News
WEBINAR: Provoking Inquiry with Loose Parts
Join co-author of the award-winning books, Loose Parts: Inspiring Play for this webinar full of tips for choosing and setting up loose parts for children in your program! Participants will learn the value of loose parts in play, how to choose loose parts using different lenses for different learning goals, and how to set provocations that promote inquiry.NEW WEBINAR SERIES! Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care: Part 1 – Walking Together in Reconciliation
CMAS is pleased to present an opportunity for CNC staff to learn about Canada's Indigenous peoples' history, knowledge and pedagogies while engaging in reconciliation. For this three-part webinar series, Elder Brenda Mason and Lori Huston, RECE, will join us to share Indigenous knowledge and stories from their perspectives, teachings and lived experiences.In part 1 of this three-part series, we discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, including two recommendations that are specifically related to the early learning sector: new Indigenous Education legislation and culturally appropriate Indigenous programs. This webinar and associated article support a deepening of our understanding of what it means to honour the knowledge and skills Indigenous children and families.
Looking for ways to honour and celebrate Black History Month?
February is Black History Month! Here are a few resources to help you learn and celebrate with the children in your program: How did Black History Month come to be? (a video), Canadian Children's Books for Black History Month, and 28+ Activities and Craft ideasProfessional Development: Self-Care in the Context of 2021
Strengthening self-awareness to reduce burnout in times of stress and uncertainty (Self-Care) is a keynote address focusing on the need for self-awareness and self-care in 2020. Now more than ever we need to access our sources of resilience, strength and grounding. Participants will be introduced to the concept of burnout and learn about the Zones of Self-Awareness to detect when their stress response systems have been activated. Several sources of resilience will be explored for strengthening or building self-regulation and grounding in times of stress.
We Have the Moves: Physical Activity Resource
Inside this resource, you’ll find fun-filled activities to help incorporate physical activity into everyday moments. Whatever activities you choose, have fun together! Let children see you jumping, dancing, and being silly. The more they see you moving, the more they will want to join in. These moments will help lay the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle.NEW! February Virtual Cafés
To support CNC professional development, share promising practices, and provide opportunities for CNC programs to connect, we’re hosting Virtual Cafés again this month. There are lots of new topics in February to look forward to!
Newcomer Nutrition Education Toolkit
To support program providers and health professionals who work with newcomers to Canada, Alberta Health Services has put together this helpful collection of nutrition videos and resources for people with basic English literacy and diverse cultural backgrounds. Topics include food safety, starting solids, healthy snacks for children, and more!
Understanding and Responding to Children Who Bite
Biting is a typical behaviour often seen in infants, toddlers, and 2-year olds. As children mature, gain self-control, and develop problem-solving skills, they usually outgrow this behaviour. While not uncommon, biting can be an upsetting and potentially harmful behaviour. This article will help you to understand why some children bite and provide some ideas and strategies for responding appropriately.Webinar: Puppet Pals for Children, SEL Partners for Teachers
Whether you are teaching in person or online, this information-packed webinar will provide strategies for using puppets to create engaging experiences for young children. Participants will be inspired to use puppets as "pals" who help children with problem solving, empathy, community-building, and all aspects of development. Join this webinar to learn how to make puppets partners in your online or in-person program.Online security considerations for CNC staff and programs supporting families remotely
Organizations are responsible for managing their own online presence. Given that security risks can arise through the use of various online platforms and practices, we encourage you to carefully consider what works best to meet your organizational needs. To bring this important issue to the forefront, in December, we provided you with two important documents to support your CNC team in delivering safe and secure online supports: The Importance of Secure, Safe, and Professional Online Interactions, and Online Interactions Considerations Checklist. We are also hosting Virtual Cafés on online security to raise awareness and help identify measures to help keep yourself, your organization, and your CNC families safe. If you are offering online supports and/or services for children, we encourage you to attend a session.