Child Development Resources

This approach promotes a positive, preventative stance on child behaviour guidance rather than resorting to punishment. Caregivers and educators are encouraged to create supportive environments, build strong relationships with children, and teach appropriate behaviours through guidance and modeling. For additional support, explore our developmental checklists and parenting resources. Access the booklet here.

CMHA is a nationwide nonprofit organization that promotes mental health and supports people living with mental illness across Canada. Through local branches and provincial divisions, CMHA provides community-based services such as mental health education, peer support, crisis intervention, housing and employment programs, and advocacy for improved mental health policies.  Access the website here.

Developed by Canadian pediatricians, Caring for Kids is a comprehensive resource for parents and caregivers of teens. This platform offers valuable parenting resources that cover various aspects of teen health, including physical activity, mental health, behavior, and development. It also includes developmental checklists and child behaviour guidance to help navigate the challenges of raising teenagers. Access the website here.

The Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) are a set of simple developmental checklists designed to help parents monitor their child's growth and learning during early childhood. This booklet serves as a valuable parenting resource, allowing parents to track development and seek professional support if needed. Access the PDF here.

A national network of grief specialists, health organizations, and community groups working together to improve grief support across Canada, while also providing valuable parenting resources, child behaviour guidance, and developmental checklists. Access website here.

• What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry
  A thoughtful exploration of how trauma shapes behaviour and why understanding “what happened” is often more helpful than asking “what’s wrong.” 
• No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
  Focuses on discipline as teaching rather than punishment. The authors explain how connection and understanding help children learn emotional regulation and behaviour skills.
•  The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
  A landmark book explaining how trauma affects the brain and body and why understanding trauma is essential for healing. 
• When Children Grieve by John W. James and Russell Friedman
  A helpful guide explaining how children experience grief differently from adults and what supportive adults can do to help them process loss. 
•  Raising Human Beings by Ross W. Greene
  Explores the idea that challenging behaviour in children often reflects unmet skills rather than intentional defiance. 
•  The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
  A children's book often used to help children understand separation and loss through the metaphor of an invisible string connecting loved ones.