The Chattanooga Area Association for the Education of Young Children is celebrating children and raising community awareness of their needs during the 2008 Week of the Young Child, April 13-19.

CAAEYC will host educational events as opportunities for local childcare providers, child advocates, parents, and community members to learn more about issues in early childhood development and how they can make a difference in a child’s education and life.

The celebration will have an early kickoff on Monday, April 7, with a professional development opportunity featuring two educational workshops. Early Childhood Educator Lu Lewis with United Way of Greater Chattanooga and the Creative Discovery Museum will present “Go Play!”, an in-depth look at how play is tied to a child’s social-emotional and cognitive development.

A second workshop titled “Build a Brain”, will be facilitated by Early Childhood Education instructor Linda Jarrett from Chattanooga State Technical Community College. “Build a Brain” will feature a discussion of updated brain development information that relates to gender differences.

Both workshops may be attended from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the East Brainerd Church of Christ, located at 7745 E. Brainerd Rd.

Cost is $10 for members of the CAAEYC and $15 for non-members.

The CAAEYC also presents Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter, Associate Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University, as guest trainer and keynote speaker at the 2008 Week of the Young Child Banquet on Thursday, April 17.

The annual banquet will feature a pre-dinner training workshop, silent auction, dinner and Dr. Hemmeter’s keynote address on “The Teacher’s Role in Children’s Emotional Development."

“Children should leave preschool believing they can do anything they want to do,” said Dr. Hemmeter. “We can have a positive impact on every child and every family we work with.”

The banquet will be held at the East Brainerd Church of Christ. The silent auction will be open from 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. and features children’s books, puzzles, a teacher-themed basket, an alphabet rug and many other items. The pre-dinner training workshop, “Emotional Development and Behavior”, will be held from 4–5:30 p.m. Dinner and keynote address will follow from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Cost for the banquet is $15 for CAAEYC members and $20 for non-members. An additional charge of $5 for CAAEYC members and $10 for non-members will be applied to those attending the pre-dinner training workshop.

Additional information and registration is available by contacting the CAAEYC office at 423 629-4174. Individuals interested in membership in the Chattanooga Area Association for the Education of Young Children can also call 423 629-4174 for additional information.