News

Webinar- Through a Child’s Eyes: How Classroom Design Inspires Children’s Learning and Wonder

Young children view the world from a different perspective than adults. Young children live close to the ground—so they are always discovering close up: the tiny acorn peeking out from under a fallen leaf, or the dust bunny in the corner of the classroom. Adults, on the other hand, have a completely different perspective of the world. Understanding the difference is important when designing classrooms for young children. Learn how designing classrooms from children’s perspectives helps improve their behaviours and inspires learning and wonder.

Webinar: Trauma-Informed Care in ECE- Key Strategies for Healing and Behavioural Change

Children with a history of trauma often “act out” their distress through behaviors that are challenging for adults to understand. This webinar will focus on understanding the message of challenging behaviour and strategies to help children heal.

CMAS in Action: Targeted Learning

Since the introduction of CNC in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, sites have been growing…and thriving. As they become increasingly familiar and compliant with CNC requirements, staff are looking for new ways to build the quality of services and broaden their knowledge. CMAS is supporting these goals with the launch of two new workshops created to meet the needs of the programs in these provinces.

The ndds Celebrates 25 Years with Rebrand: Now Called “Looksee Checklist”!

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, The Nipissing District Developmental Screening Tool (ndds) has announced a new parent-friendly name and look for their signature developmental checklist. The new Looksee Checklist—reflects the simple, approachable quality of the product to appeal to even more parents and child care professionals. The series of checklists follow a child from 1 month to 6 years of age and provides a short list of yes or no questions about the child’s abilities along with tips to help them grow. The checklists are available in a variety of languages and formats including a redesigned, user-friendly website.

New Online Tutorial: 4 Tips for Building Confidence in Newcomer Children

To support their settlement and growth, immigrant and refugee children need supportive relationships, a safe space, and opportunities to nurture and build their confidence and competence. Need opportunities for mastery, success, and “safe risks”!  In 4 Tips for Building Confidence in Newcomer Children, participants will learn about how to incorporate opportunities for mastery, success, and “safe risks” in their programs, some of the ways we unintentionally stifle children’s feelings of competence, and simple strategies to incorporate important learning opportunities that build confidence and support children’s development. To extend your learning, you’ll also find a list of resources, facilitator guide and group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.


5 Tips for Encouraging Sharing

There has been some debate about encouraging sharing in the early years, and some educators prefer to encourage "taking turns" over "sharing". Either way, it's important for the children in our programs to work on social skills and learn how to share space and objects with their peers. Here are five ideas for teaching and encouraging sharing in your program.

Free Online Course! The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development

With leading experts in the field – from Harvard University, New York University and UNICEF - ecourse participants will explore how neuroscience, sociology, anthropology and other studies have influenced our understanding of early childhood development. Find out more and register now!

Menu Planning Resources

These child care nutrition resources were created by the Ontario Dieticians in Public Health (OCPC) to support child care providers in planning and preparing healthy food for the children in their care. They include a Practical Guide with information on menu planning, food and beverages that should be served, appropriate portion sizes for different age groups, sample menus and templates as well as strategies to create a supportive nutrition environment.

Sensory Processing Fact Sheet

What is sensory processing? Children with sensory processing issues can be oversensitive to sights, sounds, textures, flavours, smells and other sensory input. Here's a one-page fact sheet that provides essential information about why some kids struggle so much with sensory input, and how we can help!

Are you looking for quiet, calming music for children?

This relaxing music might be just what you're looking for to use during quiet time. You might also want to make calming music like this available with headphones in a quiet space to help children self-regulate!