Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® (P-CMGP) |
Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® (P-CMGP)

This month marked an important leadership transition for Parent-Child Mother Goose. After four and a half years as Executive Director, Dr. Guita Movallali stepped down from her position in November 2026 due to family circumstances.

During her leadership, Guita brought her extensive international experience and longstanding commitment to the Parent-Child Mother Goose community to the organization. Her contributions included securing significant funding opportunities, including the prestigious Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant, strengthening organizational development, overseeing the move to the organization’s current office, and expanding the reach of PCMG programs. She also initiated Ontario’s first traditional Parent-Child Mother Goose program specifically designed for parents of deaf and hard of hearing children, an important step towards greater inclusion and accessibility.

Guita’s connection with the global PCMG community spans more than 15 years, beginning with her certification as a P-CMGP teacher in Australia in 2011, followed by establishing programs in Iran and Afghanistan, and continuing her work in Canada.

Following Guita’s departure, Judith Mintz was appointed Interim Executive Director. Judith brings more than ten years of nonprofit sector experience, along with a strong background in research, policy, and community development. During her interim appointment, she will support organizational continuity and lead the process of recruiting a new Executive Director.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Guita for her dedication, leadership, and contributions, and warmly welcome Judith as she guides the organization through this transition.

Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® (P-CMGP) | Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® (P-CMGP)
We’re inviting passionate community members to join our Board of Directors and help guide the future of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®.
We are especially seeking someone who has direct experience as a past or present participant in the Program — someone who knows firsthand the magic of songs, rhymes, and stories that bring families together.
The Role
As a Board Member, you’ll join a team of 12 dedicated volunteers offering expertise in areas such as law, finance, fundraising, HR, strategy, and nonprofit leadership. Together, we support the Executive Director and advance the mission of PCMG through collaboration and community impact.
Key Responsibilities
• Attend monthly board meetings (2 hours, September–June)
• Participate in special events when possible
• Use your unique experience and perspective to strengthen the organization and its programs
Who We’re Looking For
A candidate who believes in our mission and shares our commitment to families, storytelling, and connection.
The ideal candidate has experience in the not-for-profit sector, fundraising, grant writing, finance, or law, and a desire to help guide PCMG in fulfilling its mandate.
To Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]
In your message, tell us a bit about your background, motivation, and when and where you participated in the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program.
An informal meeting with Board members will follow to discuss the role in more detail.

Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® (P-CMGP)

The Effect of the Faranak Parent-Child Mother Goose Program on the Development of Auditory and Vocalization Skills of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children under Six Years Old:
https://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_id=3574&sid=1&slc_lang=en&ftxt=0
The Effects of the Faranak Parent-Child Mother Goose Program on the Psychological Well-being of Mothers With Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children:
https://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3428-en.html
The Effect of the Faranak Parent-Child Mother Goose Program on the Development of Auditory and Vocalization Skills of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children under Six Years Old
https://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-3856-2

 
he Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® is deeply grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for their generous support. With this vital funding, we can continue offering our programs free of charge to families across Toronto, creating greater access to early learning, connection, and support.
Thanks to OTF’s investment, more parents and caregivers will be able to participate in our programs, where they build strong bonds with their children through storytelling, songs, and rhymes. These shared experiences foster early language development, emotional well-being, and positive parenting skills.
This support also enables us to start new programs

for more diverse and under-served communities, including newcomers, and those facing economic challenges.
We thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for believing in the power of community-based programs that build brighter futures—one family at a time.
✨ Thank you for making a difference! ✨”

Welcome Maria Gangotena!

We’re delighted to share that Maria Gangotena has joined our team at the Vermont Square Parent-Child Mother Goose Program as our new Outreach & Program Coordinator.

Thanks to a generous three-year grant we recently secured from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), we are launching two new programs in the Downsview community of Toronto — and Maria will be leading our outreach and coordination efforts for these programs this year.
Maria brings a wealth of experience in community-based outreach and maternal-child health education, having designed and facilitated inclusive educational programs for women, families, and children in both local and international contexts.

Holding a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada, her work is rooted in anti-oppressive framework to promote social justice, empowerment, and strong community connection — values that align deeply with the spirit of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®.

 
We’re so excited for what’s ahead with Maria on our team. Here’s to new beginnings, growing programs, and a future full of care, purpose, and community!

We had a wonderful AGM this year!
Our successful AGM 2024, is now ready on our website.

Storytelling at its Heart: The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program Journey | We are excited to share an insightful article written by our organization's co-founder, Celia
Lottridge, titled "The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program: Storytelling at the Heart." Originally
published in 2001, this article provides a retrospective look at the origins and essence of our
beloved program.
Celia Lottridge, the first Executive Director of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program, nurtured
it into an international phenomenon, with associate programs and offshoots across Canada, the
United States, and Bermuda. The program, rooted in the oral tradition, relies on storytelling,
rhymes, and songs to achieve its goals.
In the article, Celia describes the program as both simple and complex, likening it to a bouncing
rhyme and the evolving relationship between parent and child. Participants, ranging from two
weeks to four years old, come together to engage in rhymes, songs, and stories. The key word
is "together," as everyone joins in, creating a vibrant community where adults and children alike
interact and learn from one another.
Through storytelling, parents and children not only bond but also take away valuable rhymes
and songs to use in their everyday lives. The connection between parent and child deepens,
and both gain new awareness of language, rhythm, and touch. Storytelling, as the bedrock of
the program, fosters shared experiences and connections between teller and listener.
As we reflect on the profound impact of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program, we invite you
to delve into Celia's inspiring words and discover the magic of storytelling that continues to
enrich the lives of families worldwide.
Written by: Guita Movallali, May, 2024

2023 Annual Report:

“The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Parent-Child Mother Goose program was a notable event.

Our Executive Director, Guita Movallali, delivered an impactful address during the Annual General Meeting, providing a comprehensive report on the remarkable achievements of our nonprofit throughout the 2022-2023 period.
The board and our program director, Ruth, diligently presented insightful reports, sparking meaningful discussions that resonated throughout the room.

Our Annual Report 2023, is now ready to read.”