Early Child Development (ECD) Mapping Initiative

Children’s first years of development set the foundation for their success in school and future well-being. Children's development during these early years affects their learning, behaviour, and physical and emotional health throughout adulthood.

The Early Child Development (ECD) Mapping Initiative is a province-wide, five-year research project activity looking at the factors that may influence healthy child development. The Initiative will use the results to support communities and families in ensuring that all children have the best possible start in life.

Project Components

The ECD Mapping Initiative gathers data on child development from three sources:

• gauging the ‘readiness to learn’ of 5-year olds as measured by the Early Development Instrument (EDI)
• collecting information on the socio-economic factors that influence children’s development, and
• taking inventory of the local services, programs and facilities for families with young children in each community across the province

The data will be ‘plotted’ on maps for every community in the province. This type of information can help to reveal things like where children and families live; the differences across communities in child development; and where strengths and gaps exist in programming, facilities and services. Communities can then use this information to work together to meet the needs of their young children and families

What is EDI?

The EDI is a scientifically validated survey, developed by the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, used to gauge the 'developmental readiness' of populations of 5-year olds during their kindergarten year. The questionnaire, completed by kindergarten teachers, collects information on children’s development in five areas:

Physical health and well-being  

• Social competence 
• Emotional maturity  
• Language and cognitive development 
• Communication skills and general knowledge

Results from the EDI are designed to be interpreted at the group level. It is a population measure, similar to a census, and no individual child will be identified.

Related Information in Alberta

• Getting the right start to a good future fact sheet
• How communities can support healthy early childhood development fact sheet
• The Early Development Instrument (EDI)  and how it’s being used in Alberta fact sheet    
• Why early child development matters fact sheet        
• Initiative de cartographie des données sur le développement de la petite enfance 
• Comment les communautés peuvent-elles appuyer le développement sain de la petite enfance
• L'instrument de mesure du développement de la petite enfance (IMDPE) et son application en Alberta

• Pourquoi le développement de la petite enfance est-il important

• Under the direction of Education’s Early Learning branch, the ECD Mapping Initiative is guided by a contracted project team, based at the University of Alberta. The Early Child Development Mapping Project (ECMap) is working with communities to gather information about local programs and services that support healthy child development. 

Related Information in other jurisdictions

• Council for Early Child Development
• Pan-Canadian EDI Maps
• Human Early Learning Partnership (British Columbia)
• Healthy Child Manitoba
• Australian Early Development Index

For more information about the ECD Mapping Initiative, please contact: Pat Chemerys at 780-638-3385 (first dial 310-000) or email at  pat.chemerys@gov.ab.ca.