WGM

Wiggle, Giggle & Munch Facilitator Training

Wiggle, Giggle & Munch is a a physical activity and nutrition program for preschoolers and their parents. Typical WGM programs are offered once per week (in 6-10 week sessions) and hosted by family-focused agencies. WGM is designed to promote physical literacy, nutritious snacks and to encourage play and curiosity for children 1-4 years old along with their families.

This training is an 8 hour workshop (1 day or divided over multiple days, depending on delivery)

What you’ll get!

In this facilitator training you will learn:

  • how to run our own WGM program
  • what kinds of snacks to serve to ensure variety and curiosity with your attending families
  • songs and rhymes that encourage movement in little ones (and their parents)
  • games, activities and ideas to get families moving and playing together – using all kinds of movement!

Workshop Fees

$10 – for those serving downtown residents

$65 for those outside of downtown Winnipeg + $25 for the hard-copy manual (digital copies are free).

Want an exclusive training for your agency? With 6+ registrants, we can offer you a custom workshop.

Contact Barby to discuss your next WGM training workshop.

Click to see upcoming workshop dates

Watch this quick video. See how much FUN is waiting for you!

WGM Mentorship Support

During the first year after receiving the training certificate, the WGM mentor/trainer will keep in touch with WGM program leaders who need extra guidance or tips about activities and skills-building workshops.Program leaders can expect:

  • Communication through e-mail, Zoom, or in-person.On-site visits according to C4F mentoring rules.After each on-site or online mentoring for a WGM session, the program leader will receive feedback and the chance to debrief. The mentor/trainer will ask what went well and what needs more attention, about challenges and how C4F can help with extra mentoring and resources.What does the mentor/trainer do during mentoring visits? They become part of the group as any other participant- jump, sing, and mix within the group. They will make sure to allow the program leaders to be as comfortable as they can. This will help the program leader facilitate without feeling that this a test.

    • Outdoor Play and WGM

    Check out this slideshow pdf for inspiration and NEW ideas for taking WGM (or any parent-child programs) outdoors.

    Interested in learning more about outdoor play? Read more here.

    How it all started

    In 2004, a sub-committee of C4F created the Wiggle, Giggle & Munch program to address:
    • The gap in community programming between healthy baby programs and school-age recreation programs by providing a program for toddlers, preschoolers and their parents;
    • The rising incidence of obesity, inactivity, and diabetes in our communities; • And promote the philosophy that a “healthy child is an active child and an active child is a healthy child”.

    In 2004, Wiggle, Giggle & Munch began as an eight-week pilot project at two locations. The enthusiasm of participating families led to the program’s continuation in the Fall of 2004 through to the Spring of 2005. During this time, C4F ran one ten-week and two eight-week programs at four locations.

    Wiggle, Giggle & Munch has evolved

    Since the pilot and creation of the first handbook, Wiggle, Giggle & Munch has grown to include numerous regular downtown Winnipeg sites, running 2-3 sessions per year. Wiggle, Giggle & Munch also runs independently at various community programs across the province. Since C4F does not sell the Wiggle, Giggle & Munch program or track programs outside the downtown area, an exact number of current programs is unknown. However, at every training (offered 2-3 times per year) new leaders continue to attend to learn the program.

    Wiggle, Giggle & Munch program leaders have opportunities to update their certificate through skills-building workshops provided by Communities 4 Families.

    The Wiggle, Giggle & Munch program has been updated to include the ideas and discoveries shared over its past formative years.