Almost 27 per cent of children in North Rocky View (NRV) are struggling in one or more areas of development.
The statistic was revealed at an open house hosted by North Rocky View’s Pathways to Success Coalition (PSC), which took place at Airdrie City Hall, June 14.
The news, which was released to the PSC on March 13, came as a surprise to Coalition program coordinator, Debbie Fasoli.
“I love this community... and I just thought our kids were thriving,” she said. “We don’t have barriers that a lot of communities have. Our kids should be (excelling).”
The statistics were obtained through Alberta Education’s Early Child Development Mapping Initiative (ECMap), a five-year province-wide research program created to look at factors that may influence healthy childhood development with the goal of using the initiative to provide families, communities and school authorities with a picture of early childhood development in Alberta.
Kindergarten teachers in North Rocky View, which includes the communities of Crossfield, Madden, Airdrie, Beiseker, Irricana, Kathyrn, Balzac and surrounding rural areas, completed 690 Early Development Instrument (EDI) surveys, to provide information for the ECMap program.
The EDI measures the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of children under the age of five.
In North Rocky View, 75.56 per cent of children are developing appropriately in the area of physical health and well-being, meaning they are well-rested, well-nourished, are physically independent and have appropriate gross and fine motor skills. The provincial average for this area is 77 per cent.
In the area of social competence, which measures how well the child plays and gets along with others, respects adult authority and can control their own behaviour, 69.57 of NRV children were developing appropriately, below the Alberta average of 76.59 per cent.
At 74.02 per cent, NRV kids ranked just below the provincial average of 74.96 per cent of kids who were at an acceptable developmental level for emotional maturity. Just over 74 per cent of NRV children had acceptable language and thinking skills, while 78.92 per cent was the provincial average.
About 78 per cent of NRV kids have an appropriate level of communication skills and general knowledge, compared to the provincial average of just over 70 per cent.
Children with special needs were not included in the survey.
During the open house, the PSC asked attendees, which included representatives from various parts of the community, including the RCMP, Rocky View Schools, childcare providers and parents, to identify strengths and weaknesses for promoting the five key areas. Facilitators also asked attendees to brainstorm possible solutions to improve the number of children developing appropriately.
Fasoli said the Coalition is just at the beginning of its work and much input is needed.
“This project is about giving the results and hearing from the community,” she said. “We aren’t coming to you with answers. We are going to get our answers from you.”
For more information, visit www.ecmap.ca
