Health and Safety External Resources
8 Tips for Talking to Children About Conflict and War
When conflict or war makes headlines, it can cause feelings such as fear, sadness, anger, and anxiety wherever you live. Children look to the adults around them for a sense of safety and security – even more so in times of crisis. Here are 8 tips on how to approach conversations in ways that provide children with support and comfort.
Caring for Kids: Promoting Health and Safety
The expectations of people who provide child care in Canada have never been greater. Caring for Kids provides parents and child care providers with information about children’s health and well-being. Because the site is developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society, you can be sure the information is reliable. They have a variety of forms and checklists for child care providers to promote safe and healthy practices, and make reporting and planning quick and easy. Each PDF is free to download and share with colleagues and caregivers. They all come from the latest (2015) edition of Well Beings: A Guide to Health in Child Care.
Newcomer Kids Face Chronic Health Risks. Here’s How You Can Help.
Studies show that newcomer children in Canada are developing chronic adult health conditions as a result of the high cost of healthy food and access to physical activities. So it's important for us to share ideas and resources to help families stay physically active and eat healthy! UnlockFood.ca also has quick, 1-minute videos and tips on everyday food choices and raising healthy kids that are perfect for sharing with parents!
Healthy Snacks for Children
Healthy snacks are as important to children’s growth and development as healthy meals. Young children have small stomachs and can’t get all the nutrients they need from just 3 regular meals. Older children need snacks to stay alert and energetic throughout the day. Here are some tips for using Canada’s Food Guide to be sure children are getting healthy snacks. They're perfect for sharing with your team and the parents in your program!
WEBINAR: Treating Anaphylaxis and What You Need to Know About Benedryl
In this webinar, participants learn the importance of using epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, when antihistamines might be given, and what the safety concerns are with first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl®.
ActivePlay.ca is Multilingual!
ActivePlay.ca is a new website for early childhood educators that's filled with informative videos, posters, articles, and a monthly newsletter to help early childhood educators get children active. And all of the posters and videos are available in 10 languages, from Arabic to Ojibwe!
Did you notice these recent product recalls?
3-in-1 LEA Baby Luna cribs have been recalled due to risks of entrapment and other injuries, and Magnetic Marvels have been recalled due to ingestion hazards for all ages. For an updated list of recalls and safety alerts, visit Health Canada regularly.
10 Fun Autumn Activities for Families
Developing physical literacy is a year-round journey, so Active for Life has picked some fresh ways to play this season. Here's a list of 10 fun autumn activities that you can use to encourage families to pull on some layers, grab a toque, and enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Health Canada Warning: Water beads may pose life-threatening risks to young children
Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads. These tiny beads, also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads, or orb beads, are water-absorbing gel beads that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. Water beads can be very harmful if swallowed or put in the ears or nose. If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body leading to potentially life-threatening injuries. Water beads and products containing them should be kept out of sight and reach of children; if you suspect that your child has ingested a water bead, call the Canadian Poison Centre hotline at 1-844-POISON-X (Quebec residents call 1-800-463-5060 to reach the Centre antipoison du Quebec).
Maintaining Safety with Fresh Eyes
When it comes to making observations about the environment, it can be challenging to look with fresh eyes. We may notice a glaring safety issue immediately, such as a spill that needs to be mopped up, but smaller issues may fade into the background until they are no longer as noticeable as they first were. When it comes to maintaining a safe environment, it is essential that early childhood educators consistently look at the environment with fresh eyes. Here are a few suggestions for how to keep safety top of mind.