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Best Links 
Early Child Development
All categories will have some overlap with each
other. Links in this section include sites that address issues related
to and that impact on early child development, defined here as children
from birth to age six.
Aboriginal
 Aboriginal Children and Youth
This website provides information about Ontario government programs for Aboriginal children and youth.
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/aboriginal/index.aspx
Ka:nen Our Children Our Future
www.kanen.on.ca
This website provides information about the Ontario Aboriginal Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) and Community Action Program for Children (CAPC).
1-800-361-0563
Kids: Aboriginal Canada Portal
http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/eng/ao04607.html
This section offers resources on Aboriginal culture for the amusement and instruction of children. Among other things, you will find songs, legends, traditions, inventions and stories.
Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres
www.ofifc.org
Directory of Ontario Indian Friendship Centres.
1-416-956-7575
Advocacy
Canadian
Child Care Federation
http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/
Overall mission of the Canadian Child Care Federation is to improve
the quality of child care services for Canadian families through:
facilitating networking; supporting initiatives that improve quality;
and influencing child care policy frameworks and supporting research.
The bilingual website contains projects, reports, fact sheets
and their regular magazine "Interaction". Contains links
to its membership.
Ontario
Coalition for Better Child Care
http://www.childcareontario.org
Provincial organization of child care centres, early childhood
educators, parents and community members who advocate for a universally
accessible, not-for-profit, publicly funded and regulated, high
quality system of child care for all children and families who
want it.
Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health
The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) has two distinct roles. First, the Council is an expert advisory body responding to the needs of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and other Ministries on issues, priorities, and strategies for the maternal, newborn, child and youth health care system in Ontario. Secondly, the Council is a resource to the maternal, newborn, child and youth health care system in Ontario to support system improvement.
http://www.pcmch.on.ca/
Children's Environmental Health
The
Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE)
http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/english/
The Canadian Partnership for Children's
Health and Environment (CPCHE) is an affiliation of groups with
overlapping missions to improve children's environmental health
in Canada. The bilingual website provides: information about issues,
resources, questions and answers, a list of events, a directory
of partnership members, and a mailing list for individuals and
organizations to stay abreast of children's environmental health
issues of national importance.
Children with Special Needs
Autism
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/specialneeds/autism/index.aspx
Ontario Government information about autism and available services and supports.
Canada
Benefits
http://www.canadabenefits.gc.ca
A portal maintained by the government of Canada on the range of
government benefit programs, services and supports available across
the country. Information is available for parents, children, newcomers,
and others, including on disability issues.
Children and Youth with Special Needs
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/specialneeds/index.aspx
Ontario Government website provides information about children with special needs and the services and supports available to them.
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
http://www.ldao.ca/
The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario is a charitable non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities.
Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services
www.oacrs.com
Information about children’s treatment centres across Ontario.
SpeciaLink
http://www.specialinkcanada.org/
SpeciaLink is a national resource and research centre dedicated
to promoting the inclusion of children with special needs in mainstream
early learning and child care settings. SpeciaLink provides a
range of services and supports, including responses to specific
questions of parents and practitioners, referrals to other organizations,
technical assistance, SpeciaLink fact sheets, books and videos,
and a speaker's bureau.
Child Safety
Bed Sharing Systematic Review
http://www.toronto.ca/health/bedsharing/pdf/bed_sharing_review.pdf
This systematic review (Toronto Public Health, 2005) provides an overview of the benefits and harms associated with the practice of bed sharing.
Car Seat Information
www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.htm
Ontario Government information about choosing and installing car seats.
Ontario Poison Centre
http://www.ontariopoisoncentre.com/poisoncentre/
Information and advice about exposures to poisonous substances.
1-800-268-9017
Cultural Diversity
Caring for Canada’s Children
www.mothercraft.ca
A free online course for settlement workers and others working with newcomer families with children under the age of 6 years.
Honouring Diversity Through Activities
www.cdrcp.com/pdf/Anti Bias Resource Booklet.pdf
This booklet provides practical hands-on activities to do with young children and their families to promote diversity and reduce bias.
Settlement.org
www.settlement.org
atwork.settlement.org
The website settlement.org is an information and referral website for new immigrants to Ontario. Information covers all the basic settlement needs: renting a home, getting employment, getting a health card, registering for school, etc. It also has a library of guides in more than 30 languages and a database of settlement agencies across Ontario. atwork.settlement.org is a related website for service providers, to help them assist newcomers.
