ABOUT ChILDRENS DISCOVERY CENTRE
We believe that being a little kid is about discovering who you are: It's about learning about your body and all the amazing things it can do - crawl, walk, run, skip, jump, dance. It's about learning how to communicate and share your feelings and ideas with others - make sounds, speak, draw, create, imagine, play. It's about discovering the world around you - look, smell, touch, taste, poke, explore. It's about taking chances, trying, testing, making mistakes... and trying again.
We believe in letting our kids use their natural curiosity and imagination in their own way. We believe that kids learn best through playing and exploring
OUR MISSION is to inspire our youngest children through creative play.
OUR VISION is to provide an educational, dynamic and wonder-filled environment where young kids aged 6 years and under can play, explore, create, get messy, dress up and use their imaginations to learn about themselves and the world around them.
Children's Discovery Centre is Toronto's only children's museum, joining over 200 children's museums already in operation throughout North America. Our exhibits have been thoughtfully designed by a team of early childhood development professionals and parents specifically for young kids aged six and below, of all physical and developmental abilities, to play and learn in ten discovery zones focusing on: building, moving your body, nature, visual arts, dramatic arts, music, pets, nutrition, reading and 'first discoveries' (for babies only).
Children's Discovery Centre is helping to build a city that includes the growing needs of its newest and youngest residents who are transforming the shape and character of Toronto's urban neighbourhoods.
MEET THE TEAM
JEANHY SHIM, FOUNDER + CEO
Over the past 22 years, Jeanhy has been providing strategic advice and innovative solutions for the real estate development industry, focusing on market research, product development, land acquisitions and sales and marketing with several leading developers, brokers and consultants in the Toronto area. Currently, Jeanhy is President of Housing Lab Toronto – an independent housing research company that that is rethinking how we grow our city by engaging with residents to understand unmet community and housing needs and aspirations. Children's Discovery Centre is the first 'city building' initiative of Housing Lab Toronto designed in response to a growing urban baby boom that is transforming our neighbourhoods and creating new demands from a new generation of urban families and kids. In addition to her passion for city building, Jeanhy is also a full-time mom with a six-year old daughter, who has been a living inspiration for the Children's Discovery Centre and for daring greatly.
CURATOR/STAFF MEMBER: LAURA AARON, ROUGE CONSULTING
Laura Aaron is Managing Director of Rouge Strategy Consulting, which focuses mainly on the creation and production of cultural events, debates, and activations designed to bring leading thinkers and industry leaders together to examine ideas, issues, and trends. Prior to launching Rouge Consulting, Laura was Senior Director at Informa Canada. Separate from her professional career, Laura serves on the Board of Directors at Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, which provides free social and emotional support for adults, teens, and children touched by cancer, along with their family and friends. While living in British Columbia, Laura served on the Board of Directors for the Fernie & District Arts Station; was curator of the Fernie Independent Film Series, and a co-founder of the Reel Canadian Film Festival. Laura received her MBA in Entrepreneurship and Real Estate from the University of Colorado; a Graduate Certificate in Book and Magazine Publishing from Centennial College, and an Honours Degree in Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario.
CURATOR: LIANNE PHILLIPSON-WEBB, SPROUTRIGHT
Lianne Phillipson-Webb is a Registered Nutritionist, author and founder Sprout Right - Nutrition from Tummy to Toddler. She shares her expert nutrition advice for families on Canada AM, CHCH Morning Live, Global Morning Live, CityLine and contributes to Today’s Parent, Canadian Family, TheLoop.ca and iVillage.ca.
As a mom of two daughters, she understands striving to make the best food choices at every meal. Sprout Right offers a host of supportive services, including consultations, cooking classes, meal plans and products that help families learn how and why it’s important to eat super nutritious food. She graduated with honours from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London, England.
