The Week of the Young Child™ (WOYC) is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Since 1971, this annual event has recognized the importance of early care and education, while shining a spotlight on the needs of young children and their families.
WOYC is a joyful, week-long opportunity to honor early childhood programs, teachers and services that support the development of our youngest learners.
Here in Arizona, First Things First (FTF), AzAEYC, and Southern Arizona AEYC proudly recognize and celebrate this special week. As FTF’s signature program, Quality First joins in the celebration—and we invite early educators across the state to celebrate with us!
Ways to Celebrate
NAEYC invites us to “Step it Up” this year—encouraging early childhood professionals to elevate awareness and engagement during the Week of the Young Child. Whether you’re planning classroom activities or looking for ways to advocate, there are many ways to participate.
Raise your Voice: Advocate for Young Children
Young children cannot advocate for themselves—but you can. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just getting started, here are three simple ways to take action:
- Explore these advocacy action steps from NAEYC. Share an idea with a colleague to start a conversation about ways you can advocate together. (The tips are from last year’s celebration, but are just as relevant today.)
- Download the FTF Advocacy Guide. Choose one new way to advocate—and take action during the Week of the Young Child.
- Use a Social Media toolkit. Craft simple, compelling messages to post each day. Share from your personal account or on behalf of your early learning program.
Spread Joy: Celebrate with Families and Children
What’s a celebration without some fun? WOYC features themes for each day of the week. Here are a few ideas to spark creativity in your celebrations:
- April 5th: Kick-off Saturday– Get ready for the week ahead! Gather supplies, send a message to families and take some time for yourself to prepare.
- April 7th: Music Monday- Explore sound and rhythm. Introduce a new instrument, or help children craft their own. Invite them to sing or perform for each other.
- April 8th: Tasty Tuesday– Celebrate through food. Lead children in a simple cooking activity or encourage children to bring ingredients for a salad or smoothie. Not part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) yet? Now’s a great time to learn more.
- April 9th: Work Together Wednesday- Encourage problem-solving and teamwork. Whether it’s a fort, a puzzle or a block structure, encourage preschoolers to work and think together. Toddlers can start with sinple turn-taking games like passing balls around a circle or taking turns hitting a ball off a tee.
- April 10th: Artsy Thursday- Let creativity shine. Host an art show, create a classroom art book or explore a new art medium like clay or pastels.
- April 11th: Family Friday- Wrap up the week by celebrating families. Invite parents for breakfast, have children bring a family photo to sharel in the classroom or invite families to post a favorite family tradition on social media.
For more ideas, explore WOYC’s activity resources.
Additional Resources
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)- Week of the Young Child
Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC)- Week of the Young Child
First Things First- Advocate for Early Childhood
Let’s Celebrate Together
This year we hope you will try something new, connect with fellow educators and celebrate all that young children bring into our lives and communities. Don’t forget to share how you celebrated by leaving a comment below—your ideas might inspire others!