Newcomer families’ experiences with programs and services to support early childhood development in Canada: A scoping review
It can be difficult for families with young children to navigate early childhood development supports. In particular, newcomer families often encounter additional barriers and require resources, programs, and services that are tailored to their unique assets, experiences, and needs. A team of researchers conducted a scoping review of the literature published between 2000 and 2019 to explore what is known about newcomer families’ experiences with programs and services to support early childhood development in Canada. Their report identifies common themes and
the need for informed, meaningful and culturally relevant policies, programs, and services for newcomer families to support their children’s well-being.
A Diversity and Inclusion Expert Shares Her Thoughts on Canada Day
A holiday celebrating colonization is difficult most years, but this year is particularly tough in light of the hundreds of children that have been found buried at residential schools. It is a time of great mourning for the Indigenous community and Canada Day celebrations in many cities, in the absence of time to arrange something more suitable under the circumstances, have been canceled. Navigating conversations around Canada Day with our kids, both non-Indigenous and Indigenous can be a challenge. Here are her thoughts on how to handle these discussions.
Book series teaches children about their cultures and lives of those different than their own
The best thing about books is that they can transport us anywhere and give us a glimpse into other worlds. Children’s books are no exception. And in a country as diverse as Canada, it is important to offer children from all backgrounds an opportunity to learn about their own cultures and about the experiences and lives of those different than their own. Aine Moorad, hopes that her books do exactly that.
Aine Moorad has written the O Canada series chronicling the journey of Zayd, an eight-year-old Canadian immigrant. The books touch on the themes of family, adventure and change, familiarizing children about Canada’s food, sports, animals, values, people and way of life. Moorad’s books are geared for children aged between 4 and 10.
WEBINAR: Exploring Challenging Behaviours and Implicit Bias
In this
edWebinar, Dr. Angela Searcy challenges educators to stop, reflect on their own implicit biases, and grow so they can better understand and serve children exhibiting challenging behaviors within their classroom. Participants will be provided with self-reflective tools and strategies for examining the origins of implicit bias, reflecting on everyday conversations and recognizing potentially biased statements.
Valuing Diversity: Developing a Deeper Understanding of All Young Children’s Behaviour
Everything we think, say, and do is processed through our own cultural backgrounds. But because culture is absorbed and passed down from generation to generation rather than explicitly taught, we’re seldom aware of it. Culture shapes not only our values and beliefs, but also our gender roles, family structures, languages, dress, food, etiquette, approaches to disabilities, child-rearing practices, and even our expectations for children’s behavior. In this way, culture creates diversity. For educators, it is important to
think about your own culture and how the cultures of children and their families play a role in your CNC program.
We are different, we are the same: Activities that teach young children about diversity
Diversity activities teach young children to respect and celebrate the differences in all people. Learning about different cultural aspects offers new experiences for children. It also helps them realize that we’re all humans, despite differences in how we look or dress, or what we eat or celebrate!
Games and activities are a fun way for young children to learn about differences and similarities and to introduce the concept of diversity.
FILM: Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action- The Early Years
A new film,
Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years, features vignettes of anti-bias strategies in early childhood classrooms interspersed with teachers reflecting on their practice. The film shifts the focus away from the talking heads of experts and on to the voices of teachers committed to equity on a daily basis. By taking viewers into diverse early childhood classrooms, the film demonstrates the importance of teacher reflection on identity, context, and practice in anti-bias education and provides a much-needed resource for teacher education and professional development. It also includes an accompanying
viewer guidebook and suggestions for using the film for professional development for your team!
Looking for resources to support English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners?
This
collection of EAL teaching and learning resources includes worksheets & activity sheets for teachers, professionals and parents to support them in effectively communicating and helping children learn English as an Additional Language.
The ABC’s of Racial Literacy
All kids need a strong individual and group identity, but racism hurts the healthy development of both. Racism hurts our entire society. Sesame Street in Communities has
resources to help develop children’s understanding, curiosity, resilience, and empathy—and to prepare for the task of building a better world by standing up, standing tall, and standing together.
The Importance of Promoting Diversity in Early Childhood Programs
The concept of diversity takes various forms and is incorporated into many aspects of our life. From religion, gender, culture, family structures, and physical abilities, we are each brought into this world made up of many differences. For years it was thought that children would automatically form positive outlooks about differences, but research has shown that
advocating and exposing children to diversity requires active promotion!
