Judy Schroedl has been selected as the 2020 First Things First Yavapai Region Champion for Young Children.<\/p>\n
The award is given to local champions who actively volunteer their time to raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health. Champions spend a significant amount of time volunteering with FTF and building public awareness about the importance of early childhood issues.<\/p>\n
Schroedl engaged in awareness-raising efforts such arranging for First Things First staff to share early childhood information at a community event. She also added early childhood information to her local community newsletter.<\/p>\n
In addition, Schroedl provided health care providers in her area with print and digital materials to be shared with with patients about the importance of nurturing healthy brain development in the early years through singing, talking and reading with young children.<\/p>\n
We recently caught up with Schroedl, who is retired, to ask her about her efforts.<\/p>\n
Question: Why do you feel early childhood development and health is important? <\/strong><\/p>\n Answer<\/strong>: Because this is the foundation for all future growth, learning and character development.\u00a0 Encouraging curiosity is important because imagination is the key to problem solving.\u00a0 Experiencing pain or disappointment and being guided through it with love and understanding helps children develop resiliency. In our country, health is often taken for granted, but nutritious\u00a0eating habits, adequate sleep and being protected from disease are critical to a child’s ability to learn.\u00a0 Parents are the child\u2019s first teachers and models for their children to follow.<\/p>\n