Child Development
Tips for Families Raising Children to Speak More Than One Language
Experts encourage parents to speak the language that is most comfortable to them to help babies and children develop important language areas of their brain and build strong bonds. The Canadian Children's Literacy Foundation has put together a list of resources to help parents, including a colourful tip sheet/poster full of tips for families raising children to speak more than one language.
Mental Health Skills for Preschool Children: Video Series
This series of 5 short videos introduces important ideas, taught the way young children learn best: through entertaining, relatable stories set in a vivid, imaginary world! The Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Pre-K Project video series is based on mental health research, created to make important mental health skills available to preschool children (age 3 to 5). Each video features a memorable song that reinforces the key messages. We invite you to watch the complete series with the children in your program. You can also download the free companion guides that summarize key ideas and include an activity that can use to help kids practice the skills they’re learning.
21 Learning Activities for Babies and Toddlers
Play is an important part of a baby's learning and growth – it's how they explore their environment, practice developing skills and bond with their caregivers (that’s you!). As babies grow, playtime evolves based on what developmental skills they are working on. Here are 21 activity ideas to share with parents and colleagues that will help them support baby and toddler development, all while having fun!
WEBINAR: An Introduction to ‘Welcome Sesame’
Follow along for an introduction to resources designed to support families experiencing displacement or resettlement as a result of crisis. In this webinar, Sesame Workshop’s Shanna Kohn and Tara Wright introduce caregivers and providers to resources designed to support children and families experiencing displacement and/or resettlement after crisis.
30 Engaging Baby Activities for Cognitive & Physical Development
A baby’s brain is growing and forming new connections every day. And everything you do—from talking and reading to singing and dancing—is helping that process. Even if baby's movements seem random and uncoordinated, important development is taking place, and they're gradually building their strength, coordination, and neural connections. That’s why it’s important to give babies lots of time to explore freely through a variety of movements. Here are some ideas to help get you started.
Newcomer Parent Resource Series: Available in 16 Languages
Refugee parents come to Canada with unique settlement needs, and language barriers that make it challenging to get information to support their parenting, children’s development, and the health and safety of their family here in Canada. We’ve developed a series of 14 parent resources to help - and they’re available in the 16 languages most commonly spoken by refugee families here in Canada!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!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.LET’S PLAY: CREEPY CRAWLY THINGS ACTIVITY IDEAS
Do you have a child in your program who is interested in bugs and creepy crawly things? A team of CNC staff put their heads together and came up with over 60 bugs and creepy crawly things activity ideas for CNC… and now you can find them here! Special thanks to the CNC team that worked on the new content.