Québec, October 11, 2023. – The proportion of children in 5-year-old kindergarten who are considered “vulnerable” in at least one developmental domain has increased over the past 10 years—from 25.6% in 2012, it rose to 27.7% in 2017, then to 28.7% in 2022. This finding is based on data collected as part of the Québec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten (QSCDK) on more than 78,000 children who attended 5-year-old kindergarten during the 2021–2022 school year. The survey report was published this morning.
Since 2012, the proportion of children in 5-year-old kindergarten who are considered vulnerable has increased for all five developmental domains measured by the QSCDK: physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development, and communication skills and general knowledge.
Proportion of vulnerable children in 5-year-old kindergarten for each developmental domain and in at least one domain, Québec, 2012 and 2022
| Domains | 2012 | 2022 | |
| Physical health and well-being | 9.5% | 10.3% |
|
| Social competence | 9.0% | 10.6% |
|
| Emotional maturity | 9.7% | 11.7% |
|
| Language and cognitive development | 10.0% | 12.1% |
|
| Communication skills and general knowledge | 10.8% | 11.5% |
|
| Vulnerable in at least one developmental domain | 25.6% | 28.7% |
|
The proportion of vulnerable children in 5-year-old kindergarten was also higher in 2022 than in 2017 for the social competence, language and cognitive development, and communications skills and general knowledge domains (see chapter 7 of the report (PDF, 6,45 Mo) to learn more about how vulnerability has evolved in Québec).
What is a vulnerable child?
Children who are considered vulnerable are more likely than other children to experience academic, motor, emotional, or social difficulties. For example, they could have difficulty doing their schoolwork independently, waiting for their turn, or using their imagination when playing games.
It is important to mention that the children considered vulnerable at the age of 5 will not necessarily have vulnerabilities throughout their school years.
Which children are the most affected?
The children in 5-year-old kindergarten who are more likely than their peers to be vulnerable in at least one developmental domain include:
- Boys (35.6% vs. 21.6% for girls)
- The youngest children (34.8% vs. 23.3% among the oldest children)
- Children attending a school considered disadvantaged (32.9% vs. 27.1% for children attending a school not considered disadvantaged)
- Children born outside Canada (37.3% vs. 28.0% for children born in Canada)
Vulnerability by region
In 2022, certain regions had a higher or lower proportion of vulnerable children than the rest of Québec.
The proportion of children in 5-year-old kindergarten considered vulnerable in at least one developmental domain was higher than in the rest of the province in the regions of:
- Côte-Nord (32.8%)
- Estrie (30.2%)
- Laval (33.9%)
- Outaouais (32.2%)
The proportion of children in 5-year-old kindergarten considered vulnerable in at least one developmental domain was lower than in the rest of the province in the regions of:
- Bas-Saint-Laurent (25.0%)
- Capitale-Nationale (25.2%)
- Chaudière-Appalaches (24.8%)
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (24.3%)
The third edition of the Québec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten is the result of a partnership between the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, the Ministère de l’Éducation, the Ministère de la Famille, the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, and the Institut de la statistique du Québec. More than 5,300 kindergarten teachers took part in the survey by completing a questionnaire for each of their students enrolled in 5-year-old kindergarten.
It must be noted that the tool used to measure child development in the survey is not intended to assess the school curriculum or to diagnose children (see chapter 2 of the report (PDF, 6,45 Mo) for more information).
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.