Week of the Young Child

Kern Association for the Education of Young Children

What is the 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 over 100,000 members and a network of nearly 450 local, state, and regional 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.

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child 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 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.

April 13-19, 2008 is our opportunity to celebrate children and not just our children, but all children.   During this week the Kern Association for the Education of Young Children (Kern AEYC) asks parents, child care providers, educators, businesses, service organizations, government and anyone else interested in what happens to young children to celebrate with them.  The Kern AEYC is celebrating this week by asking our communities to do something to show their awareness and appreciation for all the work and care that goes into making sure that young children are healthy, growing and learning in ways that will help them grow into strong and positive adults. 

The Week of the Young Child celebrates not only the children who will become our future citizens, but all of those really hard working moms, dads, care-givers, and teachers that invest their lives and love into the well being of children.  They are special people who have a passion for their work and a belief that what they do is important. 

NAEYC and Kern AEYC encourage each and every one of us to take the time to do something to express our appreciation for those who work with and on behalf of young children.  Research shows that high-quality relationships with the adults in a child’s life help them to develop the skills for success as they move through childhood and into adulthood.  Research also shows that participation in high-quality early childhood programs helps children develop skills to better learn from their school experiences—they become more successful in school.   

Join us - find your way to celebrate.  There are many simple and easy to do things listed below. Be creative - find your own way to celebrate the Week of the Young Child! 

Suggested list for parents and early childhood providers:

Things families can do:

1. No TV nights – instead do other activities such as board games, reading or cooking together, taking walks, going to the park, etc.
2. Visit libraries and/or book stores for reading times
3. Visit local museums such as the Kern County Museum and the California Living Museum (CALM)

Things providers can do:

1. Place children’s art in banks, malls, businesses, etc.
2. Have family potlucks
3. Make lapel buttons to distribute to parents with slogans such as “I’m at work today because I have quality child care” or “This employee made possible by quality child care”.  Be creative!
4. Have a daily focus where information is distributed to parents such as:
   • Children’s health
   • Violence prevention
   • Importance of reading
   • Tips for monitoring children’s television watching
   • Parent advocacy tips
5. Have a Saturday or weekday open house and program tour.
6. Join with other centers/family child care providers to have a picnic in the park for lunch
7. Plant a garden
8. Give staff small notes of encouragement and small treats each day to remind them of the impact they have
9. Have the children send a note to their parents at their work site telling them how much they love them.
10. Invite parents, elected officials or business leaders to visit your center to read to the children
11. Have children draw pictures, write their messages on them and send to elected officials.

When you have your plans together, please call Tammy Burns at 661/636-4444 to share your information.  We would like to highlight your participation on our website to publicly recognize your dedication to the young children in our community.

For further information about the Week of the Young Child or the Kern Association for the Education of Young Children, please contact Tammy Burns at 661/636-4444.

[ Print This Page ]   [ Email This Page ]