Time to truly celebrate the young child

By SHERRI MEYER, Western Kentucky University Child Care Resource & Referral
For the Daily Times

April 18, 2008 03:30 pm

— Did you know that the Week of the Young Child has been celebrated this week? It’s just a great time to truly celebrate children. The annual celebration started in 1971 and it focuses attention on the many needs of young children and their families. It’s a time to remind our communities of the hard work and dedication of families and it also celebrates the devotion of early childcare and education professionals. Without these professionals to care for our children, families would not be able to work. By ensuring that young children are well cared for and that their health and nutrition needs are met, we provide them with the best way to plan for their futures.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children sponsors the Week of the Young Child. It’s important to remember that all of the learning and growing that occurs in the first five years of life has a tremendous impact on each child’s future growth and development. The interactions we have with the young children in our families and in our communities can impact these children for the better. What a wonderful time to show your commitment and dedication to all of the young children in your family and community and to realize the responsibility we each have to children and their families to provide the best quality services and early care and education all families deserve.
April is usually a busy month, but please take the time – make the time — to celebrate with as many young children as you possibly can, whether from your family or within your community. Read stories together, walk together or go on a picnic, build with blocks, color a picture; you name it and it can be done. Just spend the time with a child. Celebrate these young children and all that the future holds for them by enjoying special time together.
For more information, visit the National Association for the Education of Young Children at www.naeyc.org or contact the Child Care Resource & Referral at WKU at 800-621-5908 or visit their website at www.wku.edu/-ccrr-wku.
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