News
NEW! CNC Learning Moments Series
CNC Learning Moments is a new training series that’s been developed especially for you to reflect on, inspire, and improve your CNC program... and the first two topics are available now! We encourage you to watch 8 Tips for Creating Emotionally Safe Play Spaces for CNC and Let's Get Moving! BIG Movements for Small CNC Spaces on your own, or as a team! You’ll also find that each new session includes a list of resource links to extend your learning and further support your CNC team.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
When children experiencing emotional distress receive support from caring adults in their lives, they’re better able to build a strong foundation for emotional well-being. For Mental Health Awareness Month, Sesame Workshop has launched a new set of resources to support children experiencing emotional distress. The new resources include animated videos, Sesame Street Muppet videos, printables, a digital storybook, and more.
The Newcomer Health Hub
Although Canada is a global leader in refugee resettlement, we still have room to improve in meeting the unique and complex health challenges experienced by newcomers. To raise awareness about the unique health and social challenges at a local and national level, three medical students at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry have started an online resource centre that provides culturally-specific health information for newcomers and refugees to Canada. The Newcomer Health Hub is a resource for community members and frontline healthcare workers looking to treat, advocate for, and empower newcomers to Canada. It provides evidence-based, culturally competent resources to promote impactful interactions between newcomer patient populations and the health care system.
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!
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month in Canada and there are many exciting things we have planned this month to increase awareness and education of food allergy across the country. Food allergy is one of the leading causes of potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and a public health concern in Canada, especially among children. This year’s theme is debunking myths and misinformation about asthma and allergies, including what causes them and how to treat them. Kids with Food Allergies has resources and tools you can use to spread awareness during May and all year long.
Hazards in a Childcare Centre
Keeping children and caregivers safe is a key responsibility of any early years program. It involves education, supervision, and safe-proofing the environment! It is simply impossible to watch all children all the time, so hazard identification and elimination becomes a key part of the strategy. Here is a guide to help you identify the common and not so common hazards so you can make your program safer for everyone.
Emotional Wellbeing – Mental Health Support for Big Feelings
In challenging times, it’s important for children and adults alike to take care of themselves so that they can take care of each other. Sesame Workshop, the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street, is here to help. No matter your age, here are ten resources to help you get started on your emotional wellbeing journey.
Earth Day
Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to raise awareness. Even small children can learn a little bit about the history of Earth Day, take part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees to help make our world a happier, healthier place to live. Here are 21 fun earth day activities you might want to try in your program this month!
Our Kids’ Health is a Website for Diverse Parents
Our Kids' Health shares evidence-based health information that is translated and adapted to help diverse parents and caregivers make the right decisions for the health of their families. It's a great resource for you to encourage newcomer parents to explore to support their children's well-being. Topics include nutrition, mental health, all in one place!