Child development low

A study on the personal development of five-year-olds across the country has revealed children in Rockingham are ranked below the State and national average.

The Australian Early Development Index 2012 results, which surveyed nearly 300,000 children, revealed children in Hillman and Warnbro were twice more vulnerable with their physical and wellbeing development than other children in WA.

More than 1800 children from Rockingham participated in the study which also tested their social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, communications skills and general knowledge.

Of the 13 suburbs used for the Rockingham study, only three – Cooloongup, Golden Bay and Secret Harbour – returned scores better than the national average in all five domains.

In an alarming statistic for children in Shoalwater, it found they were three times more vulnerable with their communication skills and general knowledge, compared against the national average of 9 per cent.

The study also revealed one in five Warnbro children were vulnerable in two or more domains of the study, nearly double the State average.

Warnbro Primary School principal Gordon Murdoch said the data was a useful tool for the school to see if resources needed to be re-directed to different areas.

“One of the areas, particular areas we’re concerned about, we think, are language and cognitive skills and communications skills and general knowledge, which we should be placing considerable emphasis,” he said.

“It’s also about understanding the context of the school and tailoring services to meet the needs of community without underestimating importance of the other domains.”

Baldivis’ results in the survey were on a par with the State average, which mother-of-three Kelliann Brady was pleased about.

Mrs Brady’s five-year-old daughter Annabelle attends pre-primary at Settlers Primary School and she said the school curriculum did not focus solely on numeracy and literacy.

“They seem to be learning all aspects, including social aspects, telling news and encouraging them to work in groups,” she said.