April 4th, 2017: Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC) asks all the families with young children in Branford to join together for children during the Week of the Young Child™, Sunday April 23 - Sunday April 30. As part of the national Week of the Young Child™ celebrated across the country, Branford is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children's lives by bringing awareness to the importance of early literacy and the role our community plays in raising our children.

"Young children and their families depend on high-quality education and care, which helps children get a great start and bring lasting benefits to Branford," said Robin Comey, BECC Coordinator. "Week of the Young Child is our time to recognize the importance of early learning and early literacy, and to celebrate the teachers and policies that bring early childhood education to young children."

In honor of this special week, over 900 copies of the book Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin have been donated to children in early care centers throughout town. This book honors families of all stripes and is a sweet celebration of what makes us unique -- and what holds us together. The story is part of BECC's "One Book, One Town" program made possible by the generosity of individuals and businesses, the Branford Rotary Club and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Also as part of the annual celebration, hundreds of preschool age children are submitting original art work, based on Happy in Our Skin for the Downtown Art Walk. From April 23 to April 30, the young artists' work can be viewed on display in the storefronts of participating businesses on Branford's Main Street.

An afternoon of activities to celebrate Week of the Young Child™ will take place on Sunday April 30 from 1p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Branford Early Learning Center, 16 Birch Rd. Branford. There will be children's activities, music, arts and crafts, hands-on activities, Touch-a-Truck, hay rides, food, storybook characters, open play and more. Early childhood partners from Branford and across the region will be participating in this local free event.

BECC has been providing support to the early care community for over 15 years. With their 3-year Strategic Plan and a new mission, BECC is committed to ensuring that all Branford children and families are afforded the opportunity to develop a sound foundation for learning in the critical early years. They continue to provide leadership in their community and among their state-wide partners, on issues of importance to the education, health and care of young children in Branford.

To learn more, become a supporter or be a participant in any of the activities, please contact Robin Comey, Coordinator for the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative at 203-415-5237 or email Branford.becc@gmail.com To visit the BECC website, click here