The early years of human development needs to be an essential priority for the whole community and by creating awareness of the importance of the early years in children’s development, communities can help create and implement an action plan specific to enhancing healthy childhood development.

One essential element for children’s development is play. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. It is through play that children at a very early age learn to engage and interact with the world around them.

The importance of play in childhood development is what brought Lethbridge Early Years Coalition to spearhead the development of the Lethbridge Play Charter for all children ages 0 - 18. This Play Charter was adopted by the City of Lethbridge as a unifying document that influences planning, policy and decision making in our community. Organizations, agencies, and community members are committed to prioritizing and promoting the importance of play.

The speaker will present on why play is essential for healthy human development, explore some of the reasons why play has changed and how we as a community can work together to prioritize play.

Speaker: Vicki Hazelwood

Vicki Hazelwood, Coordinator of Lethbridge Early Years Coalition (LEYC), is passionate about children having a great start in life and fostering healthy families. Vicki also works as Coordinator for Building Brains Together, which is a “play project” out of the Neuroscience Department at the University of Lethbridge. Vicki has been supporting families through teaching, facilitating, and speaking on the topic of early childhood development and parenting for over 15 years.

Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut

Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

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