BC Council for Families

The Middle Childhood Matters Group was the result of a collaboration between the Child and Youth Health Network for Eastern Ontario and United Way Ottawa. This time-limited group developed a research-based assets framework useful for anyone interested in promoting the healthy development of children age 6 to 12.

To date, little data has been available in Canada documenting children’s experiences both in and out of school during the middle childhood years. Research, funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland and led by Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, is providing a first look at the after-school lives of children.

What are the psychological and social experiences of children in Canada during the middle childhood years? How do they feel about themselves, their families, their peers, their schools, and their neighbourhoods? This and more examined in these research highlights of Middle Childhood Inside and Out.

The National Dialogue on Resilience in Youth produced an invaluable snapshot of what we know, what we need to know, and what can be done to foster resilience in youth across Canada. The most compelling findings from the National Dialogue contained the seeds of future action for all stakeholders and partners, from parents to political leaders.

Evidence to support the development of the My Tween and Me parenting program, prepared for the BC Council for Families by Deborah Solk,  M.S.:

what we know about the development of children in middle childhood, substance use and other risk behaviours;

the varied complexities of today’s families and the impact of family structure on the development of children;

what we know about parenting and the impact of family on risk behaviours, including substance use; and

what we know about effective prevention programming for parents of youth 7-12.