Zoom Playgroup: EarlyON continues to connect local families and offer support

By  Sharon Walker

Transitioning into parenthood can be isolating and difficult at the best of times. Reinforcement and relief from family and friends is often expected and can be an opportunity for reprieve sleep deprivation, but restrictions have made family and in-home support difficult. That’s where EarlyON comes in.

EarlyON program facilitators know from experience that being a great parent takes time and practice and that parents can learn from being around other parents. EarlyON centres offer free, high quality programs for families and children from birth to age six. Parents can get advice from professionals trained in early childhood development, find out about family services in the community, and connect with other families with young children.

The Vanier Institute reported recently that one third of adults have said that they were “very” or “extremely” concerned about family stress from confinement. Not only have new parents had the worries of keeping an infant safe and thriving, but they have also shouldered all the stress of a pandemic.

EarlyON Kawartha Lakes & Haliburton’s Megan VanderWeilen says, “I love supporting families through Zoom. Of course, it’s not like face to face, but it is the next best thing we can do in these circumstances. When the children are engaged it is so heartwarming.”

During the pandemic, they shifted to provide online services to support families. Zoom group leaders engage with participants of all ages and encourage conversations between parents on topics like sleep, nutrition, learning, and play.

Though the facilitators feel a bit like entertainers, VanderWeilen says “What we feel is most important is the connection. We try to engage with participants and build a relationship. I hope this is what makes us different from just watching a YouTube video.”

EarlyON facilitators try to connect with each family to understand the personal struggles and genuinely celebrate every developmental achievement. EarlyON offers daily opportunities to learn healthy parenting habits, build support systems, and connect with other parents who are also living isolated in this new normal.

Crystal Rowsell and her family enjoyed attending EarlyON locations before the pandemic, but then they moved away from Kawartha Lakes. Keeping this community connection has been important to them.

“Moving away, being pregnant, parenting, and having a baby in a very unsure and fearful time was emotionally and mentally exhausting. That’s why we hopped onto the Zooms. I really love the energy that the staff of the EarlyON bring to all their programs. They’re authentic and genuine. The staff and another mom know my baby’s name, and make comments on the changes in my baby, which really makes my heart swell in this current climate of disconnect. Being able to engage in a community is so essential. It really became a lifeline, especially on days when we couldn’t get outside to play. Of course, it isn’t the same, but it’s definitely better than not having the resources.”

Even before COVID-19, participating in EarlyON programs has been valuable for families to reduce the isolation of being home with young children. One aspect of attending EarlyON drop-in centres has been for parents to observe families with slightly older children to see what will happen next.

During the pandemic, there has been little opportunity for new parents to see other parents and to discuss what is normal. Although Zoom meets are not perfect, they give parents an opportunity to experience the benefits of playgroup.

Zoom links are posted daily on the local EarlyON Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/oeyc.haliburtonvictoriabrock/