Description
The Aboriginal Children's Survey was designed to provide a picture of the early development of Aboriginal children and the social and living conditions in which they are learning and growing. The survey provides an extensive set of data about Aboriginal (Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve First Nations) children under six years of age in urban, rural, and northern locations across Canada. In 2006, the Survey of Northern Children, originally a component of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (record number 4450), was incorporated into the Aboriginal Children's Survey to provide information on the health and development of children, under the age of 6 years, living in the territories.
The Aboriginal Children's Survey was developed by Statistics Canada and Aboriginal advisors from across the country and was conducted jointly with Human Resources and Social Development Canada to collect information on the development and well-being of Aboriginal children. A unique process was used involving direct participation of parents, front-line workers, early childhood educators, researchers and Aboriginal organizations to develop the survey.
A Technical Advisory Group (TAG), consisting of specialists in Aboriginal early childhood development, was established to provide guidance on the development of the survey. Based on recommendations from the TAG, the survey is holistic in nature and collects information on a wide range of topics, including child's health, sleep, nutrition, development, nurturing, child care, school, language, behaviour, and activities. Since the child's environment is important to their development and well-being, some information is collected on the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and their neighbourhood or community.
Aboriginal organizations, governments at all levels, early childhood educators, researchers, and parents will be able to use information from the ACS to:
- Inform decision-making (Program/Policy planning and development);
- Support academic research (Educators and researchers).
Subjects
- Child development and behaviour
- Children and youth
- Health and well-being
- Indigenous peoples