Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Toronto, Ontario

the difficult things: preschooler books on sensitive subjects

by Katie

Now that I answer to the name "mom", I know that one of the dreaded things I signed up for in this parenting gig is talking about some difficult subjects with Gigi. Honestly, I'll take all the good help I can get because boy-oh-boy, I dread some of the more squirrely stuff. Since I love to inspire conversation with a good book, I figure why not use them to talk about the more sensitive issues. ... Read more >

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preschooler art appreciation: beautiful books

by Katie

Some books from my childhood left a lasting impression solely from the images on the pages. I can still picture in my mind the detailed and Victorian illustrations in my various Kate Greenway books. I would study every last inch on each of the pages and have totally vivid daydreams about living back in the "olden days" (did I mention I loved Little House and Oliver among other historical ... Read more >

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everyone loves to laugh: books that will make a preschooler giggle

by Katie

Gigi loves to laugh and she really loves to tell knock-knock jokes (really, really loves to tell them). What is it with three year olds and knock-knock jokes? They all love hearing them and they love telling them. Her favorite is: knock, knock / who's there / police / police who? / police let me in, it's cold out here. Her granddad taught her that one. Personally, my favourite is one of ones ... Read more >

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excuse for a quiet cuddle before bed

by Katie

Gigi is a high-energy child who is almost always on the move. Sure, she is sitting still for longer periods of time during the day since starting nursery school, but it's not consistent and needs some work (sorry kid, but it's true). Honestly, I love how spirited she is but it leaves little time for cuddling. And cuddling is something I love, need, and want because it negates all stresses of ... Read more >

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what's going on this weekend in toronto (hint: it involves a man in red)

by Katie

The Santa Claus Parade is the weekend and I CANNOT WAIT. For over a hundred years, Toronto has heralded the arrival of Santa with this huge parade that originally started as a publicity stunt for the Eaton's store. How do you think Santa will arrive this year? Did you know that in 1913 Santa arrived in a sled pulled by REAL reindeer that Mr. Timothy Eaton imported from Labrador? Those ... Read more >

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ready, set, read!

by Katie

Our first parent-teacher meeting at Gigi's Nursery School was scheduled for yesterday. I'd been looking forward to it since it was announced because I know that Gigi loves her school and I'm fairly confident that the school loves her. I couldn't wait to hear what her teacher had to say. She may need to work on sharing and conflict resolution, but we have seen her emotional side mature in ... Read more >

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cold reality: toronto food banks

by Katie

Food banks are a cold reality in Toronto, and even though I don't want to believe it, many of their clients are children. At the North York Harvest Food Bank, 46% of the clients are children and 34% are under 18 at the Daily Bread Food Bank. These children aren't just from families using assistance or currently unemployed, 20% of clients at North York Harvest are employed. Based on the median ... Read more >

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Top five: storytime in Toronto

by Katie

In my research for Toronto Savvy Source, this is probably one of the more difficult top five lists to pull together. Deciding which story times are the best in the city is pretty much impossible. So I decided the easiest thing to do is to list the first five that I can think of off the top of my head. Cop out? You bet, and without further ado here it goes (drumroll please):Mabel's Fables ... Read more >

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Poppies: a symbol of Remembrance

by Katie

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, the day to commemorate Canadians who were killed in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. Gigi often comments on the symbol of the day, those bright red felt poppies that adorn passerby's lapels. She wants to know why people wear the flowers and where can she get one for herself.Last week when she asked again about the poppies, I decided to do ... Read more >

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what's going on this weekend in toronto

by Katie

I know that Hallowee'en was just last week but the winter season had descended full-tilt on Toronto already. Maybe not weather-wise (not that I'm complaining - I'll take 17 in November any day) but the Christmas decorations are up in the shops and the candy canes have replaced the Hallowe'en loot on the store shelves. This week marks the start of the downtown Winter Wonderland window ... Read more >

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