The Troy Head Start Center is celebrating the Week of the Young Child this week with a flurry of activities including special readers, Grandparents’ Day and Fun Day on Friday.

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford got the week off to an impressive start by signing a proclamation declaring the week of April 11-17 the Week of the Young Child in Troy.

“All young children need and deserve high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life,” Lunsford said. “The Week of the Young Child is a time in which our city can recognize that early years are learning years for all young children.”

Lunsford said the future of the Troy community, as well as all communities, depends on the quality of early childhood experiences provided to young children today.

“High-quality early childhood services represent a worthy commitment to our children’s future,” he said.

The Week of the Young Child is sponsored annually in April by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child.

“The purpose of the week is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to support the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs,” said Octavia Jones, Head Start director.

“During this week, we must recommit ourselves to ensure that every child enjoys the type of childhood that lays the best foundation for the future.”

The Troy Head Start Center has planned activities that are designed to be fun and to also give the children a sense of self-worth.

“On Monday, the children brought crazy or funny hats and we paraded around the neighborhood,” Jones said.

“Throughout the week, we will have people from the community come in to read to the children. Literacy is a big part of what we do at Head Start and the children really enjoy having someone read to them.”

Troy University football coach, Caleb Hendrix and Extreme Club bike rider Kenneth Jones read to the children early in the week and several grandparents will read today.

“We have had a great week and are looking forward to having our grandparents visit with us today and at Fun Day tomorrow,” Jones said.

“We are also encouraging parents who have children who will eligible for Head Start next year to register them as soon as possible.”

Head Start is a comprehensive early education program that serves children ages three to five, including children with mild to severe disabilities.

For more information, call 334-670-6907 or 566-1712.