Helping young children fully develop their potential so they can successfully transition to school is an important thing for us to do as a society, but one that isn’t necessarily reflected in our day-to-day priorities. Yet numerous studies agree that the benefits of this approach for children, families and the broader community are tangible. And they’re very achievable. Geographic disparities only add to the problem. In Nunavik, an area I’m very familiar with, access to childcare is challenging. The situation affects the general population, but the impact is even greater on children in the youth protection system. Right now, about 45 children are being shuttled from their foster homes to makeshift and less-than-ideal childcare facilities so that their foster parents can work. Youth protection officials are alone in shouldering the burden of finding stopgap solutions for a situation that unfairly penalizes a group of children for whom early stimulation is especially critical. As we celebrate Early Childhood Week, let’s all proudly advocate for greater access to high-quality and universally accessible childcare for all babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Every Child Matters is a movement that is linked with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but it is also very appropriate for our Early Childhood Week theme of “Every child, no matter where they were born or where they grow up, should have equal opportunity.” That is exactly the struggle that First Nations communities have been faced with: ensuring our children have the same opportunities that non-First Nations children have. Substantive equality should be the norm, not the exception, providing extra help to those who need it most.

I’ve been an Early Childhood Week ambassador for five years now. I’m glad to have the opportunity to speak up on behalf of young children across Quebec. No matter what part of the province they are born and grow up in, they should all have the same chance to succeed. I feel very strongly about this, especially this year as a new life is growing inside of me. If you share this commitment, join me in marking Early Childhood Week on November 18 through 24 to show your support for this critical stage of life.

Our society’s commitment to our youngest children hinges in large part on the support we provide their parents, both fathers and mothers. Every child is important to our community. Let’s be there for them and their parents.

I’m a proud Early Childhood Week ambassador once again this year. Promoting healthy development and well-being from an early age is something that resonates deeply with me. Last year, I had the opportunity to train with L’Envol, an organization that provides essential services and support to children and their families. It’s an experience that showed me how crucial it is to invest in our little ones from birth onward so we can build a better future. I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating Early Childhood Week and in committing to take concrete action.

Taking care of children should mean taking care of ALL children. A rich, educated society like ours has a duty to ensure that every child develops to their full potential, regardless of their parents’ circumstances or where they live. As adults, we are responsible for ensuring that every child’s right to grow up in a healthy environment is respected.

Like Nelson Mandela once said, ‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.

Working together to make sure every child in every community is more than a statistic in terms of their needs and has every opportunity to thrive shouldn’t be a priority — it should be a given. It starts with making them feel like they have the same chances as anyone else. Give them a canvas, some paint and a brush, and they will make art. Give them the right tools and the confidence to succeed, and they will make it happen!

We’re told we need to think ahead seven generations whenever we do something. It’s the difference between trying to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and erasing them from our history❤️ It all starts with the youngest among us…

All children from all backgrounds deserve the chance to become their best selves. We can’t look away from all the injustices they are subjected to. We have to take action. Together, we need to fight for equal opportunities for young children and work toward a world where they can all dream, learn and grow without limitations.

As adults, we have a duty to level the playing field so that every young child has the chance to thrive and grow up feeling confident, safe and loved unconditionally.

Like Maria Montessori once said, to be interested in the child is to be interested in humanity. It’s important to teach people that humanity can become better only if they are first interested in the child. We must all realize that the child builds the adult they will become.