Child Development
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.
New 3-part webinar series: Understanding and Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Behaviour is one of the many ways that children communicate with us, so it’s important for us to be able to recognize and strive to understand children’s behaviour in our programs. Participants in this webinar series will be encouraged to think about behaviour differently while gaining deeper understanding and strategies for their programs.
Module 1–Understanding & Guiding Children's Behaviour: Perspectives
Module 2–Understanding & Guiding Children's Behaviour: Cultural Considerations
Module 3–Understanding & Guiding Children's Behaviour: Environmental Considerations
30 Engaging Baby Activities for Cognitive & Physical Development
A baby’s brain is growing and forming new connections every day. And everything you do—from talking and reading to singing and dancing—is helping that process. Even if baby's movements seem random and uncoordinated, important development is taking place, and they're gradually building their strength, coordination, and neural connections. That’s why it’s important to give babies lots of time to explore freely through a variety of movements. Here are some ideas to help get you started.
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!Podcast: Teaching Early Childhood Multilingual Learners
In this episode of the Lifting Language podcast, three experts gather to talk about teaching multilingual learners in early childhood. They discuss the principles of early childhood education and the role languages play, families as resources, and best instructional practices. The podcast is sure to leave you inspired to try some new ideas!Helping Every Child Unpack Their Emotional Backpack
This 4-part Housman Institute series focuses on how we can help young children unpack thier emotional backpacks, and help ourselves in the process. It provides us with the tools, language, and techniques we need to help kids through every part of processing their emotions, including: identifying what they are feeling, understanding them, expressing them appropriately, and regulating them when they are strong.New Online Tutorial Series: Now Available in French and English!
When children are calm and alert, they’re better able to manage their emotions, pay attention, ignore distractions, feel empathy, and really engage in their play and learning. Supporting children in developing self-regulation skills and helping them understand and manage big feelings is a great place to start. Supporting Self-Regulation and 8 Tips for Helping Children Understand and Manage Big Feelings are now available in French and English!