Strengthening the mother-child bond

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD

andy.blatchford@transcontinental.ca

Building on the instinctive connection between a mother and child, a Pierrefonds organization has been helping families forge an even greater bond.

Cloverdale Multi-Ressources Family Centre offers a string of programs to encourage parents and children to get to know each other a little better.

Beginning with a stimulation workshop for newborns, Multi-Ressources’ moms-and-tots groups aim to improve the well-being of families during a baby’s first 24 months.

For over 15 years, the group has provided a range of free services to the community, which today includes family support, day care, pre-school program and summer camps.

Pierrefonds’ Nancy MacDonald sings, dances and plays with her 21-month-old daughter Darla in the early stimulation group twice a week. Between six and 12 mother-and-child pairs regularly take part in the workshop, she said.

“I’m at home, she (Darla) doesn’t go to day care, so it’s good for her to interact with other children her age,� MacDonald said. “It’s good because I see her in a different light because she obviously acts different with the group. It’s fun to see. That’s how they (children) learn how to be social and share.

“It’s good for her and me.�

Last Thursday, nine mothers and their children sang and clapped along to Simple Simon inside Multi-Ressources’ Gouin Boulevard home during an early stimulation session.

Led by energetic perinatal activities co-ordinator Beatrice Dévil, participants of the bilingual, one-hour workshop took part in a collection of activities, which also included throwing rubber balls around the room and twirling colourful ribbons.

For most of the 60 minutes, there was no shortage of smiles and plenty of hugs — which the women frequently gave to each other’s youngsters.

“It’s a very warm environment,� said Multi-Ressources director Véronica Lopez.

The programs “create a link of attachment so the mom can connect, see the progress, better understand, stimulate and accompany the child,� she said. “Mothers do it naturally, but we help them do it even better. The mother also socializes with other moms and she can share her experiences.�

Workshops aim to reduce negligence that can sometimes arise from detachment, Lopez said. Mother/child detachment can be stirred by — but not limited to — the lack of a significant social network (often associated with mothers who are new to Canada) and those earning a low income, she said.

“It’s not only these mothers that have detachment problems, all moms can have these issues,� she added.

Lopez said mothers are referred to the workshops by CLSC Pierrefonds.

For more information about Cloverdale Multi-Ressources, call 514-684-8228.