Health and Well-being
Introduction
Monique Gray Smith's 4 Blankets of Resiliency provides a framework of support and strength to help children develop a strong identity, build meaningful relationships, connect with their community, and embrace their cultural heritage.
Education for human flourishing requires a systematic focus on the development of the whole child. Indigenous approaches to health and well-being incorporate traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and community support systems that foster resilience and a strong sense of identity. The medicine wheel highlights interconnectedness as well as the importance of exploring balance in all four areas of being:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Mental
- Spiritual
"The most important thing each of us can know is our unique gift and how to use it in the world. Individuality is cherished and nurtured, because, in order for the whole to flourish, each of us has to be strong in who we are and carry our gifts with conviction, so they can be shared with others."
- Robin Wall Kimmerer
Blankets of Resiliency
Monique Gray Smith's 4 Blankets of Resiliency provides a framework of support and strength to help children develop a strong identity, build meaningful relationships, connect with their community, and embrace their cultural heritage. Focusing on building children's resilience is especially important as children go through significant transitions, such as starting school. Educators can use these guiding questions with early learners:
Sense of Self |
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Sense of Family |
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Sense of Community |
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Sense of Land, Culture, and Broader Perspectives |
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"Everything revolves around relationships."
- Monique Gray Smith
Raising Healthy Children
Providing clear and consistent messaging to families regarding current health guidelines helps communities support children's overall health and well-being. Schools can support this effort by aligning their messaging with the following Sea to Sky School District and Vancouver Coastal Health recommendations:
Sleep |
Recommended hours per night of quality, uninterrupted sleep:
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NutritionOur Feeding Futures Program provides children with healthy food options at school.
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Canada’s Food Guide recommends a “plate method” approach per meal:
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Physical Activity |
Ages 3-4:
Ages 5-8:
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Screen Time |
Ages 2-4:
Ages 5-17:
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Physical Health and Hygiene |
To promote physical health and hygiene, educators can:
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Separation Anxiety |
Separation anxiety is different for each child. Several factors can affect the intensity and duration of separation anxiety (ex., change and transitions). Some support strategies include:
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Mental Health in Schools
Our mental health and school team supports educators in strengthening student and staff wellness. Priorities in this work include:
- Connection and belonging
- Collaborative partnerships
- Mental health promotion (sexual health, digital literacy, substance use, mental health literacy)
Our Scope and Sequence includes SEL resources by topic and grade. For more information email [email protected]
Early Development Instrument
The Early Development Instrument (EDI) is a questionnaire completed by kindergarten teachers for the students in their classrooms during each February of the school year. The EDI measures trends and patterns in children's physical, emotional, social and cognitive development at kindergarten. The foundational goal of the Early Development Instrument is to promote “equity from the start.”
The EDI gathers information about five core areas of early childhood development:
Physical Health and Well-being |
Children's gross and fine motor skills, physical independence and readiness for the school day. |
Social Competence |
Children's overall social competencies, capacity for respect and responsibility, approaches to learning, and readiness to explore new things. |
Emotional Maturity |
Children's prosocial and helping behaviours, as well as hyperactivity and inattention, aggressive, anxious and fearful behaviours. |
Language and Cognitive Development |
Children's basic and advanced literacy skills, numeracy skills, interest in math and reading, and memory. |
Communication Skills and General Knowledge |
Children's English language skills and general knowledge. |
Childhood Experiences Questionnaire
The Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CHEQ) is used to collect information on children’s experiences in their early environments. It is completed by parents and caregivers as their child enters kindergarten. Information collected through the CHEQ helps educators and community partners better understand and support children and families in their communities. The CHEQ is not an assessment or evaluation of individual children, families, or parenting practices.
There are 55 questions on the CHEQ covering five domains strongly linked to children’s health and well-being, learning and social outcomes:
Physical Health and Well-Being
Language and Cognition
Social and Emotional Experiences
Early Learning and Care
Community and Context
Curriculum and Pedagogy |
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Implementation and Instruction |
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Data Collection |
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Professional Learning |
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Family Resources |