Welcome Here
www.welcomehere.ca
A project of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada), funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Welcoming Communities Initiative. The website offers posters, brochures, multilingual parent resource sheets and Why Play? brochures.
Working with Young Children who are Learning English as a New Language
education.alberta.ca/media/1093791/earlylearning.pdf
A resource developed by the Government of Alberta for early childhood professionals to help them understand how children learn more than one language and how to develop effective programs for learning English as second-language.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
FAS
World
http://www.fasworld.com/
An international alliance of parents and professionals concerned
about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnih-spni/famil/preg-gros/intro_e.html
This page on the Health Canada website provides information on
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) as it affects
First Nations and Inuit communities and some of the strategies
that are being used to deal with these conditions.
Motherisk
http://www.motherisk.org/
Motherisk provides authoritative information and guidance to pregnant
or lactating patients and their health care providers regarding
the risks associated with drug, chemical, infection, disease and
radiation exposure(s) during pregnancy.
Health
Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs
http://www.frp.ca/
Directory of Family Resource Programs across Canada.
Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion
www.immunize.cpha.ca
Information about immunizations.
Canadian
Institute of Child Health
http://www.cich.ca/
The Canadian Institute of Child Health works with governments
to develop child friendly policies; with professionals and educators
to equip them with the best in research and programs; and reaches
out to families to help with the crucial task of nurturing, protecting
and educating children. The bilingual website contains publications
and resources primarily for parents and health professionals dedicated
to improving the health and well being of children.
Canadian
Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/index.htm
This site was designed for parents and provides resources and
information on a range of topics related to child health.
Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development
http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca/home.asp
Information about the social and emotional development of young children.
Centre
of Knowledge on Healthy Child Development
http://www.knowledge.offordcentre.com
Sponsored by the Offord Centre for Child Studies, this web site
will publish plain language summaries of current and relevant
research from around the world as it relates to the developmental
health and well-being of children and youth. Parents and others
will be able to find information on a host of common, and not-so-common
childhood problems, including anger, aggression and bullying,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression.
Community Action Programs for Children (CAPC)
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/prog-ini/capc-pace/index-eng.php
Community programs that address the health and development of families with young children.
Growing
Healthy Canadians
http://www.growinghealthykids.com/english/home/index.html
Growing Healthy Canadians: A Guide for Positive Child Development,
was created to promote and illustrate that the healthy development
of children and youth is a shared responsibility. The bilingual
website offers information and resources on how to support and
promote healthy child development through the major transitions
in life: from the first year of life to school entry to adolescence
and to adulthood.
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children
www.children.gov.on.ca/mcys/english/programs/beststart/health/index.asp
Ontario Government program that aims to help children get a healthy start in life through screening, supports and links to services.
Immunizations: Your Best Protection
www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/immun/immunization.html
Ontario Government website provides information about immunizations.
Infant Care
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/stages-etapes/childhood-enfance_0-2/index-eng.php
Public Health Agency of Canada webpage provides information about infant care.
Oral Health from Birth to Age 5
www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/early/baby_teeth.html
Ontario Government information about oral health for children from birth to age 5.
Nutrition
NutriSTEP® (Nutrition Screening Tool for Every Preschooler)
http://www.nutristep.ca
This
is a fast and simple way to assess eating habits and identify nutrition problems early in young children 3-5 years of age.
EatRight Ontario
www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Default.aspx
This website shares nutrition information.
Nutrition Resource Centre
http://www.nutritionrc.ca/
The Nutrition Resource Centre: develops, promotes, disseminates, and supports the implementation of provincial nutrition programs and resources; creates opportunities to network and share information about community nutrition practice; and provides updates about key developments in the field of community nutrition.
Pediatric Nutrition Guidelines for Primary Health Care Providers
http://www.osnpph.on.ca/resources/index.php
This document provides evidence-based developmental and nutrition indicators for children aged birth to 6 years for primary health care providers. The Guidelines were developed by registered dietitians with the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health (OSNPPH) Family Health Nutrition Advisory Group.
Parenting
Best Chance Website
http://www.bestchance.gov.bc.ca/
This website, developed by the Government of British Columbia, provides engaging and practical information about women’s health, pregnancy, birth, infant and toddler care, and parenting children up to 3 years of age.
Canadian Child Care Federation
www.cccf-fcsge.ca
Online fact sheets and resources about issues related to parenting.
