Nanaimo's children need help getting a strong start in school; Research finds that city's youngsters are among least prepared in B.C. to start school; new program aims to change that statistic
The Daily News -- Nanaimo
April 23, 2007
By: Derek Spalding
EXCERPT

When children from Nanaimo and Ladysmith walk into their kindergarten class for the first time, they are among the least prepared students in the province, according to research out of the University of British Columbia.

During the first few months of school, teachers compile information based on their students' readiness to participate in school activities. UBC's Human Early Learning Partnership used this data to map early childhood development, a method they call the Early Development Instrument or EDI.

Using details from 2003-04 and 2005-06, researchers found that children in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district needed more early learning support to be adequately prepared for the classroom. The district has a higher level of vulnerability than most areas in the province, according to the region's community profile....

Socio-economic status has an effect on child preparedness, but restricting programs to children in extreme poverty may miss the majority of students who need attention, according to experts....

Strong Start Early Learning Centres popped up throughout the province this year, allowing parents to learn alongside their children.

"The parents can take the activities home and continue them there," Pennell said. "We want the parents to understand the science of early learning."...