Health and Safety External Resources
Let’s Get Kids Active Every Day!
Canadian kids aged four and under are spending too much time in front of screens. To encourage healthy growth and development, young children need parents and caregivers to encourage an active lifestyle with a healthy balance of rest and physical activity. Children should be participating in a variety of safe, fun, developmentally appropriate, play-based physical activities in different environments every day! Following these Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines through the early years is associated with better growth, health and well-being.
The Best Kids’ Books on Mental Health
Each year, it seems that there are new children’s books that address every emotional or learning challenge. But how appropriate and helpful is the messaging? Experts at the Child Mind Institute reviewed over 60 books to choose this top 20 list of kids' books on mental health.
Active Supervision: Fostering Joy, Safety, and Connection in Early Childhood
As early childhood educators, we often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities throughout the day. In the midst of this busyness, it’s easy to fall into autopilot, going through the motions without truly engaging with the children in our care. One of the core aspects of our role, and one which is often on autopilot is supervision – but what if we could transform our approach to supervision from a mindless task to a mindful practice? What if supervision could become a tool for safety, joy, connection and personal growth?
Summer Safety
Here are some important reminders for keeping children safe during the hot summer months, while promoting the healthy benefits of outdoor play!
Keep Children Cool! How to Protect Children from Extreme Heat
Extreme heat, and heat related illnesses, are especially dangerous for infants and young children. Children most at risk include those with breathing difficulties (asthma), heart conditions, kidney problems, mental and physical disabilities, developmental disorders, diarrhea, and those who take certain medications. Health Canada has these tips to keep kids cool this summer.
Insect Repellents: Info for Parents
Here's some information you can share with the newcomer families in your program about how to choose and insect-repellents safely and protect children from insect bites in Canada.
Toy Safety for Babies
Toys provide opportunities for babies to learn, develop, and interact with their environment.And one of our jobs is to make sure that all of the toys are age-appropriate and safe. To help, Families Canada has developed this tip sheet on Toy Safety for 8-12 Month Old Babies.
77 Children’s Books About Mental Health
Books provide opportunities for us to introduce ideas and open dialogue with the children in our programs. A good book can also help kids name and understand feelings and experiences they may be struggling with! The Child Mind Institute has put together a helpful list of the 77 best children’s books about mental health and learning disorders and other common challenges, like dealing with strong emotions.
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month and Food Allergy Canada has lots planned this month to increase awareness and education of food allergy across the country. How will you spread awareness and education in your program this month?
6,500+ Fisher-Price toys recalled in Canada
More than 6,500 Fisher-Price toys have been recalled in Canada due to a potential choking hazard. In the recall notice, Health Canada advised parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the affected products, keep them out of reach of children, and contact Fisher-Price for a free replacement.