This recording is part of a 4-session retreat for caregivers of individuals with complex mental health issues including FASD. A hands-on self-compassion focused session for caregivers on how meditation and gentle yoga can help you notice how your mind works, so you can get back to doing the things that matter most to you. It is based on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and blended with accessible mindful movement. The session will cover:
Self-Compassion – An activity to learn to be kinder to ourselves
Value-based Decision Making & Acceptance – Explore how mindfulness and compassion can support you in living a meaningful life, even when the tough stuff is there
This recording is part of a 4-session retreat for caregivers of individuals with complex mental health issues including FASD. A hands-on self-compassion focused session for caregivers on how meditation and gentle yoga can help you notice how your mind works, so you can get back to doing the things that matter most to you. It is based on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and blended with accessible mindful movement. The session will cover:
Self-Compassion – An activity to learn to be kinder to ourselves
Value-based Decision Making & Acceptance – Explore how mindfulness and compassion can support you in living a meaningful life, even when the tough stuff is there
The Prenatal Education Program is a teaching aid for face-to-face prenatal education sessions. The audience for these modules includes the pregnant woman and her partner. The program consists of a series of 11 independent modules. Each module includes three files in PDF format: the slides, the speaker notes and a module outline (objectives, teaching aids, references, etc.).
Program Overview
This document provides an orientation to the program, a list of modules, methodology, suggested handouts and equipment, acknowledgements, program philosophy, etc. Revised 2018
Prenatal care guidelines and prenatal tests (schedule, prevention of low-birth weight, communicating with health care provider, amniocentesis, ultrasound, gestational diabetes, dental care, etc.) Revised 2018
Physical activity (importance, contra indications, tips, etc.) Emotional changes in pregnancy (prenatal depression and anxiety, feelings about parenthood, communicating with partner, healthy ways to cope with stress etc.) Revised 2019
Physical needs of mother after giving birth (pain relief, fatigue, discharges, etc.). Emotional needs of new family (postpartum mood disorders, partner’s feelings, etc.). Social needs of new family (roles and relationship, sexuality, home support, abuse/violence issues, etc.) Revised 2018
This resource is for women and men who are thinking about becoming parents, are pregnant, or who are new parents. It provides information about the effects of cannabis:
On fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding
On children and adolescents, when their mothers used cannabis during pregnancy
On parenting
Legal use of cannabis doesn’t necessarily make it safe. Using cannabis can have effects on health, learning, relationships, fertility, pregnancy and children.
This resource summarizes the current knowledge about the effects of cannabis. It does not focus on any potential therapeutic medical benefits of cannabis.
A plant: The cannabis plant can grow wild, and may be grown outdoors and indoors.
Other names: Marijuana is a common term for cannabis in the form of dried flowers, leaves, stems or seeds. Other common terms are weed, pot and grass. Hash and hash oil also come from the cannabis plant.
Ingredients: There are more than 700 chemical compounds contained in the cannabis plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical that makes people feel high. Cannabidiol (CBD) is known for its medicinal qualities for pain, inflammation and anxiety. In contrast to THC, CBD does not make you feel as high. The medicinal effects of some strains are being studied, especially those with higher amounts of CBD.
Types: There are different types of cannabis and the effects depend on the amount of THC, CBD, other chemicals, and their interactions. The THC content in cannabis has increased over the past several decades. Oils have the highest percentage of THC. For example, the THC content in edible cannabis products can vary widely, and can be potent.
Forms of use: The dried flowers of the cannabis plant can be smoked, inhaled as a vapour, or added to foods or drinks. The oils can also be put in creams, and other products that are applied on the skin. When cannabis is eaten in products, such as brownies, the effects are not felt right away.
This may cause some people to eat more than they originally planned.
Key effects of cannabis
There are many types of cannabis products.
