3 Simple Ways to Celebrate the History of Early Childhood Education in Your Program

This year, NAEYC is celebrating its centennial, marking 100 years of impact in early childhood education. 

The Spring issue of Young Children reflects on the educators, ideas, and experiences that have shaped the field over the past century. But the story of early childhood education isn’t only found in archives or journals. It lives in the everyday moments you share with children and colleagues. 

Here are three simple ways that early childhood programs and settings can connect the history of the profession to the work you do with children every day. 

1. Bring Storytelling to Life 

Storytelling is an integral part of early childhood education. For generations, educators have used stories to help children make sense of their experiences, share ideas, and build community within their learning environments. This issue of Young Children connects how teachers today are part of this history (see “Still on Stage! Engaging Children in Telling and Acting Out Stories to Impact Learning”). 

One activity that reflects this spirit is chain storytelling, where each person adds a sentence or idea to a story as it moves around the group. The story grows as each voice contributes something new. In many ways, the early childhood profession works the same way. Each generation of educators builds on the knowledge, experiences, and care of those who came before. 

You can bring a collaborative storytelling spirit into your program by inviting children to build stories together. Try doing this through Chain storytelling during group time, where each child adds a part to the story 

• Dramatic play based on favorite books 
• Retelling funny family stories or cultural traditions 

These experiences help children build communication skills while strengthening relationships with their friends and teachers. 

2. Celebrate Through Music and Movement 

Music has long been a part of early childhood education (see “100 Years of Music in NAEYC”). A familiar song during cleanup, a movement game during group time, or a spontaneous dance break can turn everyday moments into joyful experiences that children and their teachers remember. Ella Jenkins (1924–2024), often called the first lady of children’s music, helped shape how generations of children experience music in early learning environments. Jenkins was known for her interactive and multicultural approach. She often used call-and-response singing, where a teacher sings a phrase and children repeat it back. 

Try the call-and-response approach in your program: “I say something, and you say it back to me.” Children can echo words, sounds, rhythms, or short songs. This simple pattern builds listening skills, confidence, and a sense of shared participation. 

You might also try 

• Using songs to support daily transitions 
• Inviting children to create their own songs or rhythms 
• Sharing music from the different cultures represented in your program 

As part of NAEYC’s centennial celebration, educators like you are helping create a centennial playlist filled with songs that inspire, uplift, and bring the early childhood community together across generations. When you share a song, you’re not only contributing to the soundtrack of NAEYC’s 100th year. You’re also sharing a small piece of what brings joy to the children and educators in your community. 

3. Reflect Together 

Every educator’s path into the profession is unique, and those stories are part of the larger history of early childhood education. When educators share their experiences with colleagues, they help strengthen the professional community and inspire the next generation of educators. 

Consider setting aside time with your team to reflect together. You might discuss questions like 

• What traditions in early childhood education continue to guide your work? 
• Who inspired you to become an early childhood educator? 
• Was there a standout moment that made you realize the importance of this work? 
• What new ideas are shaping the future of the field? 
• How can we continue to grow as educators? 

These conversations help connect everyday practice to the larger mission of supporting children, families, and communities. 

Programs can also contribute to NAEYC’s Year of Reflections, a centennial initiative inviting educators across the field to share memories, insights, and hopes for the future as part of a yearlong reflection on 100 years of early childhood education. Through monthly themes, educators from every generation are invited to reflect on their experiences and the moments that shaped their work with children. 

Explore the Spring Issue of Young Children 

Storytelling, music, and reflection are just a few of the ways early childhood educators build community, support children’s learning, and connect with one another. They’re also part of the traditions that have shaped the profession over the past 100 years. 

The Spring issue of Young Children explores the many experiences, ideas, and influences that have shaped early childhood education and examines how everyday practices like these continue to connect educators across generations. 

Explore the issue to discover stories from across the field and new ideas you can bring into your own program. 

Read the Spring Issue of Young Children