CURATOR: THOM SOKOLOSKI, SMARTCULTURE PUBLIC ART
Thom Sokoloski brings over 40 years of experience as an artist, producer, curator and consultant to SmartCulture Public Art. His work has been presented by Luminato, World Stage, Musica Festival in Strasbourg, Holland Festival, Art Toronto, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Socrates Sculpture Park (NYC) and others. He has produced international tours of theatre, opera and classical concerts, organized large arts conferences, co-founded several arts organizations (The Theatre Centre and Native Theatre School), as well as programming and curating art fairs and festivals to receiving numerous commissions to create large-scale public art installations in Toronto, New York City and Ottawa which have been compared to the works of Christo. www.thomsokoloski.com / www.smartculture.ca
CURATOR: VANDANA TAXALI, Rx ARTE POP UPS
Vandana is currently in private legal practise at her law firm Entcounsel, and is involved with several incubators and accelerators. She is a mentor for social justice and creative start ups at OCAD University's incubator, The Imagination Catalyst and has mentored at George Brown's digiFest Empowered Youth Startup Hub and Toronto Startup Weekend. Vandana is Vice-President of the Board for Artist Legal Advice Services (ALAS) since 1997. She is also on the Toronto Art Fair Committee and Co-Chair of the Canadian Art Foundation Gala Committee.
ADVISORY BOARD
GERALDINE MABIN
Geraldine Mabin is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of early childhood education. Gerry received her training and taught in the UK before coming to the Institute of Child Study (ICS) in Toronto where she taught and became principal. Founder of The Mabin School in Toronto, she has a wealth of experience in both teacher training and classroom teaching. She helped open the Children’s Own Museum in 1998 and co-founded Words in Motion, a charity providing dramatic programs for the children. Gerry is the founding Executive Director of Friendship in Action, a children’s charity that supports teachers in building positive emotional and social skills of young children.
SIMONE ATUNGO
Simone Atungo recently joined the senior management team at Toronto Community Housing as the Director, Resident Engagement and Community Development. Previously, she was the Director of Community Development and Integration at Mount Sinai Hospital for nearly five years. Simone has also worked at the Parkdale Community Health Centre where she held the position of Executive Director for nine years. As an involved community leader Simone has more than 25 years experience working in community based, not for profit organizations. Highlights of Simone’s career include extensive experience in facilitation and community based research, policy and program development, strategic planning and advocacy and community relations. Simone’s experience in community development and integration is complemented by a Masters degree in Environmental Studies and a Non-profit Management Certificate both from York University and an Executive Leadership Program Certificate from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
NANCY BROWN
Nancy Brown is an award-winning designer, educator, and consultant focusing on hands-on and participatory experiences for children. Past projects include: Spiral Garden at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital; Children’s Participatory Exhibits at the Art Gallery of Ontario; C.A.R.E. Programming at Trinity Bellwoods Park; development of the Arts Training and Resource Manual for the YMCA of Greater Toronto; the Parent and Teacher Handbook for the National Film Board of Canada; and concept design for iLook, a remote observation tool for teacher/child interaction. Nancy was Professor at Seneca College until 2013, in the Early Childhood Department, specializing Art/Creative Expression & Curriculum Design, Childhood Development and Field Placement Supervision.
LILI LIPTON
Lili Lipton earned a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, from York University, and has received a Diploma of Early Childhood Education from George Brown College. She has also completed additional qualifications in the fields of Drama, Dance, Tribes Training, Special Education, and has achieved SMART Board Certification. Lili is a supply teacher with York Region District School Board, and focuses on play-based learning, emergent and theme-based curricula. She has worked with students of varied age groups and abilities, including children with Autism and Asperger’s, and learning and behavioural exceptionalities.
PAOLA COHEN
Paola Scaravelli Cohen is an Early Childhood Educator who has spent her career focusing on arts education and childhood development. As Art Instructor at the Mabin School and at the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto, and an Instructor with the Visual Arts Department in the University of Toronto Faculty of Education, Paola has been instrumental in shaping the arts curriculum for Toronto’s children. Paola received her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Primary Specialist Certificate from the Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto; studied sculpture at Yale University; and received her Bachelor of Arts, Comparative Literature from the University of California at Berkeley. Paola was a Board Member for ArtHeart Community Centre, and has led art workshops on a volunteer basis through the Toronto Board of Education. In addition to Paola’s knowledge and passion for the arts and childhood development, she has also published two books on Italian Cooking: Cooking from an Italian Garden, and Mediterranean Harvest.
