Each April, communities around the country pause to celebrate the joy, creativity, and potential of young children during Week of the Young Child (WOYC).
WOYC is a tradition that started more than 50 years ago by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to bring attention to the importance of early learning and the early learning and care providers and educators who make it possible.
At Children’s Institute, WOYC is a chance to lift up the pieces of early learning that are so important in early child development: children learning through play, building relationships, exploring their worlds and growing with the support of dedicated adults.
It’s also a moment to uplift the vision behind Great by Age 8, our framework underscoring the critical milestones from birth through ages eight that ensure every child has:
- Secure attachment and nurturing relationships with caregivers and adults.
- Access to quality early learning and health care that supports emotional and physical well-being.
- A supported, seamless transition into kindergarten, which research shows is critical to success in school – and in life.
- The confidence to learn and explore.
Across Oregon, we see the work underway to support children to learn through creating, imagining, moving and connecting with others. These joyful experiences reflect the heart of early childhood.
At a recent Early School Success Learning Lab at Cornelius Elementary, educators created space for students to lead their own learning through small group conversations and play-based exploration. What stood out was how confidently children shared their ideas with one another—building language, relationships, and a sense of belonging.
Moments like this from our Early School Success team show what’s possible when children are supported to learn, explore and connect. During Week of the Young Child and every week, we’re committed to helping every child in Oregon grow and thrive.