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OEYC St. Catharines May2014 Newsletter
What is Infant Mental Health?
Infant mental health is the social, emotional & cognitive well being of infants
and toddlers.
* An infant’s mental health begins at conception
* An infant can have serious mental health and emotional problems
* An infant who experiences poor mental health this early in life, will be
vulnerable for poor mental health throughout life.
Infant mental health & Development are intertwined.
Infant mental health = healthy social & emotional development that includes
the infant capacity to:
* Experience, regulate & express emotions
* Form close interpersonal relationships
* Explore the environment & learn
Myths about Infant & Toddler Mental Health
Myth #1: Infant don’t have mental health
* Do infants show emotions?
* Do infants, even young infants, respond to people?
Myth #2: Infants are resilient and will easily recover from adversity
Myth #3: Infants won’t remember the negative experiences they have early in
life including emotional ones
Myth#4: Early experiences don’t really count –it’s what happens when they
start school
Myth #5: It’s not possible to recognize poor mental health during infancy
Myth # 6: Infants and toddlers who experience neglect and/or abuse are
getting the help they need to address their mental health needs
Myth #7: Poor mental health can only be detected once children enter the
formal school system
What kind of relationship do babies and toddlers need to support their
mental health?
Interactive Play Group Hours
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
905-934-9622 ex 265
Mon., Wed. 9:00am - 12:00pm
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Tues., Thurs. 9:00am - 8:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday
9:00am - 1:00pm
Bunting Road Site
234 Bunting Road
905-980-6000 ex 6211
Mon. to Fri. 9:00am - 12:00pm
Mon. to Thurs. 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Grantham Site
469 Grantham Avenue
905-937-7007
Mon., Wed 9:00am - 1:00pm
Tues., Thurs. 9:00am – 4:00 pm
Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm
Thorold Site
15 Pine Street South
905-227-9783
Mon. to Thurs. 9:00am - 1:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 12:00pm
Mobile Sites
905-708-8469
Monday: 9:00am – 11:30am
GRANTHAM LIONS CLUB
732 Niagara Street, St Catharines
Tuesday: 9:30am – 12:00pm
BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH
1388 Third Street, St. Catharines
Wednesday: 9:30am - 12:00pm
MEADOWVALE SCHOOL
63 Cecil Street, St. Catharines
Responsive – I am here to meet your needs, comfort you and protect you.
Thursday: 9:00am – 11:00am
ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL
33 Woodrow Street, St. Catharines
Engaged – I want to be with you, play with you, watch you grow and be a big
part of your world as you are a big part of my world.
Friday: 9:30am – 12:00pm
ST. ANN SCHOOL
218 Main Street, St. Catharines
Present – I am here in body, mind and soul, you have my full attention and my
love.
For further information or for
OEYC Administration please call:
905-938-9392
NEWS FOR MAY
FREE DENTAL SCREENING AND
FLUORIDE VARNISH APPLICATION
Registration
Reminders
Walker Family YMCA Site
Thursday, May 15
9am – 11am
We would like to remind you that our
children’s workshops are very popular and in order
that we might serve more families we ask that you
sign up for one workshop per child per month.
There may be an opportunity to place your child’s
name on a wait list for other workshops they may be
interested in.
You may register for as many adult workshops
and field trips as you like.
To sign-up for all programs
please call 905-938-9392
Monday to Friday
Between 9:00am – 4:00pm only
Messages regarding registration left outside the
above hours will NOT be accepted.
Reminder calls are made to families
participating in scheduled workshops. If you are
unable to attend a workshop please call the centre
at which the workshop is being held.
Walker Site: 905-934-9755 ext. 265
Grantham Site: 905-937-7007
Thorold Site: 905-227-9783
Bunting Site: 905-980-6000 ext. 6211
Mobile Sites: 905-708-8469
Dental cavities are the most common chronic disease
of children and youth five to 19 years of age.
Research is showing tooth decay rates among
children two to four years are increasing. The health
of your child’s gums and baby teeth are very
important to their overall health.
