Child Life

The Child Life Program helps children understand and cope with their health care experience. The use of medical dolls and standard medical equipment such as syringes during activities helps children become more comfortable with and less fearful of different procedures and treatments the face at the hospital. But, the program is for the entire families, offering support and coping skills to siblings and parents and utilizing therapeutic play to reduce stress and aid in emotional expression.

Expressive Arts

When a child undergoes a significant change in their lives due to illness, their own or that of a sibling, they can experience emotions they can’t put into words or even understand. Twice a week, the Expressive Arts Program allows children and parents to use a variety of artistic mediums to communicate their feelings in a safe way.

Activities include:

• Painting, drawing and sculpting. Children are able to express complex emotions through these artistic methods. They are also able experience pride in creating something from nothing. A blank piece of paper, for example, represents hope when it is filled with rainbows.

• Performing. Playing with puppets can be a safe way for a child to express their feelings. While talking to a grown up can be difficult, talking to a starfish can be much easier!

• Music. Children can experiment with musical instruments and to learn to express emotion through sound and movement.

Play

Our Play Program provides a variety of enjoyable, organized daily activities and events for everyone staying at RMH Toronto. Offered seven days a week, the program focuses on positive recreation and suits all ages and interests. Our Play Program Coordinator ensures that there are a variety of activities for children to participate in; giving them something to look forward to as well as offering parents a “breather” or an opportunity to participate in an organized activity with their child. Anyone at the House is welcome to join in the fun!

Where kids can just be kids! Activities include:

• Creative crafts
• Cooking and baking fun
• Woodworking
• Games
• Movie nights
• Seasonal decorating
• Seasonal parties and much more!

Summer Fun

It can be difficult for children to be away from home during the summer. Friends are surely missed. But, there is a lot to keep kids busy at the House when school’s out!

Our Summer Fun program is a daily day camp-like program children can attend every day. It offers a variety of fun activities during long summer days, including baking, arts and crafts, as well as special summer field trips. It keeps kids entertained while enabling them to make new friends.

Support and Courtesy Services

We know that the little things can make a BIG difference in the way our children and families heal. Sitting down to a home-cooked meal after a long day at the hospital. Borrowing a car to get groceries. Emailing your friends back home. Our support services are designed to make life just a little bit easier for our families while they are staying at RMH Toronto.

• Calia Hair Design and Hair Studio 211 - One lucky winner is treated every six weeks to a very special day: hair cut, colour styling, manicure & hand treatment.

• Family Lunches - Lunch provided for families every Sunday.

• Home for Dinner - Groups can demonstrate their commitment to helping others by providing a meal for the 28 families under our roof. We continue to reach out to small groups with a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of families in need through our Home for Dinner meal program.

• House Car - Available for family members with a valid driver’s license to sign out, courtesy of Subaru.

• Shiatsu Massage - Volunteer Leisa is available once a week for a relaxing 15-minute session in our Quiet Room.

• Wireless Internet – Laptops are available to borrow and wireless internet is provided so our families can stay connected to loved ones back home.