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Church Point (NS), November 2, 2020 – Most parents of mature, intelligent kindergarten-aged children cannot help but think that their children are on the path to success and that they will eventually become successful young adults. A study published in the journal Pediatrics by a team of researchers from Université Sainte-Anne and Université de Montréal suggests that these thoughts are not far from the mark.

The study, entitled “Kindergarten Readiness, Later Health, and Social Costs”, is the result of a collaboration between Caroline Fitzpatrick, a professor at Université Sainte-Anne, Elroy Boers, a postdoctoral researcher at the Sainte-Justine hospital research center in Montreal and Linda Pagani, a professor in the School of Psychoeducation at Université de Montréal.

“Our study suggests that readiness to learn in kindergarten can have very long-term consequences on children's life journey. More precisely, school readiness at age of 5 predicted better educational success and better mental and physical health at age 17,” explains Professor Fitzpatrick.

To arrive at their conclusions, Caroline Fitzpatrick, the study's lead author, and the coauthors followed 966 children living in Quebec between the ages of 5 and 17.

The article will be published in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics and will be accompanied by a video that visually summarizes the study.

The Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD) was funded by the Quebec Government 's Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Family Affairs, the Lucie and Andre Chagnon Foundation, the Robert-Sauve Research Institute of Health and Security at Work, and the Quebec Statistics Institute (ISQ). Additional funding was received by SSHRC and Nova Scotia Research. 

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.

About the University of Montreal

Deeply rooted in Montreal and dedicated to its international mission, the University of Montreal is one of the top 100 universities in the world. It was founded in 1878, and together with its two affiliated schools, HEC Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal, constitutes the largest centre of higher education and research in Quebec and one of the major centres in North America. The University of Montreal brings together more than 2,600 professors and researchers and welcomes more than 66,000 students.

For more information         

Rachelle LeBlanc, Director of Communications and Marketing
Université Sainte-Anne
Tel.: 902-769-2114 Extension 7222
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Only some of our news updates are published in English.

To see all our news, visit the Actualités page.

Only some of our news updates are published in English.

To see all our news, visit the Actualités page.