During screening, the registered dental hygienist
from Niagara Region Public Health will take a quick
look inside your child’s mouth using a separate,
sterilized mirror that will take less than 30 seconds.
Fluoride varnish is a protective coating that is
painted on a child’s teeth. It is very quick and easy
to apply. Research has shown fluoride varnish
provides extra protection and reduces cavities in
children under the age of five if applied twice a year.
This does not replace regular dental visits.
Consent forms are available at the centre and must
be completed in order for your child to participate.
May Closures
All sites are closed Monday May 19th due to Victoria
Day.
Grantham Site will not have the gym on Friday May
30th.
Does Your Child Tell Lies?
Walker Family YMCA Site
Tuesday May 27th 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Come join us for a discussion on the development of children’s lie-telling behaviours. Dr. Angela Evans from the
Psychology Department at Brock University will be talking about when children begin to tell lies, why children
tell lies, what lie-telling tells us about children’s developing minds, and methods for encouraging your child to
tell the truth. Registration is required. Please call 905-938-9392. Limited child care will be available.
Nurturing Children’s Creativity
Child and Parent/Caregiver Interactions
(All of the following workshops require registration)
Infant Workshops
Children aged 0-12months
Children’s Workshop
Date & Time
th
OEYC Location
Description
Mother’s Day is almost here and it’s the
perfect time to celebrate those special
ladies in your child’s life, by making an
infant handprint keepsake. We will be
using paint, so please come dressed for a
mess. Ages 0-18 months welcomed.
Through songs, rhymes, activities and
parent discussion, this two week
interactive program will focus on the
importance of attachment on your baby’s
mental health. Designed for infants from
birth to 1 year.
What a wonderful way to thank mom for
all she does for you! Today you will make
a beautiful bouquet of flowers for
Mommy by using your hand prints. This
session is for children 5 months – 18
months.
Infant Massage provides a great
opportunity for you to connect and bond
with your baby. You will enjoy a relaxing
time together; improve baby’s
circulation, as well as growth and
development. Register you and your
infant (birth to pre-crawling) for this
special 4-week program.
Join us for a special session of Wiggles
and Words where you will have the
opportunity to sing songs and share
rhymes with your little one. We will also
discuss different ways of promoting prereading skills at home to help nurture
your child’s development. Aged 0-PreWalking.
Mother’s Day Infant
Keepsake
Monday May 5
10:00am – 11:00am
Mobile Site
Grantham Lions Club
732 Niagara Street
St. Catharines
Love & Learn
With Baby
Mondays May 5th & 12th
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
St. Catharines
Hand Print Flowers for
Mothers Day
Thursday May 8th
10:00am – 10:30am
Grantham Site
469 Grantham Ave.
St. Catharines
Infant Massage
Thursdays May 8th, 15th,
22nd and 29th
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
St. Catharines
Wiggles & Words
Friday May 23rd
10:00am – 11:00am
Mobile Site
St. Ann School
218 Main Street
St. Catharines
Due to their popularity, some of these Infant programs run fairly consistently.
Well Baby Clinic and Parenting Drop-in
The Well Baby Clinic and Parenting Drop in is a FREE service available to parents and families of children from
birth to 12 months. These clinics will run once per week and a Public Health Nurse will be available to help
families weigh their infant and answer questions about healthy growth and development, nutrition or
breastfeeding concerns, and other issues parents face following the birth of their child.
Every Wednesday 9:00am – 12:00pm at Walker Family YMCA Site
Children’s Workshops
Children aged 1 year and older
Children’s Workshop
Mother’s Day
Design...Shhhh It’s a
Secret!
Date & Time
Monday May 5th
9:30am - 10:30am
OEYC Location
Bunting Road Site
234 Bunting Road
St. Catharines
Ladybug Garden Rock
Thursday May 8th
9:30am – 10:30am
Mobile Site
St. Christopher School
33 Woodrow Street
St. Catharines
Hand Print Flowers for
Mothers Day
Thursday May 8th
9:30am – 10:00am
Grantham Site
469 Grantham Ave.
St. Catharines
Toddler Picasso
Saturday May 10th
10:00am – 11:00am
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
St. Catharines
Rabbit Making Craft
Thursday May 15th
9:30am - 10:30am
Thorold Site
15 Pine Street South
Thorold
My “Things That Go...”
