remedy for cabin fever

I decided today that I'd write about the playgroup options for parents of toddlers (and infants and preschoolers) in St. John's, but I feel oddly hypocritical doing so as we rarely attend. That being said, I met one of my mama-friends at the playgroup at Wedgewood Park, and I'm happy that we found that one right away after we moved here because hanging around our house 24/7 was getting kind of boring for Madeline.

Without further ado, and in no particular order:

• Playgroup at Wedgewood Park: Tuesday and Thurday 10:30 - noon. It's $2 per child. They have some infant toys, and lots of things for toddlers and preschoolers. Wedgewood Park is just off Torbay Road at Gleneyre Street (north of Newfoundland Drive). I went to this a lot with Madeline in the spring as it was good place for her to run around, but I really found it crazy and chaotic by the same token. There is an area set aside for infants, but the toddlers and preschooler are free to get in each other's way.
• Playgroup at the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) building: Tuesday and Thursdays, 9:30-noon. This one is smaller, and I say it's set up more like a daycare in that there is an infant area, and then different stations for the older children (sand, water, crafts, blocks, play kitchen, etc.). A snack is served. It's free (and open to the public) but donations are appreciated. When Madeline and  I have attended in the past, I usually drop $2 in the donation can. This one is past Avalon Mall at 50 Pippy Place (it's at the back of the building, not visible from the road). I've been here twice with Madeline and I like it much more than the Wedgewood Park one. It's calmer, and more infant-friendly.   
• Playgroup at Bethesda Pentecostal Church: This playgroup, which has a name like "Mom & Tots", is open to the public and not affiliated with the church, located on Macdonald Drive. It's held on Wednesday mornings, from 10 - 11:30am, I believe. I don't have any personal experience with this one, but I've met several parents of toddlers who attend and find it well-organized.
• Daybreak East End Downtown Family Resource Initiative (DEEDFRI) Playgroups: My toddler and I went to their outdoor playgroups at Bannerman Park over the summer, and I know that DEEDFRI runs indoor playgroups from fall to spring. I don't have a current schedule - I called them up about three weeks ago to ask about their playgroups and apparently a schedule was supposed to be mailed to me. Hasn't shown up yet. Their number is in the phone book, if anyone else wants to try to get a schedule :)
• Brighter Futures playgroups: Brighter Futures is a community outreach organization as well, and they have no less than six active playgroups throughout St. John's, Mount Pearl, Torbay, and Bell Island (according to their brochure).  Madeline's Mother Goose program is held in their facility at Holy Cross Elementary, so I can say that they offer many activities to keep toddlers busy (play kitchen, crafts, sand table, blocks, books, etc.) and have separate area for infants (complete with sofas for nursing moms).  I don't know the times of any of the playgroups, but the program coordinators can be reached at 739-8096.

It's not technically a playgroup, but another option to pass away a morning is the Mother Goose program.  Madeline and I registered for the toddler program, and after three sessions I'm starting to remember some of the games and rhymes. Each session starts off with circle time (songs and rhymes), then the todders are whisked back into the playgroup room for snacks and crafts while the parents and caregivers learn a story to tell later, and then everyone is reunited again for songs and games. As I mentioned above, it's held at Holy Cross Elementary on Tuesday mornings. Childcare is available for older/younger siblings.

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[Shelley Moores]

Bulldog Interactive Fitness will be starting a Playgroup June 2009.
The playgroup will run Monday and Friday from 9-11am. It will include FITNESS,ARTS & CRAFTS, STORYTIME & MORE!
Only $4 per child.

For more information call 739-KIDS (5437)