Child Care in Ontario
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/finding.html
Information about child care in Ontario.
e-Parenting
Network, Canadian Institute of Child Health
http://www.eparentingnetwork.ca/
e-Parenting Network is a program of the Canadian Institute of
Child Health aimed at parents. The website provides an interactive
forum for parents, addressing common issues such as breastfeeding,
toilet learning, environmental safety issues, and nutrition. The
e-Parenting Network also supports a television program that links
with material presented and available on the website.
Family
Pride Canada
http://www.uwo.ca/pridelib/family/
Family Pride Canada is a national online resource centre with
information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual family
issues.
Father Involvement Initiative
www.cfii.ca
Resources and information about father involvement.
Father Involvement Research Alliance
http://www.fira.ca/
This booklet offers exogamous couples (a Francophone parent and an Anglophone parent) or Francophone couples living in minority settings simple suggestions to help them adequately prepare their child for entry into the French-language school.
Growing
Healthy Canadians
http://www.growinghealthykids.com/english/home/index.html
Growing Healthy Canadians: A Guide for Positive Child Development
was created to promote and illustrate that the healthy development
of children and youth is a shared responsibility. The bilingual
website offers information and resources on how to support and
promote healthy child development through the major transitions
in life: from the first year of life to school entry to adolescence
and to adulthood.
Multiple Births Canada
www.multiplebirthscanada.org
Support, education, research, and advocacy related to multiple births.
Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Program
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/parent/nobody-personne/index-eng.php
Education and support program for parents of children from birth to age five.
1-705-567-5926
Ontario Child Benefit
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/financialhelp/ocb/index.aspx
Information about the Ontario Child Benefit.
Parent-Child Mother Goose Program
The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program® is a group experience for parents and their babies and young children which focuses on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs, and stories together. "Training the Teacher" workshops that combine workshop training with apprenticeship training or practicum experience are offered. Teacher Training Workshops are taught by accredited facilitators who teach participants the principles and methods of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®.
http://www.nald.ca/mothergooseprogram/
Parents Matter
http://www.parentsmatter.ca/index.cfm
A website containing an inventory of parenting programs, downloadable resources for parents in a variety of languages, resources for facilitators who work with parents, and a directory of Certified Canadian Family Educators (CCFE).
Registering a Birth in Ontario
www.gov.on.ca
How to register a birth and apply for a birth certificate.
Single Parents
www.singleparents.about.com
Information for single parents.
Vanier
Institute for the Family
http://www.vifamily.ca
The goal of the Vanier Institute of the Family (VIF) is to build
public understanding of the issues and trends critical to the
well being and healthy functioning of Canadian families. The bilingual
website links to reports, the VIF's magazine Transition, and other
resources with a focus on children and families.
Physical Activity
Active Healthy Kids Canada
www.activehealthykids.ca
This organization provides information on the trends in physical activity for Canadian children and youth. Over the past few years, they have produced a series of Report Cards, highlighting areas which could be improved and made recommendations to policy-makers, parents, educators and professionals.
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
www.ala.ca
Physical activity information and resources for people with a disability. A section of their website in on accessible play spaces and equipment for children.
Alberta Centre for Active Living
www.centre4activeliving.ca
Features research updates, articles and fact sheets about a variety of active living topics. Also offers a free electronic bulletin.
Bright Futures
www.brightfutures.org
Provides developmental guidelines on physical activity for the periods of infancy through adolescence. The guide provides current information on screening, assessment and counselling to promote physical activity and to meet the needs of health professionals, families and communities.
Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity – Mothers in Motion
www.caaws.ca/mothersinmotion
A website for women who want to lead healthy lifestyles and mentor their children to do the same, with a focus on physical activity and healthy eating. It includes sections for toddlers, preschoolers and adolescents.
Canadian Paediatric Society – Caring for Kids
www.caringforkids.cps.ca
A website containing information on caring for children beginning at birth. Includes information about healthy eating and physical activity.
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology - Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804
The guidelines are available for Children 5-11, Youth 12-17, Adults 18-64 and Older Adults 65 years and older. 2011.
Canadian Sport for Life
www.canadiansportforlife.ca
This website offers information explaining the importance of sport for all ages and stages by giving children the skills that they need to develop physical literacy for both healthy life long enjoyment and for sporting success.
Physical Activity Resource
Centre (PARC)
parc.ophea.net
The Physical Activity Resource centre provides support to physical activity promoters across Ontario through consultations, training, networking and knowledge sharing. Their website features a workshop about physical activity and the early years including downloadable materials. Information is also available through their resource database.
