The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says data shows senior kindergarten students in our area struggle more than the provincial average when it comes to their physical health, well-being, social competencies and emotional maturity status.
To that end they’ve launched a new initiative promoting basic activities for child success.
“As adults, we have the power to change this path by engaging children in positive, nurturing interactions and activities,” says Tracey Hall, public health nurse in the Health Unit’s Healthy Families program. “The Basics Nipissing-Parry Sound helps by providing practical resources for anyone looking to apply these parenting strategies and breaks through systemic barriers to children’s lifetime success.”
The latest Early Development Instrument data from 2022/23 shows:
- 21.5% of children in Nipissing District are not on track for the physical health and well-being domain, compared to 17.6% in Ontario.
- 11% of children in Nipissing District are not on track for the social competency domain, compared to 10.1% provincially.
- 19.6% of children in Nipissing District are not on track for the emotional maturity domain, compared to 13.1% across Ontario.
Officials say the Basics Nipissing-Parry Sound aims to help children from birth to age five reach their full potential.
“Eighty per cent of brain development happens within the first three years of our lives. This period is critical for a child’s growth, development, learning, lifelong health and success,” says Hall. “Fortunately, there are ways parents can support their child that don’t require extra time, money or fancy toys.”
Learn more at thebasicsnps.org