Book
Tuesday May 20th
10:30am - 11:30am
Bunting Road Site
234 Bunting Road
St. Catharines
Tuesday May 20th
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
St. Catharines
Grantham Site
469 Grantham Ave.
St. Catharines
“Smells” like Spring!
Rain Sticks
Wednesday May 21st
9:30am – 10:30am
Description
Your child will draw on a piece of fabric
that will be incorporated into a lifetime
keepsake for any special lady in their life.
The finished product will be available to
pick up on Friday, May 9th AM. Suitable
for ages 18 months and up.
Gardening season has just begun. So let’s
celebrate by making someone special a
ladybug rock for their garden. We will be
using paint, so please come dressed for a
mess. Ages 2.5 and up.
What a wonderful way to thank mom for
all she does for you! Today you will make
a beautiful bouquet of flowers for
Mommy by using your hand prints. This
session is for children 18 months and
older.
Your toddler (12 – 24 months) will make
a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, Mother’s Day
themed picture for that special woman in
his/her life. Both adult and child should
dress appropriately for a mess!
Children 1 year of age and older will
create a waskely wabbit using a variety of
craft materials to provoke their senses.
They will hear a story, learn new songs
and play a vegetable matching game. All
in honour of our floppy eared friends.
Vroom, vroom, vroom...come out to
Bunting this morning where we will be
making a “Things That Go” book about
transportation. We will discuss the
different types of transportation on land,
sea and in the air. Suitable for ages 2 and
up.
Let’s learn about bugs and insects
through this fun footprint art.
Ages 2 ½ - 6 years of age.
The sound of rain can be a very calming
sound or a very interesting sound for
musical band! Come and make your own
rain stick with us today. This workshop
will help develop your child’s (ages 2.5
years and older) fine motor skills, their
creativity and their pre math skills.
Ontario Early Years Newsletter
To view the Ontario Early Years Monthly Newsletter visit:
http://www.ymcaofniagara.org/community_initiativesearly_years_centres.php
Grow A Bean In A Bag –
Science Experience
Thursday May 22nd
9:30am – 10:30am
Thorold Site
15 Pine Street South
Thorold
Spring Planting
Saturday May 31st
10:00am – 11:00am
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
St. Catharines
A chance to watch nature at work right
before our eyes! This morning children
will each plant a bean seed that they can
take home and watch grow. Water,
sunlight and a growing medium are all we
will need. You can observe the root
growth and measure your seed as it
grows.
All materials will be provided.
Get a jump start on your spring planting!
Children (2.5 years to 6 years) will
decorate their own papier mache pot,
then plant flower seeds inside – turning
an ordinary plant into a work of art!
Adult Opportunities
Parent/Caregiver Education
(All the following workshops require registration)
Adult Workshop
Date & Time
th
OEYC Location
Description
Tub time is a great opportunity for your
child to have fun and learn at the same
time. Join us today to create a great bath
time activity that will help your child with
their colour recognition skills.
Child care is available but limited.
Come and create a new and unusual look
for your front door today as we look at
wreaths in a whole new way. If you are a
collector or have a specific colour scheme
already in place for your door please
bring your treasures along, otherwise you
can be spontaneous and use the
materials provided.
Child care is available but limited.
This activity is perfect for those of you
who like to be creative. Sign up to
decorate a box to store all of the
wonderful keepsakes that your child will
undoubtedly make throughout the years.
A special place for all those special things.
Child care is available but limited.
Come out to Meadowvale School this
morning where our special guest Lori will
conduct an informal discussion about
Clean Eating. She will bring in some
recipes to share and discuss different
ways of incorporating healthy food into
your child’s meals.
Child care is available but limited.
