Our programs are open to all who wish to attend and we attract participants from across the economic and social spectrum, all of whom are at the table as parents or caregivers who desire to be the best they can be for the children they care for and interact with.

Funded through the bilateral agreement between the Federal and PEI Provincial governments, it is enthusiastically received across PEI, within the general population including all Aboriginal communities and Francophone groups. Handle with Care may be delivered in small groups or in one-on-one sessions based on what is in the best interest of the person(s) taking the Program.

Handle With Care (HWC) is a Canadian course that will provide parents, educators, and all caregivers with the understanding of children’s social and emotional needs, as well as understanding and developing their own. HWC is based on the belief that parents and caregivers want the best for their children and should be supported in this goal. The program uses a strength-based approach and evidence-based practices to promote positive social and emotional development in children.
One of the key features of HWC is its hands-on, interactive approach. Caregivers participate in a variety of activities and discussions that help them develop new skills and strategies for promoting their child's well-being. These activities are designed to be both fun and informative, ensuring that caregivers can acquire new knowledge and skills while enjoying themselves.

Handle with Care is for EVERYONE who cares for or works with children: parents, grandparents, foster parents, friends, and those who work in early childhood.

The course can be delivered in four (4) or eight (8) sessions.
The Building Blocks provide a range of information and activities. For each Building Block, there are activities designed for caregivers of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. These activities can be adapted to apply to specific age groups or multiple ages.
Handle with Care Building Blocks:
• Building Trust & Attachment: The foundation to all positive relationships
• Building and Enhancing Self-Esteem: Providing children a path to confidently live life to its
• fullest
• Expressing Emotions: Empowering children to understand and express emotions.
• Relationship with Others: Giving a child the skills to form healthy relationships with others.

• Children grow in self-esteem and confidence; focus and learn better; develop healthy relationships and better mental and physical health.
• Parents report growing confidence in using new parenting skills; have shown greater self-esteem, self-worth, and flourishing; all leading to better family relationships and increased community involvement.
• Communities and other groups have worked together in support of the delivery of HWC programs.

Contact Sara MacDougall, Handle with Care Coordinator, 902-368-1870 or hwcpei@ecdaofpei.ca

It is great if both parents can attend although this is not essential. Handle with Care is also used very successfully by single parents.

No. Facilitators offering Handle with Care programs are required to have completed an approved facilitator training course.

Some courses across PEI offer childcare. Contact Sara MacDougall, Handle with Care Coordinator 902-368-1870 or hwcpei@ecdaofpei.ca

Most courses are co-ed. Courses can be customized to fit the needs and interests of the participants. This means that if there is enough interest in a course format, it is possible to tailor the course to meet those needs. We can offer a variety of options to ensure that everyone can learn and grow in a supportive and inclusive environment.
A minimum of four participants is typically required for a customized course. This number allows for the group to be small enough to provide a personalized experience, but large enough to facilitate meaningful discussions and group activities.

Handle with Care courses are free to attend. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided.

Contact Sara MacDougall, Handle with Care Coordinator 902-368-1870 or hwcpei@ecdaofpei.ca to discuss taking the course virtually.