McGill University’s Faculty of Education has announced a $3.75 million donation to establish the Daniel and Monica Gold Centre for Early Childhood Development. This centre will focus on providing clinical support, training, and resources for children facing learning challenges.
Dr. Victoria Talwar, a Canada Research Chair in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill, emphasized the importance of this funding. She stated, “This gift aims to create long-lasting effects by providing young children with the support and interventions they need for successful development and learning.” Experts agree that early support significantly increases children’s chances of success in school and life.
Currently, many families in Quebec struggle to obtain assessments and resources for their children due to long waitlists. Dr. Talwar highlighted the urgent need for help in the community, noting that many families face extended waits for assistance. “In our clinic, we often have to close our waiting lists because they become too large. This donation will allow us to expand our services and meet more families’ needs,” she explained.
The Golds, both alumni of McGill, expressed that this contribution is invaluable. The funding will enhance the Psychoeducational and Counselling Clinic’s capacity and help launch a new graduate certificate program for early childhood education intervention practitioners, set to start in fall 2025.
Dr. Sheryl Smith-Gilman, a faculty lecturer in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education, stressed the importance of early childhood education. She said, “The early years are often overlooked, but they are critical for development. We need more support in schools, daycare centers, and agencies working with young children facing language and developmental delays, including those on the autism spectrum.”
Dr. Talwar further noted, “The sooner we can assess and support children, the better their learning and development outcomes will be, improving their overall well-being as they grow.”
McGill’s Psychoeducational and Counselling Clinic provides assessments for learning and developmental difficulties. Graduate students, supervised by licensed professionals, serve families on a sliding fee scale. After assessments, children can receive psychoeducational support, often through their schools. The clinic aims to serve the community and train future psychologists.
The new donation will fund additional supervisors and administrative staff, allowing the clinic to remain open year-round and increase the number of assessments conducted, as it currently closes during the summer months.
In a press release, donors Daniel and Monica Gold stated, “We believe in the transformative power of early intervention in development and education. We want to help ensure all children have the best start in life.”
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