Every year, families, educators, and communities across the country come together to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, a special event organized by the National Association for the Education of the Young Children. This year, this meaningful week takes place on April 11- 17, 2026, and continues its mission of recognizing the importance of early childhood education and the critical role that young children, their families, and their educators play in shaping their development and helping them create a brighter future.
Week of the Young Child is all about celebrating learning through creativity, connection, and play. Early childhood is a time of rapid growth- socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Experiences during these formative years lay the foundation for a lifelong success. It shines a spotlight on how intentional teaching, supportive relationships, and engaging environments help children thrive.
Learning doesn’t begin in a formal classroom – it begins at birth. From a baby’s first interactions with caregivers to a preschooler’s imaginative play, every moment is an opportunity to learn. Families are children’s first teachers, and educators build on that foundation to guide children toward discovery and growth. The early years of a child’s life set the foundation for their later success in school and life.
At CCRC we’re celebrating this special week by calling attention to the needs of young children and early childhood education. We look forward to showcasing the Head Start teachers and activities they organize that aim to build a social emotional and education foundation for children!
Themes and Daily Celebrations
Each day of Week of the Young Child typically highlights a different aspect of early learning, encouraging participation through hands-on, joyful experiences. While specific themes may vary slightly each year, they often include:
Kick-off Saturday: Share how you plan to celebrate Week of the Young Child, explore NAEYC’s WOYC webpage, and explore advocacy opportunities.
Music Monday – Read about and dance to music from a different culture, explore instruments, make instruments using recycled materials, or write a song. Join us for an at-home dance session on our YouTube channel!
Tasty Tuesday – Cook with your child, taste a new food and explore recipes, read stories about food, write your own recipe, sing songs about food, or create a math activity cutting and sorting fruit and vegetables. Visit our YouTube channel for some delicious recipes!
Work Together Wednesday – Build something with blocks or loose parts, complete a puzzle with your child, help a friend, work on a group art project, or clean up trash together. Learn how to make your own lava lamp here!
Artsy Thursday – Paint or draw a picture, create a collage with recycled materials and scraps, create a sculpture, or draw something with sidewalk chalk to share with others. Visit our YouTube channel and learn how to make playdough!
Family Friday – Go on a family walk, read a book together, draw a family photo, discuss what makes your family special, learn about your family’s culture, or celebrate with other families. For a fun, family yoga activity, click here!
The goal is not perfection but participation – creating meaningful moments that celebrate childhood!
And as we celebrate, we are reminded that investing in young children is an investment in our future. By supporting early learning, honoring educators, and strengthening family connections, we create a foundation for success that extends far beyond the early years.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this week is more than a celebration – it is a call to action! CCRC’s Head Start program offers comprehensive services, activities that help empower families, and much more. Explore all that this program has to offer here. If essential programs such as Head Start have impacted you and your family, we’d love to hear from you – share your story by clicking here.