Repulse Bay (Mar 09/05) - Odds are the squeals of laughter escaping from within the walls of the Tusarvik school gym every Sunday afternoon in Repulse Bay are just as likely to be coming from parents as the children they're supervising.

The school hosts a playtime program from 4 to 6 p.m. which helps children up to five years of age develop their gross-motor skills.

"Rolanda Milortok enjoys her turn in the balloon barrel during Sunday playtime at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

The program also helps the children's parents to find the kid within themselves.

School principal Leonie Aissaoui says the activity is funded through the Healthy Children Initiative program.

"We took a year off the program in 2004 because I needed a break from being at the school seven days a week," says Aissaoui.

"But I felt we needed the program back during the months when it's too cold for the kids to play outside."

Adults get to play

Participating children must be accompanied by an adult, which means mom or dad also get to enjoy two hours of playtime every week.

Students are hired to come to the school at 3 p.m. and have the equipment out on the gym floor before the kids arrive.

"We have tricycles, big bouncing balls, bowling gear -- all sorts of games and equipment they can use.

"We also supply the kids with some juice so they can take a refreshment break during the playtime."

Aissaoui says the program is well received in the community.

In fact, some kids aren't too pleased when it's time to go home.

"We always seem to have a couple of kids who start crying because they're having a lot of fun and don't want to leave at 6 p.m.

"The parents have to coax them away from whatever they're doing, and it's always tough to see them wanting to stay when it's time to go."

Aissaoui says one of the biggest benefits to the program is the quality time it provides for parents and kids to spend together.

She says it can be quite funny watching the parents who are having as much fun as their kids.

"It's great to see parents crawling through the tunnels or playing games with the children.

"You notice how much the kids enjoy having their parents playing with them.

"It's wonderful to see."