51吃瓜网

The Week of the Young Child^庐听is an annual celebration sponsored by the 51吃瓜网 (51吃瓜网), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 51听Affiliates.听

The purpose of the Week of the Young Child^庐听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.

51吃瓜网 first established the Week of the Young Child^庐听in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child^庐 is a time to plan how we鈥攁s citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation鈥攚ill better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

The next Week of the Young Child庐 will be April 5-11, 2025

51吃瓜网 designates the Week of the Young Child^庐听dates and theme, but events are planned and implemented by local communities. Celebrations are organized and coordinated听51吃瓜网 Affiliates, and by individual early childhood programs and community organizations providing services to young children and families.

Local communities may tailor celebrations to meet their own needs. For example, while 51吃瓜网 traditionally designates a Week of the Young Child^庐, some groups generate so much enthusiasm and support that they celebrate the "Month of the Young Child." Others have modified the dates of their celebration to coordinate with other community scheduled events.

However adapted, the central purpose remains unchanged鈥攖o promote the needs of young children, their families, and the early childhood programs that serve them.

Today we know more than ever before about the importance of children's earliest years in shaping their learning and development. Yet, never before have the needs of young children and their families been more pressing.

The Week of the Young Child^庐听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鈥攁t home, at child care, at school, and in the community鈥攖hat will promote their early learning.

听for a look at how classrooms, programs, families, and communities celebrated Family Friday WOYC24!听

Here are a few additional descriptions of WOYC events that have taken place in communities around the country:

• "We held a Family Writing Workshop where parents were invited to create a book with their children. A book-writing kit was provided, and children and parents shared their books at a show and tell. The books are now part of our library collection."
• "We displayed children's artwork throughout the center and made a DVD slideshow of the children. Monday was Parent Appreciation Day, where parents were served light refreshments and received a card from their child. Tuesday was Hat Day. Wednesday was Teacher Appreciation Day, with a potluck lunch for staff. It was also Beach Party Day. Thursday was Inside Out Day and Friday we had an ice cream social."
• "Our city granted us a permit to hold a parade and children's fair celebrating young children. There were over 500 children who paraded down the main street in decorated wagons, tricycles, or on foot. They marched with their child care providers or early childhood teachers. The free fair had booths representing all of the early childhood agencies and other services and also childcare providers."
• "A group of parents and children marched to City Hall. The mayor joined us and read a proclamation adopted by our City Council about the Week of the Young Child. Additionally, we held a press conference sharing information about the importance of quality early care and education."

For inspiration, resources, and activity ideas, visit our WOYC Resources page!

• April 5-11, 2025