Hand in Hand: A Parenting Journey – Parenting Guide for Newcomers
What are the Canadian laws surrounding child abuse? Do I need to change my parenting style? Should I be scared of losing my child?
Hand in Hand: A Parenting Journey answers these common questions from newcomer parents. Developed with input from Canadian families and newcomers, this guide gives families new parenting tools and information about resources to support their parenting here in Canada.
VIDEO: What is Resilience?
Resilience is defined as a good outcome in the face of adversity. So why do some people succeed, even when they have experienced extreme hardships? And how can we help build resilience in children who have experienced trauma? Learn more about how to
build resilience in children, explore the latest research, watch videos, and play the resiliency game here.
CNC in Action: Syrian Refugees
The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) CNC Program is no stranger to welcoming newcomer families with open arms. When approximately 100 Syrian refugee families arrived within the same period, the staff had to stretch their arms that much wider. While parents attended workshops, caregivers had to provide short term care to 22 new children at a time. This was in addition to running their regular program. Flexibility and a team approach with all hands on deck were key to
managing the influx of newcomers.
Burnout – Are You at Risk?
Working with immigrant and refugee children and families can be incredibly rewarding, but we shouldn’t ignore the toll it can take on the physical and emotional lives of Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) staff.
This toll can lead to burnout - a common side effect for those working in the helping professions.
The good news is that it can be prevented if you know what to watch for. Click
here for more...
Bundle Up and Get Outside: Why is Outdoor Play Important in Winter?
In the winter weather, play is often limited to the indoors - especially for newcomer children! Adult fears about safety and negative attitudes towards the cold are often a barrier. But outdoor play shouldn't be restricted to warm weather - try these
ideas to welcome the winter with a playful attitude!
Quick Tip Tutorial: How do you make sure the toys in your program are safe?
You may believe that a toy is safe if it's on a store shelf, but that's not necessarily true. Canada has rigorous laws on toy safety, but there are still many variables that can actually make a toy hazardous! Toys can become unsafe due to wear and tear, how they are used, or because of recalls and changing standards. Learn how to make sure your toys are safe in this
quick-tip tutorial.
CNC in Action: Creating Outdoor Space
One of the struggles when a family immigrates to Canada is outdoor playtime. There are a number of factors working against them. The climate can be harsh, and they may not have proper clothes for the weather. Most live in apartment buildings when they first arrive and do not have immediate access to playgrounds. Also, when parents must watch younger siblings, there may not be as many outdoor opportunities for the older children. Even in childcare programs, it can be difficult to spend time outdoors, because of space or other limitations. Whatever the reasons, the end result is that many newcomer children just don’t get enough time outside. After years of experiencing this reality,
English at First in Waterloo found a solution.
‘Healing after trauma is possible for both children and adults’
Syrian refugees coming to Hamilton carry little when they arrive, but one thing many will carry is emotional and mental scars from the war zone they fled. The intensity of trauma is affected by many things: "The longer you're exposed, the more kinds of traumatic experiences you're exposed to and the age and stage of development of that child, that's going to have different effects on different kids," explained Smith. However, she adds: "When the right help is there and regardless of how long it takes, healing is possible after trauma for kids as well as adults."
Read more...
Online Learning Opportunities in Early Childhood Education
If you are looking for ways to upgrade your skills in early childhood education, this is a good place to start! The
Canadian Child Care Federation has a list of ECE learning opportunities across the country - part time, full time and distance learning.
Winter Workshop Series in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Are you looking for local opportunities for professional development? In this edition of
Tuned In, early childhood educators and early years professionals in Nova Scotia will find information about over 20 workshop opportunities, the local lending library, curriculum supports and more!
