BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST as spectacular in number as any other was this year’s Early Childhood March which was held earlier today (June 28).
Taking traditional form and route, the march – which began at Greenlands - made its way east along Cayon Street, down Church Street, east along Liverpool Row, up Fort Street, east along Cayon Street, down West Independence Square and culminated at the Independence Square.
Bedecked in purple T-shirts, which bear the theme “Early Stimulation – The Key to Positive Child Outcomes”, and adorned in creative accessories, the toddlers, their parents/guardians and teachers proudly promoted their cause making their presence known as an influential within the four corners of the Federation.
The future leaders’ little placards promoted messages of education and family as necessities of their holistic development.
The tiny bright-eyed promising children were the stars of the march. However, a number of drum corps and hi-fi systems provided lively entertainment for the thousands of participants.
Of particular note was the playing of nursery rhymes to an up-tempo attention-grabbing rhythm by one of the sound systems. And the others had more of the adult participants dancing and waving their hands in the air to a number of gospel medleys, including Donna Clyne’s “War Cry Medley”.
Following the march, SKNVibes spoke with Early Childhood Director Jacqueline Morris who deemed it a success and noted that she was pleased with the level of participation and the musical accompaniment.
“I must say I have been impressed with the large gathering and we have seen maximum participation this year as usual of pre-schools, nurseries, day-care centres - both government and private. The turnout of parents has really been great. We have seen fathers, we have seen mothers and guardians; they have been with us supporting the march as usual.
“We have actually gotten confirmation from some persons who have indicated that the march was good and that it was a success, and we really appreciate that as well. We really are happy that the weather has been good...God has been good to us!”
Morris said the essence of the theme was driven home through the hosting of the march. Nonetheless, the true extent of its reach would not be known for some time.
The Early Childhood Director noted that last year’s theme was encapsulated in a calypso and she expressed her hope that this year’s theme would see the same and greater expressions outside of the realm of Child Month.
The children are spending the remainder of their day with their friends, family and teachers at the Independence Square, where a number of stalls displaying many of their favourite cartoon characters, and a number of others which feature various local dishes as part of the Agriculture Department’s Eat Local Day activity.
