A Family Fun Fair coming to Rimbey in January will provide parents with a chance to share a fun evening with their children while gaining insight into areas crucial for their overall development.
Leanne Evans, program co-ordinator for Rimbey Early Child Development Coalition, said the fair, to be held Jan. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rimbey Community Centre, will include a free barbecue, a performance by children’s entertainer Mary Lambert and other fun activities.
“Basically it will be a celebration and we really hope a lot of people come out. Rimbey did very well in the study,” Evans said.
The provincial study looked at areas of language and thinking skills, social competence, physical health and well being, emotional maturity and community skills and general knowledge.
Rimbey-area children scored above the provincial and national norm except in the area of language and thinking skills where they ended up slightly lower than the average.
During the fair, various stations will be set up, each one focused on an activity that best zeroes in on one of the five areas studied.
Evans said the results of the findings that were compiled after 114 questionnaires completed by kindergarten teachers throughout the area were analyzed, will be posted at the fair.
“It’s all about raising a healthy community and everyone is invited to come and learn more about the study and have some fun, as well,” she said.
Evans met with council earlier this month to report the findings that are part of Alberta Education’s Early Child Development Mapping Initiative.
The early years (from birth to age five) are a critical period of development in a person’s life impacting lifelong health, learning, behavior and well being, said Evans.
The Early Child Development (ECD) Mapping Initiative, led by Alberta Education, is a five-year research and community development activity that includes implementation of the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in kindergarten classes across the province.
The initiative will help Albertans to better understand how their young children are doing and to work together to support their healthy development.
This initiative is funded by the Government of Alberta and involves the ministries of Education, Health and Wellness and Human Services.
Information on the ECD Mapping Initiative is available at www.ecdmapping.alberta.ca