The Region of Durham is inviting students to take part in a project aimed at helping preschool children in Ajax and across the region make a smoother transition into kindergarten.
The initiative, called "Actioning the Early Development Instrument: Supporting Children's Development and Readiness for School," asks students to create resource kits based on the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a tool used to measure children's developmental readiness for school. The announcement appears in a Region of Durham notice posted on durham.ca.
According to the notice, students building the kits will use the most current EDI data and connect the kit contents to one of the four foundations outlined in How Does Learning Happen?, Ontario's framework for early years pedagogy.
The kits are intended to help educators and families support preschool children as they get ready for kindergarten. The Region also says the work will draw connections to provincial and municipal legislation and promote the developmental health of Durham Region children.
The Region has outlined several ways students can take part. The project can be undertaken by a small group of students working on a capstone project, by a large group using an engagement collaboration model, or as a topic of study within a classroom.
Students or educators interested in participating can express interest through the Region's "Collaborate with us" page on durham.ca. Residents can also reach the Region by dialing 311 within region limits, calling 905-668-7711, or using the toll-free line at 1-800-372-1102.
The Region of Durham is headquartered at 605 Rossland Road East in Whitby. Residents can subscribe to the Region's eNewsletters for updates on its activities, events, programs and operations.
For families and educators in Ajax, the project is one avenue for strengthening early learning supports before children enter local schools.
