The Abecedarian
Approach
What is the Abecedarian Approach?
What is the Abecedarian Approach?
Family supports
Language Development
Video example… Cutting the Bug
700 new neural connections per second
in the first few years of life
Image source: Conel, JL. The postnatal development of the human cerebral cortex.
Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1959
Chance of developmental delay based on
number of risk factors in a child’s early years
Source: Barth et al. (2008); Harvard University
Research
Abecedarian Research
100%100%
95% 95%
93%
78%
49%
45%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
6 months 18 months 36 months 48 months
Pe
rce
nt
of
Gro
up
Child Age
Abecedarian Group Control Group
School age results
Improved reading and math scores.
Fewer failed grades.
Fewer children in special education.
At age 21…
Greater number of people holding skilled jobs.
More people enrolled in higher education.
Reduced teen pregnancy.
Fewer symptoms of depression.
Lower usage of illegal substances
At age 30…
More years of education.
4x number graduated from a 4-year university program.
More consistent workforce participation.
Less public assistance.
Manitoba Context
Overview of LSP community
Average Percentage Point Change in Language
Development Scores by Evaluation Group, Baseline
to Year 1 (N=92)
4.5
16.8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Control Program
Average Percentage Point Change in Language
Development Scores by Level of Attendance of
Program Group Children During First Year (N=45)
6.2
35.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Under 75% Over 75%
Average Percentage Point Change in Language
Development Scores by Total Number of Reading
Sessions with Program Group Children During First
Year (N=45)
3.9
16.9
32.2
24.1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Low
(<300)
Low/Medium
(300-600)
Medium/High
(600-900)
High
(900+)
Average Percentage Point Change in Language
Development Scores by Total Number of
LearningGames® Played with Program Group
Children during First Year (N=45)
9.3
15.2
36.6
18.5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Low
(<900)
Low/Medium
(900-1600)
Medium/High
(1600-2400)
High
(2400+)
Stay Tuned…
What Manidoo staff are seeing….
Advanced language development
among participating children
Less conflict among children
requiring adult intervention
Less attention-seeking behaviour
(children know they will have a
turn with their caregiver)
Increased family stability
Increased parent involvement with the centre
Parents are motivated to enter education and
employment
New research project funded by SSHRC…
Examining the impact of the Abecedarian
Approach on the parents/guardians and ECEs at
Lord Selkirk Park
Documenting their shared experiences
Creating multimedia presentations to share the
results
And there’s more…
Abecedarian-inspired practice
Research project involving 6 child care centres in
Winnipeg
Abecedarian practice in child care centres that are
not attached to a research study
Part time child minding programs
New projects blending Abecedarian and SECD
Questions? Comments?