Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children – Key Summary Report from Wave 3

Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children – Key Summary Report from Wave 3 Report

  • Author(s): FaHCSIA
  • Published: 2012
  • Publisher: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Abstract: The most comprehensive source of longitudinal information on early childhood development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It shows how early childhood experiences can impact on later life and provides policy makers with information about ‘what matters’ and ‘what works’ for producing improved Indigenous outcomes. Footprints in Time is the name given to the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC), an initiative of the Australian Government. Footprints in Time is conducted by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) under the guidance of the Footprints in Time Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Mick Dodson AM. The study aims to improve the understanding of, and policy response to, the diverse circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities. This report is the third in a series of key summary reports produced for each wave of the data collection. The report provides a descriptive analysis of key findings for wave3. Further information about the study, including the fieldwork, is available at Appendix A of this report. Readers may wish to refer to the first two reports for more detailed information about the developmental phase of the study and for results from waves1 and 2. The 'Footprints in time' longitudinal study in Australia investigates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's early years affect their development. Two cohorts will be followed: 960 babies, aged 6 to 18 months old, and 727 children, aged 3 to 4 years old. Wave 1 data was collected in 2007/2008, and Wave 3 in 2010. This report summarises findings from Wave 3, with data collected on education, learning, health, family structure, housing, parental education and employment, parental health, family income, parenting, culture, and community. The report also contains feature articles on special topics, including social and problem gambling, social and emotional development, and mothers' educational aspirations for their children.

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Suggested Citation
FaHCSIA, 2012, Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children – Key Summary Report from Wave 3, Report, viewed 16 February 2025, https://www.nintione.com.au/?p=2914.

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