Weblog

Early Child Development Mapping Initiative Alberta

by Maddison Spenrath

As a member of the steering committee, the Fraser Mustard Chair in Childhood Development is happy to acknowledge the official launch of an Early Child Development Mapping Initiative. On April 29th Dave Hancock, the Minister of Education, announced the province-wide, five year program which aims to examine the factors necessary for healthy development in Alberta’s children. By asking kindergarten teachers to voluntarily complete questionnaires about each of their students, the initiative will allow the provincial government a better understanding of  the relationship between available community resources and early childhood development. The result of the initiative will be to map Alberta’s communities showing where the current gaps exist in services and facilities offered for children. At the launch Hancock stated, “This information will help us identify what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are, and where we can be more supportive to families in helping with that early-childhood development”.

Early Child Development Mapping Initiative Website

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New Horizons in Experience Based Brain Development

by Maddison Spenrath

April 8, 2010
7:00 pm	to	9:00 pm

What Do Parents, Caregivers and Doctors Need to Know?

CCWB Annual Community Seminar
Lincoln Park Room
Mount Royal University, Calgary

Join colleagues, community members and parents for this special presentation by established developmental pediatrician, Dr. Margaret Clarke.

Her presentation will review new information from the science of early childhood development and provide key messages and practical ideas about applying this information in real life settings with children. Dr. Clarke and her team focus on bringing practical aspects of science to parents and professionals so that they can enhance their practice.

Flyer

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Supporting your baby’s brain development: What Can Parents Do?

by Maddison Spenrath

New handout for parents: Supporting your baby’s brain development: What Can Parents Do? (PDF)

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Child and Family-Friendly Communities: Enhancing Early Child Development in the Bow Valley

by Maddison Spenrath

January 18, 2010
4:30 pm	to	6:00 pm

Location to be determined.

Guest speaker Anne Cooper will share her community experience in Revelstoke to demonstrate what can be accomplished when a variety of people come together to support a common vision.

Save the Date Flyer

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New Parenting Series

by Maddison Spenrath

Parenting Series:
Responding to Children’s Needs

“Parents have a good understanding of physical milestones, such as when children learn to walk, but are less familiar with important intellectual and social stages.”

 
The Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development and the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research are proud to announce the release of their new publication entitled Parenting Series. This first issue focuses on the important developmental milestones in young children.

You can find the first issue at the Centre for Excellence for Early Child Development website.

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With the Child in Mind: Brain Development and Best Interests Decisions

by Maddison Spenrath

Presentations are posted under resources.

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Building Blocks, Building Brains

by Maddison Spenrath

Building Blocks, Building Brains is two-day workshop focused on early brain development for early care and education workers.

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Judiciary Members – With the Child in Mind: Brain Development and Best Interests Decisions

by Maddison Spenrath

November 5, 2009

to

November 6, 2009

 

Conference Brochure (PDF – 125 KB)

Priority registration to members of the Judiciary until Sept 1, 2009. Please contact Norm Lepitre for more information or to register.

Norm Lepitre
(403) 210-3908
Norm.Lepitre@AlbertaHealthServices.ca

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Public Session – With the Child in Mind: Brain Development and Best Interests Decisions

by Maddison Spenrath

November 4, 2009
7:30 pm	to	9:30 pm

 

Location: Mount Royal College – Ross Glen Hall in the Roderick Mah Centre, Calgary, AB

How does attachment, neglect and trauma affect the developing brain of young children?

Presentations include:

When Bad Things Happen to Good Brains
Dr. Nathan Fox, University of Maryland

Child Health Outcomes: The Impact of Family Violence
Dr. Harriet MacMillan, McMaster University

Free parking is available in Lot 8, east of the Roderick Mah Centre. A map of Mount Royal University indicating the Roderick Mah Centre and Lot 8 can be found here.

Click here to register 

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Adverse Childhood Effects (ACE) Study

by Maddison Spenrath

May 4, 2009
9:00 am	to	10:30 am

 

Attend in person in Edmonton or via live webcast. Register at www.research4children.com

Dr. Vincent Felitti is the co-Principal Investigator of the ACE Study. ACE is a major, ongoing, retrospective and prospective study involving over 17,000 middle-class Americans. The study looks at categories of adverse childhood experiences and their relationship to adult health, well-being and social functioning.

The Adverse Childhood Effects (ACE) study has major implications: all patients should be routinely screened for adverse childhood experiences; a child trauma history may be very relevant to to both serious illnesses and vague somatic complaints; and appropriate approaches to treatment must include dealing with childhood trauma. Additional data suggests that evaluating patients for ACEs is also effective.

According to data collected from over 17,000 Kaiser patients, adverse childhood experiences, though well concealed, are unexpectedly common, have a profound negative effect on adult health and well-being a half-century later, and are a prime determinant of adult health status in the United States.

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