In celebration of the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (WOYC), Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) Head Start programs will promote the significance of high-quality early childhood education during the week of April 5-11. This week-long event highlights the role that educators and families have in nurturing the development and learning of young children.

GLCAP Head Start will join NAEYC in this annual celebration, showcasing a variety of classroom, advocacy, and family engagement activities. These activities are meant to inspire creativity, enhance learning, and strengthen community connections.

Each day of the school week, the centers follow guidance from the National Association for the Education of Young Children's website to plan special activities. Participants are encouraged to create and share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #WOYC25. Activities include "Music Monday," where children explore rhythm and melody; "Tasty Tuesday," focusing on healthy eating habits; “Work Together Wednesday,” where children will work on social and literacy skills; and "Artsy Thursday," which offers open-ended art exploration. The week ends with "Family Friday," inviting parents and caregivers to join in, with children encouraged to bring photos of their families to share.

Education Coordinator Elizabeth Martinez inspired her team by stating, “This week is more than just themed days and fun activities (though we love those too!)—it’s a national celebration of early childhood and a powerful reminder of why we show up every day with passion, purpose, and heart.”

The Week of the Young Child celebration is a reminder of the role that early childhood education plays in shaping the futures of young learners through a blend of creativity, collaboration, and community involvement. As participants and organizations like GLCAP share their experiences online, they contribute to a wider movement that recognizes and celebrates the importance of nurturing young minds.

To learn more about our GLCAP Head Start early childhood programs, go to glcap.org/earlychildhood.