Cities Fit For Children conference report
On Thursday and Friday, I was in Kelowna attending a conference called Cities Fit for Children. The following is a report I am providing to the rest of Council in a memo today.
-----
On November 1 and 2, 2007, I attended the Cities Fit for Children conference in Kelowna. This memo provides a brief report on that conference.
Overall, the seminars were informative and helpful. As was expected, the keynote addresses by Dr. Stuart Shanker, Dr. Clyde Hertzman, and Dr. Suzanne Crowhurst Lennard were the highlights.
Dr. Shanker opened the conference with a presentation on the science of early brain development. His research shows some worrisome statistics:
• 17% of Canadian five year olds have a mild to severe developmental or behavioral disorder
• 20% of five year olds have functional challenges
• 25% have mild processing deficits, mental health problems, physical problems or social and conduct problems
Dr. Shanker's research shows that the remainder of children are split into two groups—kids who are highly resilient and can overcome almost any challenge to become productive members of society; and kids who are at risk, but overcome that risk because of exposure and participation in good early childhood development programs.
All of that being said, there is a dramatic increase in children who cannot regulate themselves. With 85% of Canadian children now living in cities, he hypothesizes that children's brains are being wired to whatever it is they experience in an urban environment--both negative and positive.
Dr. Hertzman took that theme further in his session how a neighbourhood influences a child’s development. He explained that a neighbourhood is where the foundation is laid for a successful life. Kids need resources, socialization opportunities, a socio-demographic mix, safety, and access to facilities to succeed. This led to a discussion of a number of barriers that must be overcome, including:
• Lack of programs or services
• Cost
• Transportation
• Times a program is offered
• Language
• Fragmentation
• Lack of information about programs and services
• Incorrect expectations
Dr. Crowhurst Lennard spoke on building livable cities for children. Several of her points may be of interest to Council, as they speak to issues we are presently facing:
• She advocated for slower road speeds. A child hit by a car travelling at 30 mph has a 50% chance of surviving; a child hit at 18 mph has a 90% chance.
• She pushed for more pedestrian and safe routes throughout communities, as these help children build autonomy and healthy lifestyles.
• She advocated residential apartments be built above commercial areas, looking on to squares, pedestrian areas, courtyards, and other public areas. She was adamantly opposed to high rises (anything built over six storeys), as her research has shown high rises to be bad for child development. At six storeys, it is still possible for a communication from the window to the street. Mixed-use neighbourhoods also give children the opportunity to see different types of employment options—shopkeepers, builders, government offices, doctors, business owners, etc.
• She encouraged further protection of natural areas within neighbourhoods, and spoke at length about 'Nature Deficit Disorder.' Trees should be climbable.
• Child-friendly amenities should not be limited to playgrounds. Fountains, streams, walls, sculptures, even interesting paving patterns, can be used and enjoyed by children.
I also attended some optional sessions led by Okanagan and Interior municipalities and child development groups. Of most interest was a presentation by Gerald Davis, Osoyoos's recreation director, detailing how they turned a closed elementary school into a recreation centre with a gymnasium, playground, meeting rooms, dance studio, craft room, preschool/daycare, and a library branch.
Langley was well represented with myself, City Councillor Sharla Mauger, Langley Child Development Centre ECD Coordinator Joy Wilson, and School District 35's Wendy MacKinlay. Sherry Baker was also present.
-----
On November 1 and 2, 2007, I attended the Cities Fit for Children conference in Kelowna. This memo provides a brief report on that conference.
Overall, the seminars were informative and helpful. As was expected, the keynote addresses by Dr. Stuart Shanker, Dr. Clyde Hertzman, and Dr. Suzanne Crowhurst Lennard were the highlights.
Dr. Shanker opened the conference with a presentation on the science of early brain development. His research shows some worrisome statistics:
• 17% of Canadian five year olds have a mild to severe developmental or behavioral disorder
• 20% of five year olds have functional challenges
• 25% have mild processing deficits, mental health problems, physical problems or social and conduct problems
Dr. Shanker's research shows that the remainder of children are split into two groups—kids who are highly resilient and can overcome almost any challenge to become productive members of society; and kids who are at risk, but overcome that risk because of exposure and participation in good early childhood development programs.
All of that being said, there is a dramatic increase in children who cannot regulate themselves. With 85% of Canadian children now living in cities, he hypothesizes that children's brains are being wired to whatever it is they experience in an urban environment--both negative and positive.
Dr. Hertzman took that theme further in his session how a neighbourhood influences a child’s development. He explained that a neighbourhood is where the foundation is laid for a successful life. Kids need resources, socialization opportunities, a socio-demographic mix, safety, and access to facilities to succeed. This led to a discussion of a number of barriers that must be overcome, including:
• Lack of programs or services
• Cost
• Transportation
• Times a program is offered
• Language
• Fragmentation
• Lack of information about programs and services
• Incorrect expectations
Dr. Crowhurst Lennard spoke on building livable cities for children. Several of her points may be of interest to Council, as they speak to issues we are presently facing:
• She advocated for slower road speeds. A child hit by a car travelling at 30 mph has a 50% chance of surviving; a child hit at 18 mph has a 90% chance.
• She pushed for more pedestrian and safe routes throughout communities, as these help children build autonomy and healthy lifestyles.
• She advocated residential apartments be built above commercial areas, looking on to squares, pedestrian areas, courtyards, and other public areas. She was adamantly opposed to high rises (anything built over six storeys), as her research has shown high rises to be bad for child development. At six storeys, it is still possible for a communication from the window to the street. Mixed-use neighbourhoods also give children the opportunity to see different types of employment options—shopkeepers, builders, government offices, doctors, business owners, etc.
• She encouraged further protection of natural areas within neighbourhoods, and spoke at length about 'Nature Deficit Disorder.' Trees should be climbable.
• Child-friendly amenities should not be limited to playgrounds. Fountains, streams, walls, sculptures, even interesting paving patterns, can be used and enjoyed by children.
I also attended some optional sessions led by Okanagan and Interior municipalities and child development groups. Of most interest was a presentation by Gerald Davis, Osoyoos's recreation director, detailing how they turned a closed elementary school into a recreation centre with a gymnasium, playground, meeting rooms, dance studio, craft room, preschool/daycare, and a library branch.
Langley was well represented with myself, City Councillor Sharla Mauger, Langley Child Development Centre ECD Coordinator Joy Wilson, and School District 35's Wendy MacKinlay. Sherry Baker was also present.