Early Childhood Development

The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) is a national research project that measures children’s developmental progress as they enter school.  The AEDI is based on the Canadian Early Development Instrument (Janus et al) and is  a population measure of young children’s development from a teacher-completed checklist and measures five developmental domains:
• Language and developmental skills
• Physical health and wellbeing
• Communication skills and general knowledge
• Emotional maturity
• Social competence (AEDI, 2005).

Ensuring children’s optimal physical, emotional and social health in the early years (0-6) has long lasting positive effects on their health, social and emotional well being and achievements throughout life (Government of British Columbia, 2006).  The benefits include increased school success; increased future productivity; and reduced cost of health and public services.  Healthy physical and social development are essential, since deficits or delays may not be fully reversed as a child grows (Government of British Colombia, 2006).  The AEDI offers communities “the opportunity to measure their success in providing services to young children and their families and then to target their efforts in the most effective way.  As it is a relative index, communities can compare their results with other communities across Australia and to question the reasons behind any differences” (AEDI, 2005).