Learn more: Watch the Intro Video, Upcoming Training, Mentoring, Taking WGM Outside
Wiggle, Giggle & Munch is a physical activity and nutrition program for 1-4-year-olds and their parents or caregivers. Wiggle, Giggle & Munch is a program of Communities 4 Families (C4F). C4F is the downtown Parent-Child Coalition, funded by Healthy Child Manitoba and a network of community organizations and residents that work together to support families living in the Winnipeg downtown area.
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.