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EarlyON Child and Family Centre

Learn, grow and connect together

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Program Descriptions

Visit our Find A Program page to register for a program!

A KEyON account will now be required before you will be able to pre-register for any online or in-person EarlyON Child and Family Centre programming in Waterloo Region. Visit KEyON.ca to create your account.

EarlyON | Waterloo Region Programs

Baby and Me
Learn, and play together with your baby while connecting with other families through music, songs, finger plays, rhyming, conversation and other activities. Our EarlyON Facilitators are there to support you in finding parenting information, resources and referrals.

Connection and Conversation
We invite all parents and caregivers to join us on Zoom for conversations with each other and our EarlyON Facilitator about parenting, child development and more in a relaxed baby and child friendly atmosphere.

Explore with Us
Join other children and families as we explore literacy, numeracy and science based activities. Together, we will create, problem solve, and gain a stronger understanding of our world through play.

Music and Movement
Join an EarlyON Facilitator and other families as we sing, dance and explore music and movement together! Children and adults of all ages are welcome!

Parenting My Baby
Having a new baby is a time of change, discovery and often many questions. We invite you and your baby to come out and meet other families with babies for discussion around a variety of topics. An Early Years Professional will offer up to date information/resources and support.

Read and Relax
When we relax, it restores our energy. Join us on Zoom to relax, connect, and explore a new story and a calming activity together.

Ready Set Move
Encouraging physical activity supports your family in making healthy lifestyle choices. Following the most up to date physical literacy practices, an EarlyON Facilitator will engage in physical activity with you and your child that focuses on the development of fundamental movement skills.

Venez Jouer et Chanter!
Venez Jouer et Chanter est un programme en français qui intégrera le chant et la danse avec une activité amusante!

Targeted Specialty Programs

Baby Connections (6 to 12 months)
The Baby Connections program was developed as a resource to help parents/caregivers introduce early literacy skill development to their infants who are 6-12 months. Join us to gain confidence in playing with and promoting literacy and learning with your baby and receive a free Baby Connections Resource Kit. 

Circle of Security Parenting
Do you have questions about building a strong attachment with your child or children? Are you hoping to parent differently from how you were parented? Our EarlyON facilitators trained in the Circle of Security® Parenting™ program welcome you to this 9 week relationship-based series where we will explore parenting and attachment together. This program was developed by Circle of Security International.

Community Connections (For Parents/Caring Adults)
Knowing where and how to access services for your family can be a challenge. Are you looking to learn more about local programs and services that can support your family? Join us each week to meet a new community partner and learn more about how their program, resource or service can support your family online and/or in-person.

Infant Massage (Birth to 12 months)
Building a strong attachment with your infant is one of the building blocks to social development. This program is a great way to build this attachment while learning techniques for stimulating, relaxing and providing relief for your infant.

Make the Connection 0-1 and 1-2
Make the Connection incorporates hands-on parent-baby/toddler activities and discussions to help parents reflect on key components of secure attachment. This secure beginning sets in motion a positive course for a child’s social and emotional well-being, learning in school and contribution to society.

Preparing for Parenthood (Prenatal)
Planning a pregnancy and expecting a new baby are both exciting times full of change, growth, discovery and often many questions. Preparing for Parenthood is a free program series that offers information about having a healthy pregnancy and becoming a parent. Visit our Preparing for Parenthood web page for registration and session information.

Sleep and Your New Baby (Birth to 12 weeks)
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services and the EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Waterloo Region are inviting you and your baby to a free session to help you get to know more about your baby’s sleep patterns and how to respond. Visit our Sleep and Your New Baby web page for registration information.

Super Dads Super Kids
As research continues to prove, involved, responsible and devoted dads improve their kids cognitive, emotional and social development. Are you a dad or other male caregiver? Join us for this 8 session series where we will discuss: The Unique role of a dad; Child Development; Communication; Emotions and Mental Health; Discipline and Setting Limits; Physical Health – Activity and Nutrition; Physical Health – Injury Prevention; and Family/Life/Work Balance.

Transition to Parenthood (For parents with children under 2 years)
There is no training for becoming a parent. Although exciting, the transition to having a new baby at home can also be challenging. Transitioning to Parenthood is an 8-week series where you can talk with others who have a new baby, or a child up to age 2, and be connected to community resources and information by our EarlyON and Carizon (CPNP) team including a clinician (MSW). 

Customized Community Connections

Parenting in a New Society
Parenting in a New Society is a Peer Support program offered by Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre. This program aims to connect parents from different countries to share about their life in Canada, how and where to find support, and how to feel at home when you are far away from your friends and relatives. Visit https://www.ourplacekw.ca/programs to register.

Stork Secrets (Pregnancy and Postpartum Adjustment Peer Support)
Stork Secrets is a Peer Support program offered by Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre. Stork Secrets aims to support pregnant and postpartum mothers with an infant under age 2 who are adjusting to the changes and challenges of parenthood. Visit https://www.ourplacekw.ca/programs to register.

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All parents with children age 12 years or under are invited to share their thoughts.