Since it is March Break this week, and many programs are busy or closed, we are keeping the drop-in open from March 11-16. Bring your Kindergarteners for some fun activities!

In Forma Theatre's Drama workshop will take you on an adventure under the sea! Together, we will participate in various drama activities involving creative movement, character play, art, and storytelling, in addition to mindfulness meditation and movement activities. Come join us as we explore the ocean, and help a mermaid find her missing pearl! Children aged 18 months–3 years are invited to attend this workshop, and parents or caregivers are welcome to join in.

Come join us for a Black History Month Celebration! We will be honouring Black History Month by participating in a dance workshop called Spirit Of Africa with Lesley Waldron. After we dance, Abraham the Tambo Drummer will do an interactive circle with us. We will also offer a small snack.

Join Page Dixon, Public Health Nurse, for an interactive workshop on sleep. Page will guide participants in progressive relaxation to facilitate faster falling asleep, discuss the growth and development issues associated with sleep, and assist you to develop a sleep plan for your family.

** Cancelled Due to Weather. Rescheduled for Wednesday, February 27th, 2019**

It’s the year of the Pig! We have planned a special snack and art activity to  celebrate. The staff will also lead a lion dance through the Ralph Thornton Community Centre. Come join Nina, Sarah, and Robin for the celebration!

The program committee provides feedback and suggestions regarding daily drop-in activities, workshops, events, special projects, and the program environment. The committee is made up of drop-in participants—YOU! —, Nina, Sarah, Robin and Shannon. Join us this morning to shape your drop-in. If you can’t make the meeting, add an idea to our suggestion box or speak with staff.

Do you want to know how to make play dough that is as smooth and soft as the drop-in play dough? Nina and Robin will show you today! Adults will cook play dough, in the Kitchen of the RTCC, while children play in the drop-in with Sarah and occasional staff members. Each family will leave with play dough to take home!

The ROM is one of the largest museums in Canada with interactive exhibits and galleries. With creative play and a number of other family-friendly activities, a trip to the ROM is an opportunity for authentic learning experiences and to make lasting memories. Please meet at the ROM inside the front door at 10:30 am. **Suggested donation for this outing is $10 per family to help cover the cost of admission; all families are welcome! **

Babies are born yogis! This unique class is yoga for your baby, helping them to preserve their innate bodily awareness and strengthening the bond between parent and child. We will learn poses, sing songs, and snuggle in relaxation. Learn how to handle your baby in ways that they enjoy and help them towards their next stage of development. Baby yoga promotes more and better sleep for your infant, and creates a strong bond between caregiver and child, supporting the transition to parenthood. Baby yoga stimulates all of the babies' bodily systems and can help them experience decreased frustration and less extreme highs and lows. Shared relaxation is mutually beneficial for parents and babies and enhances non-verbal communication. Caregivers of all kinds are welcome! Come dressed in comfortable clothes, please bring water and mats are provided. Class is 30 minutes. Snack will be available after.

Our winter celebrations continue with a potluck lunch! Sign up on the purple door inside the drop-in to let us know what nut-free food you will bring to share with your fellow participants!  

Celebrate winter or the holiday season with handmade cards! Enjoy coffee and/or tea and socialize with other adults while making fun cards with former program participant Lisa Neutel, using new designs and materials. This workshop is for adults—your children will be cared for by staff, downstairs in the drop-in. 

Children will create winter and holiday art with support from their parents or caregivers and staff. The art activities will be tailored to the ages and abilities of the children who sign up for this workshop.

 We will also be decorating gingerbread cookies with icing and candy.

**Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions/allergies**

Full of creative play, craft-making, and many other family-friendly activities, a trip to the Art Gallery of Ontario is a fun opportunity for authentic learning experiences. Join us while we make lasting memories by meeting us outside The AGO at 10:30am. Suggested donation for this outing is $10 per family to help cover the cost of admission; all families are welcome!

Participant Megan Snider, founder of Appleseed Yoga, will facilitate a session of her Toddler Yoga with parents, and caregivers. Using visual aids, we will stand rooted like trees, bark in downward dog, flutter our wings in butterfly, trumpet water like an elephant, and hop high like a frog!  We will play games, listen to music, and practice breathing exercises which children can bring into everyday life. This themed class creates a space for bonding between parent or caregiver and child while strengthening growing muscles, and ends with relaxation. Come dressed in comfortable clothes to learn, laugh, and have fun! Please bring water and mat’s are provided. (Children should be strong walkers and runners)

The Centre will be closed today. Holding the Auction is a big job, the staff will use today to clean up and organize from the night before. We will re open tomorrow Saturday, November 17th from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.

