What is Week of the Young Child?
The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 51 Affiliates.
The purpose of the Week of the Young Child® is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
The Week of the Young Child® is a time to plan how we—as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation—will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.
WOYC For Families
We are so excited for another fun-filled week celebrating young children and their families with hands-on, collaborative activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art. Check out the activity ideas below throughout the week.
Music Monday
Music Monday is more than singing and dancing, it’s a way to encourage children to be active while developing their early literacy skills and having fun with friends and family!
Check out these great PBS Resources and activities that promote learning through music.
- Music Explorers
- Sharing Your Creativity: PreK and K | PBS KIDS (Bilingual)
- Sharing Your Creativity: Grades 1 and 2 | PBS KIDS (Bilingual)
- Article: Helping Kids Express Themselves Through Music
Tasty Tuesday
Tasty Tuesday isn’t just about eating your favorite snacks together. It’s also about cooking together and connecting math with literacy skills and science while introducing ways to incorporate healthy habits into children’s lifestyles. Use the tips, resources, and recipes below to get started.
Try out these Healthy Kids Recipe’s at home Today!
Pumpkin Bites
- VIDEO: Pumpkin Bites (English), Bocaditos De Calabaza (Español)
- RECIPE: Bilingual Pumpkin Bite Recipe Card
- Recipe Book Family Activity | MOLLY OF DENALI™
- ARTICLE: How to Make Family Meals the Best Part of Your Day
Work Together Wednesday
When children build together they experience teamwork and develop their social and early literacy skills. Grab some materials and create!
- VIDEO: Curious George: Ramp-n-Roll
- Let's Build Bingo: PreK and K | PBS KIDS (Bilingual Activity)
- Let's Build Bingo: Grades 1 and 2 | PBS KIDS (Bilingual Activity)
- ARTICLE: “Break It Down” and Other Ways Preschoolers Can Practice Computational Thinking
Artsy Thursday
Children develop creativity, social skills, and fine muscles with open-ended art projects that let them make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands.
- VIDEO: Bubble Painting | Nature Cat
- Sharing Your Creativity: PreK and K | PBS KIDS (Bilingual Activity)
- Sharing Your Creativity: Grades 1 and 2 | PBS KIDS (Bilingual Activity)
- Article: Early Art: What it Means and How to Encourage It
Family Friday
Parents and families are children’s first teachers. Family Friday focuses on engaging families to support our youngest learners.