This year’s Week of the Young Child® (WOYC) carried special meaning as we marked two extraordinary milestones: 55 years of celebrating young children, their families, and their educators alongside 100 years of NAEYC’s unwavering commitment to high-quality early learning. Across the country, communities came together to honor the joy, importance, and impact of early childhood education in ways that felt both meaningful and deeply personal. 

We are profoundly grateful for the energy, creativity, and dedication shown by educators, families, advocates, and partners in every state and setting. Your participation did more than celebrate this week—it brought it to life. 

Celebrating Through Play, Creativity, and Community 

Throughout the week, Week of the Young Child® was celebrated through the everyday magic that the field knows so well. From programs to community spaces, we saw learning unfold through joy, curiosity, and connection. 

Social media was filled with moments that reflected what educators build every day: environments where children learn through play, exploration, and relationships. Music and movement filled classrooms with energy, hands-on STEM experiences sparked wonder, and storytelling invited young learners to share their voices and ideas. Across settings, educators created spaces where children could imagine, discover, and thrive. 

Recognition at Every Level

Advocacy was a powerful thread woven throughout the week. Together, we reached an incredible milestone: 122 proclamations across 30 states, including 15 at the state level. These proclamations not only recognized the Week of the Young Child but also helped elevate early childhood education in public conversations and policy spaces nationwide. 

Each proclamation reflected growing awareness of what educators have always known—that early learning matters, and it deserves sustained attention and investment. 

Fueling the Work Ahead

This year’s celebration also demonstrated strong and growing support for the future of the field. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our donor community, we raised funds to advance NAEYC’s mission of strengthening high-quality early learning, supporting educators, and building more equitable systems nationwide. Every contribution represents a shared belief in the value of early childhood education and the professionals who make it possible. 

Make a Charitable Donation

Turning Recognition into Change

Celebrating early childhood educators is not enough. The same professionals honored this week are returning to classrooms that too often do not reflect the value of their expertise, care, and impact. 

On May 1—Worthy Wage Day—NAEYC launches Value. Voice. Vote., a campaign connecting fair compensation for educators to civic engagement and collective power. More details will be shared soon.