Early Childhood Mapping Coalition hosts Ages and Stages developmental checkup

Logan explores his motor skills development
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Early Childhood Mapping Coalition hosted a free "Ages and Stages" developmental checkup for children aged 2.5 to 5 years old at the Foothills Community Church on Tuesday, April 9. Approximately 65 children participated in the project, which is intended to ensure children arrive at Preschool/Kindergarten with the tools they need to continue their learning.


Upon entering, each child was given a free bag to hold information and other goodies. Five different stations were set up to assess different aspects of their development, including the following categories:

• Communications skills
• Fine motor skills
• Gross motor skills
• Problem solving
• Person and Social skills 

Mia explores her problem solving skills

Each station had an Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) geared towards the child's specific age category, broken down into age categories covering every 3 or 4 months. The focus was on making it a pleasant experience for the children and their parents in a low-pressure environment, with scoring designed to make sure each child was within a suggested level of development for their age group in each category. Assessments were designed to spot areas of concern with suggestions and referrals for assistance and guidance given when necessary. Accentuating the positive was an important part of the process. At the end of the process the kids were given a prize and a free snack, helping insure a fun experience for them.

ASQ is part of Alberta Education's Early Child Development (ECD) Mapping Initiative, a five-year research and community development activity intended to help Albertans better understand how children in the 5 year old age group are doing to support healthy development.

In the past this kind of assessment process wasn't undertaken until kindergarten age, but organizers explained that the sooner potential problems were identified the better.

Pincher Creek's Early Childhood Mapping Project (ECMP) is currently developing a website "Connector" that aims to amalgamate resources for area parents of young children into one handy place. If you have suggestions for resources to be included in the website send an email to pcecmap@gmail.com.

At a presentation to the council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9 earlier the same day ECMP representative Colette Sinnott presented, among other things, a list of the top ten suggestions for the project, which included:

• Programs for Dads
• Support for and Shake-up of already existing programs by incorporating new ideas
• Website Connector resource guide
• In-print resource guide
• Transportation - A Town "Connector" bus 
• Kids fitness programs (specially during the winter months)
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire
• Out and About program
• Music programs for kids
• Family Center - where all resources for children could be housed under one roof, including but not limited to Daycare, Parent Link, Brighter Futures, Professional Offices, etc.

We will be reporting on Sinnott's recent presentations to the councils of the Town of Pincher Creek and the MD of Pincher Creek in a separate article. Sinnott estimates she has given over 80 presentations to councils, schools, and "key" individuals since January of 2012.

Pincher Creek's Parent Link is holding their next meeting on Tuesday, May 14 at the Lion's Den (664 Main Street, Pincher Creek) from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Your attendance and participation is encouraged. Call 403-627-8410 or email pcecmap@gmail.com for more information.

Related links/references:
Early Child Development Mapping Project Alberta
Pincher Creek Parent Link
Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta
Southwest Alberta Child and Family Services

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