Parents
Babies need humans, not screens
Did you know that the negative effects of too much screen time for babies and toddlers range from shorter attention span to lower empathy? Here's why too much screen time can harm babies and the importance of ensuring children enjoy off-screen experiences.
Earth Day
Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to raise awareness. Even small children can learn a little bit about the history of Earth Day, take part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees to help make our world a happier, healthier place to live. Here are fun earth day activities you might want to try in your program this month!
Activities for anxious kids: How to help children cope with anxiety through play
Anxiety is the feeling of worry, nervousness, fear, or unease. Even if these feelings in kids seem small to adults, they can be very real and important for a child. And they’re also very normal. Parents and caregivers can help tremendously by recognizing what anxiety looks like and providing activities for anxious kids. To help get you started, Active for Life has put together this list of 50 great activities to help children cope with anxiety through play.
Autism Awareness Day
April 2 is World Autism Day, a time when we commit to learning more and working together to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism. Every April, Autism Speaks Canada leads a global effort to increase understanding and acceptance - and their website is a great place to find information and resources!
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.
Caring for a Child with Food Allergy: A Guide on What You Need to Know
This guide provides easy-to-understand information that’s essential for managing food allergy and anaphylaxis. It’s very visual, making it easy to follow along and understand even if English is not the primary language. Plus, Food Allergy Canada has made this care guide available in 10 different languages!
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!
NEW! Routines and Transitions CNC Learning Moment
In this 25-minute session, CMAS consultant Tricia Kassotis joins us to talk about Routines and Transitions. She also share ideas for including culture and supporting children in managing their emotions during daily transitions. We encourage you to watch on your own, or as a team! You’ll also find that each new session includes a list of resource links to extend your learning and further support your CNC team.