Programs and Activities

Spaghetti & Meatballs….A Fine Motor Toddler Twist!

Spaghetti and meatballs is a new toddler game that offers opportunities to practice fine motor skills, balance, coordination and a little gross motor play all at the same time!

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CNC in Action: A Small Gesture Makes a Big Impact on Newcomers

When Syrian refugees arrived in our nation’s capital a few years ago, Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) was a first stop for many families. At the centre’s CNC program, a special welcome was waiting for the children in the form of a beautiful wordless book. The award-winning Sidewalk Flowers, by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith, pays tribute to the importance of small things, small people, and small gestures. And, this small gesture has made a big impact on the newcomers—both young and old.

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Communication is Key: Quick Tip Sheet

The Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation has developed this great tip sheet and reminder of how important is for us to choose our words carefully when we're communicating with young children in our CNC programs!

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Are you planning a summer school-age program?

School-age children have different needs and interests than their younger siblings - and it can be challenging to find activities and ideas to keep everyone engaged and having fun during summer months. Here are some resources to help: A Collection of 100 Outstanding Summer Camp Program Ideas and 101 Summer Activities for Kids. And we'd love to hear about your summer school-age program... if you try any of the ideas, take some photos and share them with us here!

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Sensory Play with Bubbles

Blowing bubbles is a calming activity for children. As well as being calming, there are many other benefits to blowing bubbles. Do you know about all seven sensory systems and how you can engage all of them through bubble play?

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CNC in Action: Lunch and Learn Sessions for Families

All parents have questions about child health and development, but language and other barriers can make it difficult for many newcomer parents to get answers. Parents often turn to CNC staff for help, so when Cathy Condarcuri-Sain, Supervisor of Language Programs at the Durham Catholic District School Board Whitby Language Center’s CNC program, heard that the YMCA’s Family and Community Action Program (FCAP) offered workshops on these topics for parents, she took notice.

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Free Teachers’ Toolkit: Including Refugees in the Classroom

Teachers are facing new challenges in making sense of forced displacement and its complexities. Teaching newcomers often comes with specific needs relating to language acquisition and adaptation to a new culture and environment. Some refugee children may suffer from stress or trauma preventing them from participating fully in school activities, and requiring specific support. To help, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has released a free Teachers’ Toolkit, professional development and guidance to help teachers understand the needs of refugee children, as well as a collection of adaptable teaching materials on refugees, asylum, migration and statelessness.

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CMAS in Action: CNC Serves as a Model for Supporting Refugee Children Abroad

As Syrian refugee families find homes in countries across the globe, an international perspective on settlement strategies is valuable. Canadian initiatives are part of that conversation, with Europe taking notice of CNC support for refugee children.

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10 Activities to help young children express and label feelings & emotions

Children can have a difficult time understanding their emotions and the way certain events make them feel in the early years of life. As educators, it is our responsibility to help and support them to manage their emerging and often confusing emotions. Here are 10 strategies and 10 activity ideas for helping children express and manage their emotions.

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A New Book by Anna Humphrey