Resources
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!
Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool
This cultural humility self-reflection tool has been designed to help Ontario school staff to explore, and then reflect upon, their individual cultural humility, but it's relevant to our work too! It prompts us to consider our skills, knowledge and self-awareness when supporting children and engaging with parents/caregivers and colleagues who don’t share our culture and identities. Reflecting deeply on our own personal values, beliefs and biases is an important step towards providing supporting and inclusive care for diverse families. When you enter the relationship with cultural humility, you can engage in more authentic interactions that promote better mental health and a sense of belonging for the children in our care.
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!
Immigration Initiative at Harvard
The Immigration Initiative at Harvard is an online space for scholars, students, policy makers, community leaders, and practitioners, with the goal of translating evidence-based research into promising practices. Be sure to check out their series of resources for educators.
CNC Learning Moments Series
CNC Learning Moments is a new training series that’s been developed especially for you to reflect on, inspire, and improve your CNC program... and the first two topics are available now! We encourage you to watch 8 Tips for Creating Emotionally Safe Play Spaces for CNC and Let's Get Moving! BIG Movements for Small CNC Spaces on your own, or as a team! You’ll also find that each new session includes a list of resource links to extend your learning and further support your CNC team.
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.
Multilingual Spring Activities Scavenger Hunt
This active scavenger hunt will get children moving outside this spring... and it’s available in 10 languages, so it’s a perfect resource to share with parents this spring!