Children cannot play without learning and cannot learn without playing.
– Stacy Benge, Child Development Specialist and Author

Established in 1971, the Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), “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.” NAEYC adds, it’s “a time to recognize that children’s opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment—at home, at child care, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning.”

Among other activities, NAEYC invites you to create #WOYC24 Proclamations to Support Early Childhood Educators, in five simple steps. They note, “Proclamations are a great way to educate the public and bring attention to the cause of high–quality early childhood education. A proclamation is effective for gaining public recognition—and serving as an advocacy and accountability tool for the future—because it carries the full support of a key government official in your state or community.”

At Exchange Press, we celebrate the Week of the Young Child year-round by hearing and amplifying the work you do, the impact you make, the support you need, and the moments that most touch your lives. Share your stories with us and one another on your favorite social media platform. Add the tags @exchangepress and #WOYC24 so we can find what you have to say. We are listening.