Myth vs. Fact: Bilingual Language Development
There are still plenty of misconceptions when it comes to language learning in bilingual children. Here's a
simple infographic that was created to help dispel myths and encourage practices that promote multilingualism - and it's free to download, print and post in your program!
Celebrating Diversity In Preschool
As early childhood programs become more culturally diverse, many educators are wondering how they can teach about diversity in the early years. In this HiMama preschool podcast, Jordana Shakoor talks about shifting perspectives on diversity and how
diversity is an exciting learning experience for both children and teachers. She talks about how genuine curiosity when learning about new cultures makes celebrating cultural differences a more natural process.
Free diversity posters to download and print
Here are some beautiful
posters that celebrate diversity to help you get your program ready for the fall!
Empower Dual Language Learners With Conversations!
All through college and professional development experiences, educators learn what to say to children. But, one of the greatest gifts you can give to young learners, especially DLLs, is to step back and let the children do the talking. Find out
what happens when young DLLs have more opportunities to talk, converse, and lead discussions!
Helping children become brave, informed and thoughtful about race
EmbraceRace is a multiracial community of parents, teachers and experts who identify, organize and create tools, resources, discussion spaces, and networks. Their goal is to nurture resilience in children of colour, nurture inclusive, empathetic children and programs, and support a movement of advocates for all children. Their
website is full of information, videos and tip sheets for caregivers like you.
Culturally Appropriate Positive Guidance with Young Children
Many parenting approaches and children's behaviours have cultural roots, and while it's important for early childhood educators to foster each child’s developing identity, it's also important to
share cultural lessons and help cultivate shared norms for your program. This article is full of examples and strategies for helping culturally diverse children and families to understand and negotiate differing norms and social expectations.
Dual Language Booklets and Resources for Families
The Saskatchewan Literacy Network has a series of
free family resources and dual language booklets that are now available in Arabic, Chinese, Dari (Farsi), Nepali, Pashto, Somali, Tigrigna, Urdu. Each booklet contains a small selection of simple, practical vocabulary by theme. Written at the emergent literacy level, they were designed for young learners and their caregivers to use together, on topics like clothing, colours, food, transportation and more. They are perfect for sharing with parents or even printing out for use in your program!
Free Teachers’ Toolkit: Including Refugees in the Classroom
Teachers are facing new challenges in making sense of forced displacement and its complexities. Teaching newcomers often comes with specific needs relating to language acquisition and adaptation to a new culture and environment. Some refugee children may suffer from stress or trauma preventing them from participating fully in school activities, and requiring specific support. To help, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has released a free
Teachers’ Toolkit, professional development and guidance to help teachers understand the needs of refugee children, as well as a collection of
adaptable teaching materials on refugees, asylum, migration and statelessness.
Webinars to Support Your Work with Newcomer Children
Looking for online opportunities for professional development? Here are a few interesting webinars that you might be interested in:
Promoting Early Learning for Children of Immigrants: Family and Early Care and Education Supports,
Addressing Trauma in Young Children in Immigrant and Refugee Families through Early Childhood Programs, and
Culturally Appropriate Positive Guidance with Young Children in Our Care
Voices Of Children Documentary
In this small film with a big heart, we meet young children from communities around the globe, bringing us a glimpse of their extraordinary diversity.
Children from five diverse countries draw us into their worlds through their many voices. Behind their experiences lie messages, both universal and informed by place, time, and culture. The children share their ideas, hopes, challenges, and capacity as they talk, sing, work, dance, and play!