Fun in the Tub
Monday May 12
10:00am – 11:00am
Grantham Site
469 Grantham Ave.
St. Catharines
Spring Wreath
Tuesday May 13th
9:30am – 10:30am
Thorold Site
15 Pine Street South
Thorold
Memory Boxes
Thursday May 15th
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bunting Road Site
234 Bunting Road
St. Catharines
Clean Eating
Wednesday May 21st
10:00am – 11:00am
Mobile Site
Meadowvale School
63 Cecil Street
St. Catharines
Building Resiliency in
You and Your Child
“Rules of Happiness”
Tuesday May 27th
10:00am – 11:00am
Thorold Site
15 Pine Street South
Thorold
Kids have Stress too
Tuesday May 27th
10:00am – 11:00am
Grantham Site
469 Grantham Ave.
St. Catharines
Magnetic Chore Chart
Wednesday May 28th
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bunting Road Site
234 Bunting Road
St. Catharines
This session will focus on the “Rules for
Happiness,” and how you can
intentionally incorporate the ingredients
into your everyday life. Attention will be
given to how you can boost happiness all
around you...specifically to your children.
Be prepared to go home smiling!! 
Child care is available but limited.
This workshop is designed to give
information about the signs and common
sources of stress in young children. We
will outline ways that parents and
caregivers can help their kids and
themselves manage stress effectively.
Child care is available but limited.
Join us this afternoon to make a magnetic
chore chart for your child. This chart uses
visual pictures of chores such as “picking
up toys” and “dusting” in a way in which
children as young as 3 years old can
understand and learn about
responsibility.
Child care is available but limited.
Sunday, June 1, 2014, 11:30 - 2:00pm
YMCA Healthy Kids Day is a FREE community event celebrating the healthy growth and development of children
and families, providing fun and engaging activities, practical information and simple ways kids and families can be
healthier in spirit, mind and body.
On June 1, the YMCA of Niagara will join YMCAs across Canada in hosting YMCA Healthy Kids Day. Designed to
help kids and families embrace healthy habits that can become a lifelong practice, this free community event will
focus on fun and engaging activities, practical information and simple ways to be healthier in spirit, mind and
body.
More about YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Raising healthy kids is every parent's goal. At the YMCA, we believe that helping young people grow up healthy
makes our whole community stronger. However, we know that the majority of children and youth in Canada are
not getting adequate access to opportunities for active recreation and healthy living. The problems facing our kids
are real:
 46% of Canadian kids get 3 hours or less of active play per week, including weekends
 63% of Canadian kids' free time after school and on weekends is spent being sedentary
(Source: 2012 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card)
The YMCA models and incorporates healthy practices into its programs and activities for children and youth year
round, and YMCA Healthy Kids Day places special emphasis on teaching children, youth and their families about
exploring healthy living habits that will make a difference throughout the year.
More information about the activities will be available closer to the event.
Special Events and Guests
(Please review description to see if registration is required)
Event
Date & Time
th
OEYC Location
Description
A special guest will be joining us for Circle
Time today! Emergent Literacy
Consultant, April Shaw will be sharing
some fun ways to engage and promote
early literacy between you and your child.
Five- little –speckled – frogs... and so the
song goes!!! We shall have an entire
circle this morning dedicated to the
humble frog. Joanne, Children’s Librarian
at the Thorold Public Library will take the
lead for this story, rhyme, song filled
hour.
All ages are welcome.
Literacy Circle
Monday May 12
10:00am – 10:30am
Walker Family YMCA Site
25 YMCA Drive
St. Catharines
Ribbitttt, Ribbett....
Tuesday May 20th
10:30am – 11:30am
Thorold Site
15 Pine Street South
Thorold
Field Trip
(All of the following trips require registration)
Trip
Date & Time
Heartland Forest:
Frogs, Fur, Feathers and
Fish
th
Wednesday May 7
10:00am – 11:30am
Gym Days
OEYC Location
Description
All Sites
Meet at Heartland Forest this morning to
take part in their frog-fabulous annual
Frogfest activities. Our group will visit
interactive stations to discover facts
about the natural environment including
the local wildlife. PLUS, there will be an
Owls of Ontario Exhibit from the ROM.
