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UEY Info | UEY History
Understanding the Early Years (UEY) – Research
UEY of the South Okanagan Similkameen region collected
information from
children,
parents,
teachers and
communities to
help determine
how children
were developing
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 was 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 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.earlylearning.uc.ca/EDI/.
2. Mapping Community Resources
The mapping study gathered information from each community about places, programs and services for young children and their families. This information helps families discover what is available to support them and their young children, and helps 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) gathered
information in
two parts. The
interviews of
parents of
kindergarten
student who have
volunteered to
participate were
completed by
telephone.
They were asked questions about their families, their children’s development, and their community experiences.
The direct
assessments of
children were
conducted with
the children
whose parents
had been
involved in the
parent
interviews.
The kindergarten
students were 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
was completed in 2007
by Malatest and
Associates.
For all
resulting reports,
click
HERE.
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