Parents
Have you tried making your own games?
During the pandemic, the CNC team at Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s Bayshore site put their heads together to come up with creative ways to re-purpose cardboard delivery boxes. They used their extra time to save money and have some fun making everything from race tracks to carnival-style games for their program. Many of their creations were even laminated for quick disinfection! Click here to learn more.200+ activities you can do with kids at home
Children have been home a lot over the last few years. Here's an epic list of over 200 full of play ideas that you can share with parents: games to keep their minds and bodies moving!WEBINAR – Big Conversations with Young Children: Discussing Questions, Worries, and Fears
In our work with young children, we sometimes encounter unexpected—and hard-to-answer—questions. This edWebinar addresses the big adult questions children sometimes ask that may cause us to pause, silence the child, or deflect the concern. The webinar guides participants so that they can be prepared to answer difficult questions respectfully and in ways that are developmentally appropriate for even the youngest children.
Introduction to Positive Discipline – Available in 7 Languages
The Introduction to Positive Discipline tips sheets, video, and facilitation guide are part of the Family Life in Canada resource series. The goal of this series is to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada and encourage them to access information, programs, and services in their community. All you have to do is sign up to get access to the free resources that are available in 7 languages - making them easy to use with the newcomer families you work with!
Active Start
From 0-6 years, children need to be engaged in daily active play. Through play and movement, they develop fundamental movement skills and learn how to link them together. At this stage developmentally appropriate activities are important to help children feel competent and comfortable participating in all kinds of fun and challenging play!
Active Start newsletter for parents
Do you work with parents of young children? Active Start is a monthly newsletter, by our partners at Active for Life, for parents with children under the age of 4. It’s tailored specifically to the age of the child and filled with activities, games, ideas, and tips designed to help children fall in love with physical activity. And it’s all presented in a fun way for parents and children to enjoy together. You can preview the program and parents may subscribe here.
SickKids Research on the Impact of COVID-19 on Children’s Mental and Physical Health
https://www.sickkids.ca/en/news/archive/2021/research-covid-19-pandemic-impact-child-youth-mental-physical-health/#:~:text=Among%202%2C206%20participants%2C%20the%20researchers,depression%20and%20anxiety%20they%20experienced.Active for life resources are available in more than 10 languages!
Physical activity is key to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our children. That’s why Active for Life offers free resources in more than 10 languages, in addition to English and French, to help get kids active today so they can be active for life. Share these helpful resources with families, communities, and organizations that work with children, and they will thank you!
Child Health Information: Helpful Videos and Infographics
You can use these simple videos and infographics to share and learn about the symptoms of common childhood illnesses (like anaphylaxis, fever, asthma, croup, and more!), how to manage them at home, and when to get help.
Value of Routines for Caregivers Handout
Busy caregivers know how exhausting a day with kids can be. Many of us are balancing our own stresses with the stresses of taking care of the people that depend on us. Although they may show it differently, kids can feel stress, too. The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to make everyone’s day run a little smoother. This handout is full of great tips for creating helpful family routines – and it’s in a format that’s easy to share with parents!