The Ozarka College Kids Academy will celebrate Arkansas Children's Week April 10-16, 2011, with the theme: "Let's Explore Science!" This event recognizes the needs of young children and thanks educators and others involved in the education and care of young children. Arkansas Children's Week coincides with the national Week of the Young Child and is celebrated across the state and county by thousands of local organizations working to improve opportunities for all young children.

Director of Ozarka Kids Academy, Karen Hall says, "Early learning experiences are crucial to the growth and development of young children. Arkansas Children's Week provides opportunities for all of us to recognize the importance of early learning experiences, including opportunities for hands-on, age appropriate science learning, which is the theme of this year's event.

Activities are tentatively planned for each day of the week as follows:

• Monday - Health Fair for children hosted by Ozarka College nursing students
• Tuesday - Potting flowers with volunteers from the Master Gardeners and a visit from Smokey the Bear
• Wednesday - "Tee shirt day" and a balloon release
• Thursday - Petting Zoo
• Friday - Emergency vehicles will be on-site, including a fire truck, police patrol car, and ambulance. Mark Miller of Modern Woodman has donated child ID kits for the children.

During Arkansas Children's Week, early childhood programs across the state, including child care and Heat Start programs, preschools, and elementary schools, hold special events to bring awareness to the needs for young children. "Young children and their families across the state depend on quality education and care," said Rich Huddleston, executive Director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. "Arkansas Children's Week is a time to recognize the people, programs and policies that are helping to build better futures for children."

There are several ways that others can get involved to show that high-quality early education is the right choice for kids, including: Volunteering to work with children and teachers at a school, community center, Head Start, or child care program; spend time playing with a child; supporting policies and programs that help improve professional opportunities and compensation for teachers and staff; or simply thanking early childhood educators and others who play a vital role in preparing young children to succeed in school and beyond.

Ozarka Kids Academy is located at 218 College Drive, next to Ozarka College. The pre-school serves 42 young students ranging from infants to age 5. For more information regarding Arkansas Children's Week at the Academy, contact Hall at 870-368-7868 or email khall@ozarka.edu.