Week of the Young Child Celebrated Across Connecticut

It's one week devoted to public awareness of the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971 to recognize that the early childhood years – birth through age 8 – lay the foundation for a child's success in school and throughout life. It's a time to recommit to ensuring each child experiences the type of early environment – at home, child care, school and in the community – that will promote their early learning.

Celebrating Through Art

Surrounded by Play-Doh bird nests, junk sculptures, foam and jellybean castles and sand art, the children of the Torrington Child Care Center, proudly displayed and offered tours of their annual art show. The show, says director Mary Cecchinato, is in its 10th year, and coincided with the last two days of The Week of the Young Child.

“One of my teachers worked in a Westchester County, New York preschool and they used to do it, so we decided to try it,” Cecchinato said.

State legislators, the city council, board of education,the mayor, the children's families and the public are all invited to take a tour of the work the children have done – much of the work that has taken place throughout the year, starting in September.

State Rep. Michelle Cook (D-Torrington) stopped by the center on her way to the Capitol. It wasn't too long ago that Cook was a substitute teacher at TCCC and saw the whole process unfold each year with the children completing their projects. This year, she was escorted around the center by her tour guide, 5-year-old Natalia.

“It gives them [the children] the opportunity to express themselves,” Cook said. “You can see the pride in the kids and I think that's most important. If you look around, you can see the joy in what they are doing. They know they did something good and something they can be proud of.”

Torrington City Councilman Rick Della Valle, whose grandson Brandon attended TCCC six years ago, made a stop to check out the work of this year's budding artists. He tries to attend the show yearly.

“To see the art of the young children is one of the most rewarding times of my year,” said Della Valle.

Two years ago, the center presented a sand art piece from the art show (good enough to be in the Guggenheim, says Cecchinato) to the city council, and the piece was framed and hung in the council chambers.

Throughout Connecticut, communities celebrated young children with activities and special events:

Wallingford: The Wallingford Community Day Care Center celebrated the Week of the Young Child with a “pajama day” and events celebrating Earth Day, according to center director, Kathy Queen. On “pajama day,” everyone – including the center's toddler group – wore jammies and read bedtime stories.

“Literacy activities are important,” Queen said.

Mansfield: The Mansfield Advocates for Children hosted several activities throughout the week, such as hikes, encouraging families to use free museum passes from the library, recycle crafts, storytelling and a family night. They distributed a placemat to children that included activities such as drawing shapes, writing their names, counting and tic-tack-toe, all in preparation for school.

East Haven: The East Haven Early Childhood Collaborative hosted a children's fair that featured “touch-a-truck,” children's entertainment, free books, raffles and exhibitors. Earlier in the week, Mayor April Capone Almon, presented members of the EHECC with a proclamation recognizing the Week of the Young Child. The Old Stone Church Playschool hosted an open house and puppet show called “The Three (Not So Little) Pigs Production,” an interactive show by Puppetrantz.

Portland: The Portland Early Childhood Council held a poster-making contest for children and when completed, posters would hang around town during the Week of the Young Child. Completed posters were entered to win a savings bond from a local bank.

Middletown: The Russell Library in Middletown hosted a number of events including a family story time, “Shake, Rattle and Roll Dance Party,” and a concert with recording artist Amy Rogell.

Bristol: The Bristol School Readiness Council sponsored School Readiness Healthy Kids Week, which included a variety of presentations given to over 665 preschool children by community partners. Midweek, a celebration of school readiness was partnered with a timespan to register children for kindergarten, along with a storytime sponsored by the Bristol Public Library. There was also a grand opening of the “Kindergarten Here I Come” exhibit at the Imagine Nation Museum, which is a collaboration with the state Department of Education, Bristol School Readiness Council, the United Way of West Central Connecticut, Bristol Rotary Club and the Bristol Board of Education. To celebrate all week, all Bristol preschool and kindergarten teachers were honored for the exceptional work they do with children in the Bristol community.

New Haven: The Gateway Early Learning Center at Gateway Community College in New Haven celebrated the week with a variety of events and activities including a children's art exhibit, family breakfast, storytelling and a performance by the Yale Chinese Ensemble.

Stratford: In Stratford, Mayor James R. Miron proclaimed April 20-24 as the Week of the Young Child in Stratford and encouraged citizens to support investments in early childhood education in Stratford.

Ansonia: Ansonia's “Play and Learn Fair” held just before the start of the Week of the Young Child, was geared at toddlers to 7 year olds, offering a puppet show, music, “touch-a-truck” and other activities that combine fun and learning.

Enfield: Enfield KITE (Key Initiatives to Early Education) hosted a week-long preschool classroom at the Enfield Square Mall to allow children to play with developmentally-appropriate toys and hands-on experiences. The classroom included a small table and chairs, toys, Play-Doh and a water table. The event is in its second year and honors children and families and raising awareness of the importance of early childhood education.

And, if you ask some early care educators and advocates if they are celebrating “The Week of the Young Child,” they will quickly tell you that every week is a week to celebrate the young child!