Loading....
x
Study finds wide range of kids 'developmentally vulnerable'
Social, physical or cognitive skills lacking: Data
Early childhood vulnerability isn’t just a problem in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhoods, it’s a city-wide issue, suggests research from the UBC-led Human Early Learning Partnership.
Its data indicates that one in three Vancouver children are “developmentally vulnerable” — meaning they lack the social, physical or cognitive skills to keep pace with their peers — when they enter kindergarten.
“We know that when we have this high a rate of vulnerability, it leads into results we don’t want to have in terms of criminal activity, in terms of being ready to thrive in the labour market ... or post-secondary education,” said Dr. Paul Kershaw, assistant professor in interdisciplinary studies at UBC.
Early vulnerability, he said, is preventable.
Poverty attributes for some of the results, but Kershaw pointed out that many vulnerable children are from middle-class homes.
The districts of West Vancouver and North Vancouver have two of the lowest vulnerability rates — 20.8 and 22.7 per cent, respectively — in Metro Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the Downtown Eastside and South Vancouver reported vulnerability rates of 46.5 and 42.9 per cent.
Kershaw said B.C. and the rest of Canada need to make early childhood development a priority and support policies that help parents raise their children.
“This is absolutely something people should be concerned about, and I worry, in fact, that the province is asleep at the wheel as we let three times as many kids be vulnerable as really, biologically speaking, there need to be.”
Its data indicates that one in three Vancouver children are “developmentally vulnerable” — meaning they lack the social, physical or cognitive skills to keep pace with their peers — when they enter kindergarten.
“We know that when we have this high a rate of vulnerability, it leads into results we don’t want to have in terms of criminal activity, in terms of being ready to thrive in the labour market ... or post-secondary education,” said Dr. Paul Kershaw, assistant professor in interdisciplinary studies at UBC.
Early vulnerability, he said, is preventable.
Poverty attributes for some of the results, but Kershaw pointed out that many vulnerable children are from middle-class homes.
The districts of West Vancouver and North Vancouver have two of the lowest vulnerability rates — 20.8 and 22.7 per cent, respectively — in Metro Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the Downtown Eastside and South Vancouver reported vulnerability rates of 46.5 and 42.9 per cent.
Kershaw said B.C. and the rest of Canada need to make early childhood development a priority and support policies that help parents raise their children.
“This is absolutely something people should be concerned about, and I worry, in fact, that the province is asleep at the wheel as we let three times as many kids be vulnerable as really, biologically speaking, there need to be.”
more local stories
Gallery connecting children with arts
The venue is holding the second of a series of three Family Fuse weekends, a massive kid-oriented art event themed in relationship to the gallery’s current exhibits that features around 20 activities and performances.
Colbert declares Langley ‘peanut punter’ No. 1 threat
Late-night talk show comic Stephen Colbert has found a new gripe in the Lower Mainland — the Langley nut-kicker.
Bigger HST break eyed for new homes
To help lessen the impact the HST will have on B.C.’s real-estate market, the province is proposing increasing the threshold for the new housing rebate.
Mix one science centre, Facebook, get big party
New Vancouverite Fabiola Carletti has got making friends down to a science. Her formula? A novel birthday party idea and Facebook.
Vaccine available to all now
The largest mass vaccination in the province’s history expanded Friday to include everyone who wants an H1N1 flu shot, said Dr. Perry Kendall, the province’s chief medical health officer.
editor's picks
Nearly a third of the members of Parliament are on Twitter bandwagon
OTTAWA - Members of Parliament are scrambling to climb aboard the Twitter bandwagon - and getting elbowed by controversial, satirical and even phoney postings.
U.S. volunteers strive to save Santa letter service after Postal Service puts it on ice
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A group of volunteer Santa Claus "elves" in Alaska's frigid interior is determined to save a popular holiday letter service featuring the North Pole's most beloved icon.
Egypt, Algeria in a growing diplomatic row caused by their bitter soccer rivalry
CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Algeria for consultations as part of a growing diplomatic row caused by a bitter soccer rivalry between the two Arab nations that has sparked violence among fans.
EU heads into new era with unknowns named to new president, foreign policy jobs
BRUSSELS - The EU says it has solved an old problem for Washington.
Finance minister proposes code of conduct for credit-and debit-card companies
OTTAWA - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is proposing a voluntary code of conduct for credit-and debit-card companies that he says will "level the playing field" for consumers and small businesses alike.
Copyright 2001-2009, Free Daily News Group Inc.