St. George's Toronto - Parents & Tots

St. George's Anglican Church, Toronto
The Church on Yonge Street
Nurturing our relationship with God in Christ, with each other, and with our community

St. George's Parent and Tots

What is St. George's Parents and Tots?

“THIS IS THE FUNNIEST PLAYGROUP EVER! ”That’s the expression overheard at St. George’s, Toronto Parent and Tot Programme. Many young families are moving into the neighborhood and St. George's is providing a place where children can play with other children in a fun and safe place. The parents and caregivers find time to meet their neighbors and find out about the resources in the community. “Wow, I didn’t realize how much equipment the Church had for the children” Jennifer Schmidt said on the first day. She, Laura Snider and Karen Hayward with their pre-school children let Diane Wilton, coordinator, know what other parent and tot programmers were offering in the community and what they liked and disliked about them.

When is it offered?

It is offered every Friday morning for about 90-minutes. Every Friday the upper Parish Hall is set up with toys stored in 3 different rooms--the Nursery, Pre-school room and the servers changing room. Coffee is turned on before 9 a.m., when some of the participants, parish staff and congregation attend the Daily Office. The parents start arriving for 9:30 am and register their children. Parents wear a name tag which also includes their child’s name.

What happens?

Then the fun begins. There is a Wonder Table which has something from God’s wonderful world such as a rock with fossils, a spiny multi-colored gourd, etc. There is a craft table where children love to use the play dough or try out the craft of the day. At Thanksgiving they made a wreath and glued on waxed leaves and pine cones. For Halloween they crunched up newspaper to fill a small paper bag to create a pumpkin. The parents learn along with the children about how to use everyday items in creative ways, such as how to wax leaves.

The riding toys are a big hit and some babies are experiencing new activities such as sitting on a ball or pushing a toy carriage for the first time. It’s wonderful to see some of the boys playing in the kitchen area (stove and sink made in the 1950s) or a little one snuggled up on a comfy cushion with Dad reading a story.

Who is invited?

The participants reflect our neighborhood of faces from around the globe. Some find us by the signs around the Church, or from parishioners and neighbors or from Public Health Nurses encouraging the early learning development of children. One family had been in Canada less than a week and they came so their child could begin to learn English with other children. Many write down the words of the songs and rhymes to use at home.

After about 45 minutes of free play we tidy up and then have a nutrition break of a snack, provided by a different parent each week. The children say grace and then announcements about the Church activities are made.

Circle time follows with parishioner Victoria Gabriel and her 8 month old daughter Kimberly in a baby carrier occasionally teaching everyone Salsa dancing. We have a story followed by some new and some old songs and rhymes taught by various parents. Daddy Chris Hayward has a great deep voice for some of the songs.

Twenty-five children have attended in the first 6 weeks. It’s great hearing the parents and caregivers exchanging phone numbers or informing newcomers that the “blue park” is great for a child under 18 months and that the “brown park” has a neat digging toy.

Parish Priest, John Wilton, pops in for a few minutes (usually at snack time) to say hello before everyone leaves at 11:00 am. We hope some of the families will join our Church services and Church School and Nursery on Sundays. We will be inviting them to attend our family Christmas Eve service at 7:00pm where the children help to act out the story of the Birth of Christ in costume and at the end sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and have a piece of Birthday cake.

Need more information?

All parents, caregivers and children are welcome to join us any Friday. Call Diane Wilton for more information by leaving a message at the church (416-225-1922).