Family Fun Fair helps with success of early childhood education

Oklahoma’s success with its early childhood education program was highlighted during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address earlier this year. President Obama cited studies that show students with a strong early childhood education grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, and form more stable families of their own.

The success in early childhood education is demonstrated through events like the Family Fun Fair, a Tulsa tradition for the past 27 years. The event has helped meet the needs of young children and their families by providing activities and resources where they can learn together and play together. The Family Fun Fair is free with plenty of hands-on learning opportunities, games, entertainment and information designed for children, ages 0-8. This year’s event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at the Tulsa Community College West Campus, 7505 W. 41st St., Tulsa.

Tulsa Early Childhood Association along with corporate sponsors Tulsa Community College West Campus and Public Service Company of Oklahoma have partnered to present the 27thannual Family Fun Fair.

“PSO is pleased to help sponsor the Family Fun Fair activities in recognition of the Week of the Young Child,” said John Harper, PSO Vice President, External Affairs. “In our 100 years of serving Oklahomans, we’ve established a long legacy of supporting positive educational experiences for children, and we know that the Family Fun Fair activities will stimulate learning for both children and their families in a fun and healthy environment.”

This year’s fair will have exhibits and displays to see and touch including the Tulsa Children’s Museum bubble exhibit, a PSO Line Truck, a fire truck and EMSA ambulance. There will be activities and entertainment tailored for children with live presentations and mascots. To help keep children safe, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department will be at the Family Fun Fair to fingerprint and ID children.

The fair also includes community resources for young children and their families. We will provide free health screenings for vision, hearing, speech and developmental progress. The Oklahoma Caring Van sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield will be giving free immunizations. If a family wants their child immunized, the legal guardian needs to be present with a current copy of their child’s immunization record.

The Family Fun Fair takes place during the Week of the Young Child, April 14-20, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The week focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families with the 2013 theme ‘Early Years Are Learning Years’.