A child’s early years are said to be the most crucial. That’s why when the results of a government study were released – showing Cochrane children in kindergarten falling below the provincial average as part of a general trend in a number of crucial development areas – something needed to be done.
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is hosting an information session and meeting Oct. 1 in order to tackle this issue through a community-based consensus.
“We’re trying to put a coalition together to get people who are passionate about the early years to all come together in the same room, talk about what’s needed, what supports are necessary and work together to create a better future for our kids,” said Nola Pawson, early childhood development liaison with FCSS.
Pawson said the session aims to provide individuals – parents, professionals and community members – with a chance to delve into the results of the Early Childhood Development Mapping initiative. The session will involve brainstorming of different strategies through forming a coalition in addressing the issues brought up in the study.
The Early Childhood Development Mapping initiative, which began in 2009, examined five areas of early childhood development of children in their kindergarten year across the province. The areas included physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and thinking skills and communication skills and general knowledge.
Children in Cochrane fell below the average in three of the five areas: social competence, emotional maturity and communication skills and general knowledge, Pawson said.
The session will take place at the Cochrane Parent Link Centre and runs from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Limited childcare is available. To register to attend, contact FCSS at 403-851-2250.
For more information on the project or to become involved in the coalition contact Nola Pawson at 403-851-2266.
