Week
of the Young Child: April 16 - 20
Week of the Young
Child™ is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for
the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young
children, their teachers, and families. Follow along at the NAEYC’s
Facebook or Twitter with the #woyc2018 hashtag.
Music Monday
Children learn so much from music. It brings language to
life and develops vocabulary, listening skills, and helps children internalize
the rhythmic patterns of literacy and mathematics. Music helps children in many other ways, too,
including calming and soothing, easing transitions in daily routines, and
anchoring special experiences like bedtime or naptime.
Try making music with handmade or improvised instruments,
share a special song from your childhood, or learn a new song together.
Tasty Tuesday
Cooking together is a powerful learning experience. It
brings families together, helps kids feel more confident about trying something
new, and even helps teach healthy habits.
Try making a healthy snack together, shopping at the market
or store for fresh produce, or reading about farms and food production.
Work Together Wednesday
Building together encourages planning and problem solving and social
skills while learning about mathematics and scientific concepts.
Try building with materials such as
sticks and branches, boxes from packages or pantry items, or toys like blocks
and Legos.
Artsy Thursday
Process art is open-ended and allows children to use
their imagination, experiment with materials, experience cause-and-effect, and
develop fine motor skills. It is enjoyable, boosts creativity, and can
even help with self-regulation.
Try coloring on dark paper with light chalk, light paper
with crayons, or even painting outdoors.
Paint with water on concrete or dip sidewalk chalk in water for a
different experience.
Family Friday
Families are the most important influences in children's lives.
Children need to feel a sense of connection and belonging in order to develop a
healthy sense of identity and social competence.
Find a way to celebrate your family today. Share pictures about
your family. Tell stories about what makes your family unique. Start a family journal or scrapbook about the
fun and interesting things that happened (or are happening in your family now).