Do you have young children?

Your child’s first 6 years are the most important!

Do you have children age 6 or under? All parents want to see their children grow up to become healthy and happy adults. Parents can give children the best possible start during their first 6 years.

3 building blocks for healthy child development

Stable, loving and responsible relationships
Safe environments where children live and play
Healthy food

As a parent, you are your child’s most important connection to the world. You play an important role in your child’s development – including a healthy brain – through interaction, positive discipline, play and support.

Our resources in English

We also carry a list of Aboriginal resources, of resources in French and of resources for Newcomers to Canada.

Alcohol and Drugs
	Risks of Cannabis on Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Parenting - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2019 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, breastfeeding, on children and adolescents when their mothers used cannabis during pregnancy and on parenting. This resource summarizes the current knowledge about the effects of cannabis. See also: Thinking about using cannabis before or during pregnancy? Thinking about using cannabis while parenting?
Breastfeeding
	My Breastfeeding Guide - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 My Breastfeeding Guide has information and answers questions you may have as an expectant parent or as a new parent. You can share this guide with the people who are supporting you.
	Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services Directory - Website Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 Breastfeeding mothers benefit from the support of other mothers. Visit the Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services Directory to connect with and receive help and support from peers, professionals and experts. www.ontariobreastfeeds.ca
	Breastfeeding Matters: An Important Guide to Breastfeeding for Women and their Families - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017 This guide will help you and your family to explore breastfeeding. Topics include: the importance of breastfeeding, making an informed decision, helping your baby get a good start, learning to breastfeed, frequently asked questions and where to get help. The guide was tested by many pregnant and breastfeeding families and contains some of their quotes. Also available in French, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese. The fact sheets below complement the Breastfeeding Matters booklet and offer additional information on the following topics: Blocked Ducts Breast Infection (Mastitis) Expressing and Storing Breastmilk Thrush
	Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding - Printer-ready Handouts Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, 2013 The handout is a resource for mothers and their partners to help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. Also available in French, Arabic, Cree, Hindi, Ojibway, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu
	Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, revised 2016 The brochure is a resource for mothers and their partners to help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.
Child Development
	Daddy and Me On the Move Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 Aimed at fathers of children aged 0 to 6, the goal of the booklet is to encourage strong father-child relationships right from the start. It highlights activities that fathers can do with their children. The booklet is easy to read. All the activities presented are meant to be fun and done easily.
	Child Discipline - Mini Poster Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 This mini-poster (8 ½ X 11”) offers tips to parents to integrate positive discipline in the interactions they have with their children. The resource is in English on one side and in French on the other side. It directs parents to the website Children See. Children Learn.
	Child Discipline - Videos Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 Originally developped for a ready-to-use workshop for service providers who work with parents of children from birth to age 6, these videos on the topic of child discipline show you positive ways to teach your child that do work. They are available on the website Children See. Children Learn. You can also watch the videos from Youtube here.
	When Children Speak More Than One Language Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 As a parent of a child who will learn two or more languages, you may have questions. This guide will give you information based on research to help you. Language is the best tool to help a child do well later in school and in life. Also available in French, Arabic, Chinese, Cree, Hindi, Ojibway, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu.
	Healthy Baby Healthy Brain - Website Best Start Resource Centre, 2012 As a parent, you play an important role in the development of your baby’s brain. You are your baby’s most important connection to the world. You interact daily with your baby. These interactions have a life-long effect on your baby’s ability to reach full potential. This website will help you support your baby’s brain development. www.HealthyBabyHealthyBrain.ca
	Tips for Parents - Brain Development Best Start Resource Centre, 2013 This is a series of 15 lists of tips for parents on topics associated with brain development that can easily be shared through social media or printed. They cover preconception, pregnancy and child development ages 0-3. For more information, or to download individual topics, click here.
	Learning to Play and Playing to Learn Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2019 This booklet is for parents and everyone who cares for children. The information and examples in this booklet show you how you can help your child’s brain and body grow and thrive. The tips, activities, checklists & quizzes and links can guide you to decide the best way to support your child’s individual growth and development. This will help you and your child get ready for full-day kindergarten.
	Building Resilience in Young Children Booklet for parents of children from birth to six years Best Start Resource Centre, 2017 This booklet is for parents of children from birth to six years and anyone who cares for children – like grandparents, relatives, foster parents and other adults. Many of the ideas will also help families with older children. It will help caregivers boost a child’s ability to bounce back from life’s challenges and thrive.
	Healthy and safe sleep tips for infants 0-12 months : Did You Know? - Downloadable handouts Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 These tips for parents and caregivers of infants aged 0-12 months provide practical suggestions on healthy and safe sleep. The tips support the current recommendations on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. These messages are consistent with the information provided in the Sleep Well, Sleep Safe - Booklet.
	Sleep Well, Sleep Safe - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017 This booklet is for parents of infants from 0-12 months and for all who care for infants. It provides healthy sleep tips as well information on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep related causes of infant death.


Physical activity
	Have a Ball Together! Go to the new and improved haveaballtogether.ca to find all the tools you need to be able to promote and encourage physical activity for children 0-6: Information about the importance of physical activity for the early years. Strategies for overcoming common barriers to getting children active. A searchable database with over 100 fun and simple games and activities for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten-aged children. Tools to extend the learning such as videos, downloads and links to additional resources. haveaballtogether.ca
	Have a Ball Together! - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre, 2009 This brochure (8.9 X 20.3 cm) is designed to provide parents with additional information about the promotion of physical activity for children aged 2-5 years. It is available in a culturally adapted Aboriginal version and in French.
	Have a ball together! - Stickers Best Start Resource Centre, 2009 Originally designed as stickers, there are 24 images on a sheet with indoor/outdoor and seasonal activities. These can be placed on the family calendar to schedule plans for physical activity. They do not contain any text and can be used with all cultures and languages.
Mental Health
	Managing Depression : A Self-help Skills Resource for Women Living With Depression During Pregnancy, After Delivery and Beyond – Workbook Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 This workbook is for women living with depression during pregnancy, after delivery and beyond, and their clinicians or service providers. It provides information about depression and healthy lifestyle behaviours, and skills for managing depression. Concerned partners, family members or friends may also find this resource helpful.
Tobacco Misuse
	Information on Second and Third-Hand Smoke - Handout Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This document contains information on second and third-hand smoke, a summary of the strategies and sources of supplementary information.
	Creating a Smoke-Free Environment for Your Children - Video Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This 24 minute video is on the social impact of second-hand smoke on young families. It contains testimonies of situations related to second-hand smoke experienced by families. Many strategies to reduce the exposure of young children and pregnant women to second-hand smoke are provided. Available online on YouTube or Vimeo
	Smoke-Free Home - Image Best Start Resource Centre, 2011 Originally created as a sticker, this image can be applied on a door or window, indicating that the environment is smoke-free. Size: 7.6cm X 7.6cm or 3" X 3" Also available in JPG format.