What is the need?
Most children enjoy emotional, social and intellectual health. However, Human
Resources and Development Canada's National Longitudinal Survey of Children
and Youth revealed that: | Nearly 30% of Canadian children, from birth to age 5, have a cognitive
or behavioural problem; These children can be found across our society from top to bottom; and These problems are inextricably linked to lack of positive parenting.
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Further to this, in gauging the attitudes and behaviours of parents, Invest
in Kids' National Survey of Parents of Young Children revealed that while all believe being a good parent is the most important thing they can do: | Most parents have a limited knowledge about how children grow and develop. Parents are anxious, concerned and not confident about their parenting
skills. Today's parents don't feel supported in their role as parents.
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There is little doubt that a child's first five years are vital to their future
well-being. To ensure that young children get the best possible start, it is
critical to strengthen the parenting knowledge, skills and confidence of all
those who touch their lives. After all, what a child will be depends on you
and me. Why 0-5?
The first five years of life are truly miracle years, the time of greatest
human development and the time when we as adults have the most profound influence
on a child. We all recognize the enormous physical change that happens during the first
five years of life. What is less obvious is that these years are pivotal in
the development of a child's ability to learn, to create, to communicate, to
trust, to love and to approach life with confidence and enthusiasm. A child's experiences-good or bad-lay the foundation for all that comes later.
How we care for our children in these years has a lasting impact on how they
will be as adults. The years before five last the rest of their lives.™ How your donation can help
Invest in Kids is a national charitable organization dedicated to ensuring
the healthy social, emotional and intellectual development of children from
birth to age five. Founded in 1993 by a group of volunteers who wanted to focus on positive parenting
through parent education, public education, research and professional education,
Invest in Kids has grown to a professional staff of 26 that serve families and
professionals across Canada in both English and French. Invest in Kids translates the science of parenting and child development into
easy-to-understand, engaging, relevant resources for parents and professionals
to help strengthen the parenting knowledge, skills and confidence of all those
who touch the lives of our youngest children. Learn more about Our Work. For more information about Invest in Kids, please contact:
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