Children in poverty and the use of early development instrument mapping to improve their worlds.

Population data can be used to help physicians better understand child poverty in relation to families, geography and access to community resources. The early development instrument (EDI) is a population m easure of kindergarten children's early cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical development. Researchers and communities in British Columbia have used EDI and socioeconomic data to examine early child development trends across neighbourhoods, school districts and provincial geographies. It highlights that while vulnerabilities at school entry are more prevalent in poorer communities, they are present in all communities. Mapping EDI data and other information help to identify communities that are more vulnerable and ones that seem to be resilient. Physicians and community partners can identify local needs and interventions that can support parents and communities in promoting healthy development of children before their entry to the first grade.