Happy Week of the Young Child™!

This year, the Week of the Young Child™ is April 6-12....Happy Week of the Young Child™!

This annual celebration, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is intended to "focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs."

During the dates set by the NAEYC, groups in communities across the country plan special events to clelbrate. In Northeast Ohio, many preschools and daycare centers are planning special activities. Hudson Preschool Parents has a week of trips and special activities planned for member families. They will wrap up the week with their annual Children's Festival on Saturday, April 12 from 10-1 at East Woods Elementary School, 120 North Hayden Parkway which is open to members and non-members alike. You can contact childrensfair@hudsonpreschoolparents.org for more information. (If you attend, make sure to stop by and say "HI"! I'll be there, and a free Beginner and Advanced Workshop will be given away!)

The theme for this year's Week of the Young Child™ is Early Years Are Learning Years®. You might choose to explore areas in this topic such as: "Play: Where Learning Begins," "Embracing Diversity," "Teaching and Teachers Matter," "Encouraging Health and Fitness," "Investing in Young Children Benefits All," "Prevent the Achievement Gap: We Know How," "Strengthening Families™," and "Promoting Resilience in Young Children."

What better way to celebrate this theme than to incorporate early communication and long term learning into your family with Signing Smart? Classes are forming now - make your opinion about when they will be held count! Please take a few moments to complete this survey The next set of class dates/times will be announced April 15! Not in the Northeast Ohio Area? Please e-mail me, StephanieBowlin@Signingsmart.com, I'd be happy to help you find a Signing Smart class in your area, or work with you to meet your needs!

How are you celebrating this year's Week of the Young Child™? Do you know of an event that's not listed here? Please share!