District senior kindergarten students are struggling with overall social and emotional competences, says the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
The good news is a local parenting study shows 63.5 per cent of parents want to learn more about the importance of building a relationship with their child and the Health Unit is responding with the re-launch of its 2020 Parenting Campaign.
The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness for parents and caregivers about children’s needs to feel safe, secure and loved. In collaboration with community partners, parents can learn more about the key role they play in supporting their children’s social and emotional development.
Health officials advise, "Children thrive when their social and emotional needs are met through these early relationships."
According to the Early Development Instrument (EDI), in Nipissing 8.6 per cent of children were not on track on the Social Competence domain and 13.4 per cent of children were not on track on the Emotional Maturity domain.
In Parry Sound, 14.6 per cent of children were not on track on the Social Competence domain, while 15.6 per cent of children were not on track on the Emotional Maturity domain.
In comparison to children of the same age from across Ontario, the Health Unit says students in the Nipissing and the Parry Sound Districts were vulnerable on each of the five growth and development domains of the 2018 EDI.
"There is no such thing as a perfect parent and with today’s extra pressures to juggle demands while dealing with COVID-19, we want to reassure parents that even small moments with your child count," says Doris Chartrand, Public Health Nurse. "Let your children play, let them get dirty and let them be kids. When the time comes and your child needs you, make time to connect, and listen to their concerns. They will feel important and supported, which helps them develop skills to get through difficult situations."
With the online re-launch of the 2020 Parenting Campaign, key parenting messages will be posted online and displayed throughout Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts.
One of those Health Unit's messages is for parents to "listen, respond and connect with your child, to help your child work through their emotions, and to let your child play. In order to be there for your child, it is also important to make time to take care of yourself."
For more information, call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5351, or learn more at myhealthunit.ca.