Admission is by donation, $2.00 per child
or $5.00 per family is suggested. The site
is wheelchair/ stroller friendly.
Please remember to dress appropriately
for the weather that day.
Recreational Swim
Walker Family YMCA Site
Friday May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
11:15am – 11:45am
Walker Family YMCA Site
Monday May 5th  10:30am – 11:15am
Monday May 12th  10:30am – 11:15am
Wednesday May 21st 1:30pm - 2:10pm
Wednesday May 28th  1:30pm – 2:10pm
Gym time encourages you to get active with your
children. Children will enhance their coordination, balance and gross motor skills.
Please wear clean indoor athletic shoes.
Please enjoy food and beverages in the café.
YMCA Canada encourages that all children are a minimum of six
months of age to participate. One adult per child is required
for water activities. If your child is not fully toilet trained they
must wear swim diapers or plastic pants. Registration is
required. Please sign in at the centre and pick up a swim pass.
OEYC St. Catharines May Calendar 2014
Monday
5
Children’s workshop: Mother’s
Day Design…Shhhh it’s a Secret
9:30am BRS
Tuesday
6
Wednesday
7
Field Trip: Heartland Forest:
Frogs, Fur, Feathers and Fish
10:00am All Sites
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
Gym Time 11:15 WFYS
9
Gym Time 11:15 WFYS
3
16
Gym Time 11:15 WFYS
17
23
Infant Workshop: Wiggles
& Words 10:00am MS
24
8
Children’s Workshop: Ladybug
Garden Rock 9:30am MS
Infant Workshop: Hand Print
Flowers for Mothers Day 9:30am
GS
Infant Workshop: Mother’s
Day Infant Keepsake 10:00am
MS
Recreational Swim 10:30am
WFYS
Children’s Workshop: Hand Print
Flowers for Mothers Day 10:00am
GS
Infant Workshop: Love & Learn
With Baby 1:30pm WFYS
12
Adult Workshop: Fun in the
Tub 10:00am GS
Infant Workshop: Infant Massage
2:00pm WFYS
15
Children’s Workshop: Rabbit
Making Craft 9:30am TS
13
Adult Workshop: Spring Wreath
9:30am TS
14
Special Guest: Literacy Circle
10:00am WFYS
Dental Screening 9:00am –
11:00am WFYS
Recreational Swim 10:30am
WFYS
Infant Workshop: Infant Massage
2:00pm WFYS
Infant Workshop: Love & Learn
With Baby 1:30pm WFYS
19
Adult Workshop: Memory Boxes
2:00pm BRS
22
Children’s Workshop: Grow A Bean
In A Bag – Science Experience
9:30am TS
All sites closed
Happy Victoria Day
26
10
Children’s Workshop:
Toddler Picasso 10:00am
WFYS
20
Special Event: Ribbittt, Ribbett….
10:30am TS
21
Children’s Workshop: Rain Sticks
9:30am GS
Children’s Workshop: My “Things
That Go…” Book 10:30am BRS
Adult Workshop: Clean Eating
10:00am MS
Children’s Workshop: “Smells”
like Spring! 6:00pm WFYS
27
Ault Workshop: Building
Resiliency in You and Your Child
“Rules of Happiness” 10:00am TS
Recreational Swim 1:30am WFYS
Adult Workshop: Kids have Stress
Too 10:00am GS
Adult Workshop: Does Your Child
Tell Lies? 1:30pm WFYS
28
Recreational Swim 1:30am WFYS
Adult Workshop: Magnetic Chore
Chart 2:00pm BRS
Legend:
WFYS – Walker
Family YMCA Site
GS – Grantham Site
TS – Thorold Site
BRS – Bunting Road
Site
MS – Mobile Sites
Gym Time 11:15 WFYS
Infant Workshop: Infant Massage
2:00pm WFYS
29
Infant Workshop: Infant Massage
2:00pm WFYS
30
No gym at Grantham
Gym Time 11:15 WFYS
31
Children’s Workshop:
Spring Planting 10:00am
WFYS