CMAS

Health Canada Warning: Water beads may pose life-threatening risks to young children

Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads. These tiny beads, also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads, or orb beads, are water-absorbing gel beads that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. Water beads can be very harmful if swallowed or put in the ears or nose. If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body leading to potentially life-threatening injuries. Water beads and products containing them should be kept out of sight and reach of children; if you suspect that your child has ingested a water bead, call the Canadian Poison Centre hotline at 1-844-POISON-X (Quebec residents call 1-800-463-5060 to reach the Centre antipoison du Quebec).

New Online Tutorial Series: Now Available in French and English!

When children are calm and alert, they’re better able to manage their emotions, pay attention, ignore distractions, feel empathy, and really engage in their play and learning. Supporting children in developing self-regulation skills and helping them understand and manage big feelings is a great place to start. Supporting Self-Regulation and 8 Tips for Helping Children Understand and Manage Big Feelings are now available in French and English! 

Ahlan Simsim Research Findings

Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee launched Ahlan Simsim in 2018 to address a humanitarian crisis: a generation of children raised amidst conflict, with limited access to early childhood learning and development opportunities. Another goal was to share our research and findings. Now, NYU has released the results of three landmark studies, with some good news for children.

Maintaining Safety with Fresh Eyes

When it comes to making observations about the environment, it can be challenging to look with fresh eyes. We may notice a glaring safety issue immediately, such as a spill that needs to be mopped up, but smaller issues may fade into the background until they are no longer as noticeable as they first were. When it comes to maintaining a safe environment, it is essential that early childhood educators consistently look at the environment with fresh eyes.  Here are a few suggestions for how to keep safety top of mind.

Families in Canada to Benefit From Innovative Early Learning and Child Care Practices

The early learning and child care (ELCC) sector continues to evolve in increasingly complex and challenging environments. Identifying innovative practices and solutions that better address the essential needs of children, families, and caregivers is key to continuing to improve early learning and child care services across Canada. This summer, funding for two projects through the Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Program have been announced. One is a project titled Professional Development for ELCC Workers Through an Indigenous-ECE Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). This project focuses on providing early childhood educators with professional development opportunities to receive training on incorporating Indigenous perspectives, worldviews and pedagogies into early learning and child care environments through the development of an online course. The goal is that by widely offering this free online training across Canada, more ELCC professionals will have these critical skills.  

Movie Sparks Reflections on Immigrant Parenting in Canada

A recently released Netflix movie called ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’ has ignited a flurry of conversations regarding cultural differences between Indian and Canadian parenting styles and their impact on immigrant parents.  And sometimes, these cultural variations in parenting styles can put immigrant families at odds with child protection services.

Manitoba Métis Federation Child Care Centres Hire 25 Ukrainian Refugees

The Manitoba Métis Federation says it has struck a deal to train and hire 25 displaced Ukrainians to work at its child-care centres. People hired through the program will have their education subsidized and be guaranteed a full-time job after they're trained, Chartrand said at a news conference that featured performances from Métis and Ukrainian cultures.

Did you know that drowning doesn’t look like drowning?

Drowning doesn't always look as you might expect. In ten percent of child drownings, an adult actually watches the child drown without having any idea of what is happening. Here's what parents and caregivers need to know and watch for.  

Talking to Young Children about Pride Month

June is a time to promote acceptance, not discrimination, and listen to children without judgment through simple and honest discussions. This collection of wonderful picture books and resources is a great place to start as you celebrate and honour Pride Month with the children in your program.

All of the 2023 CNC Conference Session Recordings Are Now Available!

Here is a list of the newest conference session recordings that are now available for everyone in the CMAS Learning Centre!