Centre-based Programming

At Maskwacis Health Services, parents and families are invited to attend an 8 week program, Get Ready for Preschool (GRP), developed by Preschool Coordinator Christy Crane, from Samson Cree Nation, Treaty Six Territory.

The GRP meets twice a week at the Early Years Centre. The purpose of the GRP is to support children and their parents in the transition from in-home learning to group or centre-based learning.

The goal of the GRP is the ensure that parents are equipped to support their children throughout the preschool stages of learning so that children have a positive early learning experience and therefore are ready for Head Start/school.

Over the course of 8 weeks, children and parents will explore a variety of parenting strategies, guidance techniques, as well as explore the developmental skills that will support the child in preschool programs.

Topics covered include:

Baby’s gifts
Engaging in play
Consistency
Secure attachment
Separation Anxiety
Potty Training
Dental Hygiene
Positive Guidance
Language Development
Supporting friendships
Cree culture and language
Bringing the outdoors in
Community reflection

A typical session looks like this:

Topic/Toolbox Card(s) of the day: one or more toolbox card to go with each topic of the day

Practice: choose different learning strategies for parents and children to do together in program and at home

Child Structured Activity: activities for children’s development and school readiness

Adult Sharing Circle: sharing different parenting styles, ask questions, share stories

Homework: learning practices to do at home with their children

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Photography by Louise Johns, Jamie Griffiths, Cathie Archbould, Matthew Perrin, Josie Rain and Alex Jacobs-blum; Videography by Red River College, Jamie Griffiths, Cathie Archbould, Sean Stiller, Pardeep Sooch and Catherine Martin

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The Training & Resources for Early Education & Schools (TREES) Network is a space for delivering and accessing culturally appropriate training, professional development, resources, communities of practice and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous early learning professionals working with Indigenous children and families.

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