Child Development
Babies need humans, not screens
Did you know that the negative effects of too much screen time for babies and toddlers range from shorter attention span to lower empathy? Here's why too much screen time can harm babies and the importance of ensuring children enjoy off-screen experiences.
Fred Rogers’ Six Fundamentals of Learning
Have you ever wondered, what may help or hinder a child in their development? The Fred Rogers Institute says that these six fundamentals come immediately to my mind: self-worth, trust, curiosity, the capacity to look and listen, the ability to play, and have times of quiet solitude. To learn more about the six fundamentals, and particularly what educators have learned about what the six fundamentals look like in practice, check out the Fundamentals of Learning and Growing.
18-month Looksee Checklist – Now Available as a FREE Download!
The Looksee Checklist is an easy-to-use developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow. And now, LookSee has made the 18-month checklist available as a FREE download! It's a great opportunity to download the checklist, use it with the toddlers in your CNC program, and identify potential areas where they may need additional challenge and support.
Physical Development 101: A Guide to Motor Skills in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Through daily play and movement, babies and toddlers begin to develop fundamental motor skills: gross motor skills (big movements like crawling, walking, and jumping) and fine motor skills (smaller actions, like grasping and picking up tiny objects). These skills grow naturally over time, but no two children develop them at exactly the same pace. That being said, there are so many fun activities you can do to help encourage physical development in engaging and healthy ways - and you can find them here in the Active for Life Physical Development 101 guide!
WEBINAR: Nurturing Responsive Care for Infants & Toddlers
In this webinar, participants will delve into responsive practices for diapering, feeding, and sleep and unpack how each is integral to practices that foster secure attachments and support all areas of development and well-being. You will learn to create supportive environments conducive to care and organize the structure of your day to prioritize care routines and meeting the diverse needs of infants and toddlers in a way that enhances their overall developmental outcomes.
Activities for Infants
There are many great activities we can do with infants to support their development. This article explains four stages of infancy, major developmental milestones for each stage, and fun activities you can do with babies to help them meet those milestones!
7 Wonderful Things ECEs Can Do For Children
Early childhood educators (ECEs) are incredibly valuable in supporting and guiding the educational, social, behavioural, and emotional development of children in their early years. Through their work, they provide a strong foundation for kids’ future learning and functioning. This article highlights 7 wonderful things ECEs can do for children.
WEBINAR: Calming Toddlers to Promote Self-Regulation
Despite the best efforts of early childhood educators, some older infants and toddlers naturally hit, bite, and otherwise display aggressive behaviors. These common tiny-tot behaviors challenge caregivers and parents and are among the biggest stressors they encounter. Because it is so complicated to understand what drives toddler behavior and redirect it, it’s hard to know what to do to support them in learning self-regulation. In this webinar, join toddler expert, Raelene Ostberg to learn and a four-step “HELP” model to transform unwanted behaviors and support toddlers’ prosocial development.
Heartwarming Video Shows How Kids See Differences
A heartwarming video from the BBC, is showing how children think about differences. In the video, pairs of young friends answer the question, “What makes you two different from each other?” And their responses reveal a simple and inspiring truth about acceptance and inclusion among kids.
WEBINAR: Building Blocks for Supporting All Children in Inclusive Settings
Are you thinking about how to meaningfully include ALL children in the routines and activities in your program? This webinar can help you determine which supports might be the most useful, identify modifications, and create plans to promote participation, engagement, and access for children who need additional support.