The Early Learning Center at Gateway Community College (GCC) celebrated The Week of the Young Child™, hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families.

The Week of the Young Child, which was celebrated from April 10 through the 16, included events for children and their families. Students and families gathered for The Little Read, a local event through the New Haven Early Childhood Council (NHECC) with ELC teachers and staff in the GCC Library and Learning Commons to read and talk about this year’s book Animal Amigos! Artsy Creatures in English y Español from the San Antonio Museum of Art.

The Early Learning Center Annual Art Show also allowed students to share their artwork with the GCC community. Paintings, drawings and sculpture were on display in the third floor student gallery throughout the month of April. All ELC programs created beautiful collage work and watercolors with vibrant burst design including Color Bead Staircase & Peter’s Snowy Day Adventure by the Modified Montessori classroom. In addition to viewing the art, members of the community were able to read about the many competencies and skills involved in creating each piece of art. Visitors were invited to write down comments and words of encouragement in the guest book for the student artists to read throughout the duration of the Art Show.

Another staple of the Early Learning Center is The Male Involvement Program. The program, led by coordinator Keith Young, engages fathers, grandfathers and other father figures in the lives of their preschoolers. This year, the annual Male Role Model & Me Pancake Breakfast coincided with the WOTYC celebration.

“We are proud of our youngest students,” said GCC President, Dorsey Kendrick. “They are our future and the Week of the Young Child is a wonderful way to celebrate their importance.”

Those interested in the Gateway Community College Early Learning Center are invited to contact Sarah Chambers, Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 203-285-2132.