Dr. Jean Clinton
McMaster University and Offord Centre for Child Studies

[Presentation in PDF]

This presentation provided an overview of infant neurodevelopment and what is being done in Ontario to promote infant and child mental health. It included an overview of why the brain matters, the role of the primary caregiver in early brain growth, and how experience-based brain development in the early years sets neurological and biological pathways that affect health, learning, and behaviour. Dr. Jean Clinton covered topics such as early child development, language and cognition, vision and hearing, ‘sensitive periods’ in early brain development, the fear response and stress, and the importance of relationships.

Jaynane Burning-Fields
Niagara Regional Native Centre

This session provided an overview of First Nation perspectives on child development. It shared information about developmental targets and how parents can be supported at reaching these targets. The session helped service providers to develop their skills for working with First Nation families that have young children and increased their understanding of Aboriginal perspectives on nurturing the development of children.

Dr. Michelle Mottola
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation - Exercise and Pregnancy Laboratory at the University of Western Ontario

[Presentation in PDF]

Dr. Mottola discussed the current Canadian guidelines for exercise during pregnancy and postpartum (PARmed-X for Pregnancy; www.csep.ca) and the importance of physical activity among women of childbearing age. Physical inactivity during pregnancy and postpartum may be potential pathways for obesity development through excessive pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Promotion of active living and how to overcome potential barriers to physical activity during this time period was discussed. Participants learned how to use the Canadian guidelines to promote physical activity in pregnant and postpartum women in order to help them exercise safely.

Wendy Burgoyne
Best Start Resource Centre

[Presentation in PDF]

By the time a woman knows she is pregnant, it is too late to prevent many birth defects. Over the last 10 years there have been a growing number of local, regional, and provincial initiatives in Ontario to encourage men and women to assess and improve their health prior to conception. This session highlighted the results of a recent Best Start Resource Centre survey of the general public in Ontario concerning awareness, intentions, and behaviour related to preconception health. The session discussed changes over the last 6 years, and implications to program planning.

Diane Finkle
Consultant for the Best Start Resource Centre

[Presentation in PDF]

Linking early child development and chronic disease is part of a long-term strategy that can offer a dramatic return on our investment in the health of Canadians. Policies and programs that promote quality learning experiences and positive relationships for children can have a huge impact on long term health. This presentation demonstrated how early child development is closely linked to risk factors for chronic disease (i.e., poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, smoking and environmental tobacco smoke, etc.). The speaker presented a realistic picture of the challenges that are already faced by both individuals and communities on this subject and provided recommendations for decision-makers and practitioners about how to address these challenges.  

Dr. Carol Crill Russell
Invest in Kids

[Presentation in PDF]

Invest in Kids completed a year's study of "vital communities" - where parents of young children feel supported in their role. They commissioned a literature review, conducted key informant interviews and focus groups, and then fielded a national survey of 3000 parents about what they need to feel supported in their role as a parent. Invest in kids found parenthood triggers a search for "community" in parents' physical neighbourhoods. But there is an alarming gap between parents' ideal community and daily reality. This presentation shared the important insights gained through this project and concluded with strategies practitioners can implement to improve our support for parents.

Wendy McNalley and Nadira Rambritch
Health Canada

This concurrent session provided an overview of product safety standards and recall procedures in Canada. Information for service providers about how to stay up to date with the latest recalls and promote safety was provided. It also included information about how to know what products and toys are safe for service providers to purchase for their programs (e.g., child care programs, health programs, etc.) and how service providers can help parents and caregivers to purchase safe products. Health Canada resources were available to all participants.

Jacquie Maund
Ontario Campaign 2000

[Presentation in PDF]

This presentation provided the latest statistics on child and family poverty in Ontario. It addressed some of the reasons why the Ontario child poverty rate remains high. The speaker summarized what Campaign 2000 is calling for from federal and provincial Government to address child and family poverty, and gave an update on the Poverty Reduction Strategy promised by Ontario Liberal Government. The presentation discussed public advocacy to end child poverty - challenges and successes - and provided some examples of actions that the audience (service providers) can take in their communities, with the media, and with politicians. Campaign 2000 hopes to achieve increased understanding of the role that service providers can play in advocating for change, and commitment by the audience to follow through and take action.

Dr. Jean Clinton
McMaster University and Offord Centre for Child Studies

[Presentation in PDF]

This concurrent session provided an in-depth analysis of infant neurodevelopment and information for service providers about how to promote infant and child mental health in their work. Dr. Jean Clinton provided an overview of attachment including: attachment classifications, the developmental implications of insecure attachment, influences on attachment, suggestions of parents and caregivers, and more.

Dr. Patricia Mousmanis
Ontario College of Family Physicians

[Presentation in PDF]

This presentation highlighted research in the Early Years and clinical strategies to improve outcomes for families with young children. In particular, the 18 month well child visit was discussed in detail with three different cases which demonstrated how to approach this important opportunity for developmental surveillance. Evidence based guidelines developed by the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the Ontario Medical Association and specific clinical tools (Rourke Baby Record, Nippissing, CHAT/M-CHAT, Nutrition guidelines) were reviewed and discussed in an interactive workshop. This session was of particular use to those practitioners working with pregnant women and young families as preventative strategies to optimize attachment and child development were reviewed.  

Dr. Diane Meschino
University of Toronto, Women's College Hospital (WCH), Sunnybrook HSC, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Hiltrud Dawson
Best Start Resource Centre

[Presentation in PDF]

Dr. Diane Meschino and Hiltrud Dawson discussed the development of the new resource "Perinatal Mood Disorders: an Interdisciplinary Training Video" with participants and how it can be used in practice to provide education to a multi-disciplinary audience. A train the trainer session followed using the video along with the facilitator's guide.  

Donna Launslager
Multiple Births Canada

[Presentation in PDF]

Expecting and parenting multiples is different from that of a singleton pregnancy and parenthood. Multiple births are associated with substantial medical, health care, socio-emotional, developmental, educational, and economic consequences for both families and society. The session aimed to advise how best to help families prepare for and successfully respond to the demands of multiple pregnancy and the first 6 years after the birth of twins, triplets, or more. Donna highlighted that preparation should include education of the special aspects of multiple pregnancy and parenting using multiples-focused resources on infant care and feeding, child development, advice on securing help, and support.

 

Laurie-Ann Staniforth
First Words

[Presentation in PDF]

This concurrent session provided an overview of normal child language development in bilingual or multilingual environments. Bilingualism in the context of language delay or disorder was also discussed. This session included practical considerations for service providers such as issues to consider and how to work with and support bi- and multilingual children and families.

Wendy McNalley and Nadira Rambritch
Health Canada

This concurrent session provided an overview of product safety standards and recall procedures in Canada. Information for service providers about how to stay up to date with the latest recalls and promote safety was provided. It also included information about how to know what products and toys are safe for service providers to purchase for their programs (e.g., child care programs, health programs, etc.) and how service providers can help parents and caregivers to purchase safe products. Health Canada resources were available to all participants.