Downtown parade to celebrate children

Local day care and Albany ISD early learning classes are in the midst of celebrating the Week of the Young Child, which will culminate with a downtown parade on Friday.

The Week of the Young Child April 8-12 features activities as part of a national event to honor those who make a difference in children’s lives.

Participating centers include MMPC Mothers Day Out, Nancy Smith Elementary Pre-K and Head Start classes, Stepping Stones Christian School, First Love Day Care, and Lakey’s Day Care.

Week of the Young Child is designed to help early childhood programs across the country hold activities that focus community awareness on the needs of young children. 

“We will celebrate the children, as they are our future, both in Albany and around the world,” said Ginny Ivy with Stepping Stones. “The annual event was started to bring awareness to the community that learning starts in early childhood, before the children are school age.”

Activities this week include discussions about making good choices that “help to take care of health, mind, and soul,” as well as bringing favorite books to help promote early literacy.

Head Start and Pre-K classes participated in a Field Day at the high school track on Wednesday morning, and Stepping Stones and First Love will combine for a similar event on Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

On Friday, April 12, teachers and preschool students from all of the different classes will gather at the Bank Park for the annual downtown Sidewalk Parade at 10:15 a.m.