Parents and Families External Resources
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: 6 Budget-Friendly Winter Activities for Families & 10 Fun & Easy Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
Digital Well-Being for Families
Raising kids in today’s digital world isn’t easy. Caregivers all agree that young children’s digital use is spinning out of control, and nearly three-quarters of parents are concerned about the amount of screen time their children have. Technology isn’t inherently good or bad, though — it’s how we use it that matters. But it’s hard to know how to make informed tech choices for little ones. Sesame has developed some wonderful resources to help families navigate a digital world. From screen-time transitions to mindful media use, they’ve created simple, kid-friendly, research-tested strategies that help families build healthy digital habits. Check out these new videos, storybooks, and more here!
Head Injury in Preschool: Pamphlet for Parents
When a child suffers a head injury, it can be concerning. This pamphlet is intended to provide parents with some information that will help them better understand what has happened, and hopefully alleviate some worries!
WEBINAR: Creating Social Connections to Address Mental Health
In this Sesame Workshop webinar, participants will explore the benefits of social connections and discuss strategies to foster resilience and kindness to build relationships among young children and families to support their emotional well-being. You'll also find out how kindness can be used as an intervention for loneliness and isolation and get new hands-on tools and resources to support kindness, create connections, and build resilience in your program.
Activities for Anxious Kids: How to Help Children Cope with Anxiety Through Play
We all have a range of feelings. We feel happy, sad, silly, disappointed, excited, amazed, surprised, angry, or brave. But we all, including kids, sometimes feel anxious. 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. But they’re also very normal. Parents and caregivers can help by recognizing what anxiety looks like and providing activities and opportunities for play for anxious kids.
There’s plenty to acknowledge and celebrate in October!
Are you busy collecting ideas and planning for your CNC program this month? If so, there are a few important days this month that you might want to incorporate and honour to raise awareness in your CNC program and community! October is Canada Library and Fire Prevention month, and there are harvest festivals around the world! Thanksgiving is celebrated on October 9th, and International Day of the Girl Child on the 11th. Diwali is October 20th, Make a Difference Day is October 23rd, and Hallowe'en is on October 31st.
WEBINAR: Encouraging Families to Embrace Child-led Play
As early childhood professionals, it is our role to educate families on the importance of child-led play and how it is vital for laying the groundwork for early literacy. Join this webinar to gain confidence in explaining how child-led play develops early literacy foundations and prepares children for school. Learn effective ways to engage parents and families in conversations about the importance of child-led play both at school and home. Explore talking points when addressing any concerns families may have, reassuring them that child-led play is more than sufficient for future reading and writing.
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.
Strengthening Language Development and Cultural Understanding in CNC
Have you signed up for your free account yet at The Source for Learning - ECE? They have a great selection of free training and resources, including this Multilingual Toolkit - a comprehensive starter-kit, guidance and tools to strengthen language development and cultural understanding for all your young learners!
WEBINAR: How to Support Newcomer Fathers as They Adapt to Parenting in Canada
Register now for the New Beginnings: Building Healthy Families webinar to discover how to support newcomer, immigrant, and refugee fathers as they adapt to parenting in Canada and guide their families through the settlement journey. This session is hosted by Mothers Matter Canada, and will bring together experienced community practitioners and service providers who will share practical insights, tools, and lived experiences to help fathers build strong, supportive relationships with their children. Participants will explore parenting through an intersectional lens, examining changing family roles and how community-based support can play a vital role in preventing family violence and fostering healthy, connected families.