Child Development
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.
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.
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.
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!
WEBINAR: Nurturing Responsive Care for Infants & Toddlers
In this webinar, participants will delve into responsive practices for diapering, feeding, and sleep and unpack how each is integral to practices that foster secure attachments and support all areas of development and well-being. You will learn to create supportive environments conducive to care and organize the structure of your day to prioritize care routines and meeting the diverse needs of infants and toddlers in a way that enhances their overall developmental outcomes.
Brain-Building Games to Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. For babies and toddlers, simple, playful interactions with adults help brain development and the building blocks for health and resilience. Through games and playful activities, children can practice and strengthen important skills that will help them throughout their lives. This handout series provides all kinds of great suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age!
Activities for Infants
There are many great activities we can do with infants to support their development. This article explains four stages of infancy, major developmental milestones for each stage, and fun activities you can do with babies to help them meet those milestones!
Heartwarming Video Shows How Kids See Differences
A heartwarming video from the BBC, is showing how children think about differences. In the video, pairs of young friends answer the question, “What makes you two different from each other?” And their responses reveal a simple and inspiring truth about acceptance and inclusion among kids.