The Centre's largest annual fundraiser is a great night out! With live music, hors d'ouevres, a cash bar, and incredible items to bid on, you'll enjoy yourself while raising funds for workshops, outings, and all of the amazing learning and growing that happens at the Centre. It features a Live and Silent Auction to raise money for the Drop In.  

Stay tuned for more details!

We gratefully accept Auction donations and help from volunteers to plan the event all year! Come in, call 416-469-3776, or email info@srcpc.org if you would like to contribute. 

The Centre is closed today so that staff can complete preparation for TOMORROW’S Auction! The auction is a social night that raises funds for the Centre, as government funding does not cover the costs of all activities we include in our programs. We hope to see you at the event tomorrow!

In this workshop Danielle (Family Nutritionist & Picky Eating Expert) will show you: 5 reasons why kids don’t eat well, 5 powerful ways to encourage kids to try new foods, 3 “picky eating” myths that every parent should know, and the 6 phrases that are CRITICAL for turning picky eaters into healthy eaters. Learn more about Danielle and pick up some powerful tips here:  www.daniellebinns.com.  

Join her Facebook Group here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1447191338904412/ 

The Centre is closed today so that Staff can work in the office and toy library to help plan for our quality program

Come to the Ralph Thornton Community Centre (765 Queen Street East) dressed in your costume to play games, create, and enjoy healthy Halloween-themed snacks!

Howl-o-ween is a free Halloween celebration for children and families. We co-host the event with Queen/Saulter Library and Ralph Thornton Community Centre.

There will be limited room for stroller parking in the drop-in backyard and outside of the building. Please leave your stroller at home, if possible. 

The 40th Anniversary Auction is  less than a month away; THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 ! Your fresh energy is needed in this home stretch! Please let staff or a Committee Member know how you can support  this fundraiser for your Centre.

Page Dixon is a Public Health Nurse with Toronto Public Health. She has been the South Riverdale Child Parent Liaison nurse for a year.  She is also an Expressive Arts Therapist.  Come and join us for the 2nd facilitation on Positive Parenting. The second will focus on Positive Parenting Strategies. Be prepared to get creative with your thinking on how you relate to your child!

The Centre is closed today so that Staff can complete their First Aid/CPR training

A trainer from Link to Life presents this workshop. Although you will not receive a certificate, you will learn/refresh your knowledge on what to do in case of an emergency and will also become familiar with first aid guidelines. To register for this workshop, visit the drop-in and add your name to the registration list. The list will be posted on September 21. 

If you are not able to attend this workshop, you are welcome to borrow the CPR training kit in our Parenting Library. 

Page Dixon is a Public Health Nurse with Toronto Public Health.  She has been the South Riverdale Child-Parent Liaison nurse for a year.  She is also an Expressive Arts Therapist.  Come and join us for two facilitations on Positive Parenting.  The first session will focus on Temperament and Goodness of Fit.  The second will focus on Positive Parenting Strategies.  Come to one or both.  Be prepared to get creative with your thinking on how you relate to your child!  

** Part 2 will be Wednesday, October 17th, 2018**

This outing is for children 0-6 years and their parents and caregivers. We will meet at the drop-in at 9:15am and take the Magic Bus to Andrews’ Scenic Acres (a 45- to 60- minute drive) (http://www.andrewsscenicacres.com/). When we arrive, we’ll pick apples and pumpkins, visit animals, play at the playground, and eat lunch together.  The bus will return to the Centre at 2:30pm.

Suggested donation is $20 per family to help cover the cost of admission and the bus; all families are welcome!   To join us on this trip, visit the drop-in to sign up your family.

***We will post the registration on Sept.5th***

We’re going to KidSpark; a hands-on discovery area for children aged 8 and under and their caregivers. We will meet inside the Science Centre, in front of the lockers near the main entrance at 10:30 am. You may pack a lunch or purchase from the cafeteria. Suggested donation is $10; everyone is welcome

Before the fun night arrives, the 40th Anniversary Auction Committee offers you a chance to develop your fundraising and event planning skills alongside other parents and caregivers, while your child plays in the drop-in. The Committee needs volunteers for various roles, from preparing the online auction catalogue to assisting with child care for other volunteers. Today, the Committee will meet upstairs while staff care for children in the drop-in.

If you would like to join the Committee, or if you would like to donate to the Auction, please speak with staff or a member of the Auction Committee.

The Centre is closed today so that Staff can work in the office and toy library to  help plan for our quality program!