Why an Early Childhood Week?
Early Childhood Week aims to give a voice to the 512,000 children aged 5 and under in Quebec and to make early childhood development a true social priority.
Early Childhood Week is an opportunity for us as a society to stop for a moment, take a closer look at the youngest members of our community and think about what we can do, together, to help each and every one of them get the best possible start in life. Let’s make the most of this week to inspire and inform a conversation about early childhood development in Quebec, from the womb through to preschool, as we shine the spotlight on local and regional support initiatives, and engage community groups, the business world, elected officials and society as a whole.
Early Childhood Week is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage dialogue and advocate for early childhood development.
World Children’s Day
November 20
Wear your blankie square to show your support for World Children’s Day and Early Childhood Week
Bouncing Back Together!
Because our youngest citizens have rights, too.
Because children are more vulnerable than adults.
Because children cannot vote or exercise any political or economic influence.
Because the healthy development of the next generation is vital to the future of our society.
It is our collective duty to ensure that the rights of all young children are upheld.
We can contribute to their well-being by understanding and respecting these rights.
Be part of Early Childhood Week
An opportunity to raise awareness, encourage dialogue and advocate for early childhood development.
Communications tools
We have prepared a variety of tools to help you organize your week and your communications activities.
Letter to your elected official
In just a few clicks, send a letter to your MP to let them know how important it is to do more and do better for the next generation.
Our ambassadors
Young children need a strong voice to speak up for them, but they also need to be listened to, carefully, by our leaders. The future of our society depends on it. The better we are at safeguarding the dignity of our littlest citizens, the greater our feeling of collective pride will be.
Martine Desjardins
Chair, Watchdog Committee, Special Commission on the Rights of the Child and Youth Protection
I’m delighted to be an Early Childhood Week ambassador for the third year in a row. My role as Passe-Carreau in Passe-Partout has shown me how important it is to enjoy the simple pleasures of being a kid. Too many miss out on so much of what childhood has to offer, whether it’s having fun, playing, being active or just relaxing. That is why we have to speak up for our young children and make them a priority for our society.
Gabrielle Fontaine
Actor
The Special Commission on the Rights of the Child and Youth Protection brought to light the challenges facing our society as they pertain to child abuse. Now that this information is out there, it is time to take a strong stand, both collectively and politically, with regard to our children’s well-being. Then these words have to be turned into actions to ensure our children have a real say. We need to create an entity in charge of this and appoint a commissioner to oversee child protection. We have to ramp up our advocacy efforts and put pressure on the government. This will be more effective as more and more people speak out about the negative repercussions that the lack of a caring, nurturing upbringing and multiple disruptions can have on young children’s ability to experience healthy attachment and make connections with others.
André Lebon
Former Vice-President, Special Commission on the Rights of the Child and Youth Protection
Children have a right to stability and emotional security. Both are essential to their development. It is our duty to ensure this need is met from an early age.
Nancy Audet
Journalist, author and speaker
'The word progress is meaningless as long as there are unhappy children. - A Einstein
Sylvana Côté
Professor, School of Public Health, Université de Montreal, Researcher, CHU Ste-Justine and Director, Observatory for Children’s Education and Health
I’m very glad to be teaming up yet again with the Collectif petite enfance for this 7th annual Early Childhood Week. The right to a good education is essential to ensuring each of our children can get ahead in life and to creating a prosperous society. We all have a role to play in the development of our children. Let’s commit to making sure they have every opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Michel Leblanc, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
Michel Leblanc
President and Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
I am very pleased to be associated with the 2022 edition of Early Childhood Week, the theme of which is ‘Bouncing Back Together! Because our kids have rights, too.’ One of these important rights, which has been such a big part of my own career, is the right to play, not to mention the joy the comes with resting and relaxing! Together, we can make a difference for young children in Quebec.
Kim Boutin
Olympic medalist, short track speed skating