Celebrating NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) will be celebrating the Week of the Young Child, and we want to join in! Find ways to celebrate your youngest learners with the following suggestions. For more information, ideas, and resources, please visit naeyc.org/woyc.

1. Make pretend binoculars out of cardboard tubes. Take them outside for bird-watching.
2. Make ice pops by freezing 100% juice in ice pop molds or ice cube trays.
3. Ask families to share photos of the children from the past year. Invite each child to talk about his or her photos. Display them at the children’s eye level.
4. Try out a new park. Or, bring along jump ropes, hula hoops, balls, and other play equipment with you to your regular park.
5. Make a special breakfast and serve it to the children. They might even wish to help prepare a favorite meal!
6. Contact a local library, bookstore, or business in town to see if you can display your children’s artwork in the window. Include a sign with information about the Week of the Young Child.
7. Blow bubbles outdoors and watch them float in the breeze.
8. Plan a field trip to a nearby business.
9. Invite parents to join your group for an afternoon snack.
10. Plant a simple flower garden with the children and watch it grow throughout the rest of the summer.
11. Make a video recording of each child’s family members saying how great he is. Play the videos for the whole group.
12. Play age-appropriate board games inside on rainy days. Model gracious winning and losing.
13. Invite all the children to bring riding toys to your setting and have a mini parade down your sidewalk.
14. Turn your setting into a movie theater. Offer blankets and pillows on the floor, serve a yummy snack, and watch a childhood favorite!
15. Take a photo of yourself with each child. Print the photo and frame it, and give it to the child to always remember your special relationship!
16. Act out a favorite children’s story.
17. Purchase a butterfly kit and watch caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies. Release the butterflies in a nearby park.
18. Encourage children to dress in nice clothing and have a pretend tea party.
19. Create mud out of a dirt pile in your yard and allow the children to play in it.
20. Turn up the music and have a spontaneous dance party!
21. Have a costume or favorite character day and invite the children to dress up.
22. Provide frozen yogurt or ice cream and an assortment of toppings to create your own sundae bar.
23. Add flavored extracts to playdough and see if the children can guess the scents as they manipulate the dough.
24. Invite children to help you rearrange the furniture in your setting for a day or two.
25. Invite a local radio or television reporter to visit your group to see ways you and your children are celebrating the Week of the Young Child. Talk with the reporter about the importance of early learning.