Articles for families with children

Our child wellness articles offer practical advice for parents and caregivers of children in elementary school (grades K-6).

Schools and school authorities are welcome to share these articles with parents in newsletters, bulletin boards, and other communications.

We've organized our library of articles by topic below:

• Mental health
• Nutrition
• Oral health
• Physical activity
• Sexual health
• Tobacco and vaping
• Truth and reconciliation

Mental health

Cultivating kindness in kids The benefits of kindness are amazing! Kindness is linked to decreases in stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, blood pressure, and can even ease pain. Evidence shows that kindness can help children to learn and do better in school. Here are some ways you can support your child.

Sweet dreams: Tips for a good night’s sleep for kids A good night’s sleep is essential for a child’s overall wellbeing and development. Quality sleep helps recharge their bodies and minds, setting the stage for a successful day ahead. Here are a few ideas to help your child get a good night’s sleep.

6 tips to help kids manage emotions  Kids experience all sorts of feelings and emotions. They aren’t born with emotional regulation skills, they learn them over time through modeling, guidance, practice, and experience. There are lots of ways you can help your child learn to manage their emotions. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Bullying: How to help your child Bullying is never okay. It’s not a normal part of growing up. As a parent or caregiver, you play an important role in helping to prevent and address bullying. Here’s what you can do.

Digital well-being and your child Help your child use technology responsibly and safely, and in ways that promote their overall well-being. Here are some practical things you can do.

Green and serene: Tips to help kids connect with nature Kids often seem most at peace when they’re outside—they’re focused, relaxed, and happy. Try these tips to help your kids connect with nature and maintain positive mental health.

How to help your child with healthy friendships Friendships build kids' confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging. Try these tips to help your child with friendships.

A new year. A new mindset. Making resolutions is easy but sticking to them can be hard. Here’s how to help your child set goals with a growth mindset.

10 ways to build your child's social emotional skills Kids develop social emotional skills through everyday life experiences. Here are 10 ways you can help them learn to handle emotions, cope with stress, get along with others, and solve problems.

The perks of parent engagement By getting involved in your child’s school experience, you show them that you value and care about their education. Here's what you can do to support their school journey.

Handle with care When it comes to mental health, the day-to-day ways you care for your child matter. Your support nurtures their well-being and helps them cope with life’s ups-and-downs. These tips can help you care for your child's mental health.

Show yourself some love As a parent or caregiver, remember that your mental health matters just as much as anyone else’s. It’s important to find ways to balance caring for yourself and caring for your child. These strategies can help.

How to help your child head back to class Back-to-school changes can be intimidating. Kids like to know what to expect, so it’s natural for them to be curious (and even worried) about what the school year will look like. Your support will help them feel confident, capable, and secure.

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Nutrition

A healthy relationship with food: How you can support your child You play an important role in shaping your child’s experiences with food and eating. The things you say and do influence their well-being. Here’s how to help your child build a healthy relationship with food.

Super powers for super school lunches With September upon us, making school lunches is back on the agenda. With a little planning and creativity, packing school lunches can be a lot less daunting and can even help your family save money.

Resist the sales pitch Food marketing can be especially hard for kids to spot, yet incredibly powerful.  Here are some ways to limit food marketing for your child, and to help them recognize it.

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Oral health

Sweet smiles: 7 tips to support your child's oral health This April, help your child keep their sweet smile! Try these tips to limit sugar and protect their teeth from tooth decay (cavities).

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Physical activity

Sweat, step, sit less, and sleep: Tips for a healthy day Talk together about how your family will sweat, step, sit less, and sleep for good health in 2024! The 24-hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth can help start the conversation.

Back to school, the active way! Active travel is a great way to get kids moving between school and home. Here are some tips to help them walk or wheel with confidence.

The multiple perks of multiple sports More than ever, researchers, medical experts, coaches, and top athletes are rallying behind multisport. Let’s explore five key reasons for multisport and how you can support your child.

Set the foundation with physical literacy Like reading and writing, physical literacy gives children the skills to learn, participate in, and enjoy physical activity. Learn how to help your child develop their physical literacy!

Active families, active kids Though it may not always seem like it, kids listen to what we say, watch what we do, and follow our lead. This is especially true when it comes to active living. Try these ideas to get your child and family moving more and sitting less.

Whatever the weather! Some kids need more support than others to brave the elements, but everyone benefits from heading out into the cold, wind, or snow. Use these tips to keep your family keep active outdoors, whatever the weather!

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Sexual health

Tips to celebrate Pride Month with your family Any time is a good time to talk with kids about what it means to be 2SLGBTQI+, but sometimes these conversations need a nudge. Try these ideas to learn together and spark new conversations.

Teaching your child about consent It is never too early to talk with your child about consent. Teaching your child about their bodies and boundaries is a great way to introduce consent in a way that they can understand.

How to talk with kids about sexual and gender diversity Learning about sexual and gender diversity can help you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to talk to your kids about these topics when they come up.

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Tobacco and vaping

How to help school-age kids stay vape free As your child grows, they'll form opinions and make choices about vaping. You play a key role in shaping their knowledge, beliefs, and actions. What you say and do matters. Let's explore some useful ways you can help your school-aged child stay vape free.

Vaping 101: What it is, and how to help your child Vaping rates have surged among young people recently. In this edition, we’ll answer common questions about vaping and offer tips for fact-based, meaningful conversations with kids.

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Truth and reconciliation

Tips for teaching kids about Indigenous allyship Allies are settlers (non-Indigenous people) who help others understand the harms of colonization and its impacts on Indigenous communities. Let’s explore tips for teaching kids about Indigenous allyship.

Acts of reconciliation you can do with your child Reconciliation is about creating and maintaining respectful relationships between Indigenous and settler (non-Indigenous) people in Canada. Here are some ideas to help you and your family take part in reconciliation.

Talking with your child about Orange Shirt Day Commit to having conversations with your kids about residential schools. It’s not easy, but it’s important. Here’s how to get started.