The impact of poverty on children’s educational potential

About one in four Canadian children live in poverty, which means poverty is present in the Canadian classroom. The purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of poverty on Canadian children, particularly in education, so teachers are better equipped to teach their students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, and to combat poverty. The research question is: How does poverty impact children’s educational potential? This study is an extended literature review using peer-reviewed journal articles published this century, as well as other sources, such as Statistics Canada. The intention was to as much as possible use Canadian sources and focus on children. A critical-interpretivist viewpoint is used to present the material. The body of the study focuses specifically on poverty in Canada. Poverty leads to the problem of food insecurity, which in turn results in malnutrition. Malnutrition is concerned with nutrient deficiencies, hidden hunger, and obesity. These negatively affect a family, especially the children, struggling with poverty. The study closes with the implications of poverty on Canadian children’s lives and how it impacts them in the classroom. It outlines the action that can be taken by government, business, community, and education. It delineates the strategies communities and education can utilize to improve the lives of children and their families who live in poverty, moving forward to eradicate poverty in Canada by using individual, school, and community grassroots efforts. The study concludes with a home economics educator’s summary and reflections.Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofUnreviewedGraduat