CELEBRATE!— The Week of the Young Child – April 19 – 25

It is so terrific that the National Association for the Education of Young Children dedicates a week to the importance of the early childhood years! This week provides us the opportunity to realize how our society benefits from optimal development in the pre-school years.

This week highlights the knowledge gained from scientific research that demonstrates that the experiences young children receive in the first three years of life are crucial to brain development. These studies prove that brain development is determined by the daily environment and experiences, rather than genetics alone. This as so exciting to realize, it means we can easily ensure each child has a well developed brain!!

Our increasingly technically and socially complex society cannot afford to continue to allow large numbers of children to miss out on the positive experiences they need in infancy and early childhood; the costs of lost potential and increased rates of emotional and behavioral problems, are too high. Brain research show us what children need; we just need to guarantee that every child receives it!

Celebrate the Week of the Young Child by making a difference. Simple ideas to promote this week are to tell your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors what you've learned about brain development, donate books or a game to a preschool program, contact your representative to encourage support of programs for children and families, read to a child waiting at a food pantry, or simply compliment a parent you observe having a positive interaction with their child.

Happy Week of the Young Child!