by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Every Thursday morning there are a variety of sounds inside the Cobden Agricultural Hall – the squeal of laughter of young children; a child crying and a soothing mother’s voice; the pitter patter of little feet; the quiet talking as children play in a make-believe world.
The Cobden ag hall is the place to be Thursday morning’s for children who are not yet in school, as the Killaloe Resource Centre hosts the Toy Bus playgroup. The Toy Bus play group is a mobile program for children up to about three-and-a-half years old.
Last Thursday, it was National Child Day, as it was so named by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This event is recognized in many countries and this year was the 25th anniversary of the day, said Kim Grosleg, who is the Early Years Co-Ordinator of the Toy Bus.
National Child Day is celebrated to mark two historic events, Ms. Groskleg said. The first is the 1959 signing of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
Children deserve to be recognized as important members of our community, Ms. Groskleg said.
She noted that all children have the right:
* To an adequate standard of living, health care and to play;
* To express their views about things that affect them and to participate in communities, programs and services;
* To be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
To celebrate National Child Day at Thursday’s playgroup, the children were going to hear about the importance of this day, each receive a balloon and stickers before they left and enjoy a lunch prepared by Toy Bus staff.
The playgroup meets each Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Ms. Groskleg said. It’s structured, so the first hour is free play. Those coming know they have that first hour to arrive, so if they are running late, they really won’t miss anything, she explained.
“Families come from all over to this playgroup,” she said. “There’s a huge area for the children to run around and play in. They get rid of an awful lot of energy.”
The last 30 minutes allows for tidying up and then coming together as a group to sing, read stories, find out about different things and have a snack, she explained.
“It allows for children to get used to a routine,” she said.
It’s a drop-in centre so people can choose if they want to attend or not each week, she said. Along with providing a play area for children to become socialized, it’s also an opportunity for parents to ask questions and get answers, as all of the Toy Bus staff are Early Childhood Educators, she said. They know all the services in Renfrew County so can also refer parents if needed.
The staff members also provide information on a variety of children’s programs, such as potty trainging, discipline, social skills, etc., she said.
“Any concerns, we can address them,” she said. “We cater to the group if possible.”
For example, if it’s an older group coming, then baby things would haven’t to be set up.
However, in Cobden, the full range of children attend, so that when the Toy Bus arrives, the two staff members set up the ag hall for playing, such as a kitchen, painting and craft areas, baby play area, slides, toys, puzzles and dress-up.
Ms. Groskleg also noted the Toy Bus lends out toys and books.
For more information about the Toy Bus Playgroup, call Ms. Groskleg, 1-888-757-3108.
