BC Council for Families

by Marilee Peters
Director of Communications, BC Council for Families

Right now in British Columbia one out of five students who complete Grade 4 don’t read, write or have math skills at a Grade 4 level. That’s really not good enough for any of us, and it’s important for us to find ways to help that 20 per cent of students do better. We know the answer is to invest in early childhood learning," said Premier Gordon Campbell in his address to the province October 27.

Early childhood education is critical to improving outcomes for kids – that goes without saying. But what governments – at all levels – seem reluctant to recognize is that children’s development doesn’t occur simply between the hours of 9 and 3, inside a school building or childcare centre. In fact, research consistently demonstrates that it is parents, and what happens at home, that have the largest influence on children’s development.

As an article recently published online at the Centre for Excellence on Early Childhood Development puts it, "Research is clear on the need for an ecological, life-course approach to closing current school readiness gaps – one that addresses the child in the context of family, and the family in the context of community." (What young children and their families need for school readiness and success). That means putting in place the economic and parenting supports to ensure that children have nuturing and stable relationships with caring adults – their parents or family caregivers.

Let’s remember: what did Growing Up in BC, the recent report from BC’s Representative for Children and Youth and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall, have to say about parents? "Youth with strong connections to parents,family and teachers are less likely to report poor health, suicidal thoughts or attempts, binge drinking, carrying a weapon or getting into a physical fight. Increasing services which promote community connectedness, such as activities for social inclusion and parental training can strengthen relationships and build resiliency."

And the recent results of the Middle Childhood Development Instrument, a survey of nearly 4000 Vancouver area grade 4 children? "The presence of supportive relationships with adults at home, in school, and in the neighbourhood is strongly correlated with children’s self-report of their overall health."

It’s time to realize that supporting families -- by investing in preventive programs and services to enhance parenting capacity, skills, and confidence – results in improved outcomes for kids not only academically, but socially, physically, mentally and emotionally. Let’s look beyond the school walls and get serious about helping children in this province.