The Early Development Index (EDI) is a population-based measure assessing kindergarten readiness across five key developmental areas. Orange County is the only county nationwide to collect EDI data from every public school and district with a kindergarten population.
First 5 OC highlights five domains and subdomains that have the largest “somewhat ready” populations. Gross and fine motor skills assess children’s control over gross and fine motor skills needed for tasks such as holding a pencil or turning book pages without damage. Communication skills and general knowledge gauge how well children understand and express ideas, feelings, and experiences in ways others can comprehend. Overall social competence evaluates children’s ability to follow social norms, cooperate, respect authority, and communicate needs appropriately. Prosocial and helping behavior refers to children’s voluntary actions intended to aid others, reflecting empathy and social responsibility. Finally, approaches to learning capture the methods and behaviors children use to acquire new knowledge, develop curiosity, and foster a positive outlook on learning.
This data provides insights into the effectiveness of existing programs and highlights where additional resources are needed to support community-wide success. Children classified as “not ready” and “somewhat ready” are important populations, as targeted interventions can help them progress into the “ready” category, better preparing them for ongoing educational and developmental success.