With roughly 80 children and 50 adults on hand, the Emo Toy Library and Resource Centre last Wednesday officially joined the network of Ontario Early Years Centres that spans the province.
Anne McKinnon did face-painting, Mike Loney had animal balloons for the youngsters, and Carmela Klug was on hand to entertain by playing several children’s songs on her violin.
Emo Coun. Geoff Pearce kicked off the celebrations by helping ETL co-ordinator Laurel Armstrong cut the decorated cake as Leanne Mineault, director of Early Years for Kenora/Rainy River districts, looked on.
Mineault was pleased with how well the centre had grown into progressing along the line of investing in kids, supporting child’s language development with comfort play, and teaching a positive approach to parenting.
Others who were on hand included Emo Coun. Harriet Sheloff and clerk/administrator Brenda Cooke.
Each parent received a kit, which explained investment in kids as a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healthy social, emotional, and intellectual development of children up to age five.
Early Years Centres were created in Ontario to serve as a central place for parents or caregivers to get answers to questions about their child’s development or well-being.
The provincial government recognized that the first six years of a child’s life are crucial in determining their success later in childhood and eventually adulthood.
These centres offer programs in early learning and literacy, nutrition, and info and training about parenting, as well as providing info about many other Early Years programs in the community.
A babysitting course will be offered there every Tuesday in June from 4-6 p.m. The cost is $10, and those interested must be 12 years of age within three months of taking this course.
You also must pre-register as space is limited.
Meanwhile, public health nurse Ann-Marie Vanderaa will be at the ETL on Monday, June 7 at 10 a.m. to answer any questions you may have about your baby’s development.
New summer programs starting there in July include the Nature Club, for ages three-seven, on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and Science Experiments for those aged eight-11 on Thursdays from 10-11 a.m.
For these programs, children must be accompanied by an adult.
And a new outreach program is starting on June 16 at 11:30 a.m. “We will be upstairs in the Barwick Hall,” noted Armstrong. “We’ll be making crafts, telling stories, singing songs, and other activities.”
This program is free of charge for those up to age six, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Winners of the Mother’s Day draw at the ETL were Robin Wright (first), Dana Cain (second), Pam VanHeyst (third), and June Etienne (fourth).
Winners of children’s books last Wednesday were Ashlyn Beck, Emma Dykstra, Bridgette Maki, Richard Maki, Sulivan Shortreed, Alex Stewart, and Kaitlyn Hay.
Adult winners included Gloria Hamm (wall hanging) and Kay Redford (gift certificate from Hair & Body Care).
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