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UEY Info | UEY History
Understanding the Early Years (UEY) – Research
UEY of the South Okanagan Similkameen region collects information from children, parents, teachers and communities to help determine how children are developing now, the local resources that help to support young children and families, and the family and community factors that have an effect on the development of children. This is done using the following three methods.
1. Determining
Developmental
Readiness
Through the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), school districts in British Columbia have been involved in a study to find out how communities prepare children to learn before they even get to school. In February, after the child is settled into school, the Early Development Instrument (EDI) collects information from kindergarten teachers about the children in their classes. It does not focus on individual results, but on groups of children in neighbourhoods. The results will provide a snapshot of how communities help children to develop over their first five years of life. The EDI results show us how well children are doing in the areas of physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development, and communication skills and general knowledge.
To see the results of the Okanagan Similkameen region, go to www.ecdportal.help.ubc.ca. Click on maps and profiles. Click on the school district of your choice. Click on EDI
Wave1/Wave 2 comparison (for the maps) or community summary (for the report). The latest EDI data was collected in February 2006.
2. Mapping Community Resources
The mapping study gathers information from each community about places, programs and services for young children and their families. This information will help families discover what is available to support them and their young children, and will help communities decide what else is needed for their young children and families.
Information about community resources was gathered from maps, recreation directories, community directories, telephone books, visitor information guides, community organizations, brochures, local knowledge and other sources. The first drafts of the resulting lists were presented at Communities for Kids (CFK) Community Table meetings in 6 rural communities in 2006. Community Tables decided which resources would appear on community maps, and provided missing information. The presentation of a second draft allowed for further feedback. The resources were then plotted onto community maps in December 2006 and January 2007.
The mapping
project in
Penticton began
in early 2007
using a
different
process.
Maps were
constructed
first, and
feedback was
requested at a
community
meeting.
All maps appear
on this website under “Mapping Resources”.
3. Parent and Child Survey
The Parent Interview and Direct Assessment of Children Survey (PIDACS) gathers information in two parts. The interviews of parents of kindergarten student who have volunteered to participate are completed by telephone. They are asked questions about their families, their children’s development, and their community experiences.
The direct assessments of children are conducted with the children whose parents have been involved in the parent interviews. The kindergarten students are asked to do individual activities at school that measure their knowledge of words, their knowledge of numbers, and their drawing and writing skills.
Data collection for the PIDACS began in January 2007
and is expected
to wrap up in
June. Malatest and Associates is the consulting company that will conduct the research. For more information, go to www.malatest.com
For further information on any of these projects, please contact Patricia Gregory, UEY coordinator.
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