The Parent and Toddler Group continue to meet on Tuesdays from 2pm to 3:30pm. We have seen an increase in numbers joining the group. The toddlers continue to enjoy painting, rhymes and songs as well as freeplay and its great for the parents too, a chance to discuss the ups and downs of the week!
The Group went on a day trip to Tunroe pet farm last month. The children enjoyed a fun-packed day in glorious sunshine, walking around the farm, a picnic lunch and availing of the wonderful playground facilities there. Trying to get the children home proved to be the biggest problem!
The parents went out for a meal to the White Gables in Moycullen as our founder member Mairead Uí Chúrnain is moving away from the area and leaving the Group. We would like to thank Mairéad for all her efforts over the last year.
We are continuing our series of talks on topics that are of interest to parents. During the month of May, Child Psychologist Rachael Concannon of the Western Health Board came out to speak to us. She advised us on the importance of a positive approach to parenting both in our language and our actions, the benefits of rewarding good behavious with positive attention, and suggestions for disciplining children in a firm but respectful manner. This talk was followed by one from Morna Egan Speech Therapist with the WHB. She educated us on the very latest techniques for encouraging language development in our children and dealt with many individual questions from the Group.
Also during the month Lucy from Galway City Childcare Committee visited us for an afternoon and gave us some ideas for the further development of the Group. The local teacher at the Naionra came and advised us on safety and how to incorporate Irish into the Group—painting and colour, music and rhymes. The local Public Health Nurse called out to us and dealt with any questions parents had in relation to the health of their children. Finally Ray from Formative Fun joined us for an afternoon with a selection of toys and advised on relevant toys for sensory/motor skills for young children.
For more information on the Group, you may phone any of the Committee members below:
- Teresa (Carnmore) 798783
- Ger (Lydacan) 799151
- Joanna (Lissarulla) 799515
Meet every Tuesday from 2pm–3.30pm in Claregalway Naíonra Centre (adjacent to Claregalway Leisure Centre)
