Education
December 31, 2013

Investing in the Future of Children and Youth

Education Initiatives Highlight and Promote Play-Based Learning

Parents of infants throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are now receiving early childhood learning resource kits, directly from their local public health clinic, at key points in their baby’s early development. As of September 2013, almost 11,000 kits have been distributed to infants at age two, four and six months.

“We are committed to an early childhood learning strategy that is designed to give every child the best possible start in life, and support parents in their critical role as their child’s first teacher. Learning from the Start initiatives provide parents and caregivers with tools to help their children develop the knowledge and social skills that will prepare them for school, and for life.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education

The parent resource kit initiative is part of the Provincial Government’s early childhood learning strategy, Learning from the Start, and is conducted in partnership with regional health authorities.

Parent resource kits contain early learning materials like books, play items and music CDs, activity guides and parent information. Kits for 12 and 18 month old children are now available in 20 pilot sites around the province and in 2014-15 kits for 24 and 36 month olds will be piloted.

Early literacy programming will also be piloted, beginning January 2014. The program, Early Literacy Foundations, is a partnership between the Department of Education, public libraries and outreach programs. Early Literacy Foundations will provide parents and children, birth to age three, the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities that support early literacy and stress the importance of reading, singing, talking and playing with children to enhance their literacy development.

“By the time children reach Kindergarten age, parents and caregivers will have been provided with a range of early learning resources and developmentally appropriate materials. These resources and materials help extend their children’s learning and development through everyday activities that they do together at key intervals during the early years.”
- Minister Jackman

For information on early childhood learning and development and Learning from the Start initiatives, visit the website at: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/index.html.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• The Department of Education invests in early childhood learning initiatives including parent resource kits, Power of Play campaign, early literacy programming and early learning curriculum framework.
• It is during the early years that a child develops socially, physically, intellectually, creatively and emotionally at a more rapid pace than any other time in their lives.
• Research shows the importance of quality early learning opportunities in developing the skills that will form the foundation for future learning.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2013 12 31                                        10:20 a.m.