Summary
The years from birth to five have been identified as the most important developmental period during childhood.1 Research shows that brain development in early childhood lays the foundation for emotional wellbeing, social competence, language and literacy development and cognitive abilities, influencing health, future learning and life outcomes.2,3
Children in this age group need to be in a safe and loving family setting with a stimulating learning environment, good health and material basics to provide the optimal foundations for their future wellbeing.
97.6%
of children are enrolled in Kindergarten
About
1 in 5
children are developmentally vulnerable
20%
of children under
3 years old are not regularly read to
The rate of mothers smoking
during pregnancy has decreased
69.8%
of children did not receive the 2-year-old health check
Less than
1 in 10
young children are eating enough vegetables
Infants are more likely to be subject to child protection substantiations than older children
562
children under 10 were reported as victims of family violence in 2017
More than
4,000
children under
10 sought
homelessness
services in 2018-19
Endnotes
- National Research Council Institute of Medicine 2000, From Neurons to Neighbourhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development, eds JP Shonkoff & DA Phillips, National Academy Press.
- McCain MN and Mustard F 1999, Reversing the real brain drain: Early study: Final report, Ontario Children’s Secretariat.
- Warren D et al 2016, A Critical Review of the Early Childhood Literature, Australian Institute of Family Studies.