School Readiness

Helping Newcomer Parents Understand the Canadian School Schedule During the Winter

As many immigrants to Canada come from countries with education systems that are different than what their children will encounter here, it is unlikely that they will be familiar with how schools in this country handle extreme/inclement weather situations that can impact their family. Here's an article you can share with parents to help them understand how the public school system operates in Canada during the coldest months.

WEBINAR: An Introduction to ‘Welcome Sesame’

Follow along for an introduction to resources designed to support families experiencing displacement or resettlement as a result of crisis. In this webinar, Sesame Workshop’s Shanna Kohn and Tara Wright introduce caregivers and providers to resources designed to support children and families experiencing displacement and/or resettlement after crisis. 


Newcomer Parent Resource Series: Available in 16 Languages

Refugee parents come to Canada with unique settlement needs, and language barriers that make it challenging to get information to support their parenting, children’s development, and the health and safety of their family here in Canada. We’ve developed a series of 14 parent resources to help - and they’re available in the 16 languages most commonly spoken by refugee families here in Canada!

Helping Newcomer Parents Start the School Year Strong

There are lots of multilingual resources on our website for you to share with parents to help start the school year strong!  We’ve compiled a list of our favourites.

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Getting Ready for Gradual Entry

In this one-hour online workshop participants are provided with a gradual entry checklist to help them with their gradual entry strategy and process. They will also go through age, development, and group considerations to reflect on how they can best support a variety of children and families through the gradual entry process.

LET’S PLAY: CREEPY CRAWLY THINGS ACTIVITY IDEAS

Do you have a child in your program who is interested in bugs and creepy crawly things? A team of CNC staff put their heads together and came up with over 60 bugs and creepy crawly things activity ideas for CNC… and now you can find them here! Special thanks to the CNC team that worked on the new content.


NEW! LET’S PLAY: Math Activity Ideas

Do you have a child in your program who is interested in math and counting? A team of CNC staff put their heads together and came up with over 100 math and counting activity ideas for CNC… and now you can find them here! Special thanks to the CNC team that worked on the new content.


Multilingual Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence

This activities guide offers a variety of age-appropriate activities and games to support and strengthen various components of executive function and self-regulation in children. Each chapter contains activities suitable for a different age groups, ranging from infants to adolescents. The full guide is also available in Arabic! And two sections—5 to 7 year-olds and 7 to 12 year olds—are available in French.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math for Preschoolers?

Lately, everyone seems to be talking about STEAM. It’s a hot topic in the world of education, but what does it really mean?  STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math. You may think some of these subjects seem lofty for young children to grasp - and in some ways, that’s true. But young children can build a strong foundation for future learning by exploring STEAM preschool skills and concepts through play.  And there are lots of STEAM activities that you can do with children to keep them engaged and learning using simple household items!

Sesame Street in Communities: Resettlement

Resettling can be a long, challenging process. Big changes bring big feelings, too. But children and adults can learn ways to cope with their big feelings and adapt to a new way of life, all while finding strength and comfort in the many memories, practices, and traditions they bring with them. Sesame Street in Communities has put together this collection of resources to support families as they find strength in their own stories and begin a new, hopeful chapter.