The National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Week of the Young Children begins today!
Typically, we celebrate the Week of the the Young Child by sharing the exciting classroom learning activities between teachers, students and families. Unfortunately, the school closures due to COVID-19 prevent teachers, students and families from celebrating together in their classrooms.
NAEYC still encourages teachers to celebrate the importance of early childhood education and their role as educators in each child's development as they support families in their home learning.
"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 nearly 60,000 members and a network of 51 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."
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On NAEYC's website, you can find a list of activities for each day that may be helpful to share with your families. We encourage you to communicate with your families each day to remind them of the importance of early childhood education and provide them with fun ideas for spending time with their children.
You can also incorporate any of the themes listed below into your daily activities with your students. If you want to share pictures with us, we encourage you to do so!
Thank you for all you are doing to continue providing high quality education to Durham's young children.
"When children sing, dance, and listen to music, they develop their language and early literacy skills while being active and encouraging movement. Make up and record your own unique version of a song or write your own!"
"This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Create your own healthy snacks and share the recipes and photos of your creations on social media!"
"When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home."
More on Work Together Wednesday
"Think, problem solve, create! Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts!"
"Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC applauds family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers." Teachers can share activities that are fun for the whole family!