Resources
Harvest Festivals Around the World
What is a Harvest Festival? How do people celebrate harvest around the world? In this video, children can hear about and see several different harvest festivals that are celebrated around the world throughout the year, from Pongal to Vendimia, Thanksgiving, The Moon Festival to Olivagando. It’s a great way to learn about some of the many ways people celebrate harvest around the world with the children in your CNC program!
There’s plenty to acknowledge and celebrate in October!
Are you busy collecting ideas and planning for your CNC program this month? If so, there are a few important days this month that you might want to incorporate and honour to raise awareness in your CNC program and community! October is Canada Library and Fire Prevention month, and there are harvest festivals around the world! Thanksgiving is celebrated on October 9th, and International Day of the Girl Child on the 11th. Diwali is October 20th, Make a Difference Day is October 23rd, and Hallowe'en is on October 31st.
Truth and Reconciliation Week and Orange Shirt Day
National Truth and Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for the CNC community to stand with the Indigenous peoples in Canada and listen. It can be difficult to find our path towards reconciliation, but we encourage you to reflect, learn about residential schools, and begin a dialogue within your CNC programs. To acknowledge and honour the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, here is a collection of online events and resources to help: Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day, The Path Here/The Path Ahead, Resources to Help Guide Your Journey.
How will you honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th?
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day) is an opportunity for the CNC community to stand with the Indigenous peoples in Canada, listen, reflect, and learn. To help you acknowledge and honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the children and parents in your program this month, here is a beautiful collection of Anishinaabe nursery rhymes recordings and read-alongs.
WEBINAR: Encouraging Families to Embrace Child-led Play
As early childhood professionals, it is our role to educate families on the importance of child-led play and how it is vital for laying the groundwork for early literacy. Join this webinar to gain confidence in explaining how child-led play develops early literacy foundations and prepares children for school. Learn effective ways to engage parents and families in conversations about the importance of child-led play both at school and home. Explore talking points when addressing any concerns families may have, reassuring them that child-led play is more than sufficient for future reading and writing.
Let’s Get Kids Active Every Day!
Canadian kids aged four and under are spending too much time in front of screens. To encourage healthy growth and development, young children need parents and caregivers to encourage an active lifestyle with a healthy balance of rest and physical activity. Children should be participating in a variety of safe, fun, developmentally appropriate, play-based physical activities in different environments every day! Following these Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines through the early years is associated with better growth, health and well-being.
CNC Programming Activities Workbook
Download this workbook for creative programming ideas to enrich your CNC program!
The Best Kids’ Books on Mental Health
Each year, it seems that there are new children’s books that address every emotional or learning challenge. But how appropriate and helpful is the messaging? Experts at the Child Mind Institute reviewed over 60 books to choose this top 20 list of kids' books on mental health.
WEBINAR: How To Talk with Infants and Toddlers
How do babies turn your words into meaning, connection, and learning? In this webinar, participants will learn 10 intentional communication strategies and script starters to strengthen relationships, promote emotional regulation, and spark early learning—all through meaningful, developmentally rich conversations.