>The findings come at a time when many families are still dealing with the lasting effects of the pandemic — higher living costs, uneven access to child care, and mental health challenges.
>While the study does not pinpoint causes, research shows that access to resources for families and communities is the strongest predictor of childhood vulnerabilities. When resources are limited, children often miss out on healthy activities and positive experiences such as physical play, time with other children, nutritious meals and adequate sleep. They also have fewer opportunities for social interaction with parents or caregivers.
>These gaps were amplified during the pandemic, when many children spent less time in structured programs and social settings. As a result, more children may have missed experiences that support language, social and emotional development.
>“We need to invest in the early years. Societies that provide resources to communities and support families with young children do well in the long run,” said Dr. Guhn. “That means paying living wages, reducing child poverty, creating affordable, high-quality child care and having well-resourced family and community programs and services. These are not just nice-to-have — they are essential if we want to reverse these trends.”
>With support from the Government of British Columbia, HELP has been tracking developmental health in B.C. for more than two decades. This latest report underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and providing supports and resources to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life.
It’s like COVID was the universe is trying to tell us how important social interaction is like a helpless parent as we spiral deeper into social media addiction
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https://preview.redd.it/bzhuiilucr3g1.png?width=1108&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c403597c0684c180fc9b8a19fd6f9e07b84b980
>The findings come at a time when many families are still dealing with the lasting effects of the pandemic — higher living costs, uneven access to child care, and mental health challenges.
>While the study does not pinpoint causes, research shows that access to resources for families and communities is the strongest predictor of childhood vulnerabilities. When resources are limited, children often miss out on healthy activities and positive experiences such as physical play, time with other children, nutritious meals and adequate sleep. They also have fewer opportunities for social interaction with parents or caregivers.
>These gaps were amplified during the pandemic, when many children spent less time in structured programs and social settings. As a result, more children may have missed experiences that support language, social and emotional development.
>“We need to invest in the early years. Societies that provide resources to communities and support families with young children do well in the long run,” said Dr. Guhn. “That means paying living wages, reducing child poverty, creating affordable, high-quality child care and having well-resourced family and community programs and services. These are not just nice-to-have — they are essential if we want to reverse these trends.”
>With support from the Government of British Columbia, HELP has been tracking developmental health in B.C. for more than two decades. This latest report underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and providing supports and resources to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life.
Further reading:
[Early Years Disrupted – Human Early Learning Partnership](https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/early-years-disrupted/) (The complete UBC report).
!ping Ed-policy
It’s like COVID was the universe is trying to tell us how important social interaction is like a helpless parent as we spiral deeper into social media addiction