Health and Safety
No Backyard, No Problem… Families Can Bring the Outside In!
No backyard? No problem! If the only outdoor space families have access to is a balcony or concrete patio, they can still access nature and its healing powers by bringing it indoors through crafts, gardening, books, and online resources. Here's a list you can share with parents, full of fun and simple nature-themed ways for children to stay curious about the natural world indoors.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
When children experiencing emotional distress receive support from caring adults in their lives, they’re better able to build a strong foundation for emotional well-being. For Mental Health Awareness Month, Sesame Workshop has launched a new set of resources to support children experiencing emotional distress. The new resources include animated videos, Sesame Street Muppet videos, printables, a digital storybook, and more.
The Newcomer Health Hub
Although Canada is a global leader in refugee resettlement, we still have room to improve in meeting the unique and complex health challenges experienced by newcomers. To raise awareness about the unique health and social challenges at a local and national level, three medical students at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry have started an online resource centre that provides culturally-specific health information for newcomers and refugees to Canada. The Newcomer Health Hub is a resource for community members and frontline healthcare workers looking to treat, advocate for, and empower newcomers to Canada. It provides evidence-based, culturally competent resources to promote impactful interactions between newcomer patient populations and the health care system.
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.
Our Kids’ Health is a Website for Diverse Parents
Our Kids' Health shares evidence-based health information that is translated and adapted to help diverse parents and caregivers make the right decisions for the health of their families. It's a great resource for you to encourage newcomer parents to explore to support their children's well-being. Topics include nutrition, mental health, all in one place!
Free apps and websites to share with parents and get kids moving!
Managing screen time can be a real challenge for families with young children. Here are a few free digital apps and platforms families can try out for a more positive screen experience. Share them with parents and encourage them to choose apps and online activities that keep their kids active and engaged.
Increase in Measles Cases
Amid an increase in cases of measles in Canada, here's what you should know about symptoms of measles and how it's spread.
Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment
The Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE, ‘kip-chee’) is a national collaboration of organizations with overlapping missions that have been working together since 2001 to improve children’s environmental health in Canada. With a variety of checklists, videos, tools and resources for parents and caregivers, their aim is to increase awareness, mobilize knowledge and catalyze action to ensure that all children in Canada have healthy environments in which to live, learn, play and grow.
Resources from Sesame Workshop for Afghan Parents and Children Affected by Crisis
Sesame Workshop has developed new resources in Dari and Pashto for children and families affected by the earthquakes in Afghanistan. They include videos and digital storybooks offering tips for caregivers to promote children's wellbeing, build their confidence, and to adapt to new environments amid challenging times. Global Initiative to Support Parents has compiled the Dari and Pashto resources here.
How to Keep Kids Active in Winter
Winter brings shorter, colder days and, typically, much more indoor time for kids. But exercise is essential, no matter the season. It helps kids maintain strong muscles and bones, builds cardiovascular strength, reduces the risk of illness, and improves mental health. Here are some fun ideas to share with parents to keep kids moving all season long!