The NH Community Technical College, along with hundreds of local organizations around the country, will celebrate "Week of the Young Child," April 18-24. "Week of the Young Child" honors more than 35 million children from birth through age eight in America, and the families, teachers and other adults who help children make the most of the opportunities of their early years. " 'The Week of the Young Child' is a wonderful time to reconnect to children, their families and early childhood educators," stated Pat Finnegan-Allen, the college's Early Childhood Associate Professor. Childhood is a unique and valuable stage of life; a time of enormous opportunities; a time to grow, to learn, to build the future. Each of us can help make the most of children's opportunities.
"Research and experience clearly show that children's earliest years are crucial learning years," said Susan Blais, NHCTC's Childcare Director. "Week of the Young Child" is a chance to celebrate the learning opportunities of young children, and to recognize the responsibilities we share for helping them make the most of those opportunities."
The Week of the Young Child celebrations around the country will promote high-quality child care, preschool and other early education opportunities for young children, and honor the teachers and administrators who work to improve those programs. Hundreds of early education programs around the country, including child care and Head Start programs, preschools and elementary schools, will be celebrating Week of the Young Child in different ways, such as community fairs, open houses, and political rallies.
In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, a workshop on Autism will be held on April 15 at NHCTC for child care providers and students. Other activities will be scheduled throughout the week. The activities include Complete the Nursery Rhyme Game on April 19; make "Clean Mud" on April 20; a sing-a-long for April 21; and a storytelling session April 22. Specific times, places and additional information may be obtained by calling Blais or Finnigan-Allen at NHCTC, 603-752-1113.
"Week of the Young Child" is a time to remember that if we want our children to succeed, we need to support the teachers and programs that give them a great start.
NHCTC advocates a comprehensive effort to improve the quality of early childhood education, including:
NHCTC has twelve early childhood professionals working together to improve professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education, and to build public support for high-quality childhood education programs. NHCTC Child Care is accredited by NAEYC, the largest organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of early childhood programs for children birth through age eight. Founded in 1926, NAEYC now has more than 100,000 members and a national network of nearly 450 local, state, and regional affiliates.
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