Child Development CMAS Resources

Newcomer Parent Resource Series: Available in 16 Languages

Refugee parents come to Canada with unique settlement needs, and language barriers that make it challenging to get information to support their parenting, children’s development, and the health and safety of their family here in Canada. We’ve developed a series of 14 parent resources to help - and they’re available in the 16 languages most commonly spoken by refugee families here in Canada!

CMAS Webinar: Supporting Newcomer Children through Active Play–Teaming up with Active for Life!

Incorporating physical literacy into your daily programming can be easy and inexpensive – and it can bring such a range of benefits for children, ECEs, and families!

When young children engage in physical literacy and active play, they can better cope with stress, build resilience, and start on their path toward a healthy and active life. 

Watch this webinar where Dawne Clark, PhD, Early Years Physical Literacy discusses:

  • What physical literacy (PL) and active play look like in the early years
  • The benefits of PL and active play for children, educators, and families
  • “Infusing” PL into everyday activities 
  • How to get children moving again and active for life after the pandemic
  • The Active for Life website, tools and resources

Tips for helping refugee children understand and manage big feelings and challenging behaviours

English: Tips for helping refugee children understand and manage big feelings and challenging behaviours
French: Conseils pour aider les enfants réfugiés à comprendre et à gérer leurs émotions fortes et leurs comportements difficiles

Loose Parts

Loose Parts presented by Carolyn Hadcock

The CNC Environment

Online Training Available Length Format Cost
Changing Spaces 2 hours Better Kid Care – Lessons On Demand FREE
Supporting Resources Available Format
An Environment that Positively Impacts Young Children Early Childhood News Article

Helping You Meet the Requirements: Supporting Dual Language Learning

As an adult, you understand how speaking multiple languages can be an asset—both in the work force and in everyday life. That’s why it is so important for immigrant children to keep their mother tongues…and for you to integrate their languages, where possible, into your program. Read more

Forward Development: ELECT and the Newcomer Child

ELECT stands for Early Learning for Every Child Today. It also stands for an integrated early learning framework that is being used in Ontario to help children from ages two-and-a-half- to six-years reach their full potential socially, physically and emotionally. Read More

A Blueprint for Supporting Emergent Bilinguals in Your Program: Roma Chumak-Horbatsch’s Linguistically Appropriate Practice

At one time or another, all child care professionals in Canada—whether in a newcomer-focused program or not—will likely look after non-English speaking children. Read More

Creating a Welcoming Program for Newcomer Children

After the trauma of fleeing their home country, refugee families need safe and stable environments. To create this kind of “safe haven”, programs can develop a space where children can hear English but are not pushed to use it, and where they can observe activities and are encouraged to join in but are not required to. Learn about the many other things you can do to reduce stress and help ease this difficult transition for families.

Helping children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

You know about the five senses—sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell—but you may not be aware that most of us have two additional sensory systems that help us to control and integrate the information we gather. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) find it difficult to process and act on information received through these senses. Read more...