Santos R, Brownell M, Ekuma O, Mayer T, Soodeen R-A. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012.

This report shows differences in children's potential at school are apparent as early as when they're born and is also related to where they live. It focuses on the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a population-based, community-level measurement looking at children's physical, social, emotional, language, and communication skills. Information was collected from children who are entering Kindergarten (age 5 years) province-wide by all Manitoba public school divisions on behalf of the Healthy Child Manitoba Office (HCMO). The study looked deep into social circumstances and identified three factors associated with poor EDI scores. Children born to teen moms, in families on income assistance, or in the care of Child and Family Services, were found to be more at-risk. Anonymized results of the EDI surveys from 2005-2007 were linked with areas of residence. Out of nearly 22,000 children included, they found that EDI scores seemed to be strongly related to how rich or poor the area was. The results show that groups of children facing multiple risks require more attention, and as early in life as possible, to get the help they need to succeed at school and later in life. The report provides planners with insights about when and where resources should be applied.

Links:

• Full Report (PDF)
  Summary (PDF)
  Media Release (PDF)
  

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