Nathan Jeffers/photo

Pictured are Point Pleasant Mayor Brian Billings and City Clerk Amber Tatterson signing a proclamation declaring April 15-20 as the Week of the Young Child. Also pictured are some of the members of the Family Resource Network’s Early Childhood Team.

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MASON COUNTY — Several factors contribute to a young child’s development and growth, and Mason County is setting aside a week to highlight the lifelong influence the first several years of life can have.

Presented by the Mason County Family Resource Network’s (FRN) Early Childhood Team, several events are set during the week of April 15-20, which will be the “Week of the Young Child.” On Tuesday afternoon, Point Pleasant Mayor Brian Billings and City Clerk Amber Tatterson signed a proclamation declaring next week as the “Week of the Young Child.”

Kicking off the events on Monday, April 15 will be a balloon launch at various places across the county, including launches at all the elementary schools which have a preschool class, as well as Magic Years Daycare and Early Education Station.

At 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday April 15, there will be a community discussion at the Trinity United Methodist Church titled “Making the Most of the First Three Years: How Can We Give Our Youngest Children a Good Start in Life?”

According to the Early Childhood Team, the first three years of a child’s life is a time of great opportunity and risk, but parents and caregivers can point the child in the direction of healthy development by providing early experiences and relationships which help the young children thrive. Failure to do so can lead to long-lasting harm to the child, community, and the economy, according to the team. All citizens are welcome to attend the discussion.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, there will be special events at Beale Elementary School, Magic Years Daycare, and Early Education Station, respectively. Some of the events will include Tricycle Races and a petting zoo.

Finishing off the week will be the “Big Truck Day” from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at the Mason County Career Center. Featured at the big truck day will be a race car, dump truck, semi, fire truck, National Guard truck, Sheriff, Ambulance, School Bus, ATV, Tractor, Back Hoe, and a “Life Flight” Helicopter.

The following organizations will also have information available for families at the big truck day: Healthy Families of America, Magic Years, Homeless Shelter, Head Start, Mason County Health Department, Mason County FRN, Save The Children, WV Birth to Three, Early Education Station, and more.

Children’s artwork will also be displayed at various locations around the county.

Further coverage of some of these events will appear in later editions of the Point Pleasant Register.