This is the Week of the Young Child.
On Saturday, families are invited to spend the day at the park. The free celebration is the culmination of a week filled with activities to get youngsters excited about learning.
Besides games, 30-plus booths will be set up at Ann Morrison Park with plenty of information for parents on community resources.
The executive director of the Idaho Association for Education of the Young Child, Beth Oppenheimer, invites everyone to help them celebrate our youth, their teachers and parents.
"We know the importance of young children and supporting all of our young children, especially in those early years," Oppenheimer says. "There are so many programs and so many resources that are doing great things to support our youngest children and help prepare them for school."
Preschool can be a great introduction to a classroom environment. Without realizing it, the fun activities they do are creating a strong base for their educational career.
In Idaho, most parents are on their own when it comes to paying for preschool. But, places like the Boise Cooperative Preschool offers scholarships to extend their reach to families who might otherwise go without.
"The ultimate goal is to make a really happy and smooth transition from home to school when they're ready for kindergarten," says Betsy Fulcher, a parent and the preschool board's vice president.
The BCP has been in existence since 1973.
Parents can learn more about their school at the celebration.
The play-based curriculum was created for kids ages 2-5 with all aspects of development in mind including social and emotional, physical and creative growth.
Parents play a big role in this preschool's success, which is also how they keep their tuition low.
"This is a preschool for parents who want to be involved. We find ourselves in the classroom once or twice month," Fulcher says. "It's great because we get the opportunity to watch our kids grow. We get to know who their friends are."
The fun starts at noon next to the fountain and runs until 3 p.m.
