About the AEDI
The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) is a population measure of young children's development. Like a census, it involves collecting information to help create a snapshot of children's development in communities across
- Physical health and wellbeing
- Social competence
- Emotional maturity
- Language and cognitive skills (school-based)
- Communication skills and general knowledge
These areas are closely linked to the predictors of good adult health, education and social outcomes.
As a population measure, the AEDI places the focus on all children in the community; it examines early childhood development across the whole community. By moving the focus of effort from the individual child to all children in the community we can make a bigger difference in supporting efforts to create optimal early childhood development.
In 2009, for the first time, the AEDI was completed nationwide, providing a snapshot of the early childhood development outcomes of Australian children.