The first six years of a child’s life are uniquely important to their entire future. We know a lot more today about the way a young mind develops, learns and adapts. In fact, we know that 90 per cent of brain development occurs during the first six years of a child’s life and that this development is integral to personality, brain function and future prospects.
It is during those first years that important synapse connections are made in the brain that form the basic infrastructure upon which the subsequent brain development relies. Each stage builds upon earlier learning and brain development, and by the time a child reaches kindergarten age, this foundation should be as strong and well constructed as possible. A child who enters kindergarten without a foundation of healthy development will likely struggle to keep up, and then to catch up throughout their school years and beyond.
That means the early years offer a window of opportunity to invest in a child’s – indeed, a person’s – future. Giving children a good start means they can continue to grow and thrive. In this way, the early investment pays off not only for the child but for society and the economy in general. A healthy child is more likely to become a healthy adult.
British Columbia has an office specifically tasked to oversee the successful implementation of BC’s Early Years Strategy. It’s called the Provincial Office for the Early Years (EYO) and is hosted within the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The EYO was created in 2014 in recognition of the need for coordination among multiple partners and ministries.
The mandate of the EYO is to maximize benefits for children and families in B.C. and to encourage an integrated and collaborative system of programs and activities among partners across the early years sector. As part of its work, the EYO has developed a network of Early Years Centres (EYC) across the province. Numbering a dozen in 2014 when created, there are now 26 EYCs in B.C.
Early Years Centres exist in many types of places: schools, child development centres, recreation centres, storefronts, local not-for-profit service provider locations and even as mobile satellite centres. EYCs provide families with access to a range of early years services and supports, information and referrals in a convenient, one-stop location.
Online, the EYO provides information and links to help you learn more about the services and the importance of a child’s early development. To that end, the office recently added three informational videos to its site (www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_years). They also have downloadable posters supporting each of the videos. Go to their website to learn more, or contact the Early Years Office at 604-989-4070.
Advocacy for early years support is a role for us all, because the more people know and the more they understand the importance of those first six years, the better will be the path of every child growing to adulthood. It would benefit us all to understand that an investment in that person’s well-being and unique contribution to society results in subsequent long-term savings to the health care, social and justice systems.
