The 2009 Week of the Young Child begins this Sunday April 19th, and runs through Saturday April 25th. This annual celebration is a chance to focus on the lives of very young children (and those who care for them) while informing the public about the importance of early childhood programs and services. This year’s theme is “Bring Communities Together for Children— Children Bring Communities Together.” The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) sponsor’s the event and provides much more information on their website.
WECA and their local affiliate, the Dane County Association for the Education of Young Children, will be joining the Madison Children’s Museum on Tuesday, April 21st for their Week of the Young Child Open House. The event will take place from 6pm-8pm and will offer free workshops and resources to young children and their families. WECA staff member Peggy Haack will be hosting a workshop from 7:30pm-8pm entitled “Finding Our Voices as Advocates.” You can read more about the event here.
Activities are taking place all week across Wisconsin! For a list of events please visit our website.
WECA 
It is so great that we have a celebration like this. It is not often that we get a chance to recognize the important work of early childhood educators and providers. I think it is also a way for us all to come together on a regular basis. I hope I’ll get a chance to attend some of the events. Happy Week of the Young Child!
Our center created a banner of hand prints that was created by every child in the center. The children take much delight in seeing their art hanging on a fence along side our playground for all the parents to view.
Our small program collected 3 large grocery bags and 1 box of canned/boxed food items to donate to a local food bank. Our affilate organized a drop off site for the food. Parents at our center wrote letters to their child about the day they became part of their family -(part instead of born) being sensitive to adoptive and foster families. We had a very special week!