Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE Jan. 14, 2019
While there’s plenty of winter still to come, the Parents’ Voice Shawville has the solution for children and parents keeping warm this year and it involves lots of dancing.
That’s because they’ve brought back their Cooperative Movement for Caregivers and Tots program for the next six weeks, where guests get the chance to jump, sing, move and shake it all out in a series of classes led by the Corriveau School of Dance’s Marie-Josée Corriveau.
Classes are structured in a way to keep both the children and their caregivers constantly moving, as they start with a warm-up, move onto a series of dances, then games and end with an obstacle course. Featuring a range of songs designed to teach dancing and other lessons, such as “Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes,” as well as fun, popular kids’ tunes, like “Baby Shark,” children and parents can look forward to 45 minutes of constant activity, starting at 10:30 a.m. every Monday.
Corriveau explained that this setup for the sessions helps encourage more than just physical activity for the young ones involved, as it also helps with the development of social, self-help, communication, memory and fine motor skills.
“There’s so many developmental skills going on,” explained Corriveau.
Having studied early childhood education and led similar classes within daycares for around six years, she’s seen firsthand how quickly children can grasp what they’re learning, even with attending just once a week.
“After a while, they’ll know the routines, so it’s also working their memory and intellect,” said Corriveau.
As well, those attending the classes with their little ones can look forward to squeezing in some physical activity for themselves, too.
“It’s also a workout for the parents,” said Corriveau. “With kids, it’s go, go, go, so for 45 minutes, we are all going.”
The last Monday for the program will be on Feb. 25, and the cost is $20 for the whole duration or $5 per class. The program takes place in the Shawville Lions Hall, located on the upper level of the arena.
Up next for the Parents’ Voice is their Annual General Meeting on Feb. 19, where parents and new members are encouraged to join the group to bring fresh ideas to the table, as the group looks to the year ahead.
