Tomorrows Early Learning

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Tomorrows Early Learning
2009 BCSSA SPRING FORUM
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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Ready or Not!
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What do we know?
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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Sensitive periods in early brain development
Vision
Central auditory system
Habitual ways of responding
Language
High
Emotional control
Symbol
Peer social skills
Numbers
Sensitivity
Low
0
1
2
3
7
6
5
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SCHOOL YEARS
PRE-SCHOOL YEARS
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Clyde, 12
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Five Sequential Studies 2004 to 2009
Research Study 1 EDI Impact Study (2004) 43
communities
Research Report 5 The EDI in British Columbia
Impact and Action 10 Communities
Research Study 2 Documenting Impact and Action
(2005) 23 communities
Research Study 4 StrongStart Evaluation
(2006/2007) 12 Pilot Sites
Research Study 3 Dissertation (2005) School
Districts in Intersectoral Coalitions 4
communities
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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(No Transcript)
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What have we learned?
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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1. We Learned

• That the EDI data provided the critical
  starting point and ongoing monitoring mechanism.

Janet N. Mort, PhD
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EDI SO WHAT? Reducing Vulnerabilities
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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2. We Learned

• School system involvement strengthened,
  enhanced and accelerated the momentum of ECD
  community coalition work and the ongoing
  monitoring mechanism.

Janet N. Mort, PhD
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SCHOOLS Why and How?

• Facilities
• Resources (Professional and Other)
• Infrastructure
• Public Policy Base
• Community Influence and Connections
• Leadership Capacity
• An Investment Birth to Grade 12

Janet N. Mort, PhD
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Parent Perceptions
Parent/caregiver comfort level in the school
program (n407) I
am comfortable coming to the school
Strongly Agree
I feel supported by the school principal
Agree
Neutral
I feel comfortable talking to the people who work
at the program
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I feel comfortable in the program
No Response
0 20 40 60
80 100
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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3. We Learned

• . . . about ACCESS.
• Families want and need support.
• Social Change and Schools!

Janet N. Mort, PhD
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Top three reasons for coming to StrongStart
BC
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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4. We Learned

• All 10 communities used
• multiple layers of multiple
• programs targeted to all
• families in a specific
• community.

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INTERVENE
Early! Often! Effectively!
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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Parent/Child Village Market Storytime.

• Public Health/SD Books for Babes,
• Healthy Beginnings
• Community Services Centre Kaatza
• Triple P Positive Parenting course

BCSTA Project SD79 Cowichan Valley
Cowichan Family Life Mother Goose 6mos 2yrs.
Play Learn in All schools
Social Workers Circle Time
Lunch Bunch Activities
Lake Cowichan Recreation Centre John
Elsingon Free Preschool Programs
R.S.L.
Lake Cowichan Neighbourhood (Two Schools)
Kaatza Daycare
SD Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal Support Worker
Lake Cowichan PALS, Kage Kids
Early Learning Literacy Liaison Teachers
Mrs. Bairds Preschool
Speech Pathologist
Wandas Kids Care
K Teacher
Lake Cowichan Fun Family Nights in all schools
Same person works preschool follows to schools
Wandas Kids Care Kindergarten PM East
Fun Family Literacy Nights in Duncan

• Child Dev. Association (speech,
• nutritionist)
• Public Health

Preschool programs Childcare programs Family
programs
Family Resource Programs
Collaboration
Arrowheads flow of activity
Some interaction but not collaboration
Aboriginal Services
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5. We Learned

• We need leadership champions -
• in all sectors
• at all levels

Janet N. Mort, PhD
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BCSTA Project SD79 Cowichan Valley
Intersectoral Connectedness Chart
BCSTA Project SD79 Cowichan Valley
Programs Preschool programs
Childcare programs Family
programs Committees/Services/ NGOs/Societies
Family resource prgms Other
referral agencies Collaboration
Some interaction but not
collaboration Arrowheads flow of activity
Parent/Child Village Market Storytime.

• Public Health/SD Books for Babes,
• Healthy Beginnings
• Community Services Centre Kaatza
• Triple P Positive Parenting course

Cowichan Family Life Mother Goose 6mos 2yrs.
INTERSECTORAL GROUP MEMBERSHIP School District
79 PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIAL SERVICES
MENTAL HEALTH SENIOR SERVICES RCMP
RECREATION CENTRE SUCCESS BY SIX
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Success By Six
Play Learn in All schools
Lunch Bunch Activities
Social Workers Circle Time
Jumping Jacks
Lake Cowichan Recreation Centre John
Elsingon Free Preschool Programs
R.S.L.
Lake Cowichan Neighbourhood
Kaatza Daycare
SD Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal Support Worker
Lake Cowichan PALS, Kage Kids
Early Learning Literacy Liaison Teachers
Mrs. Bairds Preschool
Speech Pathologist
Wandas Kids Care
K Teacher
Lake Cowichan Fun Family Nights in all schools
Same person works preschool follows to schools
Wandas Kids Care Kindergarten PM East
Fun Family Literacy Nights in Duncan

• Child Dev. Association (speech,
• nutritionist)
• Public Health

Baby Talk (Interior Health)
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6. We Learned

• Once again, school CAN be

the of the community.
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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2000
2004 / 2005
2006 / 2008 / 2009
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10
Evidence of Vulnerabilities EDI Data
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1
Early Learning Agency (Full day K? 3-and 4-year
olds in schools?)
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Internal Sustainability Systems
Grassroots Community Coalitions
Ministry of Education Early Learning
Mandate Ready, Set, Learn
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2
Government Funding
School District Involvement (EDI Assessment)
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Expanded Coalition Membership SCHOOLS
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4
200 StrongStart programs 12 Million in grants
Moral Imperative Community Consciousness La
yers of Meaning and Purpose
TBA
110 Early Learning Initiatives Boutique
Programs?
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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HOW?
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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TOGETHER WE CAN!
No one should ever have to choose between funding
Childcare, Preschools or the School System.
You can make it happen!
Janet N. Mort, PhD
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Just imagine
Janet N. Mort, PhD