Culture and Diversity
RAISED between Cultures: Video and reflection guidebook for intercultural practice in the early years
The RAISED Between Cultures model was designed to promote intercultural practice and reflection when working with culturally diverse children and families. The video and guidebook highlight the importance of possessing a deep understanding of cultural backgrounds, experiences, and migration challenges, as well as family strengths to support children's learning and development.
It’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
The goal of Multicultural Children’s Book Day is to raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity and get more of these books into classrooms, libraries and collections. Here's a list of books and activities... maybe you'll find a new favourite!
Storybooks Canada — Free Multilingual Stories
Storybooks Canada is a free open educational resource that offers beautifully illustrated children’s stories in text and audio, available in English, French, and 30 of the most commonly spoken languages in Canada. These stories come from the African Storybook collection and have been carefully adapted to reflect themes that resonate with children across diverse communities.
Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project – FREE Training
Did you know that the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) - through the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project - offers free, self-paced online courses for settlement/social-service and health providers? These courses cover topics such as the social determinants of immigrant and refugee mental health, trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and supporting children and families — which are all relevant to our CNC work. It's a great opportunity for anyone looking to deepen your knowledge, get practical tools and resources, and connect with other providers across Canada.
Teaching Early Childhood Multilingual Learners: Podcast
In this episode of Lifting Language, three early childhood leaders gather to talk about teaching early childhood multilingual learners. It's a great opportunity to reflect on the principles of early childhood education and the role languages play, families as resources, and best instructional practices.
Ages & Stages: Caregiver’s Guide to Supporting Children’s Racial Learning
Every child is learning about race, starting in their earliest months of life. What they learn, when, and how they make sense of it, depends on the messages they get from caregivers, communities, and the world around them. The Ages & Stages Guide brings together the latest research on children’s racial development from infancy through early adolescence, when caregivers have the most impact. It outlines: What kids notice at different ages; how racial learning unfolds over time; and practical steps caregivers can take to support healthy, affirming conversations and action.
When All the Kids are White: How Does an Early Education Program Work Toward Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist Classrooms?
Children begin noticing race as early as six months old—and by age twelve, many have already absorbed racial stereotypes. What happens when a preschool with no racial diversity decides to take action? This article explores how an early years program is rethinking its approach to anti-bias, anti-racist programming.
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.
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.