Parents and Families
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Kids!
Good oral health is important to childrens’ overall health. Yet, for some, regular dental care may not be affordable. Healthy Smiles Ontario is a program for children 17 and under who do not have access to any form of dental coverage. If eligible, children will get regular dental services at no cost. Read More
Forging New Ties, Planting New Roots – Kenise Murphy Kilbride
It’s 2:00 in the morning and Julia’s baby, Cassandra, has been crying nonstop for about an hour. She knows Cassandra has a fever and is worried it’s getting worse. She thinks to herself, can I take her to the doctor or hospital? I think she needs medicine, but where would I find it? Julia knows she has to do something, but just doesn’t know what it is. She’s been living in Canada for only three weeks.
Families who immigrate to Canada with young children have many concerns and questions about “how it’s done here” and where they can turn for help and resources. It’s a very stressful situation to move to another country, and even more so for families with younger children. Read MoreWorking with Newcomer Families – Julie Dotsch
When educators see families as experts in caring for their children, they feel welcomed and valued.Julie Dotsch, an ECE Diversity consultant for One World, shares some tips and ideas for working with newcomer families. Read more
Learning to Play and Playing to Learn: Getting Ready for School
Looking for information on preparing children for full day kindergarten and beyond?
Available in both French and English, Learning to Play and Playing to Learn is an easy to read parent resource filled with up-to-date information, helpful tips, checklists, and resources.
This brochure will provide answers to the questions of caregivers and newcomer parents alike, on topics such as: What does a Kindergarten day look like? and How can I help my child be ready to learn?
Resource Kit for New Immigrant Parents
https://cmascanada.ca//wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Parenting_Resource_Kit1-2.pdfCommunity Resources
Provincial
Ontario Children’s Aid Society’s
The Ontario Children’s Aid Societys provide child protection services and parenting programs. This website can link you to your local CAS.
EarlyON Centres
EarlyON centres offer free drop-in programs for caregivers and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people or get advice.
Ontario Public Health Association
The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) galvanizes communities, governments and decision makers to manage current public health challenges.
Preschool Speech and Language Program
The provincial Preschool Speech and Language Program is a program of the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Click here for local PS&L programs.
Health and Safety Links
Government of Canada Websites
Health Canada
General information on health issues, including product recalls, product warnings and advisories.
Consumer Product Safety
Health Canada’s site with information on products for use by the general public. On this site you can also subscribe to receive email alerts on product recalls, advisories and warnings.
“Is your child safe?”
A series by Health Canada on the safe use of toys, cribs, clothing, and other products children and parents use.
healthycanadians.gc.ca
Established by the Government of Canada to inform families of recalled food and children’s products.
Other Child Health and Safety Websites
The Best Start Resource Centre
The Best Start Resource Centre (BSRC), Health Nexus Sante. BSRC is Ontario’s Maternal, Newborn and Early Child Development Resource Centre. BSRC partners with other organizations to develop resources in health promotion, prevention and early intervention. The website provides many resources that are translated and culturally adapted including the Canada Food Guide.
Caring for Kids
Caring for Kids is a project of the Canadian Paediatric Society. The site provides child health information from Canada’s paediatric experts, including information on immunizations, childhood illnesses, and general health promotion.
Safe Kids Canada
Safe Kids Canada works with partners across Canada to conduct research, raise awareness, and educate families and practitioners on how to create safe environments for children and prevent childhood injuries.
Today’s Parent
Today's Parent magazine is about helping parents build happy, healthy families. Speaking to families of children from birth to 14, articles tackle the complete range of parenting issues, including health, education and behaviour. Todaysparent.com provides:- a library of information on all of the ages and stages of a growing family,
- fun tools and features,
- Pregnancy & Birth,
- Newborn,
- Baby & Toddler
- and their French–language counterparts.