Parents and Families
Empowering Bilingual Families and Children
CNC programs set the tone for welcoming children and families. CNC administrators are also responsible for supporting CNC staff who deal with the behaviours sometimes seen when children and families enter new settings. Learning a new language and adapting to mainstream customs can be intimidating. Culture shock is a real and powerful experience affecting one’s mental health and overall well-being in ways that are often overlooked. This article offers some lessons learned and some things to think about as we make intentional plans to welcome newcomer families into CNC programs.
Activities for anxious kids: How to help children cope with anxiety through play
Anxiety is the feeling of worry, nervousness, fear, or unease. Even if these feelings in kids seem small to adults, they can be very real and important for a child. And they’re also very normal. Parents and caregivers can help tremendously by recognizing what anxiety looks like and providing activities for anxious kids. To help get you started, Active for Life has put together this list of 50 great activities to help children cope with anxiety through play.
WEBINAR – Transforming Challenging Behavior Through Visionary Leadership: The Impact of Culture when Communicating with Staff and Families
Did you see Barbara Kaiser's most recent Early Childhood Investigations webinar? CNC programs are microcosms of the world’s cultures where we find educators, children, families, and administrators from every walk of life who bring a rich tapestry of experiences, values, and norms. This convergence of diverse viewpoints has assets and opportunities for cultural conflict, especially when it comes to children’s behavior. When you know and understand how your culture influences your leadership style – your vision, your expectations, and how you communicate with your staff and the families you are in a better position to work together to support all children. This insightful and enlightening webinar will lead you to explore your cultural influences and how they impact your ability to lead staff, work with families, interpret children’s behaviors, and create a cohesive supportive environment.
18-month Looksee Checklist – Now Available as a FREE Download!
The Looksee Checklist is an easy-to-use developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow. And now, LookSee has made the 18-month checklist available as a FREE download! It's a great opportunity to download the checklist, use it with the toddlers in your CNC program, and identify potential areas where they may need additional challenge and support.
Family Day Across Canada
Family Day is celebrated differently across the country, but no matter where you live, it's a great opportunity to encourage families to get outside and have some fun with the kids! Here are two lists full of outdoor winter activity ideas to share with parents this month: 40 Outdoor Activities for Kids this Winter & 10 Fun & Easy Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
Free Online After-School Program for School Age Kids
Brainworx! is a free, interactive and empowering online after-school program where children in grades 1-6 can learn and have fun in a safe online environment - so it's a great resource to share with the newcomer families with school-age children in your program! The program is hosted 2x per week after school, and each group is led by live volunteer coaches and mentors. It even incorporates physical activity and helps create a sense of belonging and community by keeping the groups consistent and small - so everyone can get to know one another. By providing a flexible enrichment opportunity for students, Brainworx! allows children to improve their literacy and Social Emotional Literacy skills without in-person barriers. Be sure to share this opportunity with the families in your program today!
Family Literacy Day 2025: Let’s Have a Family Party!
| Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27th. The theme this year is “Let's Have a Family Party!”. You can check out ABC Life Literacy Canada’s website, join the celebration virtually, find community events, and download free resources to share with parents! |
Global Family Day 2025
Apart from welcoming New Year, people across the world celebrate Global Family Day every year on January 1st. This day reminds us all to spend quality time with family, and come together to start the new year off with a positive message of unity to the world. Happy New Year and Global Family Day!
Brain-Building Games to Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. For babies and toddlers, simple, playful interactions with adults help brain development and the building blocks for health and resilience. Through games and playful activities, children can practice and strengthen important skills that will help them throughout their lives. This handout series provides all kinds of great suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age!
December Fun and Activities: Sesame Workshop
It's a wonderful time of year for families to connect! Sesame Workshop has put together a fun list of books, music, movies and more that you can share with the children and families in your program this month.