- What is Wholeplay?
- What is Wholeplay’s Philosophy
- How are Wholeplay classes different than playgroups or drop-ins that I can just go to for free?
- How do I sign up for a class or book a Parent Consultant?
- What is a Child Development Specialist?
- What is a Parent Consultant?
- How do I sign up for a free trial class?
- What is the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit?
- What if I have to miss a class due to illness?
- What if I have more than one child who wants to attend?
- What if my child isn’t the right age for the class I want to attend?
- How many drop-in classes can I attend with my child?
1) What is Wholeplay?
Wholeplay is a parent-child development and wellness service that provides fun, supportive and high quality learning experiences for young kids, ages 0-6, and their parents. < top >
2) What is Wholeplay’s Philosophy
We believe that a strong parent-child relationship is the key to fostering healthy development in early childhood and the years beyond. For this reason, our classes and services focus on enhancing parent-child connectedness through:
- Play: engaging, interactive activities that delight and enrich the body, mind and spirit.
- Education: up-to-date information and useful discussion on all topics related to parenting a young child.
- Support: practical tips and compassionate guidance from our staff and other parents just like you.
3) How are Wholeplay classes different from playgroups or drop-ins that I can just go to for free?
Wholeplay classes are led by Child Development Specialists who have a wealth of experience supporting parents and young children in their journeys towards health and well-being. Throughout Wholeplay classes, moms and dads are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions, which are full of quality information on issues related to healthy child development. Wholeplay classes differ from informal playgroups and drop-ins in that they are:
- Both Child and Parent Focused
Most programs for parents and young children only focus on the child’s learning experience, failing to provide an equally enriching learning experience for the parent. Wholeplay classes were specifically created to give parents the opportunity to learn and grow alongside their children. After all, healthy child development cannot happen without parent participation!
- Well-rounded
It is through play that young children not only learn academic skills, but they also acquire problem-solving skills, social skills, empathy and self-confidence. Wholeplay’s play-based curriculum was purposefully designed to promote healthy, well-rounded development in young children, including physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development.
- Relationship-focused
It is a well-established fact that healthy development in early childhood (and later in life) is largely dependant upon the quality of relationship children have with their primary caregivers. For this reason, Wholeplay’s play activities have been carefully selected to enhance parent-child connectedness. When it comes down to it, there’s no toy more stimulating to a young child than her parent!
- Group-Oriented
Human beings are social creatures who need to get along with others in order to have a healthy and fulfilling life. Yet, young children aren’t born with the social skills they need to form positive relationships. For this reason, Wholeplay’s class structure is group-oriented, promoting socialization and group bonding, among children and parents alike.
- Personalized
While all children go through similar developmental stages, they do so in their own unique way. For this reason, class facilitators learn about the special attributes of each child before he/she starts at Wholeplay. As a result, class facilitators are able to customize play activities to meet the developmental strengths and needs of each individual child.
- A Small Class Size
Large classes are often over-stimulating for young children making it more difficult for them to learn. Wholeplay’s small class size not only makes learning easier for young children, but it also helps them to feel more comfortable. In addition, Wholeplay’s small participant-to-facilitator ratio allows for close supervision and personalized attention from the class facilitators. < top >
4) How do I sign up for a class or book a private session with a Parent Consultant?
Parents can sign up for a class or book a Parent Consultant by completing and submitting our online registration form. Once the registration form is received, Wholeplay will contact you to complete the registration process. < top >
Click here to sign up for a class
Click here to register for a Parent Consultant
Click here to register for a Playgroup Speaker
5) What is a Child Development Specialist?
A Child Development Specialist has a Master’s degree in Psychology as well as a wealth of experience working with young children and their parents to foster healthy well rounded development. Child Development Specialists facilitate all of Wholeplay’s classes. < top >
6) What is a Parent Consultant?
A Parent Consultant has a Master’s Degree in Psychology as well as specialized knowledge and expertise in supporting parents through the trials and tribulations of raising young children. Parent Consultants provide confidential, personalized guidance and support to parents with young children both in person, over the phone, or via online video webconferencing. < top >
7) How do I sign up for a free trial class?
Parents can contact [email protected] to sign up for one free trial class. Parents should indicate the age of their child as well as the date that they would like to attend when they contact Wholeplay. < top >
8) What is the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit?
The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit allows parents to claim up to $500 per year for eligible fitness expenses paid for each child who is under the age of 16 years of age. All of Wholeplay’s 10-week classes qualify for the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. Visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/fitness-eng.html to learn more. < top >
9) What if I have to miss a class due to illness?
Missed classes due to illness can be made up during the following term of classes. < top >
10) What if I have more than one child who wants to attend?
Siblings up to the age of six-years-old are able to attend all classes. < top >
11) What if my child isn’t the right age for the class I want to attend?
The “suggested ages” help to ensure that the class curriculum and activities are age-appropriate. However, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to bring your child to a class outside of the suggested age. < top >
12) How many drop-in classes can I attend with my child?
Musical Hoots Drop-In! classes can be purchased in a package of 5 or 10. Parents and children can attend whenever Hoots Drop-In is running. Click here to sign up for Musical Hoots Drop-In! < top >
