Friends Provident International is sponsoring The Children’s Centre’s Action, Songs and Rhymes sessions across the Island. Staff from the charity’s Community Development Team, who are trained to Level 3 in Early Years Care, travel around the Island during term time delivering weekly sessions for pre-school children in Douglas, Sulby, Peel, Ramsey and Port Erin. Around 6,000 carers, babies and toddlers take part every year. Through music and movement sessions, parents play and interact with their children to develop communication and motor skills. The children enjoy the stimulation which helps to build their social and emotional faculties at a time when their brains are developing more rapidly than at any other time. Children can take part in Action, Songs and Rhymes sessions from when they are just a few weeks old up to the age of three. Juana Warburton, Development Manager at The Children’s Centre, said:
“We’re extremely grateful for the support from Friends Provident International. The sponsorship of Action, Songs and Rhymes provides us with stable funding to ensure the continuation of the service and add an additional session in Douglas on Mondays. Friends Provident International has been a loyal supporter of The Children’s Centre for a number of years by sponsoring our Leadership in the Community (LinC) programme for adults, our Junior LinC programme, a golf day and our Adventure Team Challenge.”
Jonathan Hall, General Manager and Director, Friends Provident International, said:
“We believe Action, Songs and Rhymes gives children the best possible start and will make a real difference for young people in the Isle of Man. Friends Provident International is delighted to continue supporting The Children’s Centre by sponsoring this project.”
At Action, Songs and Rhymes there’s a chance to sing nursery rhymes old and new and the sessions are a great opportunity for parents and children to interact and socialise. The singing session is followed by a snack and a drink for the children. Action, Songs and Rhymes is very popular with youngsters and parents alike, and Karen Mordue, one of the mums whose children attend the sessions, speaks for many when she says:
“You can see the benefits of the sessions almost straight away. As well as helping with language development, it’s fun and active. Even the little ones have their favourite songs. The younger children start the better; and it’s even a good workout for mums and dads too!”
Action, Songs and Rhymes sessions are free of charge, but donations are gratefully received. The full weekly schedule for Action, Songs and Rhymes is as follows (please note that the sessions are available in school term times only):
Monday
Manx Youth Band Hall (Old Red Cross Building) Park Road, Douglas , from 10.15am to 11.15 am, and from 1.15pm to 2.15 pm.
Tuesday
Sulby Primary School from 9.30am to 10.30am.
Philip Christian Centre, Peel, from 2pm to 3pm.
Wednesday
Auldyn School Community Room , Auldyn School, Ramsey, from 9.30am to 10.30am and from 10.40am to 11.40am.
Laxey Working Men’s Institute (downstairs entrance, side road opposite Co-op) from 1.30pm to 2.30pm
Thursday
Ballasalla Primary School (entrance though main door to hall) from 10 am to 11 am.
Friday
Royal British Legion Club, Droghadfayle Road, Port Erin (use car park entrance). Parents, Carers and Tots from 10 am to 11 am; Snack Time 11.00 am to 11.10 am; Action Songs and Rhymes 11.10am to noon. Come to either or both sessions.
Photo - Celebrating the new Action, Songs and Rhymes sponsorship are John Knight, left, Chief Executive of The Children’s Centre, and Jonathan Hall, second from left, General Manager and Director, Friends Provident International. With them are ASR staff and some of the parents and children who attend the sessions including Karen Mordue who is sitting at the front.
