Resources
It’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
The goal of Multicultural Children’s Book Day is to raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity and get more of these books into classrooms, libraries and collections. Here's a list of books and activities... maybe you'll find a new favourite!
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.
Healthy Snacks for Children
Healthy snacks are as important to children’s growth and development as healthy meals. Young children have small stomachs and can’t get all the nutrients they need from just 3 regular meals. Older children need snacks to stay alert and energetic throughout the day. Here are some tips for using Canada’s Food Guide to be sure children are getting healthy snacks. They're perfect for sharing with your team and the parents in your program!
FREE Kindness Calendar
When we practice skills like kindness, empathy, inclusion, gratitude, and mindfulness with children from an early age, it can set the stage for their daily interactions with the world around them – how they treat others as well as how they take care of themselves. Now, you can download a free Kindness Calendar that includes daily questions, activities, and book recommendations to help children explore what it means to be a kind, inclusive, and empathetic friend.
WEBINAR: Treating Anaphylaxis and What You Need to Know About Benedryl
In this webinar, participants learn the importance of using epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, when antihistamines might be given, and what the safety concerns are with first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl®.
How to Support Children During Conflict and Crisis Situations
Do you have any families that are struggling through a crisis or traumatic experience? When we find ourselves faced with the unthinkable, having the right words to say to children can feel like an impossibility. Here is some advice for parents who are navigating difficult times, from child psychology and mental health expert Dr. Marcia Brophy.Multilingual Learners Need Materials With Intrinsic Meaning
When young children are new to the language spoken by their teacher, they depend on useful materials to provide content and comprehension for their learning. That’s why multilingual learners need materials with intrinsic meaning. When children understand the teacher’s language, they may benefit from spoken explanations. But, when a child does not understand what the teacher is saying, they may not guess what the purpose of the activity is… and that blocks both comprehension and skill development. Here are some examples and tips for making materials and activities meaningful.
Connecting with Foods from Around the World
With many families gathering to celebrate a variety of holiday traditions, a theme is often food! Traditional meals and sweets are baked into celebrations from around the world, pun intended! Because child care programs reflect the broader community, it is safe to say that the children enrolled in your program will also be celebrating and enjoying these culinary traditions. This newsletter shares ideas for cooking with children and exploring foods from different cultures, not just during the winter holiday season, but year-round.
Resources for Caregiving in Conflict, Crisis or Stressful Situations
Caring for children during conflict contexts can be extremely challenging when caregivers face so many competing responsibilities. Warm, positive parenting can help buffer children from psychological harm during conflict and displacement. The United Nations has developed this series of supportive videos, audio recordings and resources (in various languages) that provide caregivers with tips and advice on how they might best support children during any kind of conflict and displacement.
Free Online Course for Parents and Caregivers
Parents, caregivers and other family members are central to a child’s early learning and development. The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) launched a microlearning course aimed at parents and caregivers called Fun with Family Learning. Online and self-paced, this program offers short modules that provide parents and caregivers with support and fun ideas for learning with their children at home. The course is freely accessible until December 31, 2023.