Resources

Great Activity Ideas from JIAS

JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) shared some great activity ideas for both inside and outside of the classroom. Read about their latest get together with the local seniors and creative projects with the toddler group.

Introducing StoryMaking into your CNC Program

StoryMaking provides opportunities for children and families to play and learn together. It can lead to increased vocabulary; development of agency; opportunities for character building; the discovery of identities (author, maker, artist, etc.); learning by engaging in the practices of making; all while immersing in play and having fun!

Sick with the flu: Helpful visuals for parents

When children display symptoms of the flu, parents are often unsure when they should call the doctor or when to take their child to the hospital. Children with the flu can typically be treated at home with rest and fluids. A trip to the emergency room (ER) should not be necessary for most cases of the flu. However, there are certain warning signs parents can watch for to know when to seek medical attention.

Open-Ended Art: Setting Up for Success

Open-ended art is defined as an art activity where children are free to use their imagination as they explore a variety of materials without a planned idea of what the final project will look like. This usually takes place in the form of an art centre where children have large blocks of uninterrupted time to explore art materials and create projects at their own pace. However, when children have free access to an art centre, teachers may be challenged by mess and waste. The key is setting up the environment for success.

VIDEO: What is “Self-Reg”?

Have you ever wondered what it means when someone talks about "Self-Reg"? Here's a 1-minute video that explains Self-Reg: A 5-step method for reducing stress.

Updated guidelines for introduction of common allergenic foods to infants

According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, for high-risk infants (and based on developmental readiness) it's best to introduce common allergenic solids at around 6 months of age, but not before an infant is 4 months of age.

New Online Tutorial: 3 Simple Visuals For Every CNC Program

Young children are naturally visual learners as they observe, imitate and learn to read body language. For newcomer children, visual cues can be even more important - especially if you don't have a shared language!
In the 3 Simple Visuals for CNC tutorial, we'll review the three simple visuals that are essential in every Care for Newcomer Children program.

What is Developmentally Appropriate Practice?

Developmentally Appropriate Practice (also known as DAP) is a teaching perspective in early childhood education where a teacher nurtures a child’s development (social, emotional, physical, and cognitive) based on theories of child development, the needs of the individual child, and the child’s cultural background (community, family history, and family structure).

New Canada Food Guide

The iconic Canada Food Guide has provided Canadians with a snapshot of healthy eating recommendations for over 75 years, and Health Canada has just released the first updated edition in over a decade! The new Canada Food Guide suggests a focus on drinking water, plant-based diets, and home-cooking.

VIDEO: What is Executive Function and Self-Regulation?

The Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University has a new, 5-minute video that explains how we use executive function and self-regulation each and every day to manage ordinary, and sometimes challenging tasks. It also shows how science offers an explanation for how we navigate tasks successfully, and what can send us off course.