Week of the Young Child #WOYC16

Week of the Young Child: Celebrating Our Youngest Learners     April 10-16, 2016

The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families.  

All around the State of Kansas celebrations are taking place during the Week of the Young Child; each area has its own unique way of Celebrating Our Youngest Learners! Many of the affiliate KAEYC groups and chapters are leading the way:

Heartland Association for the Education of Young Children is based in Manhattan; their celebration is in partnership with Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kansas.    The week will kick off with our 2nd Annual Early Childhood Provider Appreciation; to recognize and support the work of early childhood professionals in Riley, Geary, Pottawatomie, and Clay counties. 

Prior to the appreciation event, Heartland AEYC will be hosting Laps for Children. As you make your lap around the zoo, stop and offer a lap to your child as you engage at activity stations. Laps for Children activities will begin at 2:30 and the Reception will begin at 4:00pm
Mention the Week of the Young Child for FREE zoo admission

BCCAECE (Butler Community College Area Early Childhood Educators) is hosting the first Week of the Young Child Impact Awards. Area early childhood professionals will be nominated and recognized for their hard work and dedication at The Week of the Young Child kick-off event on April 10th. 
This event will be held at Central Christian Church( Wichita, Kansas) in the Crown Room from 3 to 5 p.m. We are celebrating not only the children but those who have a significant impact on the lives of children every day!!

DCCA of Douglas County is celebrating EVERYDAY of the week!

·         A Mayoral Proclamation at City Hall is happening on April 12, 2016 at 5:45 p.m.

·         Music Monday brings a Drum Circle to The Toy Store in downtown Lawrence from 6:00-7:00 p.m.  

·         To Celebrate Taco Tuesday, several local dining establishments are having meal specials (e.g. children eat free w/purchase of entree) and interactive placemats with QR codes (collaborative effort with Child Care Aware of Kansas) will be distributed at many restaurants 

·         Work Together Wednesday is a day of sharing ideas and working on projects together within our individual child care settings.

·         Artsy Thursday is a partnership with local businesses to display children's artwork in windows all week!

·         Family Friday will wrap up the week at Prairie Park Nature Center with a one hour discovery/walking tour that is open to children and families from 5-6 pm.

DCCA is displaying flags with a banner representing children in full time childcare at the intersection of 23rd Street and Iowa Street (collaborative effort with KU!) all week!!

The Salina Chapter of KAEYC is holding a Child Development Fair on April 16, 2016 at Central Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Fun activities for families to engage in as well as a wild time with “Wild Thing” from Where the Wild Things Are. The Saline county early childhood community will set up booths for families to access vital resources for their children.  Every family will receive a kit that contains no cost or low cost activities to assist in preparation for school readiness.

Take the time to Celebrate Our Youngest Learners the week of April 10-16, 2016!  For more information on activities for each day of the Week of the Young Child go to www.naeyc.org/woyc. Look for the #WOYC16 on social media!