Preparations underway for Under 8's Day

The sound of contemplative study will be replaced with the echoes of happy laughter, when hundreds of 

children and their families descend on USQ this month to celebrate Under 8's Day (Saturday 20 May 2006).

The (very) extensive program features roving entertainment, clay workshops, story telling, exploring with easels and a constructing a city of boxes.

Lecturer in Early Childhood, Alice Brown, is organising the event with the support of other early childhood educators and USQ staff, as part of a national week-long celebration of childhood.

'This is our second year at USQ, but Under 8's Week is an initiative of an advocacy group called Early Childhood Australia and has been going for 50 years.

'Basically the day is to highlight the importance of advocating for the rights of the child, to raise the profile of the importance of early childhood development and play for children.'

Alice said that children are described as citizens of 'our future', but we also need to value and empower them to contribute to the present.

'Over the past decade rresearch on brain development has substantiated claims of the value and importance of the early years for children's learning.

'By the time a child is four the brain has developed trillions of connections, more than double as many as adults.

'This reinforces that in order for optimal learning to occur it should take place in a secure and caring environment which is supported by play.

'Experiences that children have in those first four years are imperative in terms of their future learning and development.'

Alice believes that early childhood educators, leaders, the University and the community has a role to play in waving the flag for children and highlighting the importance of those early years.

'Last year approximately 500 children and families attended and this year we are looking to double that attendance to around 1000 children and their families.'

When – Saturday 20 May 2006, 10am-2pm
Where – USQ Toowoomba quadrangle and refectory
All activities are FREE!

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326