CMAS

CMAS Tutorial: Responding to Children’s Fear

For many of us, when a child expresses fear, it can be hard to know how to respond in a way that makes them feel heard and supported. In this tutorial, we’ll talk about how to respond to children’s fear, common mistakes, and why they’re important to avoid, and some practical tips with examples to help us understand and remember. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.  At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.


WEBINAR SERIES! Modelling Flexible Ideas About Gender in an Early Childhood Setting

We come from different families. We come from different cultures. We grew up in different decades. We each have our own individual experiences. We probably all see and experience gender in a slightly different way. Gender “refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex” (American Psychological Association). CMAS is pleased to present an opportunity for CNC staff to learn more about Modelling Flexible Ideas About Gender in an Early Childhood Setting.

This two-part webinar series hosted by Kirsten Freed, an early childhood educator at Mosaic in Winnipeg, includes information about gender and child development, and centres around the ideal of creating the best possible environment for nurturing the social and emotional development of children of all genders. Watch Part 1 and  Part 2.


CMAS Tutorial: Activity Planning for Mixed-Age Groups

Some CNC programs choose to use mixed-age grouping to allow for flexibility or accommodate families when there is limited space and/or staffing. But it also means that staff need to plan with a wider age group in mind… so a child-centred approach can be especially important! In this tutorial, we’ll talk about the benefits, challenges, and important considerations to keep in mind when planning activities for children of different ages.  Participants will go back to their programs feeling more confident, with new strategies and promising practice. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.


Webinar Series – Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 1 – Walking Together in Reconciliation
Webinar length: 60 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021

CMAS is pleased to present an opportunity for CNC staff to learn about Canada’s Indigenous peoples’ history, knowledge and pedagogies while engaging in reconciliation. For this three-part webinar series, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE, will join us to share Indigenous knowledge and stories from their perspectives, teachings and lived experiences. 
In part 1 of this three-part series, we discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, including two recommendations that are specifically related to the early learning sector: new Indigenous Education legislation and culturally appropriate Indigenous programs. This webinar and associated article support a deepening of our understanding of what it means to honour the knowledge and skills Indigenous children and families.

Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 2 – Awakening and Coming to Know Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning 
Webinar length: 63 minutes
Publish Date: February 2021

Indigenous knowledge is a knowledge system that is different from Eurocentric knowledge – it is closely tied to space. In part two of this webinar series and associated article, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE we share teaching and learning processes that are holistic and narrative-based.


CMAS Webinar: Resolving Conflict at Work with Karen Minty

Do you know how different personality styles behave under stress? How does your team resolve conflict under stressful situations? Karen Minty explains the basic needs of each personality style, and appropriate strategies to deal with difficult behaviour to quickly diffuse situations and prevent further conflict in this Resolving Conflict at Work webinar.


CMAS Webinar: The Importance of Play in Challenging Times

The transition back to CNC after pandemic closures can be stressful for everyone, and for some, it’s hard to imagine how to plan play-based learning and still meet provincial directives. In this webinar, CMAS consultant Jackie Cunningham provides CNC staff with 10 tips for keeping the focus on play during these challenging times, activity ideas to try, and a simple tip sheet you can share with your team!


New Special Needs Tutorial Series: How to Write an IPP

Have you ever wondered about how an Individual Program Plan (IPP) works? Do you know how to write long- and short-term goals? The first tutorial in the two-part special needs series provides a step-by-step guide to writing an IPP, and an opportunity for CNC staff to learn about the different parts of an IPP, why they’re important, and how they work together to support a child. The second tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to writing an IPP – including long- and short-term goals that really support their programming and provide a clear direction for helping a child and family! Resources, references, a facilitator guide, and group discussion questions are also available for each tutorial in the learning centre.


Special Needs Tutorial Series: Just added

Have you ever wondered about how an Individual Program Plan (IPP) works? Do you know how to write long- and short-term goals? 

The first tutorial in the two-part special needs series provides a step-by-step guide to writing an IPP, and an opportunity for CNC staff to learn about the different parts of an IPP, why they’re important, and how they work together to support a child. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.

The second tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to writing an IPP, and an opportunity for CNC to review the sample IPP template and examples, as well as gain insight and confidence in writing long- and short-term goals that really support their programming and provide a clear direction for helping a child and family. This tutorial also offers resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions


Managing Separation Anxiety When Children Return Webinar: Just added

For some parents and children, the idea of returning to CNC after pandemic closures is stressful. Many families will be experiencing separation anxiety and find the transition back to care challenging. In this webinar, CMAS consultant Jackie Cunningham provides CNC staff with 9 Tips for managing separation anxiety when children return and a printable tip sheet you can share with your team!


Additional French tutorials coming soon!

To better serve our French programs, CMAS is in the process of translating the following tutorials:

  • 10 Simple Ways to Encourage Language in Newcomer Children
  • 3 Simple Visuals For Every CNC Program
  • How Your Early Learning Environment Impacts Behaviour

These will be added to the website’s Learning Centre as they are completed.