Meet the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program

The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® started in 1986 in Toronto, Ontario. A group of parents and their babies and young children gathered in a church basement in a low income neighbourhood to meet with two teachers who taught them rhymes and songs to use with their children, and also told them stories for their own delight. The founders of the program, Celia Lottridge and Katherine Grier, were inspired by a pilot project created by Barry Dickson and Joan Bodger. They found that the shared words, actions, images and feelings of rhymes and stories enhanced the relationship between parents and their children and gave them long-lasting resources. The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® has grown and become a multifaceted organisation. It has a national structure, with regional offices and local programs, and is governed by a Board of Directors from across Canada.

National
The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®/ Programme la Mère l'Oie pour parents et enfants MD is responsible for: training, the network of programs, resource development, including the website and professional support for our workshop facilitators and members, setting and maintaining standards, advocacy, national fundraising and research.

Regional
Coordination sites are responsible for: mentoring teachers, encouraging and helping maintain quality programs, provincial/regional fundraising, networking with other organisations, creating opportunities for provincial/regional gatherings of P-CMGP teachers, fundraising provincially/regionally. Local Programs provide direct service for families in communities, encourage participants to grow in leadership skills, network with other community organisations, create opportunities for local rhyme and storytelling groups, fundraise locally.

Our Workshops: Training the Teacher
Teacher training combines workshop training with apprenticeship training or practicum experience. Teacher Training Workshops are taught by accredited facilitators who teach participants the principles and methods of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®. Apprenticeship Training is hands-on training with an experienced, accredited P-CMGP teacher. Practicum Experience is experience teaching the P-CMGP. Our workshops have been purchased by agencies and organisations across Canada and internationally. Level Two workshops deepen teachers' understanding and abilities. Contact us to find out more about our training programs.

Our Programs:
Teaching the Parent The Teacher Training Workshops have led to hundreds of Parent-Child Mother Goose Programs® being offered in communities across Canada. This network of Programs is growing and is strengthened by sharing experiences through newsletters, the Internet and conferences. P-CMG Programs are run by accredited teachers, report regularly to the office and pay an annual fee.

Program Visits
To arrange a visit to a Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®, please email us at mgoose@web.net. Program visits are an excellent way to experience the program and see it in action.

Resources
A variety of resources are available for purchase, including rhyme books and CDs in English and French, storybooks, training manuals, and videos.

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At the Heart of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program

The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® is a group experience for parents and their babies and young children which focuses on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs, and stories together. Parents gain skills and confidence which can enable them to create positive family patterns during their children's crucial early years, and give their children healthy early experiences with language and communication. The Program can be run in a variety of settings and can be offered either to a particular client group or to the public at large. While adaptations can be made to suit particular user groups and settings, the following elements are essential to a Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® and must be incorporated in order to use the trademarked name and be a part of the network of accredited Parent- Child Mother Goose Programs®.

1. The P-CMGP is a group program in which parents/caregivers take part together with their infants or young children. Teaching is directed to the adults. The children participate as is appropriate to their stage of development and inclination.
2. Activity focuses on interactive rhymes, stories, and songs, all presented orally and through the air*. Printed versions of the rhymes and songs are supplied at the end of a series of meetings when the participants have had time to internalise some of the material and use it in their everyday lives. No toys or objects are used.
3. Storytelling is an integral part of the Program with the stories being chosen and told for the enjoyment of the adults. Stories which the parents can learn and tell to their children may also be included.
4. The pace is slow and relaxed with plenty of time for repetition of material and casual discussion of issues and questions that arise. The atmosphere is accepting and supportive, with the intention of building the confidence of all participants, and creating a feeling of community and mutual support within the group.
5. Program teachers are trained in the principles, materials and methods needed to run the Program effectively. Each program has at least two teachers who share all teaching duties and take time together after each session to discuss their observations of the interactions within the group, to review and make notes on the session activities, and to plan the next session based on their observations and the perceived needs of participants.
6. Groups are small enough to ensure that the needs of individuals as well as of the group as a whole can be met. In order for adults to relax and participate fully in the group, an assistant may be available to supervise walking children in the Infant program, and for childcare in a playroom during storytelling in the Two-to-Four Program.
7. The Program is aimed at families in need of support for any of a variety of reasons. There is no cost to the parents who participate.

*as in the ASL (American Sign Language) Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®

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What the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®
Can Do for your Organisation

For over 20 years, the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® has been helping parents and caregivers nurture their relationships with babies and young children. Community-based programs give parents the opportunity to build on their strengths and learn new skills. Our programs have been particularly effective for parents living in situations of risk.

Our workshops and programs have assisted many organisations in fulfilling their mandate for serving families with young children. Programs are enjoyable for both teacher and participant, and offer transferable skills for staff to apply to other areas of community service.

They help to build and strengthen communities, and provide a safe entry point into services. Here is a quick introduction to what your staff will receive:

Step 1 - Our Workshops: Training the Teacher

The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® Teacher Training Workshop covers the materials, methods and underlying ideas of the program. The first level of Training has 2 parts:

1. Participation in the two-day Teacher Training Workshop
2. Apprenticeship and/or Practicum Experience (minimum 30 sessions)

Step 2 - Our Programs: Teaching the Parent and Building Your Community

Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® sessions are the application of the methods and materials learned in Step 1. Our programs are delivered through local community centres and agencies, and can offer a safe entry point for parents living in situations of risk.

Programs are based on the training and resources of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®. Those establishing a Program use the trademarked name and enter into an annual Agreement with the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®. We offer ongoing support to Programs through e-mail and telephone consultation, our website, program visits and conferences. Regional offices are currently in place in Toronto and British Columbia, and are coordinated by experienced P-CMGP teachers and workshop facilitators who provide local information and support.

Step 3 - Strengthening Skills through Advanced Level Two Training

Level Two workshops such as Rhymes and Songs in the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® and Storytelling in the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® provide opportunities to receive in-depth training in the materials and methods of the Program and to meet and share with other P-CMGP teachers.

If you are interested in any aspect of this Three Step Process, please contact us directly.

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Privacy Statement

The Parent Child Mother Goose Program® respects your privacy. We protect the personal information we collect and adhere to all legislative requirements with respect to protecting your privacy. We do not rent, sell or trade any personal any personal information including mailing lists. The information you provide may be used to deliver services, and to keep you informed and up to date on the activities of PCMG, including programs, services, special events, funding needs, opportunities to volunteer or to make a donation, and related information. If at any time, you wish to have your information removed from our contact list, simply contact us by phone 416.588.5234 or via email at mgoose@web.net and we will gladly accommodate your request.

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• Dianne Blewett, Winnipeg, MB
• Heather Boonstra, Fort Saskatchewan, AB
• Barbara M Curtis, Whitehorse,YT
• Celia Lottridge, Toronto, ON
• Mary Simpson, Toronto, ON
• Nancy Thurston, Truro, NS
• Joan Turner, Whitehorse, YT
• Linda Winham, Bedford, NS
• Krista Girard, Moncton, NB

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