News

Sesame Street in Communities: Resettlement

Resettling can be a long, challenging process. Big changes bring big feelings, too. But children and adults can learn ways to cope with their big feelings and adapt to a new way of life, all while finding strength and comfort in the many memories, practices, and traditions they bring with them. Sesame Street in Communities has put together this collection of resources to support families as they find strength in their own stories and begin a new, hopeful chapter.

CMAS Tutorial: Creativity and the Educator

When you think about the word “creativity” what comes to mind for you? For many of us, we automatically think about a painting, drama or storytelling, or maybe a song and dance. But creative expression isn’t about the product or end result… it’s all about the creative process and journey. Whenever we use and develop our imaginations, originality, and problem-solving skills during everyday life – that’s creativity!

In this tutorial, we’ll talk about why creativity is so important in the early years. We’ll also try to get everyone thinking outside the box a little bit, by talking about creativity… and how it isn’t just about art! Then we’ll share some ideas and inspiration for encouraging and fostering creativity in our programs! At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training. 


Ask, explore and discover: How STEM begins in the early years

Children are natural, curious learners, and the way they explore and discover the world is inspiring. They have an innate desire to gather information, explore everything, and test theory after theory. Nurturing these skills and characteristics early in a child’s life builds a solid foundation for their continued growth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Have You Considered Apprenticeship as a Path to an ECE Diploma?

The Child Development Practitioner (CDP) Apprenticeship program is designed for people in Ontario who are already working in the field of Early Childhood (ECE).  Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, you can earn a CDP Certificate of Apprenticeship and take additional courses to obtain an ECE diploma before registering with the College of ECE. It’s a great opportunity for some of our experienced CNC staff in Ontario to get accredited!


CMAS Tutorial: Responding to Children’s Fear

For many of us, when a child expresses fear, it can be hard to know how to respond in a way that makes them feel heard and supported. In this tutorial, we’ll talk about how to respond to children’s fear, common mistakes, and why they’re important to avoid, and some practical tips with examples to help us understand and remember. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide, and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.  At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.


The Monster Dash: A Digital Story About Resilience and Flexibility

With a positive outlook, some flexibility, and a little help from grown-ups, children can learn to bounce back from challenges. This digital storybook is about one of many ways to build resilience: reframing. Read it together with children to help strengthen their growing bodies and minds!


Affirmation and Celebration: New Report Offers Recommendations for Supporting Multilingual Preschool-Age Children During the Pandemic

Affirming and celebrating all language practices supports children’s identity, and social and emotional well-being, as well as fosters their learning and development. That’s the top message from a new issue brief that focuses on how caregivers can help multilingual preschool-age children cope with stresses and trauma of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. It also describes the language development of multilingual children and how to nurture them through daily conversations and other interactions.


20 Shared Reading Tips to Share with Parents

Shared storybook reading is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child. At its best, this one activity can promote strong parent-child attachment, nurture key early language and literacy skills, strengthen a child’s pride in their cultural and personal identity, expand their knowledge of the world, and help them process strong emotions and deal with life’s challenges. Share these 20 practical shared reading tips with families, and help them make the most of their special storytimes with young children.

Cultural Competence Self-assessment Checklist

Developed by Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, this cultural competence self-assessment tool provides an opportunity to explore your cultural competence, reflect on your skills, knowledge, and self-awareness, and think about ways to improve your interactions with others.

Preschool All About Me Activities

Preschoolers love to talk about is themselves! In fact, it's developmentally appropriate for them to be egocentric and find it challenging to take on a perspective that isn’t their own. It’s such an important phase in their development, so it's important to nurture socio-emotional skills such as self-esteem and identity formation so that children grow into kind and confident adults. Here are some great activity ideas to help!