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Read all about it: Children’s author Millie Gallahan visits Shepherdstown Day Care Center

By Staff | Apr 19, 2019

Shepherdstown Day Care Center preschoolers listen to Millie Gallahan read her book on April 11. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN – “If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books,” according to children’s author Roald Dahl. And, last week, another children’s author helped preschoolers at Shepherdstown Day Care Center get one step closer to getting somewhere in life.

Loudoun County-based author Millie Gallahan visited the day care on Thursday, to help commemorate the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Week of the Young Child.

“Share sparkle and love with someone every day,” Gallahan told each classroom of children, after reading her book, “Our Princess Daisy.”

Before reading each book, Gallahan prepared each classroom to get in touch with the book’s main character, a tiara-wearing goat named Daisy, by giving all of the children and teachers tiaras to wear. And, even after Gallahan left, the tiaras remained firmly planted on many of the children’s and teachers’ heads.

According to Shepherdstown Day Care Center Director Melissa Holman, the author’s trip was made possible by a service organization in Shepherdstown.

Shepherdstown Day Care Center preschoolers listen as author Millie Gallahan reads her book to them on April 11. Courtesy photo

“This was sponsored by the Shepherdstown Rotary – they gave us a grant for literacy, and that was how we paid her to come do this for us. Rotary has supported us for many years, and we’re grateful for their support,” Holman said, mentioning having the author come was one way she adapted the Week of the Young Child schedule for her students.

The other days’ celebrations during the Week of the Young Child, included a parade with loaned bongos and other musical instruments on Music Monday, a healthy food demonstration with local chef Scott Anderson for Tasty Tuesday, a group art project for Work Together Wednesday and a celebration of students’ varying family cultures on Family Friday.

“We celebrate the Week of the Young Child every year. The NAEYC come up with a schedule of events, but they say to change it to fit it to our needs. We usually follow it closely,” Holman said, mentioning this celebration has existed at the day care center for at least 20 years.

In recent years, the center’s commitment to celebrating the week has grown with the popularity of the NAEYC. According to Holman, the children’s favorite day of the week tends to be Tasty Tuesday.

“They like the Tasty Tuesday, of course, because they like to eat,” Holman said with a laugh. “But they love it all – they get to do things they don’t normally get to do this week.

Children’s author Millie Gallahan reads “Our Princess Daisy” to preschoolers at Shepherdstown Day Care Center on April 11. Courtesy photo

“We love celebrating our young children and all the qualities they have to offer to us – they’re our biggest teachers,” Holman said.