Information for Parents and Caregivers

Community Connections

Connecting families with resources in their communities is an important role for health professionals. Here are some links to help find local resources.

• Find community resources for early childhood
• Find community resources to promote literacy

Some communities have also developed “pathways” to resources and services for young children. Here are some examples:

• Toronto Early Childhood and Family Resource System
• Ottawa 18-month well-baby visit pathway
• Early childhood development and parenting resource system (Ontario) template is available from McMaster University

Plain-language information from the Canadian Paediatric Society

• Your baby’s brain: How parents can support healthy development
• Your child’s development: What to expect
• Attachment: A connection for life
• Read, speak, sing to your baby: How parents can promote literacy from birth
• Growing and learning: Documents on growth, development, and literacy from Caring for Kids, the Canadian Paediatric Society website for parents and caregivers
• Behaviour and parenting: Documents from Caring for Kids, the Canadian Paediatric Society website for parents and caregivers
• Well Beings: A Guide to Health in Child Care, 3rd edition (2008), provides information and best practices for child care centres on early learning and development.
• The Canadian Paediatric Society Guide to Caring for Your Child from Birth to Age Five (2009), offers important advice on play, and activity in the early years.