Designing and creating engaging early learning spaces for children of different ages can be a challenge but here are a few simple strategies to make the process a little easier, and make life less stressful for caregivers - with a focus on providing as many opportunities as possible for the children to explore and play, challenge themselves or try something new!
Adapting to new COVID-19 procedures is especially challenging when working with young children. In this episode of the Preschool Podcast, Rebecca Reid, head therapist at Willow Occupational Therapy, shares practical tips that parents and educators can use to help children with things like wearing masks, increased hygiene routines, and social distancing while learning.
HiMama has curated a variety of arts and crafts activity ideas that support children's development and enhance their motor skills. Just provide the materials and let the children explore shapes, colors, textures… all while having fun!
Check your email for the schedule and registration information or contact info@cmascanada.ca.
Note that these sessions are only open to CNC-funded programs that are working with CMAS.
Early Childhood Educators in every setting are becoming more aware of the presence of trauma and its wide-reaching effect on children. In this webinar, participants join one of the authors of “Trauma and Young Children: Teaching Strategies to Support and Empower,” to learn the basics of what trauma is and how it can affect children’s ability to learn and thrive. Most importantly, learn trauma sensitive strategies that you can use to support children and families.
This tutorial has been developed in response to challenges faced by CNC programs during the pandemic. Public health directives that limit face-to-face interactions between CNC staff and parents during drop-off and pick-up each day may have a serious impact on our ability to have important conversations and moments of connection with families. Many parents are feeling anxious, so it’s more important than ever to find ways to connect and share important information.
In the CNC Pandemic Response: The Importance of Connecting with Parents tutorial, you have an opportunity to explore why it is so important to connect with parents each day, and strategies to build relationships, connect and share information with parents - even when face-to-face interactions are limited. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.
Many CNC programs have been using WhatsApp to connect with newcomer parents and children throughout the pandemic. No matter what virtual platform you're using, it's important to use the technology responsibly and understand best practices when it comes to safety and security. Here's a helpful article on how to use WhatsApp responsibly.
COVID-19 is forcing everyone to change how they function, and CNC is no exception. If your program is using Zoom to offer online sessions for families during the pandemic, here are two articles with some tips and tricks that might help: How to use Zoom as an early childhood educator and How to Do Zoom Sessions for Little Tiny Squirmy Kids
StoryWeaver and Reads have lovely digital collections of multilingual stories for you to share!
