Canada 150: Activity Ideas for Families
Discover 150 fun and meaningful ways that families can bring Canada 150 to life in Me to We’s
WE Are Canada Guide for Families. The Guide features fun, simple and thoughtful ideas for service, related to Canada 150 and its key themes: diversity and inclusion, reconciliation, youth and the environment. Families can discover new ways to make a difference in the lives of others by taking small, everyday actions. You can find out more and
download the Guide here.
Canada 150: Activity Ideas for Programs
Attention school age programs: here is a chance for the children to create a fun video, win great prizes, and learn more about our country’s history in the process! In celebration of Canada 150
, Here’s My Canada is a multilingual, nation-wide contest inviting Canadians over the age of six to express what Canada means to them in a 30-second video. The video submission deadline is August 31, 2017. The site also contains great
learning tools that provide discussion topics and educational activities to help the children explore questions of Canadian identity and create their entries to the contest. Read more about the contest, the rules, view other videos created, and submit a video by
clicking here.
Canada 150: What is Happening in Our Programs
In honour of Canada 150, Afghan Women’s Organization in Mississauga made 150 cards for the Trillium Foundation to be distributed among the children and parents at the Pediatric Unit and Kid’z Clinic. Everyone took part in the work– from the six month old infants to the four year old preschoolers. The site supervisor then turned the art into a book. We are sure these personalized works of art brightened the lives of many families.
Click here to see the finished products.
CNC in Action: A Reggio-inspired Program
Inspiration and knowledge can come from anywhere. This is especially true at Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC), where each child is encouraged to follow their curiosities and construct their own learning through an
approach to child care influenced by The Reggio Emilia Philosophy.
CNC in Action: Documentation
Graybridge Malkam CNC staff have identified
five effective and easy-to-implement documentation techniques. Try them out and see what a difference they can make in your own program!
CNC in Action: Special Needs
When ‘Sarah’* joined the Toronto District School Board Rexdale CNC program, she did not engage with either the children or the toys in the room. Diagnosed with autism, Sarah needed different supports. The child care staff welcomed her with open arms and wanted to help her integrate into the program. They started off with keen observation, hard work, and a request for funding.
In the end, they improved the CNC experience for not only Sarah, but the other newcomer children as well.
CNC in Action: Helping Parents
Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto believes it is important to help immigrant parents take an active role in their child’s education. This can be challenging for families who find the school system in Canada very different from what they were used to in their home country. By participating in events through a school’s parent council, they can get to know the teachers and school administrators, and get a better understanding of what and how their children are learning. To help parents of children in the CNC program make that leap, Mennonite started a
Newcomer Parent Council.
CNC in Action: Syrian Refugees
The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) CNC Program is no stranger to welcoming newcomer families with open arms. When approximately 100 Syrian refugee families arrived within the same period, the staff had to stretch their arms that much wider. While parents attended workshops, caregivers had to provide short term care to 22 new children at a time. This was in addition to running their regular program. Flexibility and a team approach with all hands on deck were key to
managing the influx of newcomers.
Quick Tip Tutorial: How do you make sure the toys in your program are safe?
You may believe that a toy is safe if it's on a store shelf, but that's not necessarily true. Canada has rigorous laws on toy safety, but there are still many variables that can actually make a toy hazardous! Toys can become unsafe due to wear and tear, how they are used, or because of recalls and changing standards. Learn how to make sure your toys are safe in this
quick-tip tutorial.
CNC in Action: Creating Outdoor Space
One of the struggles when a family immigrates to Canada is outdoor playtime. There are a number of factors working against them. The climate can be harsh, and they may not have proper clothes for the weather. Most live in apartment buildings when they first arrive and do not have immediate access to playgrounds. Also, when parents must watch younger siblings, there may not be as many outdoor opportunities for the older children. Even in childcare programs, it can be difficult to spend time outdoors, because of space or other limitations. Whatever the reasons, the end result is that many newcomer children just don’t get enough time outside. After years of experiencing this reality,
English at First in Waterloo found a solution.
