Kids Korner celebrates 'Week of the Young Child'

This week, children attending the Kids Korner Day Care and Learning Korner Preschool, located at the Cheyenne County Community Center in Sidney, celebrated the "Week of the Young Child" with a series of daily activities.

The "Week of the Young Child" is an annual celebration, hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), that focuses on the needs of young children, from birth through age 8, and their families, and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

"It's to bring importance and awareness to early childhood programs," Tiffany Jones, director of the Kids Korner and Learning Korner, said. "And that could be anybody in the child's life: the teacher, the child care provider, the parents."

Preschool teacher Cassie Challburg said Kids Korner and Learning Korner have participated in the annual celebration since the centers opened in 2003.

"It's just fun and different things to do with the kids," Challburg said.

Throughout the week, children participated in a different daily activity.

"We did different themes every day," Jones said.

On Monday was "Red Carpet Day," where children dressed up and danced down a red carpet.

"It's our 'music and movement day,' which is important because it helps build creativity," Jones said. "They are then able to express themselves."

Tuesday was "Teddy Tuesday" as children had a picnic lunch with their favorite stuffed toy. Wednesday was "Bubble Gum Fun," where the teachers and caregivers allowed the children to have chewing gum throughout the day.

Thursday featured open-ended art project, and children were encouraged to wear purple clothing to show support for early childhood development.

The week's events culminated on Friday with a family breakfast as children wore their favorite costumes to the day care and preschool.

Also throughout the week, the day care and preschool held "A Change for Kids," where children, parents and staff brought in and donated any pocket change they had.

"Every room has a contest with each other," Challburg said. "Last year, our change went to CASA. We try and find different organizations where we can give back to at this time of year."

This year, Challburg said they will donate the change collected to the Sidney Police Department to support its child safety efforts.

"It'll help them purchase the car seats that they give out," she said. "They hand them out to people who can't afford them or, if after they get into an accident, the car seat is no longer useable.

"Also, they educate parents on how to safely put the car seat in the car."

The Sidney police provide more than 75 car seats per year, Challburg said. In the past, donations from the Salvation Army have helped fund the effort.

Donations will continue through next week as well for anyone wishing to contribute.

"We'll keep it going for a couple of weeks longer," Challburg said. "Last year, just in change, we raised $600. It's surprising what the kids bring in."

Kids Korner Day Care and Learning Korner Preschool are located inside the Cheyenne County Community Center at 627 Toledo St. in Sidney. For more information on the "A Change for Kids" donation drive, call (308) 254-7000.