Child Development
Attachment is the connection a child forms towards her caregiver(s). This connection helps her to feel and stay safe, and make sense of her world.
Booklet, 2019
My Curious Brain is a fun, interactive, and educational book for parents and caregivers to teach their kids about how the brain works. When parents and caregivers have a greater understanding of how the brain works, they will better understand how to support their child and promote healthy brain development. With a greater awareness of how the brain works and with supportive caregivers, children can develop self-regulation skills and strategies to help them effectively deal with stress.
Brochure, Revised 2019
This brochure outlines safe sleeping habits for babies to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It also provides information on breastfeeding and the importance of supervised “tummy time”.
Brochure, Revised 2023
This brochure provides parents and caregivers with information on positional plagiocephaly, or “flat head”. Information includes how to prevent flat spots and what to do if a flat spot is found on baby’s head.
Brochure, Revised 2019
Although infant crying is normal, it can be very frustrating for caregivers. This brochure identifies strategies for dealing with a crying infant, as well as strategies for handling caregivers’ frustration. Ideal for use with all caregivers. For information aimed at professionals and service providers, see Abusive Head Trauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome) (resource 4-900).
Fact Sheet, Revised 2019
Explains what abusive head trauma is, including how and why it happens, the long-term effects, and how it can be prevented. Aimed at health professionals and service providers who work with families. For information aimed at caregivers, see When Your Baby Can’t Stop Crying (resource 4-902).
Fact Sheet, 2010
This fact sheet provides an overview of early childhood brain development and stresses the influences that experience and the environment have on optimal development. Early childhood is a time when there is rapid growth and development of the brain. At this time, parents and caregivers have an opportunity to impact brain development. This is also a time when the brain is the most vulnerable.
Lesson Plans, 2020
For use in conjunction with the Your Choices Matter Video and Facilitator’s Guide, the Your Choices Matter Lesson Plans are a way to take the discussion of infant mortality and health behaviours a step further. Each lesson addresses common risk factors for infant mortality and can help guide discussion about the impact of these risk factors for youth today and in the future, and for their future children. Each lesson has been linked to the Saskatchewan Curriculum and, where applicable, includes marking rubrics.
The Facilitator’s Guide and Lesson Plans can be used to engage youth and communities to have conversations about health and behaviour choices that they are making today to ensure the best health outcomes for themselves and their future children. The Guide provides background information and several lesson plans, which can be used in the classroom or in a group setting, to address the various topics introduced in the video.
Guide and Manual, Revised 2020
In conjunction with the Your Choices Matter Video, the Facilitator’s Guide can be used to engage youth and communities to have conversations about health and behaviour choices that they are making today to ensure the best health outcome for themselves and their future children. The guide provides background information and several lesson plans, which can be used in the classroom or in a group setting, to address the various topics introduced in the video.
While the Your Choices Matter Video is meant to introduce the topic of infant mortality and health behaviours, the lesson plans are a way to take this a step further. Each lesson addresses common risk factors for infant mortality and can help guide discussion about the impact of these risk factors for youth today and in the future, and for their future children. Each lesson has been linked to the Saskatchewan Curriculum and, where applicable, includes marking rubrics.
Information Card, 2022
The My Curious Brain Resource Room is an interactive virtual tool to help children and adults learn what happens in the brain and body when stress is experienced. This postcard provides the QR code and link to access the resource.
Information Card, Revised 2021
Written in plain language, this information card provides basic information about the importance of brain development during the early years. Practical tips to increase opportunities for children’s healthy development are included.
Information Card, Revised 2020
Written in plain language, this information card provides basic information about attachment … the connection that a baby forms with his caregivers that helps him to feel loved, secure, and safe.
Information Card, 2015
This information card is about temperament, the inherent and unique traits that influence how we interact with the world. Caregivers will be provided with information on why it is important to understand their children’s temperaments and how it affects behaviour.
Poster, 2008
These 8.5 x 11 inch posters, developed by Childbirth Graphics, assist healthcare professionals in discussing alcohol use with their patients. Although these posters do not focus on FASD, they can be used to help patients understand that alcohol is one of many factors which can impact the development of the fetus.
