Miami, April 5, 2019 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) School of Education invites the entire community to join in celebrating the Week of the Young Child, Monday, April 8 – Sunday, April 14. Children and families will enjoy numerous interactive and fun early childhood educational activities with a focus on the mental, physical, and emotional development of children from birth to 8 years of age. The events are free and open to the public.
The Week of the Young Child is a celebration of young children and the need for adults to focus attention on their needs. It is a nationwide campaign by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy and research. NAEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate and work on behalf of young children.
MDC students from the South Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (SFAEYC) will host activities on MDC campuses celebrating the Week of the Young Child. SFAEYC students also actively participate with students in MDC’s School of Education Early Childhood Teaching Academies and the children at the Exploration Station, the preschool at MDC. SFAEYC is a professional organization whose mission is to foster the well-being of all children through professional development and community networking opportunities in South Florida.
MDC offers an Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education that is accredited by the NAEYC, thereby demonstrating evidence of meeting the Professional Preparation Standards. Accreditation provides a framework for self-study, external evaluation and improvement in the quality of teacher preparation programs. MDC’s School of Education is currently preparing for the reaffirmation of this accreditation as well as the initial accreditation of the Bachelor in Science degree in Early Childhood Education.
Following are Week of the Young Child activities:
Music Monday
Monday, April 8
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Kendall Campus, Bldg. R, Grass area 11011 SW 104th St.
Children sing, dance, and listen to music; and develop their language and early literacy skills while being active and encouraging movement.
Tasty Tuesday
Tuesday, April 9,
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.- InterAmerican Campus, Building 6, Breezeway, 627 SW 27th Ave.
5-6 p.m. – North Campus, Bldg. 3, Breezeway, 11380 NW 27th Ave.
6-7 p.m.- Homestead Campus, Room G302, 500 College Terrace, Homestead
Focusing on healthy eating and fitness at home and school, this fun, food-themed day demonstrates how cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more.
Work Together Wednesday
Wednesday, April 10
4-5 p.m.
InterAmerican Campus, Flag Courtyard, 627 SW 27th Ave.
When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home.
Artsy Thursday
Thursday, April 11
4:30-5:30 p.m.- InterAmerican Campus, Building 6, Breezeway, 627 SW 27th Ave.
5-6 p.m. – North Campus, Building 3, Breezeway, 11380 NW 27th Ave.
Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. Celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts.