The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has dedicated April 11-17 as The Week of the Young Child. This year's theme is Early years are learning years.
This week, preschools and child care centers will be celebrating all things about childhood.
But there's more.
http://NAEYC.com
This is the week to acknowledge your childcare workers- teachers and aides who are dedicated to nurturing and educating your most precious beings.
This is the week to clean up the neighborhood playground (or do safety checks).
This is the week to remember childhood.
At my school, we are hosting silly events such as Pajama Day, Silly Hat Day, Favorite Toy Day, as well as working on 'All About Me' books. We have a baby identification contest- as all staff members baby pictures are hanging up in the vestibule and parents, staff and the kids guess who's who.
Not everyone has had a happy childhood. (It's never to late, you know) And in my class over the years I have come across many kids who are not living that ideal life. With parents who are struggling just to make it through the day, these children become starved for attention- any attention- which naturally results in behavior problems. They are the ones who receive my attention.
During this week, I suggest to parents to absolutely dedicate at least a half hour of undivided attention to your child. Daily. Squeeze it in. Make it a priority. More is better, but even if the child is just sitting at the table and talking while you are cooking dinner (or better, the child is helping) you have no idea the impact those conversations could have on your child's life.
Listening to your child sends the message -Hey,I am important. Listening opens up the door to communication that will be so necessary as your child gets older, especially during the teen years. Listening to your child can give you a window into their world and help you understand (and remember) what it is like to be a child.
Listening to your child is not easy. I remember when my daughter took almost 15 minutes just to tell me about an incident at school. In telling the story, she described what each child involved was wearing along with her critique on the outfit. My ears were burning, but I listened.
Also during this week, talk to your kids about your childhood. I remember when my daughter asked me "What was it like when the world turned color?" believing of course that with the advent of color TV, the entire world was black and white. Such a precious memory.
But above all else, this is the week to become one with your child. Get out and play! Don't have children? Get out and play anyway. Fly a kite, ride a swing, go for a bike ride, or just lie under a tree and stare up.
Remember- It is never to late to have a happy childhood.
Have fun!
The poll question is one that I ask four year olds, but I found that my colleagues enjoy the question also.