The Week of the Young Child™
NAEYC Week of the Young Child™ (WOYC) is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and AzAEYC. WOYC celebrates early learning, young children, their teachers, and families.
This week-long celebration was established in 1971 by NAEYC to recognize the importance of early care and education. In 2021, WOYC reached its 50th anniversary! As part of WOYC, AzAEYC focuses on elevating early childhood as a public good, advancing equity, and highlighting the impact of quality early childhood on creating vibrant communities.
The Week of the Young Child™ is a celebratory effort 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. This celebration aligns with our mission: To promote high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research.
Scholarly and academic research continue to show the value of high-quality early development opportunities for young children, their families, and society.
Proclamations
Arizona State University –Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Proclamation from Dean Carole Basile, PhD
Central Arizona College Proclamation from President Dr. Jacquelyn Elliott
City of Benson Proclamation from Mayor Joe A. Konrad
City of Bisbee Proclamation from Mayor Ken Budge
City of Casa Grande Proclamation from Mayor Craig H. McFarland
City of Coolidge Proclamation from Mayor Jon Thompson
City of Douglas Proclamation from Mayor Donald C. Huish
City of Eloy Proclamation from Mayor Micah Powell
City of Globe Proclamation from Mayor Al Gameros
City of Mesa Proclamation from Mayor John Giles
City of Phoenix Proclamation from Mayor Kate Gallego
City of Show Low Proclamation from Mayor John Leech, Jr.
City of Wilcox Proclamation from Mayor Michael J. Laws
Cochise County Board of Supervisors Proclamation
Glendale Community College Proclamation from President Dr. Tiffany Hernandez
Mesa Community College Proclamation from Interim President Dr. Kimberly Britt
Northern Arizona University – College of Education Proclamation from Dean Ramona Mellott, PhD
San Carlos Apache Tribe Proclamation
State of Arizona Proclamation from Governor Katie Hobbs
Town of Miami Proclamation from Mayor Jose “Angel” Medina Sr.
Town of Payson Proclamation from Mayor Chris Higgins
Town of Queen Creek Proclamation from Mayor Julia Wheatley
Who organizes WOYC?
NAEYC designates the Week of the Young Child™ dates and theme, but events are planned and implemented by local communities right here in Arizona. Celebrations are organized and coordinated by regional, state, and local NAEYC Affiliates and our chapters and by individual early childhood programs and community organizations providing services to young children and families.
NAEYC designates the Week of the Young Child™ dates and theme, but events are planned and implemented by local communities right here in Arizona. Celebrations are organized and coordinated by regional, state, and local NAEYC Affiliates and our chapters and by individual early childhood programs and community organizations providing services to young children and families.
How to celebrate WOYC?
Communities around Arizona have tailored celebrations to meet the needs in their own areas. WOYC is often celebrated in libraries, community centers and other places where young children grow and thrive. In addition to the ideas below, many other creative ways to celebrate can be found on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and among early childhood teachers and parents.
Celebrating can be as simple as displaying artwork by young children, setting up a special display of books, cooking a community snack. Some communities have organized town parades or festivals. They might assemble booths representing all of the early childhood agencies and other services. Others have involved their local officials and organized ceremonies with public proclamations or arranged press conferences. It’s really up to you!
NEW FOR 2024!
Check out this Q&A with the vice presidents of membership from AzAEYC and SAZAEYC for ideas on how you can get involved in celebrating Week of the Young Child!
Why celebrate WOYC?
As we celebrate the Week of the Young Child™, we are advancing a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate and work on behalf of young children. It’s a time to recognize that children’s opportunities are our responsibilities! Every year, we seek to recommit to making sure each and every child in Arizona experiences the type of early environment—at home, at child care, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning. Join us in celebrating!
Thank you for helping to promote Week of the Young Child, taking place April 6-12, 2024!
In the Social Media Toolkit linked below, you’ll find messaging and graphics to help you spread the word to our communities that affordable, quality child care matters and deserves to be prioritized at every level. This social media toolkit is designed to be used by individuals, community groups, and agencies/organizations.
To participate, we encourage you to:
- Use the sample captions and the graphics in this social media kit to post on your social media channels throughout the Week of the Young Child and;
- Share posts from AzAEYC, FTF, and SAZAEYC.
Access the WOYC Social Media Toolkit
Download the 2024 Arizona WOYC Proclamation Templates by clicking the link below. You can download the template to your desktop or copy and paste the information into a new Word Doc. Then, you will submit your separate Word Doc as the proclamation request.
Navajo Nation
See all Navajo Nation events
Vail
Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 8-11 a.m.
13105 E. Colossal Cave Road, Vail, AZ 85641
Vail Unified School District and Community Programs, in partnership with Creation Preschool, host this free Week of the Young Child Kick-Off event featuring hands-on activities, readings from local children’s book authors, food, and resources.
San Tan Valley
Monday, April 8, 2024 from 4-6 p.m.
Walker Butte K-8 Field 29697 N. Desert Willow Blvd., San Tan Valley, AZ 85143
Join the Pinal Early Childhood Coalition, in partnership with FUSD Partner Preschool, for this free event for families with children birth to age 5. The event includes crafts, activities, music, raffle prizes and community resources.
Maricopa
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 4-6 p.m.
Milton “Paul” Antone Memorial Park, 46851 W. Farrel Rd., Maricopa, AZ 85139
Join the Pinal Early Childhood Coalition, in partnership with Ak-Chin Indian Community and Molina Healthcare, for this free event for families with children birth to age 5. The event includes crafts, activities, music, raffle prizes and community resources.
Eloy
Friday, April 12, 2024 from 10 a.m.-Noon
Central (Main Street) Park, 601 N. Main Street, Eloy, AZ 85131
Join the Pinal Early Childhood Coalition, in partnership with FUSD Partner Preschool, for this free event for families with children birth to age 5. The event includes crafts, activities, music, raffle prizes and community resources.
City of Avondale KidFest
Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friendship Park, 12325 W. McDowell Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323
Join the City of Avondale for a celebration of Day of the Child (Dia de los Ninos) and the Week of the Young Child. This no-cost event includes various activities, crafts, food trucks, entertainment, and exhibitors featuring different types of organizations and services that support children and families.
Yuma – “Building Our Future Together” Children and Family Event
Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9 a.m. to noon
Yuma Heritage Library Lawn, 350 S. 3rd Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364
Join the Yuma Chapter of AzAEYC in the celebration of Yuma’s young children. This is a no-cost event with arts and crafts activities, door prizes, and more.
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