Children see various kinds of transportation

SOUTH POINT — A snowplow, an ambulance and a helicopter were just three means of conveyance children learned about during Transportation Day Wednesday at the Lawrence County Early Childhood Center.

The day is part of the National Week of the Young Child, celebrated across the country, and honors young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives. Transportation Day provides young children the opportunity to see and tour various types of transportation.

“We’ve been doing this for at least 10 years now,” Sue Vanderhoof, early childhood director at the center, said. “We try to add a new addition every year. The children really enjoy it and it’s one of the most popular days of this week.”

In the parking lot behind the center, 10 types of transportation were available for the children to learn about and tour the insides, including a school bus, RV, HealthNet Aeromedical helicopter from Cabell Huntington Hospital, Rhodes Car quadrocycle, Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser, Ohio Department of Transportation snow plow, Lawrence County EMS ambulance, small fire truck from the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department, a modified dirt racecar and the Heroes 4 Higher Batmobile, new this year sponsored by Elite Therapy.

“The biggest thing with the car is the interaction between us and the kids,” Darrin Webb, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said. “They see them (the vehicles) all the time, but never get to talk to the people operating the vehicles. After something like this, they feel safer and more trusting around people in these types of vehicles.”

Jon Coleman, with the HealthNet Aeromedical helicopter, also said children take a lot away from the day.

“They get to see many different things. Every kid has their own niche of what they’re into,” he said. “Here, they have a chance to get out, have a good day and see some things that they don’t get to see every day.”

Other activities the center put on for the Week of the Young Child were Music Monday, Wacky Wednesday, which took place on the same day as Transportation Day, due to rain on Transportation Day’s original Tuesday date, and Thoughtful Thursday.

“All young children need and deserve high-quality learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and the center has a great opportunity to do our part to help young children,” Vanderhoof said. “Week of the Young Child is a time for us to recognize that early years are learning years for all young children.”