Health and Safety
Keep Children Cool! How to Protect Children from Extreme Heat
Extreme heat, and heat related illnesses, are especially dangerous for infants and young children. Children most at risk include those with breathing difficulties (asthma), heart conditions, kidney problems, mental and physical disabilities, developmental disorders, diarrhea, and those who take certain medications. Health Canada has these tips to keep kids cool this summer.
Insect Repellents: Info for Parents
Here's some information you can share with the newcomer families in your program about how to choose and insect-repellents safely and protect children from insect bites in Canada.
Toy Safety for Babies
Toys provide opportunities for babies to learn, develop, and interact with their environment.And one of our jobs is to make sure that all of the toys are age-appropriate and safe. To help, Families Canada has developed this tip sheet on Toy Safety for 8-12 Month Old Babies.
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.
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month and Food Allergy Canada has lots planned this month to increase awareness and education of food allergy across the country. How will you spread awareness and education in your program this month?
6,500+ Fisher-Price toys recalled in Canada
More than 6,500 Fisher-Price toys have been recalled in Canada due to a potential choking hazard. In the recall notice, Health Canada advised parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the affected products, keep them out of reach of children, and contact Fisher-Price for a free replacement.
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.
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.
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!
Family Day Across Canada
Family Day is celebrated differently across the country, but no matter where you live, it's a great opportunity to encourage families to get outside and have some fun with the kids! Here are two lists full of outdoor winter activity ideas to share with parents this month: 40 Outdoor Activities for Kids this Winter & 10 Fun & Easy Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids