The Early Development Instrument, or EDI, is a tool for measuring five core areas of child development — physical health, cognitive development, social competence, emotional maturity, communication/general knowledge — that are known to be good predictors of adult health, education and social outcomes. This tool has been used since 2001 throughout all regions of B.C., and serves as the most accurate indicator of vulnerability among B.C.’s young people.
According to the most recent results, Creston has seen a “critical increase in vulnerability” over the previous survey period. Overall, 34 per cent of children in Creston are “vulnerable” in one or more of the five development areas. In Nelson, by comparison, only 19 per cent are considered vulnerable.
For the Creston Valley Early Years team — a committee that includes the library, School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake), the Interior Health Authority, Family Place, Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, and a number of other early childhood service providers — the EDI results underline the critical importance of our work in addressing the needs of young children in our community.
The early years team works together on many projects, including Books for Babies, Magic School Bus, Baby Picnic, Family Winter Celebration and Creston Valley Blossom Festival children’s activities. The committee also collaborates to administer an “Ages and Stages” questionnaire to assist parents in identifying their children’s developmental needs and gaps.
Our latest venture is the “Growing Kids… Our Best Crop” parent conference, a first for the Creston Valley and an event that we hope will grow into a regional happening attracting parents from around the Kootenays.
The conference’s keynote presentation features Gary Anaka, a renowned expert on child brain development. Gary demonstrates how, with the right conditions and appropriate support, the brain can grow to its fullest potential, setting the path for lifelong learning.
Other conference presenters include Dr. Kim Masuch (“A Healthy Life: From Birth to Adulthood”), Laura Douglas (“Taking Care of Each Other as You Take Care of Your Kids”), Krystal Oleson (“From Cuddles to Conflict, and Back Again”), and Ellie Reynolds along with yours truly (“Music and Stories in your Daily Family Life”).
The Creston Valley Early Years team is committed to providing opportunities and resources that will improve the future of young people in this community, but we need your help. One of the challenges that all family service providers face is that those most in need are sometimes the least able or willing to participate in activities designed to provide support in areas of need.
Therefore, I’d like to ask you to talk about this event and other community resources — such as Baby Goose and family storytime at the library, Dots to Tots, and Family Place — with families you know that may benefit from these resources. And I’d encourage all of you to come out as well, whether you “need” it or not, because the more that knowledge is distributed throughout our community, the more effectively our community will be able to address our critical social needs.
The “Growing Kids… Our Best Crop” parent conference will be held Feb. 27 at the Creston and District Community Complex and is free of charge. Lunch and childcare are provided. Please note that registration is required — see www.facebook.com/crestonearlyyears for more information!
Aaron Francis is the chief librarian at Creston Valley Public Library. He is currently reading My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk.