PlaySport
playsportscanada.com
PlaySport is focused upon the development of the whole child. The developmental games within this website have been designed to help kids, ages six to twelve, develop an understanding and competency of the skills and tactics associated with playing sports while at the same time, developing important skills that can be transferred to other aspects of their lives.
The Early Learning Resource - Ophea
http://earlylearning.ophea.net/
The Ophea Early Learning Resource assists kindergarten teachers, early-childhood educators and early-learning teams with the implementation of The Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program, 2010 - 2011 (Draft Version), Health and Physical Activity learning area.
Policy and Research
Day Nurseries Act for Child Care Supervisors of Ontario website
http://www.childcarelearning.on.ca
This website is universally available to all child care supervisors in Ontario in order to help them to better understand provincial licensing requirements and improve compliance with the Day Nurseries Act and other legislation.
Canada.
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Communiqué on Early Childhood
Development
http://www.ecd-elcc.ca/eng/ecd/ecd_communique.shtml
In September 2000 First Ministers agreement on early childhood
development aimed at fostering the well-being of Canada's young
children. This bilingual website provides background information,
including funding amounts by year to each jurisdiction and the
agreed upon framework for public reports by all governments.
Canada.
Multilateral Framework Early Learning and Child Care
http://www.socialunion.gc.ca/ecd-framework_e.htm
In March 2003, Federal, Provincial, Territorial Ministers Responsible
for Social Services reached agreement on a framework for improving
access to affordable, quality, provincially and territorially
regulated child care programs and services. This website outlines
the agreement.
Childcare
Resource and Research Unit
http://www.childcarecanada.org
The Childcare Resource and Research Unit is a policy and research
facility that focuses on early childhood education and care (ECEC)
and whose mandate is to advance the idea of a universal, high
quality, publicly-funded, not-for-profit, inclusive ECEC system
in Canada.
Centre
of Excellence for Early Childhood Development
http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca/
The mission of the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development
(CEECD) is to improve knowledge of the social and emotional development
of young children. Its mandate is to foster the dissemination
of scientific knowledge on the social and emotional development
of young children, and the policies and services that influence
this development. The bilingual website includes Bulletins and
Encyclopedia and a searchable directory of Canadian researchers.
Human
Early Learning Partnership (HELP)
http://www.earlylearning.ubc.ca/
Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is a research centre at
the University of British Columbia. Its mission is to: Describe
the factors that promote optimal readiness-for-school by researching
fundamental aspects of child cognitive, language, social and emotional
development; Make a significant contribution to the understanding
of, and approaches to, early childhood development, education
and intervention; Effect change and reduce gaps in existing patterns
of children's development and educational outcomes.
Programs
Better
Beginnings, Better Futures
http://bbbf.queensu.ca/intro.html
Better Beginnings, Better Futures (BBBF) is a longitudinal prevention
policy research demonstration project being implemented in eight
communities across Ontario. The BBBF model is a prevention model,
designed to support young children and their families in low-income,
high-risk neighbourhoods from experiencing poor developmental
outcomes. The website provides links to the research reports and
other publications associated with the project.
Mothercraft
http://www.mothercraft.ca
Since 1931, Mothercraft has been developing and delivering services
to families and young children in the Ontario region. Based in
Toronto, this multiservice organization runs prenatal programs,
provides child care, trains early childhood educators, supports
parents through a variety of programs and operates an Ontario
Early Years Centre, where parents can access information and resources
on children from birth to age six.
Ontario
Early Years Centres
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/earlychildhood/oeyc/index.aspx
Work and Family Balance
Centre
for Families, Work and Well-being
http://www.worklifecanada.ca/
The Centre for Families, Work and Well-being (CFWWB) is a research
centre that promotes family well-being, good working conditions
and strong, sustainable communities. Reports on research and statistics
on work and well being, and provides links to other related sites.
The CFWWB was instrumental in the landmark study on early childhood
educators, "You Bet I Care!".
Vanier
Institute of the Family
http://vifamily.ca
The goal of the Vanier Institute of the Family is to build public
understanding of important issues and trends critical to the well
being and healthy functioning of Canadian families. The bilingual
website links to reports, the magazine Transition, and various
resources with a focus on children and families.
Work
Family Tips
http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/docs/cccf/RS_61-e.pdf
Work Family Tips is a project of the Canadian Child Care Federation.
The bilingual website is a rich source of information, advice
and suggestions for parents by parents on how to balance work
and family.
The links to resources and services listed above are not necessarily approved or endorsed by the Best Start Resource Centre.
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