STACIE CARROLL
Stacie Carroll is an award winning teacher with the Toronto District School Board. Recipient of the 2012 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Achievement, Stacie teaches kindergarten at a downtown elementary school with children who have developmental disabilities. She is passionate about the philosophy of learning through play and engaging young children in critical thinking. She has been interviewed on CBS 60 Minutes, CBC The National, CBC Radio All in Day and Metro Morning, CityTV, CTV, and Global News and featured in numerous local and national newspapers. She has a special interest in educational technology and is currently working with a multi-national group on the development of a communication app for those with an expressive language delay.
LAILA BAKSH
Laila Baksh is currently the Head ECE (Early Childhood Educator) at St. Stephen’s Community House, Harbourfront Child Care Centre. As such, Laila creates the curriculum for children five years and younger, and oversees the centre and classroom finances and supply orders. In 2009, Laila received her Child & Youth Worker Diploma through Humber College. She has also completed the Ontario Management Development program at Seneca College, receiving certificates in both Leadership and Business Management Skills. Laila has been an Early Childhood Educator since 2002, when she graduated from the Seneca College ECE Diploma Program in 2002.
SARAH PATTERSON
Sarah Patterson received her Master’s of Science in Child Psychology and Child and Family Centered Care from Illinois State University. Over the past 22 years, she has worked at SickKids as a certified child life specialist. Sarah has worked in several areas of the hospital including the Critical Care Unit, Trauma, Respiratory Medicine, Complex Care, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, GIFT (Group for the Improvement of Intestinal Function and Treatment), Nephrology and extensively with the solid organ transplant population. Currently Sarah holds an Assistant Clinical Professor appointment and is a Co-Director for the Child Life Studies programme at McMaster University in the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences. Sarah also works within the Early Childhood Education department as a part time faculty instructor at Ryerson University and George Brown College. In 2009, Sarah received the Canadian Society of Transplantation Associated Members Award for Excellence in Clinical Care in Transplantation. This award recognizes the development/implementation and evaluation of current and progressive clinical care. Sarah’s research interests lie predominantly with investigating the developmental care of infants in hospital and in May co-published an article that examined the research conducted of parental experiences of a developmentally focused care program for infants and children during prolonged hospitalization at SickKids.
TECHNICAL TEAM
Construction: Skygrid Construction | www.skygrid.ca | 416-622-9602
Design Architects: Giannone Petricone Architects | www.gpaia.com | 416-591-7788
Construction Architects: Giovanni Tassone Architects | www.giovannitassonearchitectinc.ca | 416-784-5020
Structural, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers: Mott Macdonald Canada Ltd. | www.mottmac.com/canada | 647-556-3201
Exhibits Design: Blue Rhino Design | www.BlueRhinoDesign.com | 647-228-9883
MARKETING TEAM
Creative: 52 Pick-Up | www.52pick-up.com | 416-537-5200
Website: Telapapel | www.telapapel.com | 305-803-0533
Storytelling: Wigs & Moustaches | www.wigsandmoustaches.com | 416-627-4984 / 647-206-2579
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Public Relations: The Morrison Group | toni@themorrisongroup.com | 905-471-0803
Events Planning: Candice & Alison Events Group | www.candiceandalison.com | 416-840-7240
Fundraising & Crowdsourcing: Holly Friesen | 416-505-6180 | hollysfriesen@icloud.com
Strategic Sponsorships: Daniel Ewing | 416-576-0335 | dan.ewing@rogers.com
RESEARCH TEAM
Housing Lab Toronto | www.housinglabtoronto.com | 416-738-0448
Head's Up | www.headsupgroup.com | 416-482-3693