At our Early Years programs parents and caregivers can:
- engage their children in a range of activities designed to stimulate each child’s growth and development
- get answers to their questions from our Early Childhood professionals
- find information about other programs and services in the community
- connect with other parents and caregivers in order to realize that they are not alone and to build a network of support in the community
Family Time: A free weekly drop-in program for parents and caregivers with children from birth to six years of age. Children explore the world through songs, stories, puzzles and imaginative play. Adults have an opportunity to meet and share with others, speak with professional staff members about their child development questions and concerns and get information and referrals to counselling, special needs, health and other services.
Mother Goose: For parents with children from birth to 12 months of age. The Mother Goose Program is a group experience for parents and their babies focusing on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories and gives children healthy early experiences with language and communication.
First Time Moms: This program is for moms with infants under six months of age. Participants meet other moms with infants to discuss infant development, breast- and bottle-feeding, stress management, introducing solids and sleep routines. Referrals to breast-feeding support groups and other community services are available.
Pathways Explorers: A free, registered six-week program for parents and caregivers with children 3 to 5 years of age. Children and adults engage in early learning activities related to that week’s theme: science, math, music, cooking, fitness or art. Hands-on activities help children discover, explore and learn about the world around them.
Learning with Joy: A six-week, registered program for Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking parents and caregivers with children 3-5 years old. Parents and caregivers work with their children to learn about colours, numbers, shapes and letters and engage in reading, singing and crafts. The program will also focus on the self-help skills that children need to learn in order to succeed in school.
Triple P: This innovative, research-based parenting program called Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) helps parents of children two to twelve years of age deal with behaviour management issues. Support can take the form of one to four brief conversations with individual parents, or group parenting sessions with ten or twelve people in attendance. This service is available at any of our program sites.
Wiggles & Giggles: Participants experience the benefits of fun and relaxation through gentle touch and stretching. Wiggles & Giggles is a special hour just for new mothers and their babies (birth to 8 months of age) to help them bond both physically and emotionally.
Jump and Jiggle: A fitness program for children 18 months to 3 years of age together with their parent or caregiver. Come jump, dance and clap your way to a healthy lifestyle.
Caregiver Registry: All locations have an informal caregiver registry on-site to assist you in finding day care for your child in private homes.
Program Director
Yonne Dong
Tel. 905-471-1620
ydong@pathwaysyorkregion.org
Locations:
Pathways, 70 Main Street North, Markham
St. James Presbyterian Church, 6432 Main Street, Stouffville
Armadale Community Centre, 2401 Denison St., Markham
Ashton Meadows Public School, 230 Calvert Road, Unionville
Markham Village Library, 6031 Hwy. 7 East, Markham
Milliken Mills Library, 7600 Kennedy Road, Unionville
Unionville Library, 15 Library Lane, Unionville
