President Rankins celebrates Week of the Young Child at Alcorn’s Child Development Laboratory Center
President Rankins celebrates Week of the Young Child at Alcorn’s Child Development Laboratory Center
Alcorn Child Development Laboratory Center received President Alfred Rankins Jr. with open arms Monday, April 7 to help kick off Week of the Young Child™ (WOYC), April 6-12, 2014.
According to the proclamation read by President Rankins, Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, designed to raise awareness and advocacy surrounding the importance of early childhood learning programs.
President Rankins was delighted to participate and read with excitement “Rudy the Rude Rooster” by Amy Odom Williford. As educators of young minds, you are making an everlasting impact on the lives of children, said Rankins as he thanked the employees of the learning center.
“Creating an environment where reading is enjoyable helps establish a strong early foundation and love of reading,” says Rankins. “The work you all do each day is critically important during the early developmental stages of a child’s life.”
This week also presents an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to ensuring that all children are exposed to environments that will promote reading and learning. Other members who participated included Executive Vice President and Provost Samuel L. White who read “Have You Got My Purr” by Judy West and Tim Warnes, Vice President Carl Cunningham read “Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums” by Audrey Vernick, and Rev. C. Edward Rhodes read “Greta the Grateful” by Amy Odom Williford.
At the kickoff celebration other program participants included Dr. Barry Bequette, dean of the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Carrie Ford, interim chairperson, Department of Human Sciences.
The Alcorn Child Development Laboratory Center Program Director Arthur Owens expressed appreciation to all who participated in the week of activities.
Pictured: President Rankins reading.
