Child Month celebrates 22 years
By L. K. Hewlett
The virtues qualities within children require the attention and moulding of adults, said Vanta Walters, Co-ordinator at the Early Childhood Development Unit.
Walters said parents, guardians, educators and others who impacted children’s lives should take time out to recognise and acknowledge the special traits of children.
“Children need to be coaxed into the right behaviours by observing adults around them,” she said.
June has been designated as Child Month, and the Early Childhood Development Unit is involved in a number of activities to highlight the theme: ‘Unlocking The Virtues In Me’.
Walters said the Federation has celebrated Child Month in the month of June for 22 years.
She said that the early childhood stage was a critical one, where children were more susceptible to stimuli around them. She said that whenever positive traits or characteristics are recognised in children they should be encouraged and re-enforced with due diligence. Negative traits however, should be addressed as early as possible, in an effort to redirect their energies and re-focus them toward more positive and productive ends.
Child month was first celebrated in 1985 in keeping with the trend in the region to designate a period of time that focused specifically on children from birth to five years. Every country had to choose a month; St. Kitts /Nevis selected June.
Walters said it was necessary to focus attention on children in that age group as it was a critical stage of their development.
“During child month, the Early Childhood Development Unit tries to make the public aware of the importance of the early years of a child and how they can become involved in the process and activities. The planned activities are meant to showcase the talent and abilities of these children,” Walters said. “At this time parents involvement in the lives of their children is heightened and intensified. Children benefit from interacting with others and enjoy each others talents and skills.”
Walters said co-ordinating Child Month was a task that was not without its challenges. She commented on the lack of man-power to co-ordinate the many activities. Also Child Month activities were competing with other events such as cricket and Music Festival. She made mention of the difficulties faced in obtaining resources needed such as tents, vehicles and venues.
However, she commended all the sponsors and patrons who had been stalwarts over the years.
The Early Childhood Development Unit is responsible for the daily monitoring and supervising of more than 80 centres in the Federation, to ensure the maintenance of the required standard of operation.
The Unit also advises and makes recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Government on matters relating to early Childhood Issues. Walters explained that persons who wished to establish a centre must be registered with the Unit and must obtain and maintain a consistent standard of operation before being issued a license.
Centres that had licenses had to have them reviewed and renewed annually, and ran the risk of being closed down if they fail to meet the required standard.
“Together we are all responsible for unlocking virtues such as honesty, love, kindness, tolerance, respect and many more in these children. It takes a collaborative effort to help them channel and control their tendencies. We have to set clear boundaries and above all model the virtues ourselves so that our children can imitate,” Walters added.
Scheduled activities include a Sports Day at Patsy Allers Playing Field on Tuesday,
Family Fun Day/ Food Fair at Independence Square on Friday, and their Parade and T-Shirt Day at Greenlands Pasture June 30.
