Parents

Health Canada Warning: Water beads may pose life-threatening risks to young children

Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads. These tiny beads, also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads, or orb beads, are water-absorbing gel beads that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. Water beads can be very harmful if swallowed or put in the ears or nose. If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body leading to potentially life-threatening injuries. Water beads and products containing them should be kept out of sight and reach of children; if you suspect that your child has ingested a water bead, call the Canadian Poison Centre hotline at 1-844-POISON-X (Quebec residents call 1-800-463-5060 to reach the Centre antipoison du Quebec).


Helping Newcomer Parents Start the School Year Strong

There are lots of multilingual resources on our website for you to share with parents to help start the school year strong!  We’ve compiled a list of our favourites.

Active Supervision

The most important way that caregivers can ensure children are safe is through active supervision. But what does active supervision actually mean?

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Getting Ready for Gradual Entry

In this one-hour online workshop participants are provided with a gradual entry checklist to help them with their gradual entry strategy and process. They will also go through age, development, and group considerations to reflect on how they can best support a variety of children and families through the gradual entry process.

Visit the Centre on the Developing Child Translation Library!

The Harvard Centre on the Developing Child has so many wonderful resources, and many of them have now been translated into 17 languages! Now you can browse the complete translation library of briefs, videos, and infographics, or filter by the language for which you’d like to find translated materials.

Social Emotional Learning Language Tips For Emotional Intelligence

Children experience big emotions daily and need supportive caregivers to help them develop the four quadrants of emotional intelligence to better manage and regulate emotions effectively, work with peers, and empathize with others. This article explains the four quadrants, and provides us with the language we need to support this important development in our CNC programs. This may seem like a lot, but you may be surprised to find that you're already promoting these quadrants and skills in your everyday conversations without even realizing it!

Movie Sparks Reflections on Immigrant Parenting in Canada

A recently released Netflix movie called ‘Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway’ has ignited a flurry of conversations regarding cultural differences between Indian and Canadian parenting styles and their impact on immigrant parents.  And sometimes, these cultural variations in parenting styles can put immigrant families at odds with child protection services.


7 Critical Components of Empathy

Empathy isn't something we are either born with or without, but a more complex way of being that is shaped by our experiences and relationships. Here are seven ways we can nurture empathy for the little ones in our lives everyday - both at home and in the classroom. After all, the magic of connection and learning happens when we are present for the little moments of everyday life.

SUMMER WATER SAFETY RULES

For many Canadian families, summer includes activities such as boating and swimming. But each year, tragic and avoidable water-related fatalities occur across Canada. Here are some helpful summer water safety guidelines, and our multilingual Learn about Swimming Safety "New in Canada" brochure that you can share with parents. For more information about water, boating and backyard pool safety, you can also visit the Canadian Red Cross.

Did you know that drowning doesn’t look like drowning?

Drowning doesn't always look as you might expect. In ten percent of child drownings, an adult actually watches the child drown without having any idea of what is happening. Here's what parents and caregivers need to know and watch for.