Do you have a staff who likes to knit or sew?
The CNC team at Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s Bayshore site found plenty of ways to stay busy and get creative with their knitting and sewing skills during the pandemic. They worked on a variety of inspired projects for their program and families. They made fun additions like doll clothes and activity aprons for the children. They also created practical designs like masks, handmade scarves, ear warmers, and mug warmers that brought families comfort in winter. And an added benefit is that all their creations are higher quality and longer lasting than store-bought!
Click here to see.
From Challenge to Opportunity: How One CNC Program Found Creativity, Purpose, and Wellness in the Pandemic
With all the uncertainty, it can be difficult to find good in a pandemic. One CNC program took these challenges as an opportunity to focus on what they could control: learning and creativity.
Read more...
CNC in Action: How to Make Roti
Have you ever made roti with the children in your program? The North York Community House CNC program has developed a fun little
How to Make Roti video - and we've added it to the
LET'S PLAY: CNC Activity Ideas section of our website!
CNC in Action: A Step-by-step Journey to CNC
When the New Canadians Centre of Peterborough (NCC) wanted to create a short term CNC program in the bare bones children’s room in an old church, the project was not without its challenges. But with a helping hand from the experts, they were able to transform it into a safe and welcoming place for newcomer children.
Read more...
CNC in Action: Opening Up a New World of Play
Sometimes, one small suggestion to extend play can lead to a big leap in child engagement and learning. At Newcomer Women's Services Toronto’s CNC program,
incorporating elements of the real world to the dramatic play area allowed the children to take on new roles and make meaningful connections.
CNC in Action: Five Great Practices in a Child Centred Program
Red River College’s CNC program in Steinbach, a rural area one hour outside of Winnipeg, serves a growing local immigrant population. Located in a Mennonite Church, increased enrolment keeps the site running at or near its capacity of 25 children, who range in age from 18 months to five years old. Not only is the program filling a need within the community, but the staff is showing strength in child-centred care and explorative play, according to their CMAS consultant, Jackie Cunningham.
CMAS spoke with the Childcare Supervisor, Nalini Ranganath, to explore
five of their practices that really benefit the newcomer children.
CMAS in Action: A Team Effort– Supporting Special Needs in CNC
Children arrive in your CNC programs and may exhibit concerning behaviours or delays. Sometimes, these issues disappear as they settle into the routine. Other times, additional professional assistance is needed. Even if a child does not have a special needs diagnosis,
CMAS can help.
CNC in Action: Inspiring Care Beyond CNC
For years, Opal Robinson, has been caring for children who are new to Canada. However, it was her own travels abroad that transformed her work with children—both within and beyond the CNC program.
Read more....
CNC in Action: A Small Gesture Makes a Big Impact on Newcomers
When Syrian refugees arrived in our nation’s capital a few years ago, Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) was a first stop for many families. At the centre’s CNC program, a special welcome was waiting for the children in the form of a beautiful wordless book. The award-winning Sidewalk Flowers, by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith, pays tribute to the importance of small things, small people, and small gestures.
And, this small gesture has made a big impact on the newcomers—both young and old.
CNC in Action: Lunch and Learn Sessions for Families
All parents have questions about child health and development, but language and other barriers can make it difficult for many newcomer parents to get answers. Parents often turn to CNC staff for help, so when Cathy Condarcuri-Sain, Supervisor of Language Programs at the Durham Catholic District School Board Whitby Language Center’s CNC program, heard that the YMCA’s Family and Community Action Program (FCAP) offered workshops on these topics for parents, she
took notice.
