Saanich Collaborative
Head Start Project

Aboriginal Head Start

Program Components

The focus of each AHS project is on Aboriginal preschool children and their families and includes programming in each of the following six program component areas.

• Culture and Language
• Education and School Readiness
• Health Promotion
• Nutrition
• Social Support
• Parental and Family Involvement

1) Culture and Language

The purpose of the Culture and Language Component is to provide children with a positive sense of themselves as Aboriginal children and to build on the children's knowledge of their Aboriginal languages and experience of culture in their communities. More specifically, projects will enhance the process of cultural and language revival and retention, with the ultimate goal that, where possible, children will aspire to learn their respective languages and participate in their communities' cultures after AHS.

2) Education and School Readiness

The purpose of the Education Component is to support and encourage each Aboriginal child to enjoy life-long learning. More specifically, the projects will encourage each child to take initiative in learning and provide each child with enjoyable opportunities to learn. This will be done in a manner which is appropriate to both the age and stage of development of the child. The ultimate goal is to engage children in the possibility of learning so that they carry forth the enthusiasm, self-esteem and initiative to learn in the future.

3) Health Promotion

The purpose of the Health Promotion Component is to empower parents, guardians, caregivers and those involved with AHS to increase control over and improve their health. More specifically, the projects will encourage practices for self care, working together to address health concerns, and the creation of formal and informal social support networks. The ultimate goal is for those involved with AHS to take actions that contribute to holistic health.

4) Nutrition

The purpose of the Nutrition Component is to ensure that children are provided with food which will help meet their nutritional needs, and to educate staff and parents about the relationship of nutrition to children's ability to learn, physical development and mental development. Mealtimes provide opportunities for sharing, teaching and socializing. The ultimate goal is to empower children and parents to develop or enhance nutritional eating habits that will be maintained following the children's AHS experience.

5) Social Support

The purpose of the Social Support Component is to ensure that the families are made aware of resources and community services available to impact their quality of life. The project will assist the families to access resources and community services. This may mean that the project will work in cooperation with the service providers. The ultimate goal of this component is to empower parents to access assistance and services which will support them to be active participants in their children's lives and AHS.

6) Parental and Family Involvement

The purpose of the Parental and Family Involvement Component is to support the parents' and family's role as children's primary teachers. The parents and family will be acknowledged as contributors to the program through involvement with a parent body or participation in and/or contribution to classroom activities. This component provides the opportunity to empower parents to bring forth gifts and further develop as role models for children and in their communities. The ultimate goal is for parents and caregivers to complete the program being more confident, and assertive and having a deeper understanding of their children than when they began the program.

Source: Aboriginal Head Start: Principles and Guidelines