If you have a wee one under the age of five, there’s a good chance you’ve been to at least one playgroup since becoming a parent. We’ve been to a bunch, and while most have music, dance, and coffee for frazzled mums and dads, there is one thing many are missing: an expert voice to soothe worries and help you feel like you’re on track with the whole parenting thing. Wholeplay provides that missing piece, with a combo that’s part playgroup, part parenting lesson and part fun just for the sake of fun.

Co-founded and facilitated by Mary Elizabeth Picher (or M.E.), a Child Development Specialist, Wholeplay was created for families interested in supporting their children’s development and health. With most existing programs focused either on the child or the parent, M.E. knew they could create a better experience that would entertain the child, stimulate the parent and foster the bond between them.

Wholeplay’s 12-week classes, including Baby Hoots, Hoots-on-the-Move, and Hoot friends (named for the cute owl mascot) are all age and skill specific. Each weekly class focuses on a different topic or theme, such as separation anxiety, building empathy, and school readiness and offers real learning for both parent and child. There’s also a twice-a-week drop-in class for socialization and connection and a Wise Parenting Circle, which focuses mostly on parental discussion.

When we visited the Hooty-Hoots class, run out of the Field House at Sorauren Park in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood, we were happy to see excited kids, relaxed parents, and a great play space. The class was small so shy ones weren’t overwhelmed, and big cushions and mats made floor play a breeze. There was singing with cute hand puppets. There was dancing. There was a lot of discussion about sharing (or lack thereof). And while the kids played with age and skill appropriate toys, M.E. took parent’s questions on cognitive play development (the weekly theme). We were also given handouts for at-home reference – a smart idea as the noise of happy hoots at play had reached epic heights by that point.

As an added bonus, Wholeplay’s classes qualify for the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, which allows parents to claim a portion of eligible fitness expenses for each child under the age of 16.

Intrigued? Wholeplay is  having an open house this Saturday, November 27th and we think you’ll find, that when it comes to kids, they really give a hoot!

Wholeplay: www.wholeplay.ca
Open House: Saturday, November 27th, 10:30 am – 1 pm
Fieldhouse, 50 Wabash Avenue
647.704.6630