Physical Health and Well-Being/Social Competence

The Social Competence domain refers to a child’s behaviour in various social
situations. The domain includes such concepts as cooperation and respect of
others, ability to work within the school environment, socially appropriate
behaviour during school activities, self-control and self-confidence. Cooperation
and respect towards others refers to a child’s ability to get along with peers and
adults. The child must demonstrate that he/she is able to play with other
children at an appropriate age level as well as respect them by listening and
taking responsibility for his/her own actions. The ability to work in the school
environment refers to the child’s capacity to listen attentively, follow directions,
complete work on time and work independently. Socially appropriate behaviour
during school activities demonstrates that a child has the ability to follow and
adapt to simple routines. Self-control and self-confidence show that a child is
able to react in various situations in an appropriate and effective manner.

Table 16 is a description of children’s abilities within a certain percentile range in
the Social Competence domain. For example, children scoring above the 75th
percentile are considered to be very ready for school in this particular domain.

Analysis of the Social Competence domain by neighbourhood found that there
were 21 neighbourhoods that scored below the Ottawa 10th percentile and were
thus considered “vulnerable” on the Social Competence domain. The six
neighbourhoods with the highest percentage of children in the lowest 10th
percentile were, in ascending order: Pinecrest/Queensway and Nepean East
(both at 14.9%), Carlington (15.2%), Beacon Hill (15.5%), Lowertown (21.7%) and
Overbrook (29.9%). Please see Table 17 for a complete list of
“vulnerable”neighbourhoods.

There were also many neighbourhoods in Ottawa that did extremely well on the
Social Competence domain. A total of 22 neighbourhoods scored above the
Ottawa 75th percentile and were thus considered “very ready for school”. The five
neighbourhoods that had the highest percentage of children in the top 25th
percentile were, in ascending order: Katimavik/Hazeldean (27.3%), Osgoode
(27.3%), Orleans South (29.1%), South March (30.9%), Glebe (42.9%). Please see
Table 17 for a complete list of “very ready for school” neighbourhoods.

Physical Health and Well-Being/Social Competence/Emotional Maturity