Language, cognitive development for hyperactivity needs--Abbotsford study.

ABBOTSFORD, BC -- Young children in Abbotsford show signs of positive development and preparedness for learning at school when there is strong social support within the community. However, certain needs have to be addressed according to a study released by the United Way of the Fraser Valley and Human Resources Development Canada under its Understanding Early Years program.

The study, Early Childhood Development in Abbotsford, British Columbia, reports that:

Overall, the children of Abbotsford show signs of positive development and preparedness for learning at school. The community of Abbotsford is characterized by strong social support and well-functioning families. It has a high percentage of single-parent families.

The report also indicates that consistent with UEY report findings from other communities, Abbotsford children would benefit from:

* efforts to improve their language and cognitive development, emotional health and maturity, and behavioural outcomes; and measures to address the prevalence of hyperactivity;

* Parents in Abbotsford report their children to be hyperactive more frequently than the national average;

* There is a high prevalence of children with poor language skills (about one and a half times the national norm);

* Abbotsford children would also benefit from efforts directed towards improving neighbourhood safety and quality, and promoting residential stability.

This is one of 12 community studies funded by five-year, $34.5-million national early childhood research program of HRDC. The Abbotsford project has received $323,479 from HRDC. development.

The study was conducted by KSI Research International Inc.

819-994-5559 Link to full report, visit communityaction.ca