
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991                   TAG: 9104050480
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-15   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD PROMOTES KIDS' BASIC NEEDS

A number of activities are scheduled next week to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, an annual event by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The event seeks to increase awareness of the needs of children, families and teachers.

"The biggest needs for all children are high quality, accessible and affordable child care," said Jean Vogler, the state chairwoman for the celebration. "This particular week we're working to involve the public in and make them aware of these needs."

Vogler is the assistant director of the Virginia Tech Child Development Laboratory. She said adults need to think about not only a child's basic needs, but also the availability of quality child care.

"Most of a child's early development is done by learning through play," said Sara Hutton, a Head Start coordinator and local co-chairwoman with Karen Hughes. "Parents need to realize that play can be enriching for children and that quality child care can help in this process."

The New River Valley Association for the Education of Young Children - which has almost 70 members - is sponsoring "A Family Affair" Sunday at Gilbert Linkous Elementary in Blacksburg, 1-2 p.m.

There will be games and activities for children, face painting, make-and-take art and stories. And there will be plenty of information for adults.

There will be a storytelling workshop Tuesday, for adults and teachers at the Christiansburg library at 7 p.m.

"Choosing Quality Child Care" will be presented Thursday by Ann Francis, director of Virginia Tech's Resource and Referral Service, which links parents with child care. Her presentation will be aired over Blacksburg's public access Channel 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The celebration culminates April 13 with two events. There will be a petting farm at the Virginia Tech Duck Pond, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. And a movie, "All Dogs Go to Heaven," will be shown at the Capri Twin in Blacksburg. Movie admission is three cans of food per person, which will go the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program's food pantry.

For information, call 381-1736.

by CNB