3D Follow-up Study

Transition Study: Challenges and resources of children and families in the transition from preschool to grade school in a pregnancy cohort

Sites:

  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-Justine
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke

In Quebec, the degree of readiness of children entering kindergarten and grade 1 varies greatly across areas of their development. We want to examine from the 3D (Design, Develop, Discover) pregnancy cohort the challenges and resources of the child and the family when they face the transition from preschool to school. We intend to 1) examine the challenges and available resources when they are facing the transition from preschool to school, 2) evaluate the child’s adjustment to  school and his/her new environment.

There are 3 cohorts (based on/determined by) the year of school entry in this study; the children from the 1st cohort will already be in 2nd grade in Fall 2018. Data for this study will be collected through online questionnaires for the parents, as well as for daycare educators or teachers. A home visit will take place during which a series of cognitive tasks will be performed with the child. These tasks are used to observe the neurocognitive development of the child. The children will be followed until the summer preceding the 2nd grade.

The stress that can be associated with the start of kindergarten and grade 1 will also be evaluated through online questionnaires and through the stress hormone cortisol in a subgroup of participants. This measure will be taken from 22 saliva samples (11 days with 1 sampling in the morning and 1 at night) over 15 months. The parents will assist their child in the saliva sampling.

This project is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and is led by a team of researchers from the Université de Montréal, the Université de Sherbrooke, the Université Laval and the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center

Séguin, Jean R. – Université de Montréal; Parent, Sophie  -Université de Montréal; Archambault, Isabelle -Université de Montréal; Boivin, Michel – Université Laval; Castellanos-Ryan, Natalie – Université de Montréal; Fraser, William – Université de Sherbrooke; Herba, Catherine – Université du Québec A Montréal; Lupien, Sonia – Université de Montréal; Marc, Isabelle- Université Laval; Muckle, Gina – Université Laval

 

 A prospective study of change in mental health across Québec children linked to COVID-19

The exceptional circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic brings many challenges, particularly for families of school aged children.

The 3D research team is concerned about properly interpreting the data currently being collected in light of current events. Accordingly, the research team received funding from the Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec to adapt the ongoing 3D-Transition project with a short online questionnaire specifically aimed at understanding how Québec families are living with the current pandemic.