Abecedarian Program

The Abecedarian Approach is an evidence-based early childhood intervention that is proven to improve developmental and learning outcomes for children in high-risk communities. Emphasizing language as the core of early learning, the Approach believes that strong language skills allow for greater cognitive, social and emotional development in children. The curriculum of the Abecedarian Approach is rooted in a strong set of teaching and learning strategies implemented through intentional adult-child interactions.

The Abecedarian Approach was first piloted in the Lord Selkirk Park Child Care Centre in 2011/12 and has successfully demonstrated improved outcomes for children.

What are the Expected Outcomes?

The overarching goal of the Approach is to level the playing field for children in terms of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional health and well-being. The projected outcomes of the Abecedarian Approach are:

• Improved developmental outcomes for children with regards to literacy and verbal language, physical, cognitive & social emotional skills leading to increase in school readiness;
• Increase in inclusive practices in the child care facility;
• Improved parent-child attachment and family well-being through positive parenting practices and family support. 

Abecedarian Program Expansion

On April 27, 2023, the department announced a $2.1 million investment towards the expansion of the Abecedarian Approach at four licensed early learning and child care facilities, building upon the successful implementation of the Abecedarian Approach in the Lord Selkirk Park Child Care Centre and as part of Manitoba’s commitment to increasing diversity, inclusivity and quality of care.

The Manitoba government is partnering with the following facilities to implement the Abecedarian Approach:

• Morrow Avenue Day Care Inc., René Deleurme Centre (RDC), supporting 100 children;
• Thrive Child Care, supporting 36 children,
• Children of the Universe Learning Centre, supporting 24 children); and 
• Early Learning and Child Care Thompson Inc., supporting 74 children.

As part of the expansion, facilities provide full-day, year-round, centre-based programming that incorporates the four main components of the Abecedarian Approach – Learning Games®, Language Priority, Enriched Caregiving, and Conversational Reading.

The $2.1 million investment supports operational and programming costs needed to implement the approach, including staff training and mentorship provided by Red River College Polytechnic.

The Abecedarian Program Expansion is an initiative funded under the Canada- Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Under this agreement, Manitoba’s Action Plan commits to investing in the expansion of the Abecedarian Approach in four child-care facilities, benefitting up to 240 children.

For more information, contact:

Quality Enhancement and Program Development Unit
Early Learning and Child Care Division
Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning
210 - 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3C 4V4
Email: ELCC-Quality@gov.mb.ca