Week of the Young Child

Closing Ceremony this Saturday, april 13th

The Week of the Young Child wraps up Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. till noon, on the south lawn of the Yuma Heritage Library. This annual, free-to-the-public event, curated by the Yuma Chapter of the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AZAEYC), will feature a wide variety of activities for both children and parents to take part in. “Building Our Future Together” is the theme.

And while the theme changes every year, the message remains: “To celebrate youth and learning and to advocate for teachers”, said Yuma Chapter president Patricia Miranda.

Saturday will start with the reading of the proclamation. Usually read by a council member, this year’s reader will be Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the event nationally, and the 25th anniversary locally.

“We’ll have up to 25 local agencies participating this year,” said Miranda.

For the parents, there will be pamphlets to stay informed, on everything from where to find a doctor to where to find a food bank. For the children, there will be raffles to stay hydrated, with everything from water to popsicles.

“I’ve been involved with this event… oh… let’s see… for 14 years now,” said Miranda, “and one of my favorite highlights is seeing the future through the eyes of the children.”

To the parents coloring with their children this Saturday, when your child shows you what they made and says it’s a horse, just ask its name. And if you happen to prematurely praise a masterpiece of theirs that turns out to be upside down, just remember you once saw it that way too.

“If there are any parents who once attended the event as children,” said Miranda, “and you’re bringing your kids this year, please reach out to me or the chapter’s chairperson, Mariel Navarrete. We’d love to hear from you.”