The Child Development Center held its ninth annual “Week of the Young Child Hands on Curriculum Fair” last Friday.

The event ran from April 21 through April 28 in the Child Development Center.

More than 200 faculty, staff, parents and volunteers attended the week. “The Week of the Young Child” was sponsored by the CDC and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The purpose of the celebration is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their family and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

With the help of the NAEYC that first established the Week of the Young Children in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years between birth and eight years old lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later in life.

The Week of the Young Child is the time to plan how citizen of a community, of a state and of a nation will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

During the event there were booths that demonstration the Child Development Program to the parents and they were:

? Clay? Goop? Creative Painting ? Gel? Kindergarten Gym? Shaving Cream Area? Bubblemania

Debra Ward, director of the Child Development Center, said that there was a hope that parents will see with the events that were held throughout the week.

“The hope is to understand that children come first,” she explained, “and that with this celebration that there be recognition that these children in the program are our future.”

She added that with those children in the CDC are also the ones that will become future educators as well.

Linda Roberts, child development instructor, agreed.

“As in the hands on curriculum this is a great way for parents and children to be involved in activities such as those children who have learned sensory skill.”

Not only is it the opportunity to have parents see the sensory skills that are learned through the CDC says Roberts, “but it is also an opportunity for both parent and child to play together in addition to celebrate and to give children a sense of respect through their voice.”

That is why the Week of the Young Child is important to recognize Vanessa San Martin, volunteer and child development major, said.

As she was playing with the children and making bubbles she said, “It’s the experience that the child gets through the CDC as well as the motor skills to go on to the future that develops any child.”

“What is does is it grabs and manipulates a child’s mind,” she commented, “and in the end it is meaningful, that’s what so great about it.”