Congratulations to Cindy Wooten, recipient of this year's 4C for Children June Sciarra Early Childhood Leadership Award. Cindy has been an early childhood professional for more than 30 years and is currently the director at the five-star rated YMCA Early Learning Center-Valley program in Cincinnati.  
 
In the nomination application, Cindy is described as an advocate for children. She "goes above and beyond for children. As a teacher she spends time focusing on the children that others would [turn away]. She has a loving but firm way to guide those that need extra care. Cindy does whatever it takes to make sure a child has what they need to be successful. In addition to being an advocate for children, she goes beyond that as an advocate for the whole family unit."

A panel of 4C staff reviewed the nomination applications. Cindy will receive her award on Friday, October 27, during the 4C Leadership and Early Childhood Conference. 

We have all heard that reading aloud to children is one of the most important things teachers and parents can do. As teachers we see the value of reading to young children both with individual children, small groups and with a class.  Check out the following resources to learn more about the importance of early literacy as well as to get booklists and ideas for the classroom and parents.

• Raising Readers
• NAEYC Young Children article The Reading Chair
• Zero to Three: Books about feelings for babies and toddlers
• 50 Books Your Child Should Read Before Kindergarten