Culture and Diversity
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.
Belonging Begins with Us: Building Deeper Relationships in CNC Programs
Tammy Nucci explores how educators can create trusting, inclusive relationships with children, families, and peers—regardless of language or background. Drawing on trauma-informed care, culturally sustaining practices, and early childhood best practices, participants will learn strategies to design routines and environments that promote safety, respect, and belonging. This session offers practical tools and reflective discussion to help build relationships rooted in empathy and inclusion.
Handouts:
Workshop Outline
Learner Journal
Introduction to Spoken Language Interpreting for CNC Staff
Jane Langes from the E-Quality Communication Centre of Excellence explores the roles and responsibilities of professional, volunteer, and workplace interpreters. Participants will learn about standards of practice, ethical principles, accuracy, sight translation, and how to recognize when an assignment exceeds their skills. This session provides practical guidance for anyone called upon to interpret or provide language support in the workplace.
Handout: Working with Interpreters
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Building Connections and Quality in the ECE Classroom
In this session, Lobna Ajaini of Childhood Empowerment empowers educators to create inclusive, high-quality learning environments that inspire care and nurture connections. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, participants will explore culturally responsive teaching practices, develop tools to build meaningful relationships with newcomer families, and learn strategies to foster belonging in diverse classrooms. This workshop equips educators to create spaces where every child and family feel valued and connected.
True “Belonging” Means Not Trying to Fit In
Led by Kerry Drake of KD Talks, this workshop looks at the shift from “fitting in” to truly belonging. Drawing on research from thought leaders like Brené Brown, participants will reflect on identity, authenticity, and courage, and learn how to create spaces where children and adults feel seen, valued, and free to be themselves.
Handout: Workbook
Once Upon a Time: Inspiring Care and Building Connections Through Storytelling in Early Childhood Education
This session with Lobna Ajaini of Childhood Empowerment explores how storytelling can enhance care, language, imagination, and emotional resilience in early childhood education. This online workshop equips educators with practical strategies to integrate storytelling into daily routines, support children from diverse and newcomer backgrounds, and foster inclusive, high-quality learning environments.
Handout: Workbook
Conversations with Families: Neurodiversity
When new to Canada, many parents are experiencing the expected overwhelm that can often accompany change; new physical spaces, languages, cultures, support networks, and routines. Additionally, parents are navigating new frameworks of childcare and support. They are learning through potentially a new lens, Canada’s model and approach to disability–through both the social and medical models. As a first point of contact, the importance of how we approach conversations regarding children with support needs, disability, or neurodiversity cannot be overstated. Monica Maddison guides participants through an understanding of neurodiversity, the social model of disability, and strategies to come alongside parents in conversation that feels both connected and collaborative.
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.