Early Childhood Development will be a topic of discussion in Salina this week.

TALK Salina will host two public deliberation events on the topic Tuesday at Lakewood Middle School. The first event will start at 4 pm. and the second event will start at 7 pm. Child care will be available for both events.

Public deliberation is part of a growing civic renewal movement across the nation. It involves community and organizational participation and gives those in attendance an opportunity to listen and share ideas and suggestions on the topic discussed.

This community forum is designed for people who are concerned about the development of our youngest children, as well as its ripple effects on our communities and nation.

The discussion will focus on the first four years, before most children begin their formal education. What can and should be done to help children grow during this critical time will also be discussed.

The Early Childhood Development deliberation is the third topic to be hosted in Salina. Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System were discussed in previous events. For Tuesday’s deliberation, local statistics will be available for the discussion.

Educators, business leaders, parents, child care providers, grandparents, and citizens from all areas in the community are invited to attend and share ideas.

TALK Salina is a network of 16 supporting community organizations. It is the second network formed in Kansas which participates as part of a group of nearly 100 Centers for Civic Life formed in various regions and communities across the nation. Manhattan also has a Center for Civic Discourse and Democracy on the K-State campus and is the first Center formed in Kansas.