Understanding the Early Years - Early Childhood Development in South Eastman, Manitoba - October 2003

V. Looking forward

Overall, the children of this region showed strong signs of positive development. The region is composed of high quality, safe and stable communities, even though there are some communities that are of low socio-economic status. The region has some access to resources for children, and families make comparatively good use of those available. These factors undoubtedly contribute to South Eastman's success in preparing children for school.

Although many Canadian communities share at least some of these broader characteristics, each community also exhibits a variety of unique features that sets it apart from others.

This is one of the reasons community-based research is so important. Research allows a community to understand how well its youngest citizens are developing and lends insight into how the obtained results came about. Investments for families and children, as well as for children's development, can be monitored over time so that effectiveness and efficiency of community effort can be improved.

This region can take pride in the success of its youngest children; however, there is room for improvement, particularly in the area of language development. The prevalence of children with low scores in this area was more than twice the national norms.

A. What makes South Eastman unique?

Several features of South Eastman stand out as unique. First, despite having relatively low overall socio-economic status, South Eastman's children scored quite well on most measures of childhood development. Second, South Eastman has very strong neighbourhoods, with high levels of social support. Parents considered their neighbourhoods to be clean and safe, offering quality schools and child care. These factors likely contribute to South Eastman's success on the markers of cognitive development. Third, South Eastman has a high percentage of children with receptive language problems. This indicates that children in this community would benefit from programs to improve early cognitive development.

B. Summary

South Eastman is one of twelve communities participating in the UEY initiative. Through this initiative, valuable lessons are being learned about the needs and strengths of communities with different economic, social, and physical characteristics. With respect to early childhood development, we are also learning how communities are working to improve children's outcomes, as well as the relative success (or lack thereof) of their efforts.

Communities will determine how their citizens will work together to improve children's early developmental outcomes based on research evidence. Results from the UEY initiative will inform discussion within communities for future action plans.

At the same time, it is a societal responsibility — of governments, educators, community agencies, neighbourhoods, and families — to make sure improvements take place for all children. Strategies that require the community to look at itself as a whole community, as well as neighbourhood by neighbourhood, will likely have more enduring effects. UEY is able to provide research results to support both.

For example, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, families may improve their outdoor play-spaces, and on a community level, concerned agencies and organizations could improve community-wide strategies to integrate disadvantaged groups. As communities document their efforts, as well as their results, effective practices will be identified.

Any community's response must consider its unique features. The importance of a coordinated approach involving families, teachers, and all community members must be emphasized because each has been shown to be important in enhancing child development. Support from the larger community network for families with children from the larger community network is critical. Governments, community institutions, schools, and the voluntary sector in South Eastman must continue to work together, as each can make a valuable and important contribution.