Brain Building in Progress Week is underway! Across Massachusetts early education and care programs and others are celebrating the national Week of the Young Child by highlighting the critical role that high-quality early learning settings play in the healthy development of young children’s brains. See the video above for a message from Commissioner Sherri Killins of the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
On Thursday, state officials and education leaders will read books with children from Associated Early Care and Education in an event at the State House. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray will attend and present a state proclamation designating April 22-28 Brain Building in Progress Week.
“I commend our parents, educators, families, and communities for the incredibly important work they do each and every day to foster our youngest citizens’ healthy brain development,” Lieutenant Governor Murray said in an EEC news release. “Everyone can play a role to collectively enrich and support a child’s positive growth and learning. I look forward to seeing this exciting momentum continue in the months and years to come.”
Activities planned around the state include parades, community celebrations with activities for families of young children, visits from local leaders to early education and care programs, concerts and a community baby shower.
The week is part of a larger Brain Building in Progress public awareness campaign launched last year by EEC and the United Way.
“I commend the Brain Building in Progress Campaign for bringing awareness to the importance of investing in quality early education and care, as this plays a critical role in closing the achievement gap,” Representative Alice H. Peisch, co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education, said in the news release. “The public and private sector must work together to ensure that quality early learning opportunities be made affordable and available to all children throughout the commonwealth.”
The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration of early learning that the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has sponsored since 1971.
Eye on Early Education focuses on the twin goals of ensuring that Massachusetts children have access to high-quality early education and become proficient readers by the end of third grade.
The State House event was great! The children from the Early Education program at Castle Square were fantastic! Kudos to them and to the deciated early educators and parents that were with them. Thank you to United Way, EEA and EEC for your work and dedication as well.