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The ˮ���� Child Development Center is pleased to announce its celebration of the Week of the Young Child®, April 11-17, 2026. This special week coincides with the national celebration organized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and comes 100 days into NAEYC’s centennial year.

The Week of the Young Child—now in its 55th year—is an annual celebration that focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. First established by NAEYC in 1971, this week highlights that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life.

“We’re excited to celebrate Week of the Young Child and shine a spotlight on ˮ����’s youngest citizens and the dedicated educators who nurture their development,” said Holly Short, Director of the ˮ���� Early Childhood Development Center. “Quality early childhood education is a crucial investment in our community’s future.”

Community members can participate in the Week of the Young Child celebration by engaging in a variety of themed, child-focused activities:

• Music Monday (April 13): Activities highlighting how music promotes language development and early literacy skills
• Tasty Tuesday (April 14): Focus on healthy nutrition and cooking activities that connect math, literacy, and science
• Work Together Wednesday (April 15): Building projects that develop problem-solving, math, and social skills
• Artsy Thursday (April 16): Creative art experiences that foster critical thinking and fine motor development
• Family Friday (April 17): Celebration of families as children’s first and most important teachers

For ideas of child-friendly activities to celebrate each day of the Week of the Young Child, visit  from NAEYC.

ˮ���� ˮ����’s Child Development Center

The Child Development Center at ˮ���� is a nationally accredited developmental program of care and education for children 3 years of age through kindergarten. The program is open to children of ˮ���� students, faculty, and staff, as well as parents from local communities. The mission of the Child Development Center is to provide high-quality education and care experiences by utilizing engaging and developmentally appropriate activities that promote the children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative growth while serving as a model for college students studying education. The program observes a staff/child ratio of one teacher for every eight children.

ˮ���� NAEYC

The National Association for the Education of Young Children is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. In 2026, we celebrate 100 years of advancing a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supporting all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. Today, the association comprises tens of thousands of individual members of the early childhood community and 50 Affiliates across the country, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning.