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Food Allergy Canada: What’s New?

Check out the latest mythbuster, what’s new in food allergy research, and update your anaphylaxis training this month with Food Allergy Canada.

Infographic – The Preschool Personality

Preschoolers know much better than they behave, and their good intentions can be short lived. The secret to caring for preschoolers is understanding. This infographic explains some of the characteristics of preschoolers that often frustrate or baffle adults - and how they are actually an important part of their developmental design!

10 Ways to Increase Positive Behaviour

There isn't just one simple tool or technique that works for every child, so it's always a good idea to have a few new strategies and tricks up your sleeve! Here's a helpful list of 10 ways to increase positive behavior in your CNC program.

Why is observation so important?

Most CNC staff understand the role of observation in early childhood education. But do they understand why it’s important? And more importantly, do they have the best systems and techniques in place to accurately assess toddler development? Early childhood education is not about teaching; it’s about exploration and learning, and observations play an important role in meeting the developmental needs of the newcomer children in your program.This important article and free ebook explain why observation is important, what it impacts, and how you can make it easier.

International Mother Language Day: February 21

Languages are the most powerful instrument in preserving and developing heritage. Every February, International Mother Language Day helps to increase awareness and mobilize partners and resources that support language diversity and multilingualism across the globe. How will you celebrate the linguistic diversity of your CNC program this year?

CNC in Action: A Step-by-step Journey to CNC

When the New Canadians Centre of Peterborough (NCC) wanted to create a short term CNC program in the bare bones children’s room in an old church, the project was not without its challenges. But with a helping hand from the experts, they were able to transform it into a safe and welcoming place for newcomer children. Read more...

New Online CMAS Tutorial: Consistent Care and Relationship Building in CNC

The evidence is clear: successful attachments with primary caregivers in the early years have a profound impact on children in almost all areas of development! In fact, a child's growth and development depends on the capacity of their caregivers to understand, perceive and respond to the child needs. So developing relationships and trust with the newcomer children in your care is key to supporting their settlement and early development. In CMAS' new Consistent Care and Relationship Building in CNC tutorial, you'll have an opportunity to consider how relationships impact children's development and health, what is consistent care and why it is so important, which children might need a little more attention and care, and strategies for improving consistency and relationships for everyone. 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.

Dressing for the cold

The outdoors in winter is most enjoyed most when dressed properly. Remember: there is no bad weather, just bad clothing. In winter, the best idea is to stay warm and dry. Being too hot makes you sweat, creating moisture. When it is cold outside, being damp is uncomfortable and can be a danger as you will lose body heat more quickly. Here are a few things to think about and share with parents to keep everyone safe in the cold weather.

Sign up for free weekly activity ideas!

Sign up to receive developmentally appropriate, weekly activities for infant-toddlers, preschool, or school age children. All activities include helpful tips on developmental milestones for observation and programming. Each week you will receive one activity for each age group in the areas of STEM, Literacy, Arts, Movement, Social-Emotional, and Transitions - right to your phone!

Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers

When infants are thought to be helpless, then they are often treated as helpless - leading to limited learning opportunities and experiences in our programs. The Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers booklet reminds us that we need to reframe our thinking and recognize that even our youngest learners are competent and capable. It also provides readers with strategies for encouraging independence and competence as infants and toddlers grow, mature and achieve new skills.