This section offers the latest research and information of interest to agencies and the general public interested in teaching and/or learning about early childhood development.
Research & Information
Human Early Learning Partnership
Research now shows how diverse social and environmental factors (the social determinants of health) such as maternal health and education, nutrition, environmental toxins, social conditions such as housing and poverty, and child rearing practices affect how our genetic building blocks (DNA) are expressed. The differences in gene expression contribute to individual differences in health, development and behavior. Social epigenetics is the process by which early life experience influence chemical reactions that in turn alter the ways our genes function or are expressed. And these differences in expression influence lifelong health and wellbeing.
Why do most children follow a developmental path that is highly typical of the social class into which they were born, while others show striking signs of atypical resilience or vulnerability?
Why do some poor children thrive and some advantaged children do not?
Socio-demographic Information
Burnaby State of the Child Infographic Brochure
Screen Time and Young Children
5-Myths About Young Children and Screen Media. Click here to learn more about these 5-myths.
We were fortunate to have Dr. Eric M. Meyers, Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Library, Archival and Information Studies – The iSchool@UBC – do a Screen Smart presentation on May 5th at Burnaby Neighbourhood House. He talked about developing screen smart habits for children 0-12 years old. Click here for the Screen Smart-Burnaby 2015-summary
Some recommended screen smart resources are:
- Commonsensemedia.org – They rate, educate, and advocate for kids, families, and schools.
- Screensmarts.ca – Is a broad based community education initiative designed to help families better understand how screen media – TV, computers and the internet, – may influence their lives, and suggest ways that parents and children can best manage media at home and at school.
- Commercialfreechildhood.org – advocating for policies to protect children from harmful marketing and to promote commercial-free time and space for kids.
- Caringforkids.cps.ca – information for parents from Canada’s paediatricians.
For the latest research:
Screen time is associated with depression and anxiety in Canadian youth – This study examined the relationships between screen time and symptoms of depression and anxiety in a large community sample of Canadian youth.
Evidence-based guidelines for wise use of electronic games by children – Electronic games (e-games) are widely used by children, often for substantial durations, yet to date there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding their use.
The Power of Play – Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Newfoundland Labrador
Amazing resources, videos and research. The materials can help you create a workshop, a presentation and be used to inform parents. Click here to access.
The National Association for the Education of Young children (NAEYC)
… promotes high quality learning for all children birth to age 8 by connecting practice, policy and research. 10 things every parent should know about Play! Click here.
Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs
… a series of brochures offering information to parents and caregivers on play and child development is available in 11 languages, in addition to English and French. Click here.
National Child Day
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was a human rights treaty that was signed and ratified by almost every nation worldwide in 1989, and went into effect as international law in 1990. This treaty outlined the basic rights of children across the world, such as the right to life, right to keep one’s name and identity, and more.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (more friendly language)
Information for Educators:
Public Health Agency of Canada – National Child Day Information
UNICEF – National Child Day Information
National Child Day Activity Kit
This activity kit provides links to a colouring poster for parents and children, and more: Children’s Rights Activity Guide
National Child Day Child & Youth Corner:
This discusses some of the basic rights that children have, as a result of Canada’s 1991 ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Adolescents and adults can also promote awareness of National Child Day by using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter to share UNICEF links or mention UNICEF in posts.
Take the quiz to see what you’ve learned or know about the annual National Child Day!
Information for educators on how to get involved in National Child Day:
This link provides teachers information necessary to get their school, and students, involved with National Child Day. The link is an event kit for bringing your local Member of Parliament to your school for an hour-long visit.
The Technical Assistance Centre on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI)
The Backpack Connection Series – TACSEI provides a way for teachers and parents/caregivers to work together to help young children develop social emotional skills and reduce challenging behavior. Teachers may choose to send a handout home in each child’s backpack when a new strategy or skill is introduced to the class. Each Backpack Connection handout provides information that helps parents stay informed about what their child is learning at school and specific ideas on how to use the strategy or skill at home.
The Backpack Connection Series includes handouts in four categories:
Heart-Mind Online
A vital resource for parents, caregivers and educators, with resources to educate the hearts and mind of children and promote children’s social and emotional development.
For a brand new collection of resources to build capacity in individuals and communities, produced by the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education, visit their brand new website!