Wiggle, Giggle and Munch virtually

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This article was published 08/06/2020 (1964 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Without schools and daycares, many families are struggling to find a balance between being a parent and a teacher during the pandemic.

Wolseley Family Place is looking to provide low income families with a little fun to brighten their weeks.

The organization has moved their Wiggle, Giggle and Munch program online, hosting the event on Zoom video conferencing app. Now titled, Wiggle, Giggle and Zoom, the event provides children with a series of games, singalongs and other activities to keep them healthy and connected during the shutdown.

Katherine Pulak, the facilitator for Wiggle, Giggle and Zoom, said the adjustment to a Zoom event was not easy, but it’s been a fantastic tool for families.

“It’s good because it provides some ideas and resources for parents. When you’re at home, you kind of run out of ideas on what to do for fun, you don’t have the time to look on the internet or read through books,” Pulak said. “For (families), it’s really nice to hear some new ideas. Even if they don’t engage with them now, they can bank it for later and apply it for a different day.”

Pulak hosts the class with Bev Gray, who works in the playroom at Wolseley Family Place (202-222 Furby St.). Usually, the class would be held in a large gym at Crossways in Common in West Broadway. The staff use a variety of equipment, like jump ropes and pylons to conduct the class. Since everyone is now at home, Pulak and Gray had to get creative.

The pair started looking around their homes to figure out what families had access to. For example, one session involved kids stacking a bunch of plastic containers around their living room. The kids would pretend they were Superman or Superwoman, and fly around the containers as if they were skyscrapers.

The sessions usually start with a discussion period, followed by a singalong, then some sort of movement or craft activity, before ending with a short lesson.

Emma Fineblit, Family Place’s executive director, said they’re looking at other ways to keep families connected during the pandemic.

“The biggest value we can provide is building a sense of community. Giving a safe place for families to connect with each other. We’re always looking for ways to reduce isolation and we’re finding creative ways to do that,” Fineblit said. “Having longstanding relationships with us, being able to see someone regularly, helps people feel less alone. It’s amazing what (Gray and Pulak) have been able to accomplish, along with the rest of our staff.”

Wiggle, Giggle and Munch was a program originally designed by Communities 4 Families, a partnership of organizations that supports families living in downtown Winnipeg.

Fineblit said they need donations to support creative programming like this. For more information, visit wolseleyfamilyplace.com