Children are the future of our families, communities and our province – It’s up to us to make sure they have the best start in life.
According to the latest research on brain development, the most important time of a child’s development is from birth to six years of age. Almost all of the brain’s development occurs before a child is five. This is a crucial stage where a young boy or girl develops emotional and social attachment and develops the vital language and motor skills that form the basis of their entire life.
The right kind of care and support during these first six years can produce amazing results, leading to a life with reduced chance of drug abuse, better school performance and a lesser chance of health problems.
Success By 6 is a unique collaboration of the United Ways in BC, the Savings and Credit Unions of BC and the Ministry of Children & Family Development. It is an early childhood development initiative dedicated to providing all B.C. children with a good start in life. It helps to ensure that children up to six years old develop the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical skills they need as they grow and eventually go to school.
There are 19 Success By 6 programs, spread out across every region of the province. Success By 6 supports communities by engaging residents in early childhood development and funding programs that strengthen services for young children and their families, such as literacy, nutrition, children's play, parenting and family skills development.
For more information about Success By 6, visit
www.successby6bc.ca.
All over BC, Success By 6 is assisting with early childhood development asset mapping. Asset mapping looks at what services are already available in our communities. Then Success By 6 tables review the gaps, prioritize needs & develop community-based plans.
Children First and the Prince George United Way are collaborating to do asset mapping for all of Northern BC and to develop a website which lists services and programs for the north.
Local residents are encouraged to become involved with their local Success By 6 initiative through joining an early childhood development table, whether you are a parent, community leader or ECD service provider. For more information, call Lori Wolfe at the Prince George United Way, (250) 561-1040. Also, drop by any Credit Union or United Way to donate.
