The 4 chapters of this resource contain information for newcomer women who are pregnant and expect to deliver their baby in Ontario. They include information on local practices related to the prenatal and postnatal period, as well as services and resources available.
Also available in French, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, and Urdu.
This guide is for service providers who work with pregnant women who are new to Canada. It includes information about care during the prenatal and postpartum period. The purpose of this guide is to help service providers find ways to provide “culturally competent care.”
In order to do this, the guide has the following objectives:
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.).
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
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Physiology of pregnancy (anatomical changes, development of baby, physical discomforts, etc.) Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Nutrition (food groups, essential nutriments, etc.) Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
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
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Substance use (alcohol, tobacco, medication, herbal products, etc.). Environmental issues Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Physical preparation for childbirth (fetal positions, preterm labour, stages of labour). Practical preparation for hospital childbirth (birth plan, preparing suitcase, pre-registration, tour, etc.) Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Physical preparation for childbirth (fetal positions, preterm labour, stages of labour). Practical preparation for hospital childbirth (birth plan, preparing suitcase, pre-registration, tour, etc.) Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Medical interventions / Pain management (anaesthetics, analgesics, episiotomy, caesarean birth, etc.) Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Advantages, successful initiation and continuation, supports, etc. Revised 2016
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
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
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
Newborn characteristics (characteristics, behaviours, growth & development, etc.). Taking care of newborn (hygiene, immunizations, warmth, attachment, sleep patterns, etc.). Baby safety (car seats, cribs, strollers, playpens, safe sleep, etc.) Revised 2018
PowerPoint slides in PDF format
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:
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.
This guide is for everyone who cares for children.
* 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.
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.
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:
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:
For more information on the province’s full-day kindergarten program, go to the Ministry of Education website.
In this guide we refer to the teacher and early childhood educator team.
Your child will:
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:
Children’s play is children’s work. Remember, you are your child’s greatest role model!
Let’s find out why these concepts are so important.
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:
The key ingredient to develop a secure attachment is to respond to your child’s distress. You are encouraged to:
Here are some things you can do to:
“Tell me more.”Feeling safe and secure helps your child:
The 4 chapters of this resource contain information for newcomer women who are pregnant and expect to deliver their baby in Ontario. They include information on local practices related to the prenatal and postnatal period, as well as services and resources available.
Also available in English, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, and Urdu.