Childhood Learning Celebrated At The Pavilion

Hundreds of children swarmed the fields outside The Pavilion at the Greenville County Recreation District's headquarters in Taylors on Wednesday. 

The children flocked to the 4th annual "Early Years Are Learning Years" fair, which was coordinated by the United Way's child care resource and referral program, and hosted by the Greenville Rec. 

Sherrie Dueno, the manager of the United Way's child care resource referral program, said the program was part of "The Week of the Young Child," which began by proclamation of Mayor Knox White on April 20, and ends on Saturday. 

The fields at the Greenville Rec were filled with volunteer vendors who provided a variety of hands-on learning experiences to the children, from Wade Hampton Fire Department firefighters to zookeepers to learning centers that offered painting and art opportunities. 

The centers were set up according to different forms of childhood development, such as creative arts, health and safety, physical development, science learning and language development. 

Area schools, such as Bob Jones University and Greenville Technical College, assisted with the event through student volunteers. 

"This is all about young children and recognizing all the different ways they develop," Dueno said.