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The Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an annual event, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It provides a time to celebrate young children and thank the early childhood teachers and everyone who is involved in the care and education of young children. This is also a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the issues affecting young children and their families, and to rally more people to speak out about how these issues affect your community.
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NAEYC encourages state and local chapters, early childhood programs, and organizations who work on behalf of young children to plan WOYC events that will bring your community together.
Nebraska AEYC supports our chapter's efforts during the Week of the Young Child by providing grants which can be used to help fund community events or activities. We can't wait to celebrate with you for this year's Week of the Young Child, April 1-7, 2023. |
Music Monday! April 3, 2023
Sing, dance, celebrate, and learn
When children sing, dance, and listen to music, they develop their language and early literacy skills while being active and encouraging movement. Make up and record your own unique version of a song or write your own, and share it on your own Facebook page, or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Find the beat to connect music, movement, and math. Practice clapping, drumming, or stomping to the beat of the music while counting. Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Tasty Tuesday! April 4, 2023
Healthy eating and fitness at home and school
This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Create your own healthy snacks and share the recipes and photos of your creations on your own Facebook page, or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Measure your ingredients while making your snacks! Ask children if they’d like the same or different amounts of each ingredient.
For more fun ideas on how to incorporate cooking into your classroom activities, check out how one NAEYC-accredited center prepared for the day! Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Work Together Wednesday! April 5, 2023
Work together, build together, learn together
When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home. Build and share pictures of children’s creations on your own Facebook page, or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Practice organizing blocks by size! Try building a block tower with large blocks on the bottom and little blocks on top! Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Artsy Thursday! April 6, 2023
Think, problem solve, create
Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts! Create and share photos of your children’s creations on Facebook or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Bring art outdoors! Offer dark and light paper, chalk and pastels, and suggest children create their own versions of the day and night sky! Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Family Friday! April 7, 2023
Sharing family stories
Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC applauds family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers. Share pictures and stories about your family on Facebook or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Invite parents for a Family Friday breakfast, where children can prepare and share breakfast treats with their families!
Sing, dance, celebrate, and learn
When children sing, dance, and listen to music, they develop their language and early literacy skills while being active and encouraging movement. Make up and record your own unique version of a song or write your own, and share it on your own Facebook page, or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Find the beat to connect music, movement, and math. Practice clapping, drumming, or stomping to the beat of the music while counting. Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Tasty Tuesday! April 4, 2023
Healthy eating and fitness at home and school
This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Create your own healthy snacks and share the recipes and photos of your creations on your own Facebook page, or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Measure your ingredients while making your snacks! Ask children if they’d like the same or different amounts of each ingredient.
For more fun ideas on how to incorporate cooking into your classroom activities, check out how one NAEYC-accredited center prepared for the day! Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Work Together Wednesday! April 5, 2023
Work together, build together, learn together
When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home. Build and share pictures of children’s creations on your own Facebook page, or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Practice organizing blocks by size! Try building a block tower with large blocks on the bottom and little blocks on top! Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Artsy Thursday! April 6, 2023
Think, problem solve, create
Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts! Create and share photos of your children’s creations on Facebook or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Bring art outdoors! Offer dark and light paper, chalk and pastels, and suggest children create their own versions of the day and night sky! Checkout NAEYC's WOYC resources for more ideas!
Family Friday! April 7, 2023
Sharing family stories
Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC applauds family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers. Share pictures and stories about your family on Facebook or post to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WOYC23.
TRY THIS: Invite parents for a Family Friday breakfast, where children can prepare and share breakfast treats with their families!
For additional information and resources from NAEYC to support your work around the Week of the Young Child visit http://www.naeyc.org/woyc
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For the past twenty-three years, Nebraska’s governor has recognized the Week of the Young Child by signing a proclamation.
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2023 Week of the Young Child
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Thank you to all who participate in the Week of the Young Child!