As an advocate for quality early childhood education, you can focus on creating public awareness, building support, or working towards change by sharing the benefits of early education for children and families. In the past, many local and national public awareness campaigns that focus on celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities have successfully changed health and safety practices in ECE. The general public is much less informed about how social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical skills developed in the early years of life provide children with a solid foundation for learning and success later. As ECE professionals, we identify effective approaches to increase public awareness about child development and well-being. From promoting Children’s Mental Health Week to using current events to promote community resources for families, ECE professionals must build awareness and support programs and strategies that encourage children’s healthy growth and development.
Instructions:
Research and share information on a community or nationwide event used to advocate for early childhood education by raising awareness by celebrating children’s learning.
For example, NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child, Kindergarten 100th Day, NHSA in the Classroom, or a local event your ECE program or community organizes to advocate for ECE.
Describe what takes place during this event, how children, families, and school staff are involved, and why you believe this event helps raise awareness and promotes positive outcomes for young children and their families.
