FACFC prepares for Week of Young Child

The local Family and Children First Council is asking residents to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child (April 10-16).

As part of the national Week of the Young Child celebrated across the country, Van Wert County is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives.

“All young children need and deserve high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and Van Wert has a great opportunity to do our part to help young children,” said Michelle Pruden, member of the Early Childhood Committee of the Van Wert County Family and Children First Council.

Prize drawings will be held at the elementary schools in the county. Residents can receive free gifts and enter the prize drawing at the following locations: Brumback Library, Women, Infants & Children (WIC) agency, Help Me Grow, Early Head Start, Van Wert County Health Department, Van Wert Pediatrics, YMCA and YWCA.

“Young children and their families depend on high-quality education and care, which help children get a great start, and bring lasting benefits to our community,” Pruden noted. “Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize the importance of early learning and early literacy, and to celebrate the teachers and policies that bring early childhood education to young children.

The council also expressed its appreciation to all the educators, agencies and staff that work with the families of the community and teach local children the tools and information they need to get a great start on life.

“This takes a lot of hard work, dedication and compassion to mold our children into the leaders of the future,” Pruden concluded.