What is the goal of the program?
The Move Learn Grow program delivers a play-based approach to early childhood learning that enhances the development of children with disabilities, emphasizing social integration, emotional well-being, and building long-term life skills.
The program aims to:
- Enhance children’s independence and ability to perform daily tasks.
- Engage and empower families to actively participate in their child’s development.
- Improve physical health and wellbeing.
- Ensure children have fun.
- Foster social skills and build relationships among peers.
- Prepare children for future participation in their communities and schools.
Who is eligible to register?
Move Learn Grow supports children with disabilities aged 0-12 years.
The summer program promotes the development of specific abilities using a play-based approach to learning and skills development:
- Sunshine Sprouts (aged 0-18 months)
- Sensory Explorers (aged 2-3 and 4-5)
- Little Learners (aged 3-5)
- Mind Lab (aged 6-8)
- Sensory Adventurers (aged 6-8)
- Social Squad (aged 9-12)
When is the program offered?
Move Learn Grow weekly group classes in the summer session run from
July 7 to August 15, 2025.
Summer Session Weekly Schedule
0-18 Month Old
- Sunshine Sprouts: Monday 9:30 - 10:30 am
2-3 Years Old
- Sensory Explorers: Thursday 10:30 - 11:30 am
* Sensory Explorers (2-3 years) is now full for the Summer session. If you would like to be put on a waiting list contact us at movelearngrow@marchofdimes.ca.
3-5 Years Old (Entering Kindergarten in September)
- Little Learners: Tuesday 9:30 - 11:00 am
4-5 Years Old
- Sensory Explorers: Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00 pm
* Sensory Explorers (4-5 years) class is now full for the Summer session. If you would like to be put on a waiting list contact us at movelearngrow@marchofdimes.ca
6-8 Years Old
- Sensory Adventurers: Monday 11:00 am 12:00 pm
* Sensory Adventurers class is now full for the Summer session. If you would like to be put on a waiting list contact us at movelearngrow@marchofdimes.ca. - Mind Lab: Tuesday 3:00 - 4:00 pm
9-12 Years Old
- Social Squad: Wednesday 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Where is the program offered?
Move Learn Grow classes are conducted at 99 Duncan Mill Road, Toronto (York Mills Avenue & Highway 401). The building has free parking and is accessible via TTC.
How much does participation in the program cost?
There is
no fee for participating in the program.
How can I register my child for the program?
Registration runs from April 22 to June 6, 2025. Enrollment is on a first come first served basis. To successfully enroll in one of our classes, please follow these steps:
- Complete the intake form by clicking the registration button below.
- Book your virtual 15-minute occupational therapy assessment using the booking link that we will send to you. The booking link will be sent from our email address:
movelearngrow@marchofdimes.ca. We suggest adding it to your address book to avoid our emails going to junk mail.
- Attend the virtual assessment to understand your child’s needs and match them to the appropriate class.
- Confirm your child’s enrollment in the recommended class.
Please note your child is not considered enrolled in the spring session until they receive an assessment and you confirm your spot in a recommended class.
Fill out our online form to register for the Move Learn Grown summer program, that will run from July 7 to August 15, 2025.
Registration deadline for the Move Learn Grow summer program is June 6, 2025. Register today!
Summer classes will run from July 7 to August 15, 2025.
What can I expect from the classes?
While classes are primarily categorized by chronological age, we also consider developmental abilities to ensure appropriate class placement. This approach helps match children with peers who have similar needs and abilities.
All classes are led by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants with assistance from trained volunteers.
Our classes are designed with a group goal in mind. For more details, please
visit our Move Learn Grow – Classes page. Specific individual goals that align with the overall class objectives are discussed during the assessment and supported to the best of our ability in classes.
We invite children to participate in structured activities that are carefully planned for each class, but we do not force them to participate. Free play time is often a favourite component of each class. Rate of progress toward group and individual goals varies from child to child.
Classes are facilitated with a
neurodiversity affirming approach. This means that we recognize and respect the diverse ways in which everyone’s brain functions and that we meet participants where they are at. We promote inclusive practices and environments that accommodate and celebrate neurodiverse individuals.
Interacting with parents is important to us. We do our best to take time during classes to interact with parents when time allows, though our main priority is supporting the children in their skill development and engagement.
How was the program developed?
Our early learning program, Move Learn Grow, builds on nearly 20 years of children’s programming, using evidence-based practices and the latest educational theories to support the diverse needs of children with disabilities across Canada.
Move Learn Grow was designed by occupational therapists with pediatric experience to support the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of children with disabilities.
The Move Learn Grow pilot took place from July 9, 2024 to August 23, 2024. Feedback from families who participated in the pilot phase is reflected in the design of the full program to ensure it meets the needs of the children it serves.
Which evidence-based practices are reflected in the program?
It also uses the
CASEL Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework as a guide to address the gap in opportunities for kids with disabilities. SEL principles help kids understand and manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and practice their social-emotional skills in a supportive environment.
The program follows the
Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model of occupational therapy that considers the context of a child’s environment and the tasks they engage in to enable a child’s participation and engagement.
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Fitness: Promoting healthy body structure and function.
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Functioning: Engaging in activities that help increase independence.
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Friends: Promoting participation and building relationships.
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Family: Integrating family in a kid’s learning and future success.
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Fun: Promoting fun and play-based activities.
I am interested in the program but am not sure if my child is ready for group classes. What should I do?
In some cases, children may be at a stage in their development where they exhibit behaviours that might not be safe or appropriate for a group environment. If you have questions or concerns about your child being ready for participation in a group class, please contact us at
movelearngrow@marchofdimes.ca to discuss further.
