Results of study cause for concern

We are concerned by the results of a recent study on early childhood development. (See full story on page 18).

The results show six-year-old children in North Rocky View are below average in a number of categories, including social competence, language and thinking skills, and physical health and well being.

The only area where our children are above the provincial average is communications skills and general knowledge. We are about the same as the Alberta average for emotional maturity.

Almost 27 per cent of children in North Rocky View are struggling in one or more areas of development.

As cliché as it sounds, children are our future and it is unsettling that we do not seem to be adequately preparing them for their school years.

We do not have the answers to this problem but we are happy to see the North Rocky View Pathways to Success Coalition bringing this information into the community and working with mayors, libraries, teachers, school boards and parents to find solutions that will help our children grow into successful adults. We urge our readers to get involved in the process.