People use cannabis to feel high, relaxed, or for medicinal purposes. The effects of using cannabis vary from one person to the other depending on:
Your age and sex
Potency of cannabis
Amount, frequency and duration of use
Your physical and mental health
Your use of other substances, such as alcohol and other drugs (illegal, prescribed, over-the-counter)
The risks of using cannabis may include:
Effects on short-term memory, attention and coordination
Anxiety and mild to acute paranoia
Increased appetite (can be a benefit for some people)
Impact on physical health, including risk of cancer (there may be a higher risk of lung cancer among those who smoke cigarettes and smoke cannabis)
Impact on mental health
Impact on fertility, pregnancy and parenting
The effects of heavy use (1 or more joints per day) can last for several weeks, and even for years after stopping use. Evidence is showing a possible association between heavy regular cannabis use and the risk of developing, or worsening mental health symptoms.
For people at high-risk for mental health issues such as personal history of mood and anxiety disorders, or a family history of mental health disorders, the use of cannabis can increase the risk of developing a mental health disorder and increase the severity of the symptoms. In particular, there is a risk of a psychotic episode after cannabis use for those at risk.
Using tobacco and cannabis Smoking tobacco and cannabis together (e.g. adding tobacco to cannabis joints) may increase cancer risk. Most people who smoke cannabis inhale more deeply as they hold the smoke in longer, exposing their lungs to more cancer-causing agents.
There is increasing evidence that cannabis is harmful to early brain development especially if used before the age of 25 years.
Further studies are required to determine the full impact of early cannabis use on long- term outcomes, and its association with academic and employment success.
Effects of cannabis when planning a pregnancy, when pregnant, and breastfeeding
There is no known safe amount of cannabis use in pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
Here is what we know about cannabis:
Effects on conceiving: Cannabis use may affect the ability to become pregnant. For example, heavy cannabis use has been linked to changes in menstrual cycle for women, and lower sperm count and poorer sperm quality in men.
Effects on pregnancy: Some studies have shown that cannabis use may have some negative effects on pregnancy. For heavy cannabis users, and those who also use tobacco, cannabis may increase the risk of preterm birth.
Cannabis is often used with other drugs, such as alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco have very negative effects on pregnancy, and on the health of the fetus.
Some women report benefits from using cannabis to treat morning sickness during pregnancy. However, due to potential harms to the pregnancy, fetus and the mother, safer treatments should be discussed with a health care provider.
Pregnant women should take care of their health by eating well, taking prenatal vitamins, being physically active and getting rest.
Seek advice from your prenatal care provider about the risks of your cannabis use before and during your pregnancy.
Remember to start prenatal care early.
Effects on the fetus: Cannabis smoke contains many of the same harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Smoking cannabis can reduce the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Some studies show effects on the newborn such as lower birth weight, lower alertness and slower growth of the new baby. Cannabis has not been linked to birth defects. However, the effects on the developing brain may be lasting, as the baby grows to an adolescent and adult.
Effects on breastfeeding: When a breastfeeding mother uses cannabis, THC passes into the breast milk and is taken into a baby’s fat cells and brain. It can be stored for weeks. Some research found that infants exposed to THC through breast milk had slower motor development (affects baby’s movements and responses). More studies are required to determine the true effect of cannabis exposure when breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is still the healthiest choice for your baby. Until further information about the potential harms is available, it is recommended that women stop using cannabis while they are pregnant, or while breastfeeding.
Learning to Play and Playing to Learn is a parent resource. It is based on the research of what, how, and when your child learns. This guide is filled with:
Up-to-date information
Helpful tips
Checklists
Links to other resources
These tools will help you to support your child’s individual growth and development. This will help your child be prepared for learning at school.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for everyone who cares for children.
Parents*
Guardians
Child care providers
Health care providers
Family members
Friends
* We use the term parent to represent all significant caregivers (grandparents, aunts, legal guardian, etc.) in your child’s life.
Note: The glossary at the end of this guide explains many words and concepts that you may not be familiar with.
What does this guide help parents to learn?
The information and examples in this guide show you how you can help your child’s brain and body grow and thrive. It will also help you feel more confident that your child is prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
Children all learn in different ways and at their own pace. Consider the unique strengths and needs of your own child. The tips, activities and links in this guide can help you to decide the best way to support your child.
Did you know?
You are your child’s greatest educator and role model.
