Resources
Below are resources that may help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Literacy Resources for Children’s Development
Below are activity libraries offering a wide range of engaging methods
to encourage language and reading development in children
Read on Canada
A variety of fun and printable activities designed to help children ages 3-6 develop
early literacy skills, including stories, puzzles, experiments, and games.
Ready for Reading by The Toronto Public Library
Fun reading activities for children ages 0-5 which emphasize the importance of
reading together, including games and storytime suggestions.
Family Literacy First
Printable learning activities designed to improve family literacy skills, including printable workbooks, stories, activities, quizzes, songs, and more.
Below are general tips on building literacy for multi-lingual homes:
Tips and Resources by the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation
Practical advice and downloadable tip sheets to support literacy throughout development from birth. Resources are available in multiple languages, including French, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Punjabi, and Simplified Chinese.
Help Your Child Learn to Read by Colorin Colorado
8 tips to support reading skills at home, created to be especially beneficial for multilingual families. The resource is available in 16 languages, including Korean, Portuguese, Somali, Urdu, Vietnamese, and more.
Below are specific activities supporting literacy for children
Play Roly
Short exercises to help children ages 3-5 develop the building blocks of reading
through play such as phonological awareness. Requires a free sign-up process.
ABRACADABRIA
A web-based literacy tool for beginner readers with read-along activities focusing
on alphabetics, fluency, comprehension, and writing. The virtual library includes folk
tales, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
Printable Activity Booklet by United for Literacy
A printable activity booklet with a collection of activities themed around different countries designed for children in grade 1-2 to practice reading and writing skills
Below are tips for helping 5-year-olds develop literacy skills:
Reading 101 for Parents by Reading Rockets
Tips that include an overview of literacy milestones for 5 year olds, writing samples
of children in kindergarten, and more resources such as guides to student success and clues to dyslexia in early childhood
Phonics and Decoding by Reading Rockets
List of engaging activities to help kindergarteners develop phonics and decoding
skills including letter-sound games, word-building exercises, and interactive
reading strategies to build foundational skills
Resource Library by Haskins Global Literacy Hub
Library of resources organized by developmental stage: Early Childhood, Early
Readers, Developing Readers, and Advanced Readers. Including skills such as
phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Available in multiple languages.
Communication and/or Language Development Resources
If you are concerned about your child’s communication and/or
language development, reach out to a health professional such as
your family doctor or pediatrician. You may also find the below helpful
Helping You Help Children Communicate by the Hanen Centre
This resource offers practical tips for parents of yound children who use non-verbal
communication methods, including strategies to support and encourage verbal
communication development
Let’s Play by British Columbia Public Services
Booklets describe ideas and examples of quality play experiences for children and
propose activities for families to explore with their children. Covers activities
encouraging engagement, communication, identity exploration, and well-being
Building Blocks for Healthy Self Esteem
This article outlines key factors that contribute to a child’s self-esteem, such as a
sense of security, belonging, purpose, and competence. It offers practical tips for
parents to nurture these traits
Information for Parents by Caring for Kids
A range of resources on behavior and development, including topics like healthy
development, managing fears, toilet learning, and understanding gender identity. It
offers practical advice for parents to address common developmental concerns
Gender Identity Development in Children
This resource explains the difference between gender identity and biological sex,
emphasizing that gender identity is an internal sense of self that may not align with
assigned sex at birth
Your Child at 5 Years
This printable checklist helps parents track developmental milestones for 5-year-
old children across areas like social-emotional skills, language and communication,
cognitive abilities, and physical development.
Below are some ways that can get free or low-cost access to reading material for children:
eReading Room for Kids by Calgary Public
Children’s eBooks, free with a library card. Also accessible via the Libby app.
Oh My Tales
Free stories for children ages 5-6, including adventure, educational, and funny
stories, available in both text and audio formats.
Loving2Read
A large collection of free children’s books across various subjects including
science, reading, and math..
Boukili
A French illustrated children’s book app that is interactive and suitable for children
K-Grade 6
Accessible Books Bank by The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
A list of books available as ebooks, audiobooks, braille, and more. Easy to filter by
grade level, genre, format, and language
First Book Canada Marketplace
Discounted access to donated books and educational resources, including picture
books, chapter books, graphic novels, and educational activity books
Storybooks Canada
Free resource with 40 stories from the African Storybook available with text and
audio in many languages.
Child Health/Development Resources
Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding
The Canadian Pediatric Society has combined various amounts of information for parents looking to learn about breastfeeding. Information on how to properly store breast milk, using donor milk, knowing if your baby is feeding well, etc. is readily available.
Infant Care
Health Canada’s infant care page takes a look at developmental & health information that can give parents a head start in learning about nutrition, bottles, pacifiers and infant formula.
Community-based Supports for Parents
The Canadian Pediatric Society has a province-based list focusing on community supports for parents. These community supports can offer workshops or interventions.
Breastfeeding Tips
The Public Health Agency of Canada offers valuable tips for successful breasting feeding. This is an important introduction to breastfeeding for new parents.
Infant Feeding
Complied information on understanding the importance of nutrition for healthy term infants. This read, complied by Health Canada, Canadian Pediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada, and Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, gives important recommendations for infants from 6 to 24 months.
A Parent’s Guide to Vaccination
This comprehensive guide can overcome some of the anxiety that parents might feel when it comes to getting their child vaccinated. This guide can address all your concerns before booking your child’s first vaccination.
Zero to Three
This is a resource that helps parents learn what skills or behaviours they can expect to see from birth to three years. Parenting tips and playtime activities that can support development are also described.
