The 2024 Street Parade for preschool and kindergarten children took place on the streets of The Valley on the morning of Thursday 14th March, 2024. The parade displayed various themes that depicted the children’s imagination, giving onlookers a glimpse of their current childhood intentions for their future careers.Scores of parents accompanied their children on the trek which began adjacent to the Agricultural Department heading east, turning right at the Webster Park roundabout, heading south to the St. Mary’s Street intersection at the National Commercial Bank, moving eastward toward the Ministry of Finance offices, turning left towards the traffic light at Albert’s Haberdashery, then turning west en route to the Agricultural Department Grounds.As accustomed the parade was accompanied by audio-enhanced sports vehicles which projected children’s nursery music along the entire route.The event which began after 9:00 a.m. culminated at the Agricultural Department Grounds with a display showcasing the young children’s performance talents.
President of the Early Childhood Association, Tr. Aliethea Richardson, gave a brief statement on the parade to The Anguillian: “Every March, we observe early childhood month in Anguilla. Part of the observance is to enable these young children from the various preschools to come together and interact. In the children’s parade today, we saw each school in their respective costumes with themes that showcased their imaginations.”“Some of these themes included “Under the Sea” “2-D”, “Shapes”, “Weather Conditions”, “Fruits and Vegetables”, “Flowers”, “Butterflies”, “Music” and “Maths”. These themes are all covered in the lessons pertaining to the early childhood curriculum,” she said.The parade give the children a chance to have fun on the public scene, while being proud of what they learnt during their sessions in the classroom.
“Early Childhood Month is a celebration of Early Childhood Education in Anguilla,” Tr. Aliethea said. “Today’s parade was just one of the activities that enabled the children to be free and be happy to present themselves to the public, walking briskly and dancing along the route.”
