reserve your package at 519.252.9696 or e-mail [email protected]

Jillian is talking about tree climbing for young children! Tree climbing is a great activity for you and your little ones to work on everything from balance and spatial awareness to boundaries and independence. While often seen as a keystone of outdoor risky play, the truth is that the risks of tree climbing are quite limited in comparison to many daily activities such as riding in a car. Tree climbing is a great way for your child to engage in activities ranging from balanci...ng on a log to climbing up all on their own. The benefits of tree climbing are numerous, including being a good physical activity and developing your child’s gross motor skills and muscles. Tree climbing also builds coordination, a sense of balance and spatial awareness. Cognitively, tree climbing is also a great way for your child to gauge their own limits and develop attitudes of confident and resilience, which are key to success in their later life pursuits. In addition, tree climbing is also a great way to foster a connection between your child and nature. More considerations: Make sure you have property owner's permission before climbing. As noted, make sure the tree is a safe tree to climb. Don’t step on the dead part of the tree where bark is coming away and watch for weak spots. Be on the watch for poison ivy. Further links: https://www.evergreen.ca///OutdoorClassroom_RiskTaking.pdf https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca//Fuse_PositionStatement_O https://childhoodbynature.com/the-dying-art-of-tree-climbi/ https://haveaballtogether.ca/just-the-facts/ #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg #windsorontario #windsoressex #outdoorlearning #earlylearning

Mike from CDAC will be at Connections this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. handing out FREE packages for children 0 to 6 years old! Packages are personalized to the age of your children and include items like books, chalk boards, DIY birdhouses, stickers, outdoor activities and more! For dads, granddads and all significant males in your child's life. Moms are welcome too. To preregister for your package, please call ahead at 519.252.9696 or e-mail [email protected]

Here is Connections September calendar and new Fall Season Schedule. Check out all the great virtual activities and programs! Please note: As we prepare to re-open to seeing families in person, we will continue our virtual programming as outlined in this calendar. When we re-open to families, virtual programming will continue and be enhanced with in-person opportunities. Stay connected for the latest updates!... #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Here is a great "Book Nook" video from The Hanen Centre on turning book reading into a conversation with the fun childrens book Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUEdAxLVBzo&t=13s #connectwithus #stayconnected #Talk2Me #yqg

Yummy and healthy No-Bake Energy Bites! Check out the Facebook Live video for the recipe with Juanita: http://ow.ly/7S4X50BsxFq... Or see the recipe here: http://ow.ly/o1ML50BsxFr

Get ready to jump and move with Altjenka live from the EarlyON Centre! Then well head into the kitchen where Juanita shows us how to prepare No-Bake Energy Bites. For the recipe, visit: allrecipes.com/recipe/239969/no-bake-energy-bites/ Altjenka is listening to Mother Goose Parade by Kimbo Childrens Music.

Join us on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. this morning for Move & Groove! Altjenka will be leading fun physical activities and then Juanita will show us how to make No-Bake Energy Bites. #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Its a great week for cookies! Purchase a #SmileCookie at Tim Hortons and support local non-profits John McGivney Childrens Centre and W.E. Care for Kids!

BE BACK SOON is back! Starting Monday, September 21st, Connections will begin scheduling appointments again for the Be Back Soon program with enhanced safety protocols in place. Be Back Soon provides free, short-term, unlicensed child care for children 0 to 6 years old. Care is provided for parents who qualify at no cost while they attend medical, legal, social service or counseling appointments, job interviews or workshops.... A variety of times is available. For more information or to book an appointment, please call 519.252.9696.

Join Altjenka live from the EarlyON Centre to create a photo album with your child while using word and letter recognition!

Join us over Facebook Live with Altjenka today at 1:30 p.m. in the EarlyON Centre for a fun photo album activity incorporating word and letter recognition!

Join Altjenka over Facebook Live tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. for Family Literacy in the EarlyON Centre! Create a photo album with your child while incorporating word and letter recognition into this fun activity. #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Parenting Reflections: "Tell me and Ill forget. Teach me and Ill remember. Involve me and Ill learn." Benjamin Franklin... #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Today Jillian is doing water play and talking about its benefits!

TOMORROW: Sensory Play with Jillian Join us tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. over Facebook Live for water play with Jillian in the EarlyON Centre! #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

STARTING THIS WEEK! Expecting & Connecting Virtual Postpartum Group Mondays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Call 519.252.4700 or e-mail [email protected]... B.A.B.Y Group Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Call 519.252.9696 or e-mail [email protected] Limited spaces are available. Registration is required.

