The EDI (Early Development Instrument)

The EDI measures the school readiness of kindergarten children prior to grade one and is completed by kindergarten teachers for each child in their classes.  The instrument measures five domains of children’s development:

1 - Physical Health & Well-Being

• fine & gross motor development
• levels of energy
• daily preparedness for school (tired, late,  hungry)
• washroom independence
• established handedness

2- Social Competence

• cooperation & respect to others (children & adults)
•  ability to work within the school environment
•  socially appropriate behaviour during school activities
•  self control, self confidence

3- Emotional Maturity

• Prosocial Behaviour:  Helping, Tolerance, Empathy
• Aggressive behavior:  physical, psychological
• Anxiety
• Hyperactivity, inattention, impulsiveness

 4- Literacy & Cognitive Development

• interest in books, reading, language-related activities (rhyming, group reading)
• literacy issues:  ability to recognize letters,  read & write simple words
• interest in simple math-related activities
• numeracy issues: ability to recognize & compare numbers, count, sort, etc.

5- Communication Skills & General Knowledge

• ability to clearly communicate one’s own needs & understand others
• clear articulation
• active participation in story-telling (not necessarily with good grammar & syntax)
• interest in general knowledge about the world