Senate Resolution No. 3510

BY: Senator GRIFFO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 16-20, 2018, as The Week of the Young Child in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, New York State has long been committed to meeting the
educational needs of all its children; and

WHEREAS, It is increasingly being recognized that a strong early
education helps to provide the educational foundation which is of
paramount importance to the health, well-being, and development of
children; and

WHEREAS, The Week of the Young Child, celebrated since 1971,
provides an opportunity for people across this great State and Nation to
consider the needs of young children and families, and how to most
effectively meet them; and

WHEREAS, The Week of the Young Child is an annual April celebration
sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC), the nation's largest organization of early childhood
professionals, which has more than 90,000 members; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the importance of early childhood years, birth
through age eight, in shaping children's learning and development and,
therefore, their success in school and later in life, The Week of the
Young Child calls attention to the needs of young children, their
families, and the early childhood programs which serve them; and

WHEREAS, It is increasingly clearly documented that a good start in
life can promote learning and prevent impairment, while an adverse
learning environment can compromise brain function and place children at
risk of developing a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and physical
difficulties; yet a significant number of children confront one or more
major risk factors, such as inadequate health care, parents who lack
adequate family and community support, substandard child care and
education, poverty, or insufficient attention by parents because of
workplace or other pressures; and

WHEREAS, By focusing on the importance of high quality early
childhood, child care, and parent support programs, facilities and
staff, participation in The Week of the Young Child represents a worthy
commitment to our children's future and encourages improvement in the
quality and availability of programs and services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 16-20, 2018, as
The Week of the Young Child in the State of New York, and to applaud
those who have dedicated their lives to our children, and to recognize
the significance of the role children of New York State will play in
shaping the future of our State, our society, and our government; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.