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 tens of thousands of members and a network of 50 Affiliates.

First established in 1971, Week of the Young Child® is now celebrating 55 years of elevating the needs of young children and their families while recognizing the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

As NAEYC celebrates its 100th year, WOYC reinforces our commitment to ensuring every child has access to high-quality early learning experiences.

The next Week of the Young Child® will be April 11-17, 2026.

NAEYC designates the Week of the Young Child® dates and theme, but events are planned and implemented by local communities. Celebrations are organized and coordinated by NAEYC Affiliates, and by individual early childhood programs and community organizations providing services to young children and families.

Local communities may tailor celebrations to meet their own needs. For example, while NAEYC traditionally designates a Week of the Young Child®, some groups generate so much enthusiasm and support that they celebrate the "Month of the Young Child." Others have modified the dates of their celebration to coordinate with other scheduled events in their community.

However adapted, the central purpose remains unchanged—to promote the needs of young children, their families, and the early childhood programs that serve them.

Today we know more than ever before about the importance of children's earliest years in shaping their learning and development. 

The Week of the Young Child® is 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.

Here is a sampling of WOYC events that have taken place in communities around the country:

• "We held a Family Writing Workshop where parents were invited to create a book with their children. A book-writing kit was provided, and children and parents shared their books at a show and tell. The books are now part of our library collection."
• "We displayed children's artwork throughout the center and made a DVD slideshow of the children. Monday was Parent Appreciation Day, where parents were served light refreshments and received a card from their child. Tuesday was Hat Day. Wednesday was Teacher Appreciation Day, with a potluck lunch for staff. It was also Beach Party Day. Thursday was Inside Out Day and Friday we had an ice cream social."
• "Our city granted us a permit to hold a parade and children's fair celebrating young children. There were over 500 children who paraded down the main street in decorated wagons, tricycles, or on foot. They marched with their child care providers or early childhood teachers. The free fair had booths representing all of the early childhood agencies and other services and also childcare providers."
• "A group of parents and children marched to City Hall. The mayor joined us and read a proclamation adopted by our City Council about the Week of the Young Child. Additionally, we held a press conference sharing information about the importance of quality early care and education."

For inspiration, resources, and activity ideas, visit our WOYC Resources page!

WOYC may last one week—but the impact of early childhood education lasts a lifetime.

As we celebrate 100 years of NAEYC and 55 years of Week of the Young Child, we invite you to carry the momentum forward:

• Join NAEYC to connect with a national community of early childhood professionals.
• Engage with your local Affiliate to stay involved in advocacy and professional learning.
• Explore year-round resources to support children, families, and educators.
• Advocate for early childhood education in your community and with policymakers.

The celebration may end—but our shared commitment to young children continues for the next 100 years and beyond.