EarlyON at Family Day

Summer Snapshot!

From silkworms to cocoons to moths—and back to the beginning again!
Over several weeks, children in our Parkland Summer Care Program closely observed and cared for silkworms as they ate, grew, spun silk, formed cocoons and finally emerged as adult silk moths. Then came another exciting discovery—tiny eggs! Now they’re eagerly waiting for a new generation of silkworms to hatch and the life cycle to begin again.

Their fascination carried over into a Clay Creations activity, where the children worked together to recreate what they had observed—frequently returning to the observation box to check the details. They modelled everything from silkworms and cocoons to moths, eggs and, yes, even silkworm droppings!

Weeks of curiosity, observation, creativity and discovery—all inspired by some very tiny creatures.

Imagine arriving at school and being told you couldn't learn alongside your friends because of the colour of your skin or the community you came from.

Canada's history includes many forms of educational exclusion. Black children faced racial segregation in schools, while Indigenous children faced different but equally harmful barriers through systems such as residential schools.

Remembering our history helps us build schools & communities where every child feels welcomed, valued, and included.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vkX6ID

We hope you can join us!

Please visit https://familydaycare.com/get-out-and-move-for-family-day-2026/ beginning August 24th to reserve your spot.

Rainy days can bring their own kind of outdoor adventure! ️ A little water can transform a familiar outdoor space—creating puddles to splash in, mud to squish and shape, and new opportunities to explore, experiment and discover.

The children at Philip Pocock Child Care Centre know just how much fun mud can be! Mud play offers a wonderfully open-ended sensory experience, encouraging children to investigate, create, problem-solve and, of course, get wonderfully messy.

So, the next time the forecast calls for rain, it might just be the perfect invitation to pull on the rain boots and see what new possibilities appear!

Watering. Singing. Growing.

At our Markham East EarlyON mobile program at Markham Gateway, families check on the centre's plants each day—making sure they have enough water and sunlight. Recently, the children decided the plants deserved a song, too.

One child explained why: "We made them feel safe and now they will grow."

Sometimes, the smallest moments help children grow empathy, responsibility and a lifelong connection to the natural world.

Summer Snapshot!

Some of the best summer memories are made when everyone jumps in together.

At our Silver Springs Summer Care program, children gathered around for a hands-on sensory experience that sparked curiosity, encouraged teamwork and, yes, got a little messy! Along the way, they explored new textures, shared ideas and discovered that learning is even more fun when it's done together.

Sometimes the best part of summer is simply getting your hands dirty.

Black Canadian communities have shaped this country for generations and continue to do so today.

Founded by freedom-seekers and formerly enslaved people in the mid-1800s, Buxton became one of Canada's most successful Black settlements. Its thriving community demonstrated the power of education, self-determination, and resilience.

Places like Buxton, Amber Valley, and other historic Black neighbourhoods across Canada reflect resilience, culture, and community strength.

Find out more: https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/underground-railroad-st-catharines_chemin-de-fer-clandestin/story/north-buxton-a-living-memory-of-freedom/

Who knew sunshine could make such a tasty science lesson?

Our Parkland and Cedarwood school-age children designed and built their own solar ovens before putting them to the test. After measuring the heat inside their creations, they used the sun's energy to make gooey, melted s'mores!

It's amazing what children can discover when creativity, curiosity and a little sunshine come together.

Summer Snapshot! This week, we're visiting our Willow Way Child Care Centre, where our school-age children have been making the most of summer through creativity, exploration and teamwork!

From making English muffin pizzas to exploring nature on a scavenger hunt, every adventure inspired new discoveries. The treasures they collected along the way became part of a special project they are working on ... a nature-inspired surprise to celebrate Family Day's 175th anniversary.

Summer is full of opportunities to learn, create and grow—together.

Happy Civic long weekend!
We hope you’ve been enjoying some well-earned time to relax, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. Whether you’ve been exploring, resting, or just enjoying a slower pace, we wish you a safe and restful final day of the long weekend!