Press Release: Biddeford Community Comes Together To Support Young Children and Their Families
Free Family Event, Children’s Art Show and Mayoral Proclamation
To Celebrate The Week of the Young Child® in April
BIDDEFORD, ME (March 31, 2022) – The effect of the pandemic on young children is still being assessed, however, initial studies show many children are showing signs they will not be ready for kindergarten because they have been deprived of regular social interactions and the opportunity to grow the skills typically acquired in settings such as child care and pre-school (“Impact Of Covid-19 On Children’s Social Skills,” by Leah Campbell, Forbes, 10/31/21).
To help address this issue, members of the Biddeford community, led by the non-profit Biddeford Ready!, have come together to raise awareness about the needs of children, families, and early educators during the Week of the Young Child®, April 2-8, 2022. The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), including its Maine affiliate the MaineAEYC, to focus public attention on the needs of young children, birth through age 8 and their families, and to recognize and support the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
Over a dozen organizations and the City of Biddeford are joining in the celebration. On March 15, 2022, Mayor Alan Casavant proclaimed April 28, 2022 as the Week of the Young Child®. John F. Kennedy School in Biddeford will open its doors to welcome children and families to a free School Readiness Fair & Children’s Art Show on April 9. Representative Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the House and Biddeford-native, will kick off the event at 12 noon to speak about legislation supporting children. Other activities include storytelling, live music, children’s yoga, classroom tours, a fire truck, face painting, art and science activities, and an art show featuring budding artists from local early care and education centers. The event will go until 4 pm. (See attached flyer for more details.)
According to Nicole Rea, Network Coordinator for Biddeford Ready!, “It is amazing that so many organizations stepped up to help organize and participate in this event to raise awareness about school readiness. The pandemic, which has caused disruption to early education, raises concerns about the social-emotional and cognitive development of our children and if they will be on track to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to thrive in school. The response of the community brings us hope for their future.”
About Biddeford Ready!
Biddeford Ready! is a network of community partners working together and united in the mission to provide the family and community the support and resources children need from birth to age five to enter kindergarten ready to reach their full potential. The Week of the Young Child® School Readiness Fair and Children’s Art Show is funded through a grant from the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. United Way of Southern Maine provides organizational support to Biddeford Ready!. Learn more at www.biddefordready.org.