School Age Children (5 to 19 years old)

Children and youth getting help

From age 5 years to the start of adolescence, your child’s development slows and the school years follow a steady path of growing and learning. 

In this section, you will find information about health, safety, development and learning for children during this stage.

Information for Parents

Island Health offers programs to promote optimal health and learning for children during their school years. Parents can contact their local public health unit for information about the following services offered to school-aged children:

For more information about your child’s health, contact your local public health unit.

Information for School Communities


Learning

Around the age of five, your child will enter school or begin more structured learning at home. As a parent, you will still be a key contributor to your child’s learning.

  • continue to read aloud to your child every day
    • make sure your child has access to lots of books and magazines at home or from your local library
    • encourage them to read to themselves as much as they can
  • if your child’s learning is mostly done outside of your home, get involved by volunteering at her school and helping with homework
  • encourage curiosity and imagination as part of everyday life
  • give your time and attention to your child’s interests and hobbies
  • capture “teachable moments” each day and use them to show your child that learning is exciting and that it can happen anywhere, anytime
  • model learning in your own life
    • read, take courses and show your own curiosity in new things
  • visit museums, art galleries, construction sites, tide pools, gardens, factories, farms, libraries, government buildings, plays, and airports
    • go anywhere your child can glimpse and interact with the adult world, get inspired, or learn something new

Locations

Services

News & Events

two people playing chess

Resilience and safety grant recipients

People and organizations in communities across the Island Health region will benefit from almost $1.2 million awarded through 29 resilience and safety grants.  

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Child and mother

Children under five years now eligible to register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine

Beginning August 2, 2022, all people over the age of six months in B.C. can now receive protection against the COVID-19 virus, following Health Canada’s approval of the vaccine specifically formulated for children between the ages of six months and five years old.

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Woman smiling at camera with text that reads "you don't need to be in crisis to seek support."

Caring conversations on National Child & Youth Mental Health Day

May 7 is National Child & Youth Mental Health Day. On this day, we highlight the fundamental importance of building caring connections and supportive conversations between young people and the adults in their lives.

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