While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, it has not changed the need to celebrate and support children and the adults who love, care for, and educate them. The Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
This year the dates of WOYC is April 2-8. The purpose of the WOYC is 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.
The Early Childhood Council for Yuma, Washington, and Kit Carson Counties (ECCYWK) is collaborating with the Rural Communities Resource Center, Washington County Connections, Prairie Family Center, Kit Carson County Communities That Care, and Baby Bear Hugs in Kit Carson and Washington Counties, to put together a WOYC event in Akron, Burlington, Wray, and Yuma. There will be children’s games and activities, a healthy snack, and a children’s book give away. ECCYWK is donating a brand new tricycle to give away at each event. Every child who attends an event will have a chance to win a tricycle.
The WOYC events will start on April 4 at the Akron Event Center from 9-11a.m. The next event will be on April 5 at the Burlington Community Event Center from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The last two events will be on April 8 at the Wray City Building from 9-11 a.m., and at the Yuma Community Center from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Young children and their families are all welcome to attend these WOYC fun filled events!
Today we know more than ever before about the importance of children’s early years in shaping their learning and development. Yet, never before have the needs of young children and their families been more pressing. The WOYC is a time to recognize that children’s opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment — at home, at child care, at school, and in the community — that will promote their early learning. For more information about the WOYC events happening in local communities, contact Claudia Strait at the ECCYWK at 970-360-9099.
