Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, for the past several years Northwest Territories schools have celebrated Education Week during the first full week of March. With the consolidation of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the release of the department's new strategic plan, we are now working to develop a continuum of educational and cultural programs from early childhood to adulthood. To mark this strategic direction, this year's theme for Education Week is "Caring for our Future," which focuses on the importance of early childhood development.
Early childhood is the most critical stage in a person's development, because it is during these years that the foundations of life-long competencies and skills are established. Research on early childhood development and our own experience have shown that children who attend quality preschool programs tend to perform better in school, in training programs and in the workplace. Early childhood programming results in marked improvement in the development of language and thinking skills, as well as reading and mathematics. It has been shown that every dollar spent on preschool programs eventually saves $6 in remedial education, welfare and other social costs.
Mr. Speaker, there are many quality early childhood programs being offered to children in the Northwest Territories. I'd like to give you an overview of some of the many successful programs being offered to children in the Northwest Territories.
The Fort Norman child development centre has been operating for about 15 years, due largely to the community's ongoing support of the program and the staff. In the years since the program was established, kindergarten and grade one teachers have noticed better attitudes and skills among the children who have attended the program. They seem to be able to adjust to new situations and work in groups better than the children who have not taken part in the program. These children also enter school with increased thinking skills and are better prepared to learn. The program is so popular that the majority of preschool children in Fort Norman attend.
Mr. Speaker, quality child care is an important concern for young parents who wish to continue their own schooling. Child development programs now operate in seven of the NWT's senior secondary schools. These centres have three goals. First, they provide a safe and healthy place for the children, who are provided with a quality environment which helps them develop their skills in preparation for kindergarten. Secondly, these programs provide teen parents with an opportunity to develop parenting skills and understand the importance of being involved in the growth of their children. And thirdly, these programs give young parents the opportunity to continue their education, which gives them more options for employment and provides a brighter future for the family.
The opportunity to play with a variety of toys and to interact with other children plays an important role in early childhood development. The Yellowknife Catholic school board sponsors a toy-lending library in one of its elementary schools. In addition to lending toys, the library offers a drop-in play program for preschoolers and parents and provides support to parents interested in improving their parenting skills, either directly or by providing resource materials. The toy-lending library provides a safe atmosphere for preschool children and their parents to meet and socialize.
Mr. Speaker, offering early intervention to children who are at risk is essential if they are going to succeed in school. A successful pilot project run in Pelly Bay from 1991 to 1993 shows the value of early intervention. Twelve children, from newborn to five years of age, were identified to take part in the project because medical or environmental factors put them at risk of being delayed in their development. Program workers helped the children improve in areas such as vocabulary, socialization skills, thinking abilities and positive behaviour. Parents noted that their children had better listening skills and spoke more clearly than they had before entering the program. It was also reported that the children were well prepared to learn by the time they reached kindergarten. This program's success is due to the many partners in the areas of health, education, social services and other interested community agencies who had a role in the program.
Mr. Speaker, these are just a few examples of the many successful early childhood programs operating across the north. Many of the programs now operating have a specific focus on language and culture and play a valuable role in improving children's understanding of their language and culture and enhancing their self-esteem.
Tomorrow I will bring this Assembly up to date on changes to the early childhood program, another initiative which provides support to children, parents and child care providers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.