CNC

Video Supports Dialogue Between Indigenous Peoples and Newcomers

Welcome to our Homelands is a seven-minute video featuring six Indigenous individuals extending a welcoming message to newcomers to Canada. The video provides a glimpse of aboriginal history in Canada including its more complex aspects, and reflects the wide diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and their cultures, and introduces viewers – particularly newcomers – to the vast richness of Indigenous people’s values and views. The accompanying guide provides helpful information, links and terminology to increase awareness of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

7 Critical Components of Empathy

Empathy isn't something we are either born with or without, but a more complex way of being that is shaped by our experiences and relationships. Here are seven ways we can nurture empathy for the little ones in our lives everyday - both at home and in the classroom. After all, the magic of connection and learning happens when we are present for the little moments of everyday life.

VIDEO: This is Me ~ The Child’s Right to Play

The International Play Association (IPA) has developed this beautiful series of videos on the Child’s Right to Play... and they're now available in 15 languages!

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).


Podcast: Teaching Early Childhood Multilingual Learners

In this episode of the Lifting Language podcast, three experts gather to talk about teaching multilingual learners in early childhood. They discuss the principles of early childhood education and the role languages play, families as resources, and best instructional practices. The podcast is sure to leave you inspired to try some new ideas!

Helping Every Child Unpack Their Emotional Backpack

This 4-part Housman Institute series focuses on how we can help young children unpack thier emotional backpacks, and help ourselves in the process. It provides us with the tools, language, and techniques we need to help kids through every part of processing their emotions, including: identifying what they are feeling, understanding them, expressing them appropriately, and regulating them when they are strong.

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! 


FREE COURSE: Protecting Children – Using Social Stories to Introduce Emergency Preparedness & Drills

In this free course, the Institute for Childhood Preparedness and Autism Little Learners teamed up to create a series of social stories to help children prepare for safety and emergency preparedness drills. The social stories are for all children to enjoy, but they are also aimed at helping children with Autism understand, learn, and communicate new concepts. This course can help you prepare all of the children in your program ahead of time for the changes in routine that come with performing safety drills.

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.