I had the joy of experiencing something truly special this past week at our school, the Week of the Young Child, celebrated April 13th through 17th. It was a beautiful reminder of just how important our youngest learners are, and how much love, care, and intention go into helping them grow.
At the Child Development Center here at Triumphant Love Church, this week wasn’t just about fun themes and dress up days, though there was certainly plenty of that. From Hat Day to Box Day and everything in between, the building was filled with laughter, creativity, and pure childhood joy. But what stood out to me most was the deeper meaning behind it all.
This week celebrates early learning and highlights how essential play really is in a child’s development. Watching the children engage with one another, I was reminded that play is far more than just entertainment. It is how they learn to communicate, solve problems, regulate emotions, and build relationships. It is where social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills begin to take shape.
One of the most heartwarming moments for me was at the start of the week during Sunday service. A few of our CDC children stood up front and sang “This Little Light of Mine.” There was something incredibly powerful about hearing those young voices sing with such confidence and joy. It felt like the perfect reflection of what this week is all about, celebrating the light within each child and the community that helps it shine.
Throughout the week, I saw firsthand how play creates safe, stable, and nurturing relationships, not just between children, but between teachers, families, and our church community. It reminded me that what happens in those classrooms each day truly matters.
I am so grateful to be part of a school that values and invests in students. The Week of the Young Child was not just a celebration, it was a meaningful glimpse into the foundation we are helping build for the future.
-Sandy Schmolze
Preschool Teacher