CMAS

Keeping home languages alive key to English success for newcomer kids

A language workshop for parents in northeast Calgary is highlighting the many benefits of keeping home languages alive and encouraging parents to pass on their spoken language to their kids.

New Online Tutorial: 4 Tips for Building Confidence in Newcomer Children

To support their settlement and growth, immigrant and refugee children need supportive relationships, a safe space, and opportunities to nurture and build their confidence and competence. Need opportunities for mastery, success, and “safe risks”!  In 4 Tips for Building Confidence in Newcomer Children, participants will learn about how to incorporate opportunities for mastery, success, and “safe risks” in their programs, some of the ways we unintentionally stifle children’s feelings of competence, and simple strategies to incorporate important learning opportunities that build confidence and support children’s development. To extend your learning, you’ll also find a list of resources, facilitator guide and group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.


Free Online Course! The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development

With leading experts in the field – from Harvard University, New York University and UNICEF - ecourse participants will explore how neuroscience, sociology, anthropology and other studies have influenced our understanding of early childhood development. Find out more and register now!

Webinar – Young Children in Refugee Families and Early Childhood Programs: Ways to Mitigate the Effects of Trauma

Young children in refugee families often endure significant direct or indirect trauma from their experiences during conflict, flight, or resettlement. The issue of trauma has gained increasing visibility across the early childhood field, yet relatively little research has explored the specific traumatic experiences and needs of young refugee children or strategies to address them. High-quality early childhood programs can have enormous benefits, particularly for the children of immigrants and refugees. Join this webinar where experts will discuss the effects of trauma on the development of young refugee children, and practical strategies that child-care providers in Canada are using to support the resiliency of refugee children and families.

Video – Early Childhood Trauma: A Quick Overview

Trauma in early childhood can present in lots of different, complex ways. As early childhood educators though, you're in an incredibly important position to be able to help children with the healing process. This video gives a quick overview of childhood trauma, and three things you can do to help!

Disinfection Options in Child Care Facilities

This helpful little handbook explains how germs are spread in child care facilities. It also explains the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting; the use of household bleach as a sanitizer/disinfectant; and the use of acceptable alternatives.

Emergency Preparedness Week Toolkit

It's Emergency Preparedness Week!  You can take an active role and help build a culture of preparedness in your community by sharing some of these helpful resources. While governments at all levels are working hard to keep Canada safe, everyone has a role to play in knowing the risks and being prepared for an emergency.


Infographic: Understanding Stress Behaviour

Do you know the difference between misbehaviour and stress behaviour?  The Mehrit Centre has developed this infographic to explain what stress behaviour is, signs to watch for and tips for helping children.


Resource Parent Workshop: Facilitator Guide

This workshop introduces participants to the Cognitive Triangle and the impact of trauma on children’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours.  It also introduces techniques for helping traumatized children understand and control their emotions and behavioural reactions.


National Centre for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The National Centre for PTSD has information about childhood trauma, infant attachment and PTSD in preschool children.