News
Newcomer families’ experiences with programs and services to support early childhood development in Canada: A scoping review
It can be difficult for families with young children to navigate early childhood development supports. In particular, newcomer families often encounter additional barriers and require resources, programs, and services that are tailored to their unique assets, experiences, and needs. A team of researchers conducted a scoping review of the literature published between 2000 and 2019 to explore what is known about newcomer families’ experiences with programs and services to support early childhood development in Canada. Their report identifies common themes and the need for informed, meaningful and culturally relevant policies, programs, and services for newcomer families to support their children’s well-being.Share 8 Great Reading Tips with Families (in 16 languages)
There are many ways that families of English language learners (ELLs) can support language and literacy at home. Colorín Colorado has a beautiful new series of 8 posters and reading tips for families - and they are available in 16 languages so you can easily share them with parents!Health Canada announces recalls for 18 more hand sanitizers
Health Canada has announced the recall of more hand sanitizers, adding 18 more products to their list because of issues such as containing ingredients not allowed by Health Canada or not being authorized for sale in Canada. Since the beginning of the pandemic, hand sanitizer sales and production have gone up, and Health Canada has previously issued recalls for almost 100 products.Book series teaches children about their cultures and lives of those different than their own
The best thing about books is that they can transport us anywhere and give us a glimpse into other worlds. Children’s books are no exception. And in a country as diverse as Canada, it is important to offer children from all backgrounds an opportunity to learn about their own cultures and about the experiences and lives of those different than their own. Aine Moorad, hopes that her books do exactly that. Aine Moorad has written the O Canada series chronicling the journey of Zayd, an eight-year-old Canadian immigrant. The books touch on the themes of family, adventure and change, familiarizing children about Canada’s food, sports, animals, values, people and way of life. Moorad’s books are geared for children aged between 4 and 10.Have you heard of TVOKids Teacher Power Hour?
TVOKids has some great programs and videos that celebrate diversity of all kinds – and the Teacher Power Hours provide some great examples of how you can use them to support your online programming this summer. Here’s a great example: Join teacher Jessica as she guides students through an exploration of celebrations and traditions from all around the world… it’s meant for older children, but it’s she does a wonderful job of using the videos to engage and extend learning for her students!
WEBINAR: Making Sense of Trauma
Trauma is pervasive and impacts all of us. Becoming trauma-informed helps us when working with children to shift from saying "what is wrong with you" to "what has happened to you". The Making Sense of Trauma webinar helps participants better understand the patterns of children's behaviour and provides some practical tools to begin helping children to manage those behaviours.National Indigenous History Month: Resources to Share with Children and Families
As we stand with the Indigenous peoples in Canada, reckon with the past, listen and find our path towards reconciliation during National Indigenous History Month, it can be difficult to talk about residential schools. But it's incredibly important to learn about Indigenous history and raise awareness in CNC. Here are two helpful lists of videos and books that might help you introduce Indigenous history to children in an age appropriate way.National Indigenous History Month: Honouring Lives Lost
The CMAS team would like to acknowledge and honour the 215 children whose lives were lost and remains were recently discovered at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. We offer our sincere condolences to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in BC, as well as the families and communities across Canada who continue to suffer not only the intergenerational trauma inflicted by the residential school system, but ongoing racism and discrimination.
As June marks National Indigenous History Month, it is especially important for the CNC community to stand with the Indigenous peoples in Canada and listen.
It can be difficult to find our path towards reconciliation or the words to share with children and families, but it’s important to reflect on how we can talk to children and families about the events and the trauma that is resurfacing among Canada’s First Nations.
We urge all of our programs to review the teachings of Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE, who joined us in February to discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. This 3-part webinar series and associated articles can help support a deepening of our understanding of what it means to honour the knowledge and skills of Indigenous children and families as we reckon with the past and find our way forward.
CMAS WEBINAR: Developing Engaging, Child-Centred Activities for Your CNC Program
How do you plan activities for your CNC program? We all do our best to make our CNC programs child-centred, but sometimes program planning can be a challenge! In our most recent webinar, Jackie Cunningham talks about why engaging, child-centred curriculum is so important, where to start with emergent program planning, how to use developmental domains to build on curriculum and learning, and inspiring project-based activity ideas.
CMAS Tutorial: What is the Difference Between Emergent Curriculum and Child-Centred Programming?
The terms “child-centred programming” and “emergent curriculum” are often used interchangeably. But have you ever found yourself wondering what emergent curriculum means? Or maybe you wonder how a child-centred program is different from an emergent curriculum? Our newest tutorial provides a quick overview of child-centred programming and emergent curriculum, help in understanding your role as a facilitator of children’s learning, and some tips for expanding on children’s interests. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a Facilitator Guide and Questions for Personal Reflection/Group Discussion so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.