Parents
March 21st is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination take place every day. Here is an infographic that explains how racism can impact child development, and some ideas for how you can talk to young children about race and racism.
Fred Rogers’ Six Fundamentals of Learning
Have you ever wondered, what may help or hinder a child in their development? The Fred Rogers Institute says that these six fundamentals come immediately to my mind: self-worth, trust, curiosity, the capacity to look and listen, the ability to play, and have times of quiet solitude. To learn more about the six fundamentals, and particularly what educators have learned about what the six fundamentals look like in practice, check out the Fundamentals of Learning and Growing.
Health and Safety Posters: Beware of Button Batteries
Small batteries can lead to some big health risks! Did you know that a swallowed button battery can burn through a child's throat or esophagus in as little as 2 hours. Button batteries are found in many household items, so it's very important for battery compartments to be screwed shut and/or kept out of sight and reach of children. Here are some resources that can help educate parents.
18-month Looksee Checklist – Now Available as a FREE Download!
The Looksee Checklist is an easy-to-use developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow. And now, LookSee has made the 18-month checklist available as a FREE download! It's a great opportunity to download the checklist, use it with the toddlers in your CNC program, and identify potential areas where they may need additional challenge and support.
Physical Development 101: A Guide to Motor Skills in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Through daily play and movement, babies and toddlers begin to develop fundamental motor skills: gross motor skills (big movements like crawling, walking, and jumping) and fine motor skills (smaller actions, like grasping and picking up tiny objects). These skills grow naturally over time, but no two children develop them at exactly the same pace. That being said, there are so many fun activities you can do to help encourage physical development in engaging and healthy ways - and you can find them here in the Active for Life Physical Development 101 guide!
Family Day Across Canada
Family Day is celebrated differently across the country, but no matter where you live, it's a great opportunity to encourage families to get outside and have some fun with the kids! Here are two lists full of outdoor winter activity ideas to share with parents this month: 40 Outdoor Activities for Kids this Winter & 10 Fun & Easy Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
Ten Sesame Street Resources All About Love
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but every day is the right day to celebrate all the people, places, and things that you love! So here are ten songs, videos, and activities that you can use in your program to celebrate the power of love all year round
It’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
The goal of Multicultural Children’s Book Day is to raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity and get more of these books into classrooms, libraries and collections. Here's a list of books and activities... maybe you'll find a new favourite!
Winter Safety Tip Sheet for Parents
Winter can be lots of fun, but unfortunately, there are some associated potential dangers for children. Here are some tips to share with parents to help families stay safe during the winter season!
Free Online After-School Program for School Age Kids
Brainworx! is a free, interactive and empowering online after-school program where children in grades 1-6 can learn and have fun in a safe online environment - so it's a great resource to share with the newcomer families with school-age children in your program! The program is hosted 2x per week after school, and each group is led by live volunteer coaches and mentors. It even incorporates physical activity and helps create a sense of belonging and community by keeping the groups consistent and small - so everyone can get to know one another. By providing a flexible enrichment opportunity for students, Brainworx! allows children to improve their literacy and Social Emotional Literacy skills without in-person barriers. Be sure to share this opportunity with the families in your program today!