Ontario’s Middle Years Profile of Wellbeing

Ontario’s Middle Years Profile of Wellbeing presents a set of 23 outcomes and 75 indicators, which were selected to create a wholistic picture of how middle years children are doing in Ontario. The outcomes provide an ideal reality that we hope all children and families can experience. The indicators allow us to know, each year, how many children and families are getting closer to reaching that reality.

More than 200 possible indicators were reviewed. The indicators that were selected scored high on the following criteria:

  • relevance: aligns with outcomes and reflects a key issue that supports progress under a goal
  • data quality: validity, reliability, sensitivity and sampling methodology
  • representation: reflects the portion of the sample in the middle years age range.
  • survey frequency: survey cycles support the measurement of change over time
  • outcome-focused: indicators show an outcome rather than a process or output
  • actionable: potential for data to inform and influence policy and program design and delivery
  • strategic alignment: aligns with indicators from Stepping Up to monitor changes over different ages

At times we encountered limitations in the data landscape in Ontario, such as limited data representing children ages 612, partial age coverage (e.g., ages 11 and 12 only in some cases), infrequency of surveys and, in some cases, survey exclusion of Indigenous peoples living on reserves.

Why a profile?

The Middle Years Profile of Wellbeing will help us to better understand how middle years children and their families are doing, and to help identify areas where additional focus may be needed. It is a commitment to paying attention to the wellbeing of children and families.

It is also a “snapshot” in time – a story of a generation, their context and overall wellbeing. It will be updated annually to be able to track progress.

The value is not found in the individual data points but in the overall picture that the profile creates about a unique cohort of middle years children.

While the profile does not necessarily reflect the experiences of all individual young people, it does play an important role in painting an overall picture of how children are doing, and what more is needed to help them to thrive.

How was the profile developed?

The outcomes were selected based on research and in consultation with stakeholders and families. For each outcome, indicators were selected based on available research. We also referred to Stepping Up: A Strategic Framework to Help Youth Succeed to find areas of alignment.

The indicators rely on data that is collected on a regular basis. It is publicly reported data. It includes population-level data, as well as data on government programs where available.

Ontario’s Middle Years Profile of Wellbeing

Children are active and well

Ontario children play and are physically healthy

  • 66.4 % of children engage in vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes at least five times a week
  • 49% of children eat vegetables at least once a day
  • 82% of children play outdoors after school
  • 63% of children sleep at least 8 hrs per night
  • 93.3% of families have a primary care provider
  • 86% of children rate their health as good or excellent

Ontario children feel happy and mentally well

  • 91.5% of children report their mental health as good, very good or excellent
  • 79% of children think it is important to experience joy and that their life has meaning and purpose
  • 18.7% of children had a mental health or emotional problem and didn’t know where to turn
  • 14.4% of children feel under stress, strain or pressure
  • 12.9% of children feel hopeless
  • 7.1% of children seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year

Ontario children learn and practice healthy habits and connect to the natural world

  • 43.3% of children spend at least 3 hours per day of sedentary screen time (playing/chatting/surfing/emailing/watching)
  • 92% of children brush their teeth at least once a day
  • 64% of children think it is important to feel connected to nature
  • 53.8% of children have rules at home about talking to people they don’t know online / on cell phone

Children have caring and connected families

Ontario children have at least one consistent caring adult in their lives

  • 96.7% of children have at least one parent/caregiver who usually knows where they are
  • 67% of children feel they have a family member who could provide emotional help and support when needed
  • 50% of children talk about the activities they do in school with their parents/caregivers
  • 77% of children feel their teachers care about them as a person

Ontario families are financially stable and secure

  • 6.3% of families live in deep poverty and struggle to afford housing
  • 14% of children live in low income households
  • 10% of families experience food insecurity

Ontario families are supported to thrive and are active in their children’s lives

  • 74% of children eat dinner with a parent on a regular basis
  • 89.2% of teachers share suggestions with parents/caregiver to support learning at home
  • 93.5% of teachers share information with parents/caregivers on their child's progress

Children have positive relationships

Ontario children form and maintain health and close relationships

  • 68.1% of children have at least one friend they can trust and rely on
  • 78.8% of children can talk through disputes with a friend

Ontario children respect others and value diversity, equity and inclusion

  • 6% of children bully others
  • 30% of children have been bullied
  • 68% of children feel students treat each other with respect
  • 80% of children think it is important to be kind and forgiving of others

Ontario children feel safe at home, school, online and in their communities

  • 56.1% of children feel safe at school
  • 76% of children feel their community is safe for children to play outside during the day
  • 60% of children feel they can trust people in their community
  • 83.9% of children feel confident they have the skill needed to protect themselves online

Children engage in learning

Ontario children are curious and love to learn

  • 47% of children really like school
  • 47.1% of children like to read
  • 59.5% of children enjoy mathematics
  • 68% of children feel they belong at their school

Ontario children have relevant learning experiences that address their diverse interests, strengths, needs and abilities

  • 80% of children feel they can get extra help at school when they need it
  • 83% of children feel their teachers accept them as they are
  • 28.7% of children regularly take part in a school club or group

Ontario children gain the knowledge and skills they need

  • 64% of grade 3 students are at or above the provincial math standard
  • 72.6% of grade 3 students are at or above the provincial reading standard
  • 74.6% of grade 3 students are at or above the provincial writing standard
  • 27.5% of teachers implement a social and emotional learning program
  • 70.6% of children enter grade one ready to learn

Children feel valued

Ontario children are discovering who they are and who they want to be

  • 69% of children say they have confidence in themselves
  • 45.3% of children participate in art, music or drama activities outside of school
  • 10% of children are involved in community groups

Ontario children are proud of their cultures and identities and live free from discrimination

  • 14.3% of children are treated badly or differently at school because of their race, ethnicity, colour of skin
  • 14.6% of children are treated badly or differently because of their gender identity or sexual orientation
  • 71% of children feel other kids accept them as they are

Ontario children can express what matters to them

  • 72% of children have someone in their family who listens to them when they speak
  • 70% of children feel they are encouraged to express their own view in their class(es)

Communities support children and families

Ontario families inform the decisions that affect them

  • 25% of children are involved in volunteer work
  • 56% of parents / caregivers highly agree their child's school does a good job including them in their child's education

Ontario families know about and easily access quality resources in their communities

  • 52% of parents have access to after school care
  • 66% of parents feel public facilities and programs for sports/recreation meet their child's needs
  • 74% of children feel there are good places to spend their free time (e.g., recreation centres, parks, shopping centres).
  • 71% of parents are satisfied with the cost and location of opportunities to be active in their community

Ontario service providers, governments and communities foster belonging and wellbeing for kids and families

  • 87.9% of families are satisfied with health care in their community
  • 46.4% of children would speak to a school social worker, counsellor, psychologist, nurse or other school staff if they needed help for concerns regarding their mental health

Indigenous children thrive

All First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and families are physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually well

All First Nations, Métis and Inuit children participate in and feel proud of their traditions, languages, cultures, and identities

All First Nations, Métis and Inuit children are engaged in and contribute to their families, communities and cultures

All First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and communities are supported to be self-determining in defining and meeting the needs of their children, families and communities

All service providers, governments and Indigenous communities respond to local needs and priorities and are accountable to communities

  • Many of the indicators in the broader Profile of Middle Years Wellbeing do not accurately reflect the disparities in outcomes experienced by Indigenous children and families.
  • Indicators for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, families and communities are being developed under the Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy.