Parents, teachers, caregivers and other adults play important roles in the lives of young children and the Week of the Young Child celebrates their efforts to provide young children with literacy and a foundation for learning and learning.

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services at Middleburg Community Center will join the National Association for the Education of Young People to celebrate the National Week of the Young Child April 11-17.

"The Week of the Young Child" is an opportunity for early childhood programs across the country to organize activities that raise public awareness about the needs of young children.

Early reading development is crucial to a child's success in school. Children who enter school with large vocabularies start school ahead of children who have not been exposed to early literacy programs.

In an effort to reach out and give local children the early literacy foundation they need to succeed in school, Middleburg Community Center Preschool will host an Usborne Book fair in the Lobby of the Community Center, Tuesday April 13th and Wednesday April 14th from 9am to 3pm.

An Usborne Book Sales Consultant will be on hand to help you to choose the right books for your children and help you learn how to support your child's literacy development at home.

According to the National Association for The Education of Young Children, preschool programs that properly stimulate and nurture a young child's mind will result in better prepared children by the time they start school.

All young children need and deserve high quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life. Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services offers a State Licensed Early Childhood Preschool program at Middleburg Community Center for ages 2.5 to 5.

To recognize the importance of early learning and to showcase our early childhood program we will have an Open House on Wednesday, April 14th from 4pm-7PM. Our staff of early childhood professionals will be on hand to discuss your child's needs and assist you as you search for a program that is right for your child and your family.

National Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize the needs of young children, but it is also a time to thank the adults involved in their education and care. We would like you to help us in publicly acknowledge the contributions of parents, teachers, caregivers and other individuals.

If you know someone who should receive a "Champion of Young Children Award" please send your nominations to Middleburg Community Center Preschool, PO Box 888, Middleburg, VA or email sheri.conrad@loudoun.gov by April 16th.

Please include the nominee's name and a brief description of his or her contribution to young children. We will publicly thank all the nominees in the May issue of the Middleburg Eccentric.