Strong Programmes + Strong Families + Strong Communities = Well Rounded Children says Child Month Organising Committee

Education Officer with responsibility for Early Childhood, Mrs. Florence Smithen

NIA-CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (June 1ST, 2011) — The Early Childhood Sector within the Department of Education believes that a collaboration of strong programmes, families and communities would lead to the creation of well-rounded children.

Despite last year’s focus on fathers, the sector has announced that activities for Child Month 2011 would seek to create stronger bonds within families as the Child Month Organising Committee pays special attention to the theme “Strong Programmes + Strong Families + Strong Communities = Well Rounded Children.”

Last Monday [May 30], Education Officer with responsibility for Early Childhood, Mrs. Florence Smithen, accompanied by representatives of the Inez France Preschool, Ms. Marigold Wilkinson and Ms. Melissa Pemberton, spoke of the significance of the theme and announced this year’s Child Month activities.

Supervisor at the Inez France Preschool Ms. Marigold Wilkinson

“We believe that it takes more than one individual to raise a child and so, in our Early Childhood programme, our aim is really to ensure that the programmes that we provide for young children are strong.

“If we have programmes and we do not have families to access these programmes then it doesn’t make sense, so they work together. Then we work with the families to ensure that they also are strong and then we extend that to the community itself so that whatever initiatives they plan for families and children are also strong,” Mrs. Smithen said.

The month-long activities would commence today [June 1], when Nevis’ Premier and Minister of Education the Honourable Joseph Parry would launch the celebration during an address which is expected to be broadcast on radio and television.

Teacher at the Inez France Preschool Ms. Melissa Pemberton

Two of the major highlights, according to Mrs. Smithen, would be the parade and cultural explosion on June 10 and 15 respectively. The parade is expected to commence at 9:00 A.M. at the Nevis Cultural Centre while the Cultural Explosion is set for 4:30 P.M. at the Nevis Cultural Complex.

Other activities that have been planned for Child Month 2011 are tag day on June 2, a church service on June 5, families in focus from June 20 to 24, St. Kitts’ parade day on June 24, a food fair on June 29 and an appreciation day for Early Childhood employees on June 30.

Child Month is designed to showcase the work and programmes within the Early Childhood Sector as well as highlight the varying talents of the island’s preschoolers.