Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is a child’s ability to learn, think and solve problems. For example, this includes a two-month-old baby learning to explore the environment with hands or eyes or a five-year-old learning how to do simple math problems.

• Executive Functioning Series: Mental Flexibility
• Executive Functioning Skills 
• Serve and Return
• Play is Work for Kids

Social and Emotional Development

This is the child’s ability to interact with others, including helping themselves and self-control. Examples of this type of development would include: a six-week-old baby smiling, a ten-month-old baby waving bye-bye, or a five-year-old boy knowing how to take turns in games at school.

• How to Create a Calming Space
• How to Use a Calming Space
• Calming Strategies
• Supporting a Child’s Emotions: Connection Before Redirection
• Helping Children Understand and Deal with Their Emotions
• Help With Transitions
• Using a FIRST-THEN Board

Language/Communication Development

This is the child’s ability to both understand and use language. For example, this includes a 12-month-old baby saying his first words, a two-year-old naming parts of her body, or a five-year-old learning to say “feet” instead of “foots”.

• Language Fun – Singing and Playing Games
• Language Development
• Making the Most of Mealtimes
• Helping a Child Follow Directions
• Fun with Sounds
• Interactive Reading with Children Ages 0-3 Years
• Interactive Reading with Children Ages 3-6 
• Using Storybooks to Build Language (3-6 Years)

Movement/Physical Development

Movement and physical development includes both fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills is the child’s ability to use small muscles, specifically their hands and fingers, to pick up small objects, hold a spoon, turn pages in a book, or use a crayon to draw. Gross motor skills are to use large muscles. For example, a six-month-old baby learns how to sit up with some support, a 12-month-old baby learns to pull up to a stand holding onto furniture, and a five-year-old learns to skip.

• Developing Physical Literacy in Children
• Physical Literacy: Risky and Energetic Active Play
• Easy (and Fun!) Fine Motor Activities to Try at Home
• Activities to Develop and Improve Pencil Grasp
• Activities to Develop Scissor Skills
• When It’s Time to Get to Work

Providence Little Activity Book

This year’s Providence Report to Community published in January was toward the end of winter and 10 months into a global pandemic. We know the activities we encourage our young students to do every day can lift everyone’s mood. The Providence Little Activity Book was designed with that in mind. Click on the link below and colour away!

Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)

The FSCD program works with eligible families to provide support and services based on each child and family’s needs.

Family & Community Resource Centre at the Alberta Children’s Hospital

The FCRC provides information, resources and support to families. It is located on the 2nd floor of the Alberta Children’s Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW and is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to families, healthcare professionals, and community members.

Phone: 403-955-3272
Toll Free: 1-877-943-3272
Email: FCRC@ahs.ca

Autism Calgary

Autism Calgary Association helps families find the information they need to make informed choices.
Phone: 403-250-5173

Autism Canada

Autism Canada is the only Canadian autism advocacy organization with a national perspective on the issues currently facing those with ASD, their families and other stakeholders.

Between Friends

A charitable organization providing recreational and social programs for youth with disabilities.

Calgary Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families

The Association works to provide understanding, support, and resources to individuals and their families affected by Cerebral Palsy.

Calgary SCOPE Society

SCOPE provides in-home information, support and consultation for developmentally delayed, behavioural, social, or emotional challenges.

Canadian Down Syndrome Society

CDSS is a resource, linking parents and professionals, through advocacy, education and information.

Phone: 403-270-8500
Toll Free: 1-800-883-5608

Children’s Link

Comprehensive information on resources available to children with disabilities and their families. Children’s Link also coordinates social activities for parents.

Phone: 403-230-9158

Deaf & Hear Alberta

A registered charity that supports the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Alberta.

Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)

The Government of Alberta’s FSCD program works with eligible families to provide support and services based on each child and family’s needs.

Phone: (403) 297-6022

Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta

Learning disabilities can affect many areas of life. The Association offers programs that help people with learning disabilities reach their personal potential.

Sinneave Family Foundation

The Sinneave Family Foundation is an operating foundation based in Calgary, Alberta that aims to improve education, employment and housing outcomes for autistic youth and adults.