Daddy ‘n me program offers bonding time

Belleville, Ont. (01/17/12)-Being able to let his kids have a chance to run wild is Dan Foley's favorite part about the Daddy n Me program run at the Ontario Early Years Center in Belleville. Foley has been bringing his two children Ryan, 2, and Brooke, 14 months, to the program held on Tuesday nights for about two months now. Photo by: Stephanie James

By Stephanie James

Jay R Perehinchuk has been bringing his two sons to the Ontario Early Years Centre since they where babies.

They participate in a wide variety of activities such as crafts, riding bikes in the gym, or playing with play dough. Participants can always find something to do.

“The program offers a variety of activities in a variety of different rooms,” said Perehinchuk.

He and his kids, Liam, 6, and Adrian, 4, are among a group of men and children who take part in the Daddy n’ Me program offered at the centre.

Located on MacDonald Avenue in Belleville, the Ontario Early Years Centre is a great place for parents to take their children to play, learn good parenting skills and find support with parenting and child development if needed. The Daddy n’ Me program is one of many free programs that the centre has to offer.

Held on Tuesday nights between 5p.m. and 7p.m, the program is run by men and for men whether they are fathers, uncles, grandparents or family friends with a child between infant years to age six.

“They get to come here to play with their children without any television screens or game consoles. It also gives them the opportunity to talk to other fathers and learn early learning with their children through play,” said Julie Hickey, an early childhood educator.

Hickey is the only female worker who deals with the Daddy n’ Me program and helps with planning and organizing events and activities.

Started in 2005 by Phil Jones, the program is designed with many activities throughout the night so dads and kids never have a dull moment. Beginning with a light buffet-style dinner, usually consisting of pizza, fruit and drinks, participants have the opportunity for free time with their children in one of three playrooms and small gym. Everyone is then invited to take part in a planned activity such as music and dancing, races and paper airplane building.  Later on, participants can sign up to read to the group at story time, or older children, usually age six, can read to the group as well.

“The Early Years Centre is an incredible facility. It lets the kids run wild and have some fun,” said Dan Foley, who has been bringing his son Ryan, 2, and daughter Brooke, 14 months, to the program for about two months.

Running the program on Tuesday nights, Jeremie Nolet has been a part of the program for about two months. Having a career with Children’s Mental Health and being a father of three gives him the opportunity to provide both professional and personal advice about child development to those who seek it.

“My role is really to make the night a positive experience for the dads and their kids”, said Nolet.

The program is also offered to high school students wanting to complete co-op credits for their high school education. Current co-op student Jeden Jones, 18, helps Nolet run the program and getting activities ready before fathers and children arrive.

“I get an intro into the real world and get to see how the different age groups of kids interact with each other,” said Jones.

With an average count of 30 participants nightly, the Ontario Early Years Centre is filled with young children and their male role models. They can be found running, playing and learning together, whether they are making crafts, burning off energy in the gym or simply spending quality time together in the toddler room.