TORONTO – The University of Toronto has announced that Dr. Eric Jackman has donated $5 million to the Institute of Child Study – a landmark gift in Canada for early development and childhood education.

In recognition of the gift, U of T has renamed the 85-year-old Institute of Child Study the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, which is part of the University’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology. The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study is one of the few places in the world to integrate advanced research, renowned graduate teacher training and a demonstration model of practical elementary schooling at one place.

“Dr. Jackman’s gift demonstrates his firm belief in the Institute’s unique and integrated approach to the study of human development, family dynamics and childhood education,” said U of T President David Naylor. “We are already a leader in this area. With Eric Jackman’s support, we can build on these strong foundations, continue to innovate, and develop best practices that will improve outcomes of early childhood education for children and families everywhere.”

OISE Dean Julia O’Sullivan says the gift will generate enormous benefits for the Institute: “Dr. Eric Jackman’s extraordinary generosity will allow OISE to expand its reach and deepen its impact, making a difference in the lives of children, families and communities here at home and around the world. On behalf of everyone at OISE, and of all those whose lives will be enriched through your gift, thank you Dr. Jackman.”

“I am pleased to be able to make a financial contribution to one of my lifelong interests – the understanding of early human development, and to enlightening educators and parents alike to the very best child-rearing and educational practices,” said Dr. Eric Jackman. “I believe that supporting the Institute, one of the original child study centres in North America with which I have a personal connection, will enhance our knowledge of how we develop and learn.”

Institute director Dr. Janette Pelletier says the Institute is indebted to Eric for his milestone gift and for supporting the shared need to better understand early human development and improve childhood education. “We look forward to building an expanded Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study. The timing of this great gift is especially important as we begin to connect Ontario’s new Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten policy to our ground-breaking work in family literacy, parent engagement and the benefits of inquiry-based teaching.”

Dr. Eric Jackman’s lead gift to the $12 million ICS Building Campaign launches the public phase of the Campaign, for which over two third’s has been raised. A modern wing will be added to a planned renovation for Leighton G. McCarthy House, featuring a large multi-purpose auditorium/gymnasium to strengthen existing Institute programming and accommodate new community outreach programs for the public.

The expanded facility, centrally located, will allow the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study to open its doors to serve Toronto families for best-practice teaching and family learning; as well as welcome the broader education community and related disciplines. These programs will be undertaken in partnership with governments, public school boards and professional and community agencies.

Dr. Eric Jackman and his three siblings – Chancellor Emeritus (U of T) Hal Jackman, the Rev. Edward Jackman and Senator Nancy Ruth – all attended what is now known as the ICS Lab School.