Week of Young Child

April 3-9 marks the 34th annual celebration of the “Week of the Young Child.” First established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children in 1971, the week highlights the importance of families, early childhood professionals, and communities working together to support every child’s healthy development and learning.

Research shows that high-quality early childhood education nurtures a child’s cognitive, social-emotional and physical development, and helps build a solid foundation for school and life success. In addition, investments in young children and their early education reap benefits that are long lasting and widespread for children, families and communities - including better schools, a more educated workforce and less crime. And, early educators are the key: providing nurturing and consistent care, developing lasting relationships with families and preparing children with the skills they need to enter school eager to learn.

Last year, the legislature, with Sen. Brian Joyce as one of the co-sponsors, and Gov. Mitt Romney, made an historic commitment to the state’s young children and families by creating a new board and consolidated Department of Early Education and Care to lay the groundwork for a program of voluntary, universally accessible, high-quality early childhood education for all preschool-aged children in the Commonwealth. The next essential step in this long-term vision is to develop the critical infrastructure necessary to delivering the highest quality early childhood education. This means starting with a commitment to the education, training and compensation of those who teach and care for our young children every day.

Please join in celebrating the Week of the Young Child by urging the governor and our state legislators to continue to support early childhood education and our early educators - to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reap the benefits that high quality early education offers.
Julio Ricardo Varela