Healthy Children
Development in social, cognitive, and physical skills are explained. There are also guides for parents to help them assess if their children may be experiencing delays in development and understand when to consult a health care provider.
CDC Milestones
Developmental milestones are broken down with accompanying videos and illustrations to help parents determine what stage their child is at.
The Hanen Cente
Hanen provides helpful information about when to be concerned and what you can do to help your child learn language.
Talk Box, from Alberta Health Services
A parent’s guide to creating language rich-environments, with ideas and activities that encourage language development for children.
10 Tips for parents of young children who communicate without words
Adapted from the Hanen guidebook, “It Takes Two to Talk”.
Child Health/Development Resources
Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding
The Canadian Pediatric Society has combined various amounts of information for parents looking to learn about breastfeeding. Information on how to properly store breast milk, using donor milk, knowing if your baby is feeding well, etc. is readily available.
Infant Care
Health Canada’s infant care page takes a look at developmental & health information that can give parents a head start in learning about nutrition, bottles, pacifiers and infant formula.
Community-based Supports for Parents
The Canadian Pediatric Society has a province-based list focusing on community supports for parents. These community supports can offer workshops or interventions.
Breastfeeding Tips
The Public Health Agency of Canada offers valuable tips for successful breasting feeding. This is an important introduction to breastfeeding for new parents.
Infant Feeding
Complied information on understanding the importance of nutrition for healthy term infants. This read, complied by Health Canada, Canadian Pediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada, and Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, gives important recommendations for infants from 6 to 24 months.
A Parent’s Guide to Vaccination
This comprehensive guide can overcome some of the anxiety that parents might feel when it comes to getting their child vaccinated. This guide can address all your concerns before booking your child’s first vaccination.
Zero to Three
This is a resource that helps parents learn what skills or behaviours they can expect to see from birth to three years. Parenting tips and playtime activities that can support development are also described.
Healthy Children
Development in social, cognitive, and physical skills are explained. There are also guides for parents to help them assess if their children may be experiencing delays in development and understand when to consult a health care provider.
CDC Milestones
Developmental milestones are broken down with accompanying videos and illustrations to help parents determine what stage their child is at.
The Hanen Cente
Hanen provides helpful information about when to be concerned and what you can do to help your child learn language.
Talk Box, from Alberta Health Services
A parent’s guide to creating language rich-environments, with ideas and activities that encourage language development for children.
10 Tips for parents of young children who communicate without words
Adapted from the Hanen guidebook, “It Takes Two to Talk”.
ASQ Resources for Child Development
ASQ-3 Activities for 1 year
Try these fun and easy activities with your 1-year-old—a great way to have fun together and encourage your child’s healthy development.
ASQ:SE-2 Activities for 1 year
This is an activity sheet outlining how to support the social-emotional development of your 1-year-old child.
Developmental Screening: Answers from an Early Childhood Expert
Dr. Jane Squires, co-developer of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®), answers common questions about developmental screening.
Developmental Milestones for Toddlers: ASQ Article
As your toddler grows, so too will their skills, interests, and personalities. This article can help you understand what to expect in your one- and two-year olds.
Explore this list of activities, based on your child’s age, that will support their skill development. It includes ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 activities, resources for language development, and information about developmental screening.
Wellness and Distress Resources
Canada Suicide Prevention Service
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, the Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice and 4pm to 12am ET for text. Call 1-833-456-4566 or text ‘Start’ to 45645.
Crisis Text Line
Free, 24/7 texting service is accessible immediately to youth anywhere in Canada by texting Connect to 686868 to reach a Crisis Responder on any text/SMS enabled cell phone.
Canadian Women’s Foundation
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, assault or abuse, the Canadian Women’s Foundation has created a list of shelters and services specific to provinces and territories that help women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
ShelterSafe
For women and children seeking safety from violence and abuse, ShelterSafe is an online source to quickly identify a shelter in a specific geographic area along with its 24-hour emergency phone number.
Pregnancy Loss Resources
Parents Orphelins
Extensive information on dealing with pregnancy loss and infant loss in both French and English. Along with support for grieving parents and siblings, the site also provides ways grandparents can be a part of the grieving and healing process.
Miscarriage Support
Miscarriage Support is a support page that provides general information on pregnancy loss and infant loss. This site offers extensive coverage on ways to manage grief and how to support loved ones (and even coworkers) through the emotional strain of miscarriage.
Return to Zero: H.O.P.E.
Return to Zero: H. O. P. E. provides a step-by-step guide on how to navigate pregnancy and infant loss, from the moment a person is at the hospital to finding support in the grieving and recovery process. Information on what to do at the Hospital is available in various languages, including Portuguese, Russian, German and Turkish.
Baby’s Breath Canada
Information and support for those dealing with infant loss through stillbirth or SIDS.
Canadian COVID-19 Resources
Government of Canada Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information
Updates on the situation across Canada, including current cases, the risk to Canadians, and travel advisories, as well as information on symptoms, prevention and treatment, and printable resources and downloads.
Coronavirus Symptom Self- Assessment Tool and Treatment
Evaluate any and all current symptoms you may be facing with a self-assessment tool. Treatments and other safety precautions in regards to symptoms are additionally listed.
Novel Coronavirus Information Line
It all begins with A toll-free phone line providing information to Canadians about COVID-19. Dial 1-833-784-4397.
Parental COVID-19 Resources
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) provides funding to community groups to help to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, who face challenges that put their health at risk.
Kids & COVID-19
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
La Leche League Canada
La Leche League Canada is a registered non profit that provides mother-to-mother/parent-to-parent/peer support for pregnant women, new parents and beyond. Accredited to give detailed training program and have access to current scientific and legal information to help support others.