Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Early childhood development and the early years of learning in kindergarten are a priority for the department. As we are all aware, healthy childhoods are the best foundations to develop healthy, productive adults.
The departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services are revamping the 2001 Early Childhood Development Framework for Action. To assist with the work, the departments reviewed the programs and services called for in the framework. And we’ve looked at other Canadian programs, policies and literature.
As Members know, we are working to develop two of the child and family resource centres called for in the Framework for Action. A number of northern communities have programs and services that are the foundation for this kind of initiative. The GNWT recently held a successful first meeting with community stakeholders to discuss an action plan for these centres. We want to work with them to build and streamline existing programs and services for children, families and communities to link service providers and decrease the administrative burden.
Mr. Speaker, the framework review showed us that we have limited information on children’s development in the Northwest Territories. In February and March we began to measure children’s development in kindergarten with our Early Development Instrument. The results will be available in the fall. They will give us information on our children’s development and the early childhood programs and services they encounter before entering the school system. We can use this data to improve our support for healthy child development.
Although kindergarten is not mandatory in the Northwest Territories, for many children it is the transition year into the formal education system. The department developed a new curriculum to better support children’s learning and development in kindergarten. It integrates learning by harnessing children’s natural learning processes, and is culture-based and relationship-based. Eleven teachers from across the Northwest Territories are currently piloting the curriculum, which will be implemented territory-wide in the fall.
Mr. Speaker, I will keep this House informed as this work in the area of early childhood development moves ahead. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Lafferty.
