CNC in Action: Lunch and Learn Sessions for Families
All parents have questions about child health and development, but language and other barriers can make it difficult for many newcomer parents to get answers. Parents often turn to CNC staff for help, so when Cathy Condarcuri-Sain, Supervisor of Language Programs at the Durham Catholic District School Board Whitby Language Center’s CNC program, heard that the YMCA’s Family and Community Action Program (FCAP) offered workshops on these topics for parents, she
took notice.
CMAS in Action: CNC Serves as a Model for Supporting Refugee Children Abroad
As Syrian refugee families find homes in countries across the globe, an international perspective on settlement strategies is valuable. Canadian initiatives are part of that conversation, with
Europe taking notice of CNC support for refugee children.
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.
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.
Connecting to a New Home: Butterflies and Beyond
Extending is an important stage in the program planning cycle. It lengthens children's interests into the different developmental areas. In doing so, it also creates connections to the world around them. For a newcomer arriving in Canada, making these connections can be particularly important. Staff at the Chinese Association of Mississauga CNC program are always looking for new ways to build on these interests. When the children kept going back to the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle,
it gave them an idea.
Roxana Radu: Journey to CNC
Roxana Radu’s journey to CNC was unusual. While following her plan to teach ESL to adults, she had an experience that changed her life and goals. We had a chance to talk to Roxana about her
unconventional journey to CNC.
Newcomer Parents Share the Challenges they Face
Even though CNC is only in its second year of operation, CMAS wanted to hear from newcomer parents and get a deeper understanding of the challenges they face. How were they coping after migrating to a new country with young children? Were the CNC services helping?
Read more...
Linguistically Appropriate Practice (LAP): A New Way of Working with Your Immigrant Children
Dr. Roma Chumack-Horbatsch, from the School of Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University, presented at the conference last year. In this video, she explains LAP and how it focuses on the whole child, builds on and extends immigrant children's home experiences, validates and promotes home languages, and helps immigrant children to reach their bilingual potential.
Helping You Meet the Requirements: Consulting with Local Public Health and Health Professionals
In the CNCR, there are references to consulting local public health offices to meet various health and safety related requirements. And then there are others that specify input from health professionals. So, when and how do you contact each of these sources…and what exactly is the difference between the two? It’s actually much simpler than it sounds.
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Forward Development: ELECT and the Newcomer Child
ELECT stands for Early Learning for Every Child Today. It also stands for an integrated early learning framework that is being used in Ontario to help children from ages two-and-a-half- to six-years reach their full potential socially, physically and emotionally.
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