Jefferson Head Center recently recognized the Week of the Young Child, April 13-19.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration each April sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nation’s largest organization of early childhood professionals. 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 support early childhood programs and services.

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing the early childhood years lay the foundation for the children’s success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to focus on the needs of young children and families, and how we as parents, child care providers and members of the community can do a better job meeting those needs.

The theme of the Week of the Young Child was “Bring Communities Together for Children — Children Bring Communities Together.” Areas of focus were healthy development of young children, families with young children, the need to support child rearing efforts, child care for many American families, good quality programs that promote active learning and development in child care and specialized preparation in early childhood education.

The Jefferson Center provided the following activities in collaboration with community partners throughout the week: health awareness — immunizations and oral hygiene, nutrition awareness, parent and staff training child CPR and first aid, educating the young child and mental health awareness.

All activities took place at the Jefferson Center cafeteria and classrooms. All parents, city officials and consultants were urged to attend. The Jefferson Center also paid recognition to the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month by the staff and children wearing blue ribbons and a balloon release.