Resources

Sing & Sign Webinar: Supporting Emerging Language Through Music, Sign Language, and Play

Join this interactive and informative presentation to learn simple steps to start signing with young children, key benefits, and easy ways to incorporate signing across the environments and routines of your day with young children!

Ideas to Share with Parents: Cheap or Free At-Home Activities for Kids

How can parents encourage their children to live a healthy, active life while sticking to a budget? They can try these simple tasks and activities to see how simple it can be to get kids enjoying active play and moving daily at home!


Caring for a child with special needs: Strategies for newcomer families

Learning that your child is born with a chronic illness or has special needs can be devastating for all families. But it can be isolating and extremely challenging for newcomer families as they navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system, without their traditional sources of community support. The terminology, diagnosis, treatment options, hospital visits and assessment or therapy appointments can be overwhelming in a new country. Language and cultural barriers may also lead to limited involvement and contribution to decision making leading to helplessness and sometimes a lack of trust in health professionals. Remember, you are not alone and can find the support you need. To help navigate this situation in a new country and manage the family’s well-being, here are a few strategies that can be shared with families.

VIDEO: How Early Childhood Experiences Affect Lifelong Health and Learning

How is ongoing, severe stress and adversity in early childhood connected to chronic disease in adults? And, what can we do about it? In this animated video, learn what the latest science tells us about how early experiences affect not only early learning and school readiness, but also lifelong health. Challenge yourself to think about how we can address the sources of these problems. And, consider how integrating primary care into every aspect of early childhood programming may be an important part of the solution.

29 Fun Games to Play in the Snow

Kids love to play in fresh snow. Building a snowman can be fun, but there are so many other activities kids can do to have fun and keep moving once winter comes along. From sledding to snowball fights, catching snowflakes and making snow angels, wintertime affords the whole family so many options and so much fun. Here is a list of fun games that you can share with parents to encourage some family fun in the snow this year!

Video and Posters: Easy Habits for Managing Kids’ Screen Time

Too much screen time hurts kids. It keeps them from active play and it causes them anxiety, depression and other problems. Yet trying to “control” screen time can be a real challenge. Here's a quick, 1-minute video and printable posters to share with parents!

Developmental delays and Autism in the Early Years

Children with autism and developmental disabilities benefit from increased visual aids and structure. It is so important to have a schedule in their classroom and home environment to minimize distractions. This article is a great place to start for more information about developmental delays and autism in the early years, and ideas for how you can help set children up for success in your program and at home.

Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Children

From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. Through games and playful activities, children can practice and strengthen important skills that will help them throughout their lives, including learning to focus their attention, strengthening their working memory, and developing basic self-control. This series of handouts provide suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age, so they are perfect for inspiring educators and sharing with parents!

Podcast: The Magic of Loose Parts

Whether you’re an experienced ECE or new to the field, this podcast takes what we know about loose parts to the next level. Listen in to learn more about loose parts, how to get started, personal mindset and reflection, and so much more!

Webinar: Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos

This webinar helps caregivers and advocates of young children recognize the many types of stress and maltreatment that infants, toddlers, and twos may experience, and know how to create positive caregiving environments that set children on a positive developmental trajectory. In it, you'll learn about the role of rhythm and movement in building healthy brains, the importance of predictable, consistent interactions, the key elements of an emotionally safe environment, and more!