Supporting Refugees

Playing with Rainbows: A National Play Program for At-Risk Refugee Children is now available, free of charge!

The Playing with Rainbows manual, developed by YWCA of Canada, outlines a play-based group model designed to facilitate healing in school-age children and youth who have been traumatized by experiences of war and migration. You can download the manual, free of charge.

Video – Early Childhood Trauma: A Quick Overview

Trauma in early childhood can present in lots of different, complex ways. As early childhood educators though, you're in an incredibly important position to be able to help children with the healing process. This video gives a quick overview of childhood trauma, and three things you can do to help!

Infographic: Understanding Stress Behaviour

Do you know the difference between misbehaviour and stress behaviour?  The Mehrit Centre has developed this infographic to explain what stress behaviour is, signs to watch for and tips for helping children.


Tips for providing opportunities for mastery and success for young refugee children

English: Tips for providing opportunities for mastery and success for young refugee children
French: Conseils pour fournir aux jeunes enfants réfugiés des occasions de maîtriser leurs habiletés et d’avoir du succès

Tips for creating a safe space for refugee families

English: Tips for creating a safe space for refugee families
French: Comment créer un endroit sécuritaire pour les familles réfugiées

Tips for building relationships with refugee children in your program

English: Tips for building relationships with refugee children in your program
French: Conseils pour établir des liens avec les enfants réfugiés dans votre programme

Responding to a child’s or parent’s traumatic memory

English: Responding to a child’s or parent’s traumatic memory
French: Comment intervenir quand des enfants ou des parents ont des souvenirs traumatisants

Tips for helping refugee children understand and manage big feelings and challenging behaviours

English: Tips for helping refugee children understand and manage big feelings and challenging behaviours
French: Conseils pour aider les enfants réfugiés à comprendre et à gérer leurs émotions fortes et leurs comportements difficiles

The Resilience Guide: Program Strategies for Responding to Trauma in Refugee Children

Many of the things we already do in early childhood programs not only support healthy child development, but also strengthen the capacity for resilience and recovery in young children who have experienced trauma. The Resilience Guide provides information and resources to help you understand the impact of the refugee experience at different ages, developmental effects of trauma and resettlement, and key strategies to strengthen families’ capacity for resilience. It also includes practical tip sheets designed to easily print out and share with your team!

Resource Parent Workshop: Facilitator Guide

This workshop introduces participants to the Cognitive Triangle and the impact of trauma on children’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours.  It also introduces techniques for helping traumatized children understand and control their emotions and behavioural reactions.