Happy Saturday! Enjoy some Saturday morning reading with our Fall e-newsletter. Take a look at what is coming up this season and some highlights from the summer. Click this link to view: http://ow.ly/U75f50BocI9... #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Get your FREE personal "Readers Are Leaders" package available for curbside pick-up! a book for each child in your family early literacy & math activities personalized to your family and yours to keep... Our packages will contain books and tips on how to recreate the activities you have seen on our Family Literacy and Sensory Play livestreams. Pick-up is on Thursday mornings and staff can arrange a time that suits your family. Please call 519.252.9696 and leave a message if we are unavailable or send an e-mail to [email protected] #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Parenting Reflections: Childhood isnt a hothouse to be fenced in and closed off and climate controlled. Its a wide open, sun drenched, wind swept field of endless possibilities, experiences and discoveries." L. R. Knost... https://www.facebook.com//childhood-isn/10152651420827671/

Join Jillian in the Good Friends Garden as she demonstrates fun activities that incorporate math outdoors! Help your child develop their numeracy skills and comfort with a variety of math concepts by engaging with them in a new setting and including elements of physical exercise and natural learning. There are lots of fun activities that expose children to basic math concepts which can be expanded upon in their later years!... Jumping in set increments Counting out steps in "Mother May I?" Grouping natural materials based on numbers, patterns & size Jumping in the patterned rhythm of a hopscotch game In Ontario schools there are five main streams of math: number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra, and data management and probability. All of these strands incorporate simple concepts such as shapes, counting and patterns which can easily be incorporated into outdoor play. This also helps you and your child to view math as an approachable and useful subject. Did you enjoy this early numeracy activity? Send us your photos or feedback to [email protected] Further resources: https://mathgeekmama.com/benefits-of-taking-math-outside/ https://www.teachearlyyears.com//view/taking-maths-outdoors https://edsource.org//its-a-big-world-out-there-tea/593156

Outdoor Learning with Jillian continues in September! Check our social media pages on Fridays for new videos. Jillian is a recent graduate from the Faculty of Education with a focus in Outdoor Education and Environmental Learning. For more Outdoor Learning videos, visit our YouTube playlist here:... http://ow.ly/qSFm50Blc9X #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

We had a special visitor at Connections yesterday! Linda from the Windsor Volunteers for Literacy Foundation came by with a generous donation to fund materials for our Readers Are Leaders early literacy and numeracy packages. Thank you to WVFL for supporting this and many local initiatives in the community! The Windsor Volunteers for Literacy Foundation aims to promote, advance and support organizations that serve to improve literacy in the Windsor community and to raise publ...ic awareness of programs that improve literacy. Visit their website at www.windsorliteracyvolunteers.ca If you are interested in booking a pick-up time for your own free package, please contact us at 519.252.9696 or [email protected]

Today Altjenka is reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle.

Join us for story time on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. from the EarlyON Centre! Altjenka is reading the all-time favourite "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr.

Story Time with Altjenka: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Join us tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. over Facebook Live for a reading of this all-time favourite by Bill Martin Jr. #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Is your child starting kindergarten next week? Talk 2 Me staff Amy and Kelly share early literacy tips to help prepare your child for school in this video: http://ow.ly/Sa5C50Blbc5... #connectwithus #stayconnected #Talk2Me #yqg

Has your child struggled with their mental health? Child and Youth Mental Health Windsor-Essex is asking all parents/caregivers their experience within the Windsor/Essex Child and Youth Mental Health System. Click the link below to take the quick survey:... https://redcap.uwindsor.ca/surveys/?s=ML84Y3MN7R See more

PARENT FEEDBACK WANTED! We want to hear from parents about what programs and support work best for you. Call us between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. today or tomorrow at 519.252.9696 to speak with EarlyON staff or email us at [email protected]

Check out all the fun activities in store for September! New videos each week on Facebook Live and YouTube. Sensory play Literacy activities Physical activities... Story time Outdoor learning Speech & language #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Connections is closed today Monday, September 7th for the Labour Day holiday. If we miss your call or message, we will connect with you on Tuesday!

In case you missed it, here is our latest Fall schedule! Connections is committed to staying connected with you and keeping you safe! Programming will be provided both virtually and in-person (see schedule and calendar for details). Registration is required for all programs.

We hope you and your children are relishing in these warm days outdoors! "Children more than ever need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping, and fort building. Its this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge." David Sobel

SUMMER REWIND! Gestures in DANCE Gestures are a part of early language development! Speech-Language Pathologist Sheila gives ideas on modelling and using gestures during fun activities. Join dance instructor Claire for 3 fun dance routines that use gestures.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bf7NbDgLHs&t=18s #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

We love this time of year at the Centre! Happy Friday from the Good Friends Garden/Kitigan mino inawendiwin

SUMMER REWIND! RAIN PLAY with Jillian Learn about the benefits of rain play and how you can enjoy the sensory experiences of playing in the rain with these activities! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxi2qGgWuGU&t=196s #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Virtual groups starting this month! Expecting & Connecting Virtual Postpartum Group Mondays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Call 519.252.4700 or e-mail [email protected]... B.A.B.Y Group Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Call 519.252.9696 or e-mail [email protected] Registration is required.

SUMMER REWIND! 10 Mindfulness Activities for Children Help your children practice mindfulness with these 10 activities you can do at home!... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNANnktzk4o&t=2s #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

Expecting & Connecting starts back up on September 14th! This virtual postpartum group will meet over Zoom on Mondays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. To sign up, please call the Midwifery Collective of Essex County at 519.252.4700 or e-mail them at [email protected]

SUMMER REWIND! Move & Groove YOGA Try out these fun and simple yoga poses using The ABCs of Yoga for Kids by Teresa Anne Power.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j8slCsKLUw&t=442s #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg

We often talk in our parenting groups about how emotions like anger can be fear in disguise. Thanks to WholeHearted School Counseling for this visual resource.

SUMMER REWIND! In the Garden with Amy Amy checks up on the sunflowers, sings a song and reads It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw!... https://www.youtube.com/watch #connectwithus #stayconnected #yqg