Preschoolers’ Developmental Profiles and School-Readiness in a Low-Income Canadian City: A Cross-Sectional Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Léa Héguy¹  Jade Berbari¹  PPOP Research Team¹  Mathieu Roy²  Lisa Rivard³  Megan Casoli⁴  Chantal Camden⁴  Mélanie Couture⁴ 

[1] Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, 12e Avenue N Porte 6, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Estrie—Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, 300 Rue King E, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 1B1, Canada;School of Rehabilitation, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada;School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada;

关键词: child development;    screening;    early intervention;    vulnerable populations;    motor skills;    community health services;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph17072529

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

A joint initiative between community and public health stakeholders in a low-income Canadian city was created to describe the developmental profiles of children aged 2–5 years. A two-phase, cross-sectional design was used. Children’s development was assessed using an online screening procedure. Those at risk of delays were invited for a school-readiness face-to-face brief assessment. Descriptive and exploratory analyses were conducted. In Phase 1, 223 families were screened; 100 children were at risk of delays (45%); 13% were at risk in ≥3 developmental domains; 26% were at risk in the fine motor domain. Risk of delay was associated with parental concerns, accessing more healthcare professionals, and using fewer public health/community programs. Lower incomes, and not attending day care showed trends towards an increased risk of delay. In Phase 2, 49 children were assessed; 69% were at risk of school-readiness delays; 22% had potential motor delays; 37% were at risk in the social domain. This study found a higher proportion of children at risk of delay than typically reported. Creating community partnerships could help identify all children needing developmental and school-readiness support. More research is needed to ensure these community-based partnerships are integrated into health/community programs responding to children’s needs and parental concerns.

【 授权许可】

Unknown