Resources

CNC Programs in the News: Helping Mothers Learn English

The Care For Newcomer Children program at Regional Connections made the news this month with their recent expansion!  Being able to offer care for infants starting at six months of age has really made a big difference for parents. "A lot of parents were really excited because when they're waiting... for their child to reach 18 months it's a long time of not taking class."

5 Tips for Reading to Active Toddlers

It can be challenging to fit story time in when you have a group of active toddlers who have a low tolerance for sitting still, so here are 5 tips and strategies for making story time less stressful!

Former Syrian refugee helps create new Sesame Street for displaced children

Mohammad Aljamous, a Syrian refugee now living in Whistler, B.C., used his own experience of displacement when he worked as a consultant for a new version of Sesame Street aimed at helping children fleeing conflict in the Middle East. CBC recently spoke with Aljamous about how he helped behind the scenes to create the special Arabic-language show that is intended to give kids skills to cope with trauma and is set to air in February 2020.

20 Ways to Keep a Peaceful Program

There may not be a magic recipe for a peaceful CNC program, but there are lots of things that we can do to keep our programs calm and welcoming each day. Here are 20 brilliant tips for keeping a peaceful program from the experts at HiMama. Which ones will you try next in your class?

Playful Tubs and Trays for Toddlers

It can be a challenge setting up activities for toddler play – so when planning for toddler play, it's often best to keep it simple. Here's a collection of ideas for trays and baskets of all shapes and sizes that will simplify setup, interaction and clean up in your toddler program!

Surviving Cold & Flu Season

Cold & flu season generally occurs during the colder months of the year, between approximately October and May, making it less of a ‘season’ and something that needs to be top-of-mind for most of the year. While it is impossible to stop people from getting sick, it is possible to mitigate the risk and prevent germs from spreading.

New Online Tutorial: The Power of Play

Children learn best when they are playing. In fact, play is so important to children’s development, that the United Nations has included play as one of the basic rights of every child in the Convention on the Rights of the Child! Through play, children get to know the world around them while exploring and testing their own limits. They’re figuring out how to coordinate their body movements, talk with friends, apply rules, and so much more. In the Power of Play tutorial, you’ll have an opportunity to consider why is play so important, how play supports children’s development and learning, three common myths about play, and strategies that can be used to support children’s learning through play in CNC each day. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.

Guelph children from Syria illustrate and co-author a picture book

Seven Suitcases is a new children's book written from the perspective of a 9-year-old Syrian girl who is new to Canada. It's based on the true story of Ahmed, Farah and Hala Marie, who came to Canada with their parents three years ago. In this interview, the three siblings talk to CBC about what it was like to co-author and illustrate the book with the help of their teacher/librarian friend.

Free Educational Posters for Food Allergy Awareness

To help you with food allergy awareness and education efforts in CNC, Allergic Living has developed this series of free 8.5 x 11-inch posters that can be customized to meet the needs of your program. Click a poster’s image to download it.

CNC in Action: Five Great Practices in a Child Centred Program

Red River College’s CNC program in Steinbach, a rural area one hour outside of Winnipeg, serves a growing local immigrant population. Located in a Mennonite Church, increased enrolment keeps the site running at or near its capacity of 25 children, who range in age from 18 months to five years old. Not only is the program filling a need within the community, but the staff is showing strength in child-centred care and explorative play, according to their CMAS consultant, Jackie Cunningham. CMAS spoke with the Childcare Supervisor, Nalini Ranganath, to explore five of their practices that really benefit the newcomer children.