The survey also looks at low birth weight, which it considers an important indicator of child health. It studies children's temperament between birth and the age of 3, based on parents' descriptions of their children's moods. It also measures motor and social development and behaviour. Together, these results provide a broad measure of child development. The Canadian Centre for Studies of Children at Risk in Hamilton has been testing a similar child-development measure that it will soon offer to municipalities across the country.
Reporters Read about our reporters and the neighbourhoods they are focusing on.
The Family Matters series appears Fridays until September, 2000. Click here to subscribe to The Globe and Mail. Click here to return to the Family Matters series home page.