A Look Around the World – Cultural Celebrations
We live in a diverse world where children are exposed to many different people and experiences, and they begin to recognize these similarities and differences at very young ages. In CNC, it is important to help children understand and respect similarities and differences among people, and exploring these similarities and differences positively is a good place to start. And decisions about what holidays to celebrate are best made together by teachers, parents, and children! The world is immense, and there are nearly endless customs and cultures to explore. McCormick Centre for Early Childhood Leadership has highlighted (listed chronologically)
four diverse cultural celebrations, and created a helpful infographic, for inspiration.
49 fun physical activities to do with kids
Children between 2-4 years old don’t only need a lot of movement, they also need a lot of variety of movement. So while it’s essential to make time for unstructured, active playtime, it’s also important to have access to plenty of fun, simple activities that you know will help them get active and develop skills in a variety of ways. This list of
49 fun activities for kids is the ultimate go-to for any playdate, home child care setting, or a morning or afternoon with a caregiver. Whatever the situation, short attention spans mean that it’s a good idea to have a few of these up your sleeve!
25 Ways to Have Big Fun in Small Spaces
Small spaces don’t have to equal small fun! Here's a list of
25 ideas to share with parents to help them get the kids moving in small spaces.
Book series teaches children about their cultures and lives of those different than their own
The best thing about books is that they can transport us anywhere and give us a glimpse into other worlds. Children’s books are no exception. And in a country as diverse as Canada, it is important to offer children from all backgrounds an opportunity to learn about their own cultures and about the experiences and lives of those different than their own. Aine Moorad, hopes that her books do exactly that.
Aine Moorad has written the O Canada series chronicling the journey of Zayd, an eight-year-old Canadian immigrant. The books touch on the themes of family, adventure and change, familiarizing children about Canada’s food, sports, animals, values, people and way of life. Moorad’s books are geared for children aged between 4 and 10.
National Indigenous History Month: Resources to Share with Children and Families
As we stand with the Indigenous peoples in Canada, reckon with the past, listen and find our path towards reconciliation during National Indigenous History Month, it can be difficult to talk about residential schools. But it's incredibly important to learn about Indigenous history and raise awareness in CNC. Here are two helpful lists of
videos and
books that might help you introduce Indigenous history to children in an age appropriate way.
11 Children’s Books to Celebrate Pride Month
All children should have books that reflect their background, interests, and dreams back to them. And this month, Redleaf Press has put together a
list of children’s books that are perfect for celebrating Pride Month. And these 11 books aren’t just for families with a direct connection to LGBTQIA+ issues; everyone can use these books’ messages of unconditional love and acceptance!
Encouraging School Readiness Skills in Preschoolers
The early years are a time when we can help children develop the tools they need to succeed before heading to formal K-12 schooling. Developing these school readiness skills help prepare children for optimal learning throughout their educational journey. This article takes a closer look at some of the
school readiness skills that children can work on before they head off to kindergarten!
200+ activities ideas you can do at home with kids
Many programs across the country are closed in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, and kids are staying home due to the pandemic. Thankfully, learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms. Even while social distancing or self-isolating, children can keep on learning through play, using active games to keep them moving and learning at home. Here is a helpful article and list of over
200 activities ideas you can share with families to help them stay active at home!
WEBINAR: Energizing Storytime with Children
This HiMama Helps
webinar explores the idea of storytime as a powerful way to introduce the child to language, feelings, sequence, and new ideas. Storytime activates a child’s imagination and expands his or her world. When children engage in stories, they are on their way to becoming life-long readers and learners!
We are different, we are the same: Activities that teach young children about diversity
Diversity activities teach young children to respect and celebrate the differences in all people. Learning about different cultural aspects offers new experiences for children. It also helps them realize that we’re all humans, despite differences in how we look or dress, or what we eat or celebrate!
Games and activities are a fun way for young children to learn about differences and similarities and to introduce the concept of diversity.
