'Everyone can help make a difference' during Week of the Young Child

Editor:

April 2-8 is the Week of the Young Child, a time to recognize the needs of young children and to thank the adults involved in their education and care. Parents, teachers, caregivers and other adults play important roles in the lives of young children, and Week of the Young Child celebrates their efforts.

Everyone can help make a difference in a child's life and their education. Here are some important facts and just a few ways everyone can help.

Early childhood education is vital to all communities:

There are more than 35 million children from birth through age 8 in this country. The early years are a crucial time for their growth and development, and a time when we help children prepare to succeed in school and in life.

The majority of mothers with children under age 18 work, and working families rely on child care providers to help them care for their children while they work.

Research shows that high quality early childhood programs help children - especially those from families with low incomes - develop the skills they need to succeed in school, including language, pre-mathematics and social skills.

Make a difference in your community:

Support programs that provide quality early childhood education by volunteering at a local school, community center, Head Start or child care program.

Educate yourself and others about the importance of quality early childhood education in preparing young children for school.

Support policies at the local, state and federal levels that provide quality early learning opportunities for all young children.

Donate books or money to your local school for new overnight or library books.

Make a difference in your family:

Read to a child; one book a day makes all the difference.

Listen to a child read - even if they make mistakes often.

Play a board or card game with a child - that includes math skills.

We can all help to build better futures for all children!

Lekeshia S. Menendez

Dearing

(Lekeshia Menendez is a student at the Thomson campus of Augusta Technical College.)