Poster, 2011
This brightly coloured wall hanging with the poem “Cherish Me for I am a Child” talks about the importance of a child growing up feeling safe, secure, and happy and in order for a child to do this he needs to be protected, cared for, and loved by the adults in his life. This can be used as a wall hanging for anyone to have in their home or office.
Poster, 2022
The My Curious Brain Resource Room is an interactive virtual tool to help children and adults learn what happens in the brain and body when stress is experienced. This poster provides the QR code and link to access the resource.
Report, 2009
This document was prepared to describe the relationship between modifiable risk factors and infant mortality. It is meant to provide guidance, strategies, and support to help expand or develop programs that may contribute to the reduction of infant mortality in Saskatchewan. It includes a review of the literature regarding prevalent risk factors associated with infant mortality, as well as identifying promising practices related to those modifiable risk factors.
Report, 2017
This evidence summary summarizes evidence based guidelines on safe sleep and is intended for use by policy makers, healthcare providers, and service providers.
Report, 2022
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are childhood events that cause harm or distress and, as a result, disrupt the child’s health and development. The purpose of this report is to define ACEs and their impact on development, health, and well-being; describe how ACEs are identified in children ages 0 to 6; and investigate evidence-based practices being used with children ages 0 to 6 and parent/caregiver-child dyads to mitigate (make less severe or harmful) the impacts of ACEs in childhood and beyond.
“In November 2022 an Executive Summary was added to the report”.
Report, 2016
This report provides information about current child death review processes that exist in each of the provinces and territories in Canada, based on interviews with key informants in each region. Particular attention is paid to those provinces with a coordinated, multi-disciplinary, provincial child death review process. Recommendations and advice for others initiating a child death review process are also included.
Report, 2020
Pediatric type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a rising issue in Canada. Research shows an increasing prevalence of T2D in communities around the world, including in Canada. In Canada, some of the highest incidence rates are found in the First Nations pediatric population in the Prairie provinces. The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute partnered with Dr. Mark Inman (Pediatric Endocrinologist, Saskatchewan Health Authority) to bring together current evidence and data relevant to Saskatchewan and increase the understanding of the strengths, gaps, and needs related to pediatric T2D within Saskatchewan.
The partnership resulted in the development of this background report, based on a literature review, needs assessment survey, and environmental scan, which will inform future work regarding pediatric T2D in Saskatchewan. The report will be used first to inform the development of relevant resources for education and training for healthcare providers, and second, to develop appropriate education for patients and families, within the Saskatchewan context.
Video, 2009
Experience joy and happiness at its purest in this life-affirming, universal celebration of the magic and innocence of babies. Proving that if you surround your baby with love, it doesn’t matter what culture you’re from or what childrearing practices you follow. “Babies” travels the globe following four children from vastly different corners of the world – Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia, Mari from Tokyo, and Hattie from San Francisco.
Video, 2000
Graham Greene narrates this video that describes strategies for reducing the occurrence of SIDS. Discussion of SIDS and the risk reduction strategies involve key interviews with Aboriginal parents, health professionals, and an Elder. The video is accompanied by a study guide, which can be used to lead group discussion. Audience: expectant parents, caregivers, health professionals.
Video, 1999
Much of the way children think and feel about themselves and their world is determined in the first three years of their lives. In this formative time, the brain is developing a complex “wiring” system, making connections that will strongly influence children’s patterns of emotional, social, and psychological behaviour – and how well they can learn, handle stress, thrive, and function in the world. The video kindles deep, natural parenting instincts, while providing clear and accessible strategies for loving and nurturing interaction with children.
Social Determinants of Health
Children are at an even higher risk from environmental factors (social determinants of health) because they are completely reliant on others. Experiencing challenges with one or two social determinants will not necessarily have an influence on family and child health, however, as the number of determinants negatively impacting a family increases, the risks also increase.
Experiencing challenges with one or two social determinants will not necessarily have an influence on family and child health; however, as the number of determinants negatively impacting a family increases, the risks also increase.