The week of April 22-28 is the NAEYC-sponsored celebration, The Week of the Young Child. “The purpose of the Week of the Young Child™ 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” (NAEYC). This year’s theme is “Early Years Are Learning Years.”
Last week’s Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC) Early Childhood Conference was a great introduction to The Week of the Young Child. The Adventurous Child attended the conference Thursday through Saturday of last week. We had a wonderful time listening to speakers, attending workshops, and meeting new people in our booth. Many people we met are bringing natural elements into their children’s outdoor play areas. Visit our website to see how we use our preschool play equipment to create natural playscapes on the preschool playground.
I attended several workshops at the conference and was inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm of the speakers, teachers, and administrators who work to better education for young children. Thank you for all you do! What an amazing and dedicated group of people! We are excited to meet more people and hear more speakers next week at the Indiana Early Childhood Conference. Until then, dance, sing, run, tumble, climb, jump, skip, explore, wonder, and play outdoors!
Sources: National Association for the Education of Young Children. http://www.naeyc.org/woyc, Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children, http://www.oaeyc.org/
