CMAS
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.
Saskatchewan Newcomers Explore the Importance of Learning Indigenous History, Truth and Reconciliation
It's important for newcomers to understand how residential schools, and other harmful policies and laws, were imposed on Indigenous people so they can better understand the setbacks faced in terms of mental health, addiction, lack of housing, and more. As the Saskatchewan newcomer population learns about this land's First Peoples, truth, and reconciliation, some are finding similarities in how Indigenous peoples are treated in their home countries.
WEBINAR: Reinvigorate Your ECE Program with 3 Innovative Leadership Approaches
Finding the best way to help your program evolve can be art and science. This webinar explores innovative leadership approaches that can propel your ECE leadership style to find your way. Because innovative leadership relies on power-with rather than power-over relationships, you will discover leadership styles that build on strengths, shared values, and advance equity. Rather than focusing on how to influence, manage, and direct others, innovative leadership approaches focus on developing trust. Often the answers to the most challenging issues live within the realm of the staff and family voices which are untapped. Participants will identify situations in their work that could benefit from innovation, and brainstorm how to increase collaboration toward shared goals.
Helping newcomer families prepare for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Refugee 613 and Circles for Reconciliation have partnered up to create a multilingual infographic explaining the commemoration of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and why newcomers should participate. It’s currently available in English, French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Arabic and Swahili, with more languages still to come! You can access the full infographic here for free. Please share it with your friends and personal networks.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. As a community, this is a time for us to learn, unlearn, and critically examine our own practice as we work towards meaningful action on Truth and Reconciliation. Helpful resources like Indigenous People of Manitoba: A Guide for Newcomers, and Indigenous Peoples in Toronto: An Introduction for Newcomers (with associated Facilitator’s Guide) encourage us all to learn with an open mind, and to unlearn and re-learn through the voices of Indigenous peoples themselves. The resources may have been developed to help newcomers, but they are full of great information that can help everyone understand the richness and complexity of Indigenous histories, cultures, spiritualities, and practices. Be sure to share them with your team and families!
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.
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.