Early Childhood Education
There is a great deal of evidence that a child’s early language experience will have a profound effect on reading success. Reading proficiency at grade three is a clear indicator of a student’s likelihood of achieving secondary school graduation. For this reason, in my work as your trustee, I have been urging improved services for young children and their parents.
The Early Development Instrument, administered in the 2005/2006 in Durham Region provides a measure of children’s readiness for school (see: Ready for School?). This report provides data that supports the notion that more could be done in Brock & Uxbridge to support young children before they enter school. Such support could take a variety of forms including greater access to affordable, quality child care programs, resource centres for parents and language enrichment programs for pre-school children.
Current brain research tells us that there are sensitive periods in early brain development when it is critical that children master important concepts essential for future school success. The
chart above illustrates the pre-schooler's receptiveness to important concepts related to language, numbers, conceptualization and socialization. Recognizing the importance of children's early learning, the Durham District School Board has formed an ad hoc that is actively working to explore partnerships and program opportunities that could be implemented in an effort to provide more options to support parents’ efforts to enrich their young children’s readiness for school.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more or become more actively involved in the pursuit of better learning opportunities for the young children in our community.