Parenting
FREE Kindness Calendar
When we practice skills like kindness, empathy, inclusion, gratitude, and mindfulness with children from an early age, it can set the stage for their daily interactions with the world around them – how they treat others as well as how they take care of themselves. Now, you can download a free Kindness Calendar that includes daily questions, activities, and book recommendations to help children explore what it means to be a kind, inclusive, and empathetic friend.
How to Support Children During Conflict and Crisis Situations
Do you have any families that are struggling through a crisis or traumatic experience? When we find ourselves faced with the unthinkable, having the right words to say to children can feel like an impossibility. Here is some advice for parents who are navigating difficult times, from child psychology and mental health expert Dr. Marcia Brophy.Resources for Caregiving in Conflict, Crisis or Stressful Situations
Caring for children during conflict contexts can be extremely challenging when caregivers face so many competing responsibilities. Warm, positive parenting can help buffer children from psychological harm during conflict and displacement. The United Nations has developed this series of supportive videos, audio recordings and resources (in various languages) that provide caregivers with tips and advice on how they might best support children during any kind of conflict and displacement.
Free Online Course for Parents and Caregivers
Parents, caregivers and other family members are central to a child’s early learning and development. The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) launched a microlearning course aimed at parents and caregivers called Fun with Family Learning. Online and self-paced, this program offers short modules that provide parents and caregivers with support and fun ideas for learning with their children at home. The course is freely accessible until December 31, 2023.
WEBINAR: An Introduction to ‘Welcome Sesame’
Follow along for an introduction to resources designed to support families experiencing displacement or resettlement as a result of crisis. In this webinar, Sesame Workshop’s Shanna Kohn and Tara Wright introduce caregivers and providers to resources designed to support children and families experiencing displacement and/or resettlement after crisis.
7 Tips for Supporting Children in Times of Global Stress
Whether children hear the news directly or feel the impact of heightened strain through other people, they look to the adults around them to help make sense of their feelings and thoughts. With some thoughtful steps, we can support the children we care for, and ourselves, to better manage the impact of the news and avoid being overwhelmed. Here are seven tips and encouragements for adults who are supporting children through this time.
10 Fun Autumn Activities for Families
Developing physical literacy is a year-round journey, so Active for Life has picked some fresh ways to play this season. Here's a list of 10 fun autumn activities that you can use to encourage families to pull on some layers, grab a toque, and enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Newcomer Parent Resource Series: Available in 16 Languages
Refugee parents come to Canada with unique settlement needs, and language barriers that make it challenging to get information to support their parenting, children’s development, and the health and safety of their family here in Canada. We’ve developed a series of 14 parent resources to help - and they’re available in the 16 languages most commonly spoken by refugee families here in Canada!5 Tips for Teaching and Practice Gratitude with Children Every Day
Gratitude is an important skill that needs to be nurtured and practiced often, which is why it is so important to teach children about gratitude, empathy, and helping others. Here are five ways to ensure kids are practicing gratitude daily, along with suggestions for simple language you can use!5 Indigenous Games to Try
Canada is home to more than 1.6 million Indigenous people, including 600 First Nations communities, as well as Inuit and Métis communities. These distinct nations and groups have diverse histories, traditions, and cultures—as well as games and activities. Here are 5 traditional indigenous sports and games that you can try with the children in your program.