CMAS

Looking for new ideas for physical activity?

Active for Life has compiled a great list of physical activity ideas for you to try – and they’ve made it easy for you to search for an activity to support a specific age group or skill!


How to set up engaging CNC spaces

You don’t need a big budget or endless imagination and creativity to set up an engaging and playful indoor learning space – just some out of the box thinking, a little inspiration, regular reflection and most importantly, ongoing conversations with the children so you can hear their thoughts, suggestions and opinions and in the process encourage ownership and pride in their space!

15 Tips for Creating & Setting Up Invitations to Play

Setting up invitations to play (which of course leads to learning) can be a simple way to ‘prompt’ children to play in different ways with different materials. It can offer children the opportunity to direct their own play, follow their interests, learn more about the world around them, express themselves creatively and use their imagination to extend upon the initial invitation.

Safe & Unsafe Toys for CNC During COVID-19

While planning for CNC reopening, it’s important to think about what the children can and cannot play with. Since early childhood education is based on hands-on play, you want to find ways to stay true to that philosophy but in a safe way. Here is a list of appropriate toys for use and inappropriate toys for use according to safety and health guidelines.


Hand sanitizer recalls

Health Canada is advising Canadians that certain hand sanitizers are being recalled from the market because they contain ethanol or denaturants that can be poisonous to children and are not acceptable for use in Canada. For an up-to-date recall list, visit Health Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts


What is Culturally Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education?

Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) validates and affirms the cultures of children and incorporates their cultures in multiple aspects of learning and the environment in meaningful ways. This approach also encourages early childhood educators to hold high expectations of the children and their ability to learn. Here are our ways to validate and affirm young students’ cultures in meaningful ways.


Podcast: The Future of Play

In this episode of the preschool podcast, experts explain how early educators can work together to face the challenges of reopening, while maintaining the engagement that children get from learning through play.

These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids

The conversation about race needs to start early and keep happening, but many parents and caregivers are wondering how to talk about the deaths and unrest with children - and how to keep the important conversations about race and racism going when we’re not in a moment of national outrage.

CMAS Webinar: The Art of Storytelling with James Funnyhat

In this new CMAS webinar, James Funnyhat, an expert storyteller and musician, shares some tips and inspiring ideas for capturing the imagination and keeping children's attention... even when the shows are online!

How to Talk to Children About Racism, Prejudice, and Protests – An Age-by-Age Guide

The world has again been shaken by trauma. Many children will be distressed and confused by what they are seeing, hearing, or experiencing. This is the time to have the conversations that can build a more compassionate, kinder humanity, starting with the children close to you. If we want to raise children who celebrate diversity, and who feel empowered to call out injustice and prejudice in all its forms, we have to talk about what’s happening. First though, we have to help them feel safe.