Church Point (NS), September 18, 2019 – After many months of preparation, Caroline Fitzpatrick, an Assistant Professor in Université Sainte-Anne's Department of Social Science and researcher with Concordia University's PERFORM Centre, has officially launched the Laboratoire d'études sur la petite enfance (“Early Childhood Research Lab”).
The lab's mission is to generate, disseminate, and mobilize new knowledge that will contribute to the development of exemplary practices that support the wellbeing and educational success of preschool age children in Nova Scotia. Various projects are already underway including an investigation of child screen time and its relationship to school readiness. Elizabeth Harvey, Professor of Education and co-founder of the lab, maintains, “The lab will help stimulate research, innovation, and training, and will be of use to researchers, students, and our partners in practice settings.” The lab is located in Room 108 of the Gustave Blanche Building on the Church Point campus.
“Developing up-to-date early childhood institutions and programs is at the heart of building educated, healthy and prosperous communities. Université Sainte-Anne is pleased to establish a laboratory that can inform this effort.”
- Kenneth Deveau, Université Sainte-Anne's Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Research.
Assistant Professor Fitzpatrick recently received a $150,000 Establishment Grant from Research Nova Scotia and a $72,000 Insight Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), which will allow her to carry out her research projects.
The lab's first activity will take place next Tuesday, October 1st. This lecture, presented by Assistant Professor Caroline Fitzpatrick, is aimed at the general public, specifically those with questions about the effects of screen time and media use on children and teenagers. Parents, students, early childhood and education professionals, as well as members of the community, are invited to attend. This free event will be held at Université Sainte-Anne's Salle Marc Lescarbot. For an event overview, please refer to the event announcement (available in French only).
This inaugural activity is organized in partnership with the Conseils d'écoles consultatifs (CEC) of Clare's elementary schools and École secondaire de Clare, and Université Sainte-Anne's Centre acadien.
About Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne, the only French language post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia, offers university and college-level courses as well as a French immersion program and customized training in French as a second language. Recognized for its excellent programs as well as its unique and exceptional living environment, Sainte-Anne offers experiential learning opportunities that promote student engagement and success, and an atmosphere which encourages a culture of excellence in research and development. Solidly established in its community, Université Sainte-Anne is a partner of choice for all those who wish to strengthen the vitality of the regions surrounding its 5 campuses as well as all of Acadie throughout Nova Scotia.
For more information
Rachelle LeBlanc, Director of Communications and Marketing
Université Sainte-Anne
Tel.: 902-769-2114 Extension 7222
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