Early Years Task Force

Question 1

Why does Canada need a comprehensive system of monitoring early childhood outcomes?

Answer 1

• to understand the determinants of healthy child development
• to stimulate dialogue and problem solving
• to inform policy
• to examine the effectiveness of interventions across jurisdictions

Question 2

True or False. Biologic conditions greatly limit a child from thriving.

Answer 2

False. Very few biologic conditions limit a child from thriving regardless of SES.

Question 3

True or False. Environment in which kids develop creates disparities evident across cultures/communities/SES.

Answer 3

True.

Question 4

True or False. Kids who are behind when they start school are very likely to catch up.

Answer 4

False. They are very UNLIKELY to catch up. Will fall further behind.
Evidence shows that if we intervene prior to this we can overcome environment and children will thrive to potential.

Question 5

What would be the 4 approaches to a measurement system for early childhood development?

Answer 5

• population based survey approach (eg. quality survey completed by all kindergarten teachers)
• longitudinal survey (direct follow up of cases within a representative sample of the population)
• linked data approach (person-specific population based longitudinal data by linking records from lots of sources e.g.. birth record + early development index + school records)
• social indicators approach (collation of routinely collected data from a wide variety of sources)

Question 6

What is the idea behind and ‘enhanced’ visit at 18 months?

Answer 6

• promote good behaviours (breastfeeding, positive parenting, literacy, injury prevention)
• anticipatory guidance
• connecting families to resources in the community

Question 7

How should an 18 month enhanced visit be structured?

Answer 7

• physician-prompt health supervision guide with evidence-informed suggestions (like Rourke)
• developmental screening tool
• screening for parental morbidities
• promotion of early literacy activities
• information about community-bbased early childhood development resources for every family

Question 8

Why is 18 months a good time to have an enhanced visit?

Answer 8

• crucial time in development - early identification and intervention possible at this age
• identify risks
• anticipatory guidance
• many kids are not adequately prepared for school experience so this can help

Question 9

What advocacy roles should physicians play in early years task force?

Answer 9

• advocate for resources, programs, policies
• advocate for a government support enhanced 18 mo visit
• pilot programs to close the gap between ids that do well vs poorly due to preventable causes form early intervention
• sustained funding for early child development system creation
• promote research in this area

Question 10

What is the CPS view of optimal model of paediatrics?

Answer 10

• priority to deliver comprehensive CONSULTING care
• provide ongoing care to kids with COMPLEX medical needs in the community and hospital
• give preference to COLLABORATIVE medical practice with GP, psychologists,, SW, RN
• appropriate numbers of all child health professionals to meet needs for teams

-assumes kids have a primary care provider, continuity of care, timely access to early intervention services, collaboration