This April is the 50th anniversary of Week of the Young Child (WOYC). In 1971, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) established the WOYC to celebrate the early years of childhood (birth8 years). The idea was for early childhood education programs across the nation to participate in activities and focus on all the ways we can support children and families during those early years.

Each year NAEYC publishes a calendar of events and activities but early childhood education programs are encouraged to add in their own ideas for the week! One of the simplest, yet most poignant, ways we can celebrate young children is by focusing on what they do best, engaging in play!