This fall, children are back in the classroom, people are traveling and families are gathering for events. This makes it easier for viruses to spread and doctors expect to see more people sick with the flu this year. Our health promotion specialist Erin Mandel shares some information on the flu and how to protect yourself.… Continue reading Fight the Flu: Protect yourself and your family, friends and community
Author: Michele Antunes RN
I am a Registered Nurse currently working as a Health Promotion Specialist. I am the mother of 2 children and have worked for Toronto Public Health for 30 years in a number of different areas. Currently my focus is on promoting the importance of the early years and working towards making Toronto a child-friendly city for all children to grow and thrive.
Keep cool in the summer heat
Heat-related illnesses can be very serious. With another summer heatwave on the way, it's important to make a plan to keep your family cool and healthy. Infants, young children and pregnant individuals are at higher risk for heat-related illness, especially if they are dehydrated. Here are some tips to help your family Beat the Heat:… Continue reading Keep cool in the summer heat
Safety First: Tips to prevent childhood head injuries
Your child's brain starts developing before they are born. During the first three years of life, brain connections are shaped and strengthened, based on their experiences. A healthy brain is important to overall health and development. Injury to the brain can affect a child's ability to learn, move, communicate and experience emotions. A recent study… Continue reading Safety First: Tips to prevent childhood head injuries
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Caring for Baby when you are COVID-19 Positive
Are you pregnant or a new parent and have COVID-19? Not sure what you should do? Our nurse Ella Shapiro shares some information that might help. Pregnancy: Getting COVID when you are pregnant can affect the health of you and your baby. Most pregnant people who get COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, but some pregnant… Continue reading Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Caring for Baby when you are COVID-19 Positive
Screen Time: Tips for Setting Reasonable Limits
Our nurse Allison Stockley shares part 3 of her series on the importance of the early years. Her first post reminded us to check in on our child’s development and her second post taught us about the importance of playing with our children. This post gives us some tips on screen time. Screen time is… Continue reading Screen Time: Tips for Setting Reasonable Limits
Learning through play
Our nurse Allison Stockley shares part 2 of her series on the importance of the early years. Her first post reminded us to check in on our child's development. This post teaches us about the importance of playing with our children. Play is meant to be fun, sparking curiosity and imagination, but did you know… Continue reading Learning through play
Checking in on your child’s development
Worried about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your child's growth and development? Our nurse Allison Stockley has written a four part series on the importance of the early years. Here is part one on growth and development. The pandemic has many families feeling like life has slowed way down, sped up, or that… Continue reading Checking in on your child’s development
EarlyON Centres are reopening!
As a new parent it may be difficult to know where to go or what to do with your baby or child. And the pandemic has made it even more difficult as many services have been closed or put on hold. Good news – EarlyON Centres have been given the go ahead to offer in… Continue reading EarlyON Centres are reopening!
Tips to be more mindful
This past year has been challenging. We have posted many blogs encouraging us to take care of ourselves especially our mental health. One of the strategies that comes up a lot is mindfulness. But what is mindfulness and how does it help us? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines mindfulness as: "The practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental… Continue reading Tips to be more mindful
Advice for new parents
When I was pregnant I received so much advice. Family and friends, random people in the grocery store, social media, the internet - they all had advice to give me even when I wasn't asking for it. So how do you sort through all this advice? How do you know what to listen to and… Continue reading Advice for new parents