Hilltown Families 
Celebrate the Week of the Young Child
Celebrate the Week of the Young Child: April 9th-16th, 2011
Barbara Black, Early Childhood Coordinator of the Northampton Public Schools writes:
The Children’s festival is on Saturday, April 9 at the Jackson Street School in Northampton from 10am – Noon.
Northampton joins hundreds of local organizations around the country that will celebrate The Week of the Young Child, which honors the more than 35 million children from birth through age eight in America, and the families, teachers and other adults who help children make the most of the opportunities of their early years.
The Week of the Young Child is a chance to celebrate the learning opportunities of young children, and to recognize the responsibilities we share for helping them make the most of the early years. Our local celebration of The Week of the Young Child is designed to build broader support for early childhood programs that nurture young children’s early learning and growth.
Northampton will celebrate The Week of the Young Child from April 9-16 2011 with the annual Children’s Art Exhibit and a free Children’s Festival. The events are sponsored by The Northampton Partnerships for Children (CPC) Council, with participation from early care and education providers, the Northampton Public Schools, the Northampton Parents Center, and family support agencies.
Over 30 local businesses in downtown Northampton and Florence will display artwork by children who attend local preschools, childcare centers and the Northampton Public Schools. The children and their teachers are very proud of their work — please take the time to check it out! The Art Exhibit will be on display through April 16th.
The Children’s festival is on Saturday, April 9 at the Jackson Street School in Northampton from 10:00 AM – Noon. We will have lots of great, free activities for young children – games, climbing, tunnels, crafts, stories, and more! Also, we will have a fire engine and school bus to visit! And there is nothing to spend money on! Local agencies serving families will also have information available. Please join us!
Children’s opportunities are our responsibilities. If we value our children, our families, our schools, and our community, we must make accessible, affordable and high-quality early education and care a priority. The Northampton CPC works with early education and care programs and providers, as well as the Western Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (WMAEYC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Together these organizations advocate for a comprehensive effort to improve the availability and quality of early childhood education through: providing professional development opportunities and adequate compensation for teachers and staff; improving the health and safety of programs; using developmentally appropriate practices to encourage literacy and learning from birth; and supporting the family’s crucial role in early education.
For more information, contact Barbara Black at 413-587-1471 or bblack@northampton-k12.us.
(Photo credit: (ccl) Katie Laird; Sienna Wildfield)
The Pioneer Valley joins hundreds of communities around the country celebrating the Week of the Young Child, which honors the more than 35 million children from birth through age eight in America, and the families, teachers and other adults who help children make the most of the opportunities of their early years.
This week Cup and Top in Florence is displaying the artwork of Ms. Bates first grade class from Jackson Street School. Come by and see their drawings about what we can do to help the environment.
Tuesday, April 12th in South Hadley, MA (FREE/DONATIONS)
Week of the Young Child Concert with Miss Leticia at the South Hadley Family Center
with at 9:45am at Saint Patrick’s Church Hall (30 Main Street, South Hadley).
Free concert to celebrate young children.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13TH
5:30-8pm – FAMILY NIGHT: Family Fun Night with Dr. Seuss at East Street School. Community Partnerships for Children Council will have an evening with the Cat in the Hat, serving up green eggs and ham for dinner. After dinner is a family fair filled with fun activities. Part of the Week of the Young Child. 413-583-8372 Ludlow, MA (FREE)
There will be an Early Childhood Fair at Littleville Elementary School cafeteria on Saturday, April 9 from 10AM to Noon in Huntington. This event is free and open to the public. Rain or shine. Come and celebrate the kickoff of the Week of the Young Child with fun activities for young children and their families. Visit a school bus and an ambulance! Get your face painted! Go on a storywalk! Crafts, balloons and movement! Give those small people in your lives a morning to remember! For more information or directions, please contact Kim Savery at the Gateway Family Center at 667-2203 x3 or Erika Frank, Early Childhood Coordinator for the Gateway Regional School District at 685-1030.