Parents should always look for ways to celebrate their children and support them on their pathway to academic achievement. Encouraging your child’s emotional and creative growth at a young age improves academic performance and cognitive development as you raise up the next generation of leaders.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) believes in the importance of advocating for young learners. Their Week of the Young Child (WOYC), which celebrates young students and encourages their social-emotional development, will take place April 2-8. These week-long activities will shine a spotlight on classrooms and family engagement activities for young children.

If you’d like to participate in the Week of the Young Child, the following are some fun ways you and your family can get involved!

Music Monday
When children sing, dance, and listen to music, they develop language and early literacy skills while being active and encouraging movement. Make up your own unique version of a song or write your own. Then film you and your child singing it and share the video on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the #WOYC22 hashtag.

Tasty Tuesday
This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together builds math, literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Create your own healthy snacks and share the recipes and photos of your delicious creations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the #WOYC22 hashtag.

Work Together Wednesday
When children build with their peers they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from branches on the playground to Legos and clay in the classroom. Build and share pictures of your child’s creations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the #WOYC22 hashtag.

Artsy Thursday
Think, problem solve and create! Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with creative art projects where they can make choices, use their imagination, and build with their hands. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts! Create and share photos of your children’s creations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the #WOYC22 hashtag.

Family Friday
Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. You are your young child’s first and most important teacher and NAEYC applauds this valuable role. Share pictures and silly or heart-warming stories about your family on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the #WOYC22 hashtag.