Programs and Activities
Mental Health Skills for Preschool Children: Video Series
This series of 5 short videos introduces important ideas, taught the way young children learn best: through entertaining, relatable stories set in a vivid, imaginary world! The Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Pre-K Project video series is based on mental health research, created to make important mental health skills available to preschool children (age 3 to 5). Each video features a memorable song that reinforces the key messages. We invite you to watch the complete series with the children in your program. You can also download the free companion guides that summarize key ideas and include an activity that can use to help kids practice the skills they’re learning.
Multilingual Spring Activities Scavenger Hunt
This active scavenger hunt will get children moving outside this spring... and it’s available in 10 languages, so it’s a perfect resource to share with parents this spring!
Exploring Culture Through Children’s Eyes
Educators can provide many opportunities for children to interact with other cultures within the walls of their classrooms. The more exposure to other cultures they have, the more children will acknowledge these similarities and differences; this will help them to become open-minded and accepting of others. One way to bring other cultures closer to young children is through natural and meaningful activities they enjoy engaging with in their daily lives. People in every culture in the world have their childhood songs, rhymes, stories and games, and so a good starting point is to integrate elements from traditional children’s culture that may be familiar in their own context.
Prevent Bullying by Embracing Differences Through the Art of Storytelling
Starting from the earliest age, we can show children that everyone is different in some way and difference is a part of life. Everyone has things that make them unique — be it skin color, hair texture, body shape, gender, temperament, religious beliefs, ethnic or cultural background, and more. We do this in the early years by modeling an appreciation for individual differences through our attitudes, emotions, behaviors, and body language. Storytelling is also a great way to teach children about the importance of celebrating differences.
Trauma-Informed Practice Workbook
At the root, trauma-informed care, approach and practice is about relationships.The intention behind this workbook is to introduce the concept of trauma- informed practice to caregivers, families, allies, and anyone dedicated to the well-being of children. It's a useful tool that can be used independently, or with your CNC team. It's full of ideas, strategies, and resources to support your work and extend your learning.
Rocking and Rolling. Nurturing Infants and Toddlers with Diverse Language Experiences
Recent research has provided a lot more information about the ways infants and toddlers experience two or more languages. When it comes to processing speech sounds and language, infant brains are surprisingly sophisticated! It is important to support all languages in an infant or toddler’s life to build relationships with them and help them learn. Even if you are not fluent in a child’s home language, there are many ways to provide linguistically responsive support and care. It’s helpful to partner with families from the moment they enroll in a program.
Webinar: How to Support Infant and Toddler Development Through Quality Lesson Plans
In this webinar, participants explore the art and science of crafting effective lesson plans tailored to the unique needs of infants and toddlers. They also have an opportunity to discuss the importance of aligning lesson plans with developmentally appropriate expectations and how to offer hands-on learning at every stage of development.Planning Child-Inspired Activities for CNC Webinar Recording Now Available!
Do you ever feel like you’ve run out of activity ideas to extend children’s play and learning?
Whether you’re new to CNC, or have been working in CNC for years, this webinar is not to be missed!
Jackie Cunningham joins us for this interactive and engaging webinar to talk about:
- the benefits of emergent curriculum,
- how you can use LET’S PLAY to find new activity ideas, and
- plenty of real life examples of child-inspired programming in action!
21 Learning Activities for Babies and Toddlers
Play is an important part of a baby's learning and growth – it's how they explore their environment, practice developing skills and bond with their caregivers (that’s you!). As babies grow, playtime evolves based on what developmental skills they are working on. Here are 21 activity ideas to share with parents and colleagues that will help them support baby and toddler development, all while having fun!
International Mother Language Day: February 21
Languages are the most powerful instrument in preserving and developing heritage. Every February, International Mother Language Day helps to increase awareness and mobilize partners and resources that support language diversity and multilingualism across the globe. How will you celebrate the linguistic diversity of your CNC program this year?