Through play, children learn many skills, such as how to interact with others, solve problems, and accept different ways of thinking, long before they start school, or even kindergarten. These skills help children do well in school and in life. Children, who feel good about learning and are eager, curious, and confident when starting school are more likely to:
Do well in school
Finish school
Continue on a journey of lifelong learning
Starting school is a big milestone for you and your child. Kindergarten is the first step in your child’s formal education. It is optional and free for all children in Ontario.
With the support of teachers and early childhood educators, kindergarten offers a play-based program. Your child learns through play that:
Is built on your child’s interest and curiosity
Includes learning experiences directed by teacher and early childhood educator team
Includes activities where your child can take the lead
Provides opportunities for your child to explore the world around him with the connections to real life experiences
In this guide we refer to the teacher and early childhood educator team.
What does a full day of kindergarten look, sound and feel like?
Your child will:
Solve problems and tell others about their learning
Have quiet time as needed
Make friends
Be involved in play-based learning
Eat healthy meals and snacks
Listen to stories
Use their senses to explore and discover
Learn to get along with other children and adults
Develop and learn skills and concepts, both indoors and outdoors
How do children learn?
Children learn by playing in places where they feel safe, respected, and loved. Children’s early development, health, and learning is shaped by the day-to-day experiences within their family and community.
From the day they are born, children learn and develop by:
Touching
Seeing
Hearing
Smelling
Tasting
Moving
Doing (for example, playing).
Children’s play is children’s work. Remember, you are your child’s greatest role model!
To learn, children need:
A secure attachment
Self-regulation
Play
Let’s find out why these concepts are so important.
Why is a secure attachment important for learning?
A secure attachment is a powerful, emotional bond where a child feels protected by his parents. A secure attachment is important to learning because it helps a child to:
Be more confident to explore the world around him.
Calm himself in stressful situations.
Develop resilience.
The key ingredient to develop a secure attachment is to respond to your child’s distress. You are encouraged to:
Intervene when your child is in distress.
Comfort your child when he is distressed.
React to your child’s distress before it gets out of control.
Respond consistently and warmly to your child’s distress.
How can I help my child develop a secure attachment?
Here are some things you can do to:
Let your child know that you are there when she needs you.
Guide your child to find the solution to the situation by providing her with options.
Support your child’s learning by playing with her when she is learning a new skill and/or practicing skills she already has.
Get down to the floor to be at your child’s level. This helps you to understand how the world is seen from her view.
Show and tell your child that you are delighted to see her each time you pick her up from school or child care, when she wakes up in the morning, or at every other opportunity.
Know your child and respond in the way she enjoys. The most important thing is to know your child is unique.
Be engaged in your child’s day to day activities by following her lead and responding to her needs and cues.
Spend time with your child observing, playing and learning what your child likes or dislikes.
Acknowledge your child’s feelings by listening to what is said. Use the phrases like: “I see.”“Tell me more.”
Feeling safe and secure helps your child:
Grow and develop in a healthy way.
Feel safe to explore the world around her through play.
Think and feel more positively about herself.
Develop into a confident and curious learner.
Get along well with others.
Feel empathy for others.
Have a good self-image, self-confidence, and good self-regulation.
Many pregnancies are not planned. Women may not know they are pregnant for a few weeks or months. During this time, the fetus grows rapidly and can be affected by a number of factors. For this reason, it is important for anyone who is planning to have a baby to be as healthy as possible. This booklet for teens will guide them through six topic areas, providing them with facts and referrals, and the opportunity to respond to a series of questions that will help them to make healthy decisions, set goals and plan for their future. Topics include: physical health, mental health, reproductive health, relationships, family health history and their future.
Many pregnancies are not planned. Women may not know they are pregnant for a few weeks or months. During this time, the fetus grows rapidly and can be affected by a number of factors. For this reason, it is important for anyone who is planning to have a baby to be as healthy as possible. This booklet for teens will guide them through six topic areas, providing them with facts and referrals, and the opportunity to respond to a series of questions that will help them to make healthy decisions, set goals and plan for their future. Topics include: physical health, mental health, reproductive health, relationships, family health history and their future.
