At the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre (FVCDC), an innovative program is making an impact on the social and emotional well-being of children, educators, and parents. Spearheaded by Kiran Sidhu, the CALM Curriculum© (Connecting Neuroscience and Positive Psychology for Learning and Managing Emotions) is a play-based, research-informed initiative developed to help children improve self-regulation skills, build resilience, navigate social interactions and scaffold skills that support early childhood mental health (children aged birth to eight years).
Responding to Community Needs Using EDI Data
Chilliwack’s long-standing Early Years Committee — a collaborative network of service providers, school district and local government representatives — has used Child Development Monitoring System data to inform their work to enhance the well-being of children, youth and their families in the region. Starting in the mid-2000s, Early Development Instrument (EDI) data gathered by the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) revealed a growing concern in the Fraser Valley, particularly in Chilliwack. EDI vulnerability rates were increasing, with the Social Competence and Emotional Maturity scales of particular concern at the time.
The figures below show data trend lines over time from the EDI Data Dashboard for children living in Chilliwack:
These data-driven insights, combined with a rising number of referrals to the FVCDC for issues related to behavioural challenges and emotional dysregulation, made it clear that support for social and emotional learning (SEL) was a pressing need.
Sidhu and the team at FVCDC set out to create a solution by leveraging the resources they had at the time in understanding self-regulation, such as Dr. Stuart Shanker’s book, Calm, Alert, and Learning: Classroom Strategies for Self-Regulation. This resource, along with Sidhu’s UBC Master’s in Early Childhood Education research and guidance from HELP’s former director and SEL expert Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, helped shape the theoretical framework behind the CALM Curriculum©.
Building a Research-Informed Curriculum
Between 2013 and 2015, the CALM Curriculum© was carefully developed through an iterative process involving educators, professionals, and children themselves. Drawing from evidence-based international SEL programs, Sidhu and co-author Jodie Elliott gathered both quantitative and qualitative data to ensure the program’s effectiveness. With the goal of refining the curriculum to be both feasible and impactful, an evaluation was undertaken through a research study with UBC.
A Whole-Community Approach
Initially, the CALM Curriculum© was available to early years professionals, Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), and early intervention specialists. Soon, with the support of a project manager, Nicole Misura, it expanded into primary schools, thanks to a partnership with Chilliwack School District (SD33), and eventually grew to include a parenting program, as well as the free 2-Part CALM Connection Seminars available online as part of the CALM Early Care and Learning Framework.
A key aspect of the framework’s current development is the community-of-practice model. This is not a one-time training but an ongoing opportunity for educators, parents, and professionals to practice, discuss, and process what they are learning. By working together, families, educators, and community leaders are united in their approach, sending consistent messages to parents, caregivers, and children themselves about how to manage emotions and interact socially.
The CALM Curriculum© has also been adopted in the communities of Abbotsford, Mission and Fraser Cascade, and the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Mobilization of the curriculum has recently extended to Northern BC with commitments in Prince George, Dawson Creek, Terrace, and Prince Rupert.
A Lasting Impact
Despite disruptions in coordination funding with the end of Success by Six and Children First Initiatives in 2019, the Chilliwack Early Years committee has continued to prioritize community collaboration and engagement. Leadership and support from the school district, particularly from Nicole Driscoll in her role as District Principal for Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC), has been instrumental in sustaining momentum for this work.
The CALM Curriculum© stands as a powerful example of how data can inform action when strong collaborative partnerships intentionally apply research-based approaches to programming in their community. Today, children in the Fraser Valley are learning how to manage their big feelings, build resilience, and develop the social skills they need to thrive.
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