This week marks the annual celebration of the Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The week-long event recognizes the importance of early education and highlights the role that families and communities play in supporting young children's development.

Edward Chisolm, Executive Director of the Lenoir Greene Partnership for Children, highlighted the significance of the Week of the Young Child. "This week is a time to commemorate and celebrate our most precious resource, our children," he said. "It's an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of early childhood education and to recognize the essential role that families and communities play in supporting the development of our youngest learners."

The Week of the Young Child also provides a platform for community leaders to show their support for early childhood education. Chisolm explained, "We are honored to have received a proclamation from the Mayor of Kinston, recognizing the importance of this week and encouraging all citizens to invest in early childhood education in our community."

Chisolm emphasized the importance of community support for young children. "The LGPFC is part of a larger statewide initiative called Smart Start," he said. "The community should be reminded that it takes an entire village to raise our children. We all must practice collective work and responsibility when it comes to working on behalf of all children, but especially our youngest and most vulnerable."

Chisolm hopes that the Week of the Young Child will encourage the community to come together and support early childhood education. "We want a space like Week of the Young Children to pause for a moment to appreciate the blessings called our children," he said. "We believe in recognizing young children as individuals with unique gifts, talents, and untapped potential. Let's all work together to support our children and help them become tomorrow's leaders."

As the Week of the Young Child comes to a close, it is important to remember the vital role that early childhood education plays in the development of our children and the importance of community support in ensuring their success.