Parenting
VIDEO: Giving Attention to Positive Behaviours
Children get attention when they misbehave, so it's important to also give special attention to children when they are behaving positively. This video encourages viewers to start looking for and acknowledging those positive behaviors!
10 fun autumn activities for kids
Cool but comfortable autumn weather is a great time to encourage families to get active outdoors and enjoy everything the season has to offer here in Canada! As a way of saying thanks to autumn, Active for Life has 10 fresh ways to play that you can share with families this season... because developing physical literacy is a year-round journey.
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!
WEBINAR: Calming Toddlers to Promote Self-Regulation
Despite the best efforts of early childhood educators, some older infants and toddlers naturally hit, bite, and otherwise display aggressive behaviors. These common tiny-tot behaviors challenge caregivers and parents and are among the biggest stressors they encounter. Because it is so complicated to understand what drives toddler behavior and redirect it, it’s hard to know what to do to support them in learning self-regulation. In this webinar, join toddler expert, Raelene Ostberg to learn and a four-step “HELP” model to transform unwanted behaviors and support toddlers’ prosocial development.
40 Gratitude Activities for Kids this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of year to practice gratitude. Here’s a list of Thanksgiving gratitude activities and thankful crafts that are fun and easy ways to teach children about gratitude.
Why Heritage Language is Important for Children’s Development & Learning
This Immigration Initiative at Harvard Educator Brief explains how important it is to preserve heritage languages for children’s academic outcomes, cognitive development, and social-emotional well-being. It also provides tips for working with families and communities to nurture children’s heritage language skills.
Fun No-Equipment Outdoor Game Ideas
Here are some tried-and-true outdoor game ideas that don't require any equipment. The list includes traditional games, fun variations on old-time favourites, and some new activities. Whether you’re looking for outdoor games for a big group or just a few, this list is a great go-to guide for fun active outdoor games that you can set up on the spur of the moment, no gear or equipment necessary!
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.
18 Ways to Have Fun with Loose Parts in CNC
In this 30-minute CNC Learning Moment session, CMAS consultant Tricia Kassotis joins us to talk about CNC Fun with Loose Parts. We encourage you to watch on your own, or as a team!
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.