Child Development
WEBINAR: Encouraging Families to Embrace Child-led Play
As early childhood professionals, it is our role to educate families on the importance of child-led play and how it is vital for laying the groundwork for early literacy. Join this webinar to gain confidence in explaining how child-led play develops early literacy foundations and prepares children for school. Learn effective ways to engage parents and families in conversations about the importance of child-led play both at school and home. Explore talking points when addressing any concerns families may have, reassuring them that child-led play is more than sufficient for future reading and writing.
Let’s Get Kids Active Every Day!
Canadian kids aged four and under are spending too much time in front of screens. To encourage healthy growth and development, young children need parents and caregivers to encourage an active lifestyle with a healthy balance of rest and physical activity. Children should be participating in a variety of safe, fun, developmentally appropriate, play-based physical activities in different environments every day! Following these Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines through the early years is associated with better growth, health and well-being.
The Best Kids’ Books on Mental Health
Each year, it seems that there are new children’s books that address every emotional or learning challenge. But how appropriate and helpful is the messaging? Experts at the Child Mind Institute reviewed over 60 books to choose this top 20 list of kids' books on mental health.
WEBINAR: How To Talk with Infants and Toddlers
How do babies turn your words into meaning, connection, and learning? In this webinar, participants will learn 10 intentional communication strategies and script starters to strengthen relationships, promote emotional regulation, and spark early learning—all through meaningful, developmentally rich conversations.
8 Activities that Teach Young Children Social-Emotional Skills
We know how important healthy social-emotional development is, especially in a child’s formative first years. This article shares some fun and easy activities for you to try in your CNC program to help boost emotional regulation, turn-taking skills, communication, interpersonal skills, and more!
WEBINAR – Frustrating Temperament Traits: Strengths-Based Approaches To Ensure Young Children Thrive
Some children are naturally predisposed to intense emotional reactions, feeling resistant to new routines and experiences, and have trouble moving on. As a result, these young humans sometimes experience emotional outbursts, have difficulty calming, reject new experiences, or resist transitions in group settings. The reality is, some traits can prove more difficult to work with, depending on the mix of adult and child temperaments. When a mismatch occurs, this can rattle the resolve of even the calmest most self-assured caregivers! The good news? Early Educators can ensure every child flourishes by teaching the skills needed and providing a “good fit” in their caregiving environment. Join this insightful session to discover the nine temperament traits that are present from birth, and explore helpful strategies and methods to support all children to flourish in your caregiving setting.
77 Children’s Books About Mental Health
Books provide opportunities for us to introduce ideas and open dialogue with the children in our programs. A good book can also help kids name and understand feelings and experiences they may be struggling with! The Child Mind Institute has put together a helpful list of the 77 best children’s books about mental health and learning disorders and other common challenges, like dealing with strong emotions.
Kaleidoscope: Where Every Child’s Colours Shine
In our programs, each child brings their own unique colours to our collective story. Like the ever-changing patterns in a kaleidoscope, children bring diverse interests, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences that create a rich tapestry of learning opportunities. CNC staff have the privilege of witnessing this beautiful diversity every day, but with this privilege comes the responsibility of ensuring every child’s pattern can shine brightly. These articles explore how to create learning environments that amplify every child’s potential, including topics like: The power of hands-on learning and STEM education, Supporting neurodiverse learners, and Building advocacy skills for an inclusive future
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.
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.