F-words for Child Development

Banner with text "Welcome to the F-words Knowledge Hub" and a photo of two adults smiling and lifting a baby outdoors.

WELCOME TO THE F-WORD KNOWLEDGE HUB

This is a place for everyone to learn more about our favorite words for child development and beyond!

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Parent quotes

"The F-words help me tell the story of my son, to paint a picture of who he is, what he likes and focus on what he CAN do!"

"The F-words help our family think about possibilities!"

Clinician quote

"The F-words focus on all that is possible when we think positively and work together to find solutions. They focus on an individual's unique strengths and interests."

THE F-WORDS FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

F-words Training Program

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Five smiling children pose closely together outdoors on a sunny day, with greenery visible in the background.

What are the F-words for Child Development?

In 2011, Dr. Rosenbaum and Dr. Gorter published a paper titled: "The 'F-words' in Childhood Disability: I swear this is how we should think!" The paper features six F-words that the authors state should be the focus in childhood disability - Functioning, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future.

FUNCTIONING

FAMILY

FITNESS

Functioning: refers to what people do - how things are done is not what is important

Family: represents the essential ‘environment’ of all children and youth

Fitness: refers to physical and mental wellbeing

FUN

FRIENDS

FUTURE

Fun: includes activities that people enjoy

Friends: refers to the friendships established with others

Future: is what life is all about

Four children smile outdoors in front of bright yellow autumn leaves, wearing warm clothing such as jackets, hats, and scarves.

Who are the F-words for?

These ideas are for everyone! We have focused on how they can be used by children, youth and families, and by people who work with them in areas such as healthcare, education, and community programs. We have also been exploring how they relate to adults and are learning how the six F-words apply across the life span, in all of our lives.

How can you learn more?

Explore the knowledge hub!

There are many resources to help you along your F-Words journey!

Stories

Tools

Webinars

Videos

Four children and a teacher interact with wooden building blocks at a classroom table; one child is stacking blocks into a tall tower.

Take the online self-paced Foundations Course

Family, Fun, Friends, Functioning, Fitness, and Future: These are a few of our favourite ways to describe and celebrate child development. Curious to learn more? CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research offers the F-words Foundation Course. It’s a free, five module, self-paced online training course designed for families, health care providers, managers, community service providers, and educators who support children and youth of all abilities. Check it out here (two versions - English and French):

English

Français

Organize training for your agency

Online or in person training with our expert team with a focus on parent involvement

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Make your training count with customized implementation consultation support

Our implementation specialists work with your team to build a customized plan for using the F-words
Check out how our partners are implementing the F-words

The foundation of the F-words...

Based on the World Health Organization ICF Framework, these six words bring a positive, strength based approach to health and development. Please click here to learn more about the ICF.