Health & Fitness
The Week of the Young Child – One Devoted Week, but Should be Celebrated 365 Days a Year
It's almost "The Week of the Young Child." What is it? How can it be celebrated? Here are some answers and some suggestions.
Often around this time of year, the term “The Week of the Young Child” begins to spring from the lips of early childhood providers, advocates and parents. Events and programs are planned and social media is abuzz with early childhood facts and inspirational quotes. But what exactly IS The Week of the Young Child?
The Week of the Young Child, celebrated this year April 14-20, is an annual celebration established in 1971 and sponsored by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose is to focus the public’s attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. Week of the Young Child recognizes that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life.
“Just as this year’s theme reflects ‘early years are learning years,’ we know how important those early years are to a child’s development,” said Karen Rainville, Executive Director of the CT Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC). “So much is happening developmentally, mentally, socially and physically in those early years, we need to make sure that all children are on the right path for a successful school experience and life path.”
What are some of the ways The Week of the Young Child is celebrated? Some providers celebrate with art shows of the children’s work throughout the year or festivals. Others host fitness/wellness activities or special meals. Last year, one child care center hosted a financial literacy program for kindergartners with the help of a local bank. Often, town officials – even the Governor of Connecticut – issue a proclamation claiming that one week in April as “The Week of the Young Child.”
How can you celebrate The Week of the Young Child in your home?
Plan a family game night - Let your child pick the game the family plays.
Theme dinners – Celebrate Dr. Seuss with a “Green Eggs & Ham” dinner (or do breakfast for dinner), foods that start with a certain letter, etc.
Think fitness – Go for a walk together. Explore your neighborhood or a local park.
Read together – Let your child pick their favorite book and if they’re old enough to read it to you, let them read it. If not, you can read it to them.
Plan a puppet show – Make the puppets together, come up with a storyline and let your imaginations go!
No matter what you do together, the most important thing is for your child to feel nurtured, loved and supported.
As NAEYC notes, “The Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment—at home, at child care, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning.”
For more information on “The Week of the Young Child,” visit http://www.naeyc.org/woyc
To learn more about the CT Association for the Education of Young Children, visit http://www.ctaeyc.org/
The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide advocacy organization working to ensure that all children are healthy, safe and ready for lifelong success. Visit us at earlychildhoodalliance.com, find us on Facebook at "CT Early Childhood Alliance," or follow us on Twitter at "CTECA."