It’s Never Too Early to ENGAGE, CONNECT AND LEARN!

Source: NAEYC’s 2023 Week of the Young Child®

Join the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), early childhood education students, teachers, child care providers, parents and families across the nation to celebrate the Week of the Young Child (WOYC) from April 1 – 7! Help spread the word about “the importance of high-quality early learning, and the critical role early childhood educators play in a child’s development and learning.”

Since 1971, NAEYC has partnered with over 60,000 families, government, providers, nonprofits and other family-serving organizations to highlight the importance of the early years (birth through age 8) through its annual Week of the Young Child™ celebration. The theme for #WOYC23 is “Step It Up.”

For Maryland, “Step It Up” means supporting children, parents, families and educators as we work to strengthen and expand early childhood education with innovative programs and initiatives, such as Maryland Rebuilds. In addition, the Maryland Early Childhood Family Engagement Framework puts forth seven goals for family engagement to be used across Maryland’s early childhood system and within individual programs. Specifically, the following activities celebrating WOYC meet Goal Two of the Framework: Family engagement initiatives should promote positive parent-child relationships.

Remember: Strong partnerships between educators and families support lifelong, healthy child development.

Below are six fun-filled WOYC daily activities to engage families while promoting school readiness and positive parent-child relationships:

Seed Saturday (The Family Seed Challenge) 

Tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, oh my! Kick-off WOYC by becoming #HealthyGreenFamilies! For National Garden Month and the spring planting season, teach children the value of growing their food by planting a school, program, family or community veggie garden. Showcase your children’s green thumbs by sharing photos with @MDEngageEarly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the Hashtags #HealthyGreenFamilies and #WOYC23.

• Take the Family Seed Challenge 
• Team Nutrition Garden Resources
• Get Down and Dirty
• Healthy Green Families Grow at Local Farmers Market

Music Monday 

Making the Band: The Family Edition! As a guide, e-mail the Five Tips to Making Music at Home to families a few days in advance. Families can create their musical instruments at home, such as strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. After completing their instruments, download a great song, check out a virtual dance party and make a WOYC music video at home using their instruments. Share your family band’s live performance with your program and other families on social media. Remember to tag @NAEYC and @MDEngageEarly using the Hashtags #MDFamiliesEngage and #WOYC23.

Tasty Tuesday 

When you cook with children, you create family bonds and encourage healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. By following step-by-step directions, measuring ingredients and counting serving sizes, your little chefs learn basic math concepts, which can lead to a STEM career. Before cooking, get Tips to Introduce Your Little Chef to New Recipes. Discover MFE’s Top Healthy Spring Recipes, especially for picky eaters. Share photos or videos of your little chefs “in action” with @MDEngageEarly on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the Hashtags #MyLittleChef, #WOYC23 and #HealthyGreenFamilies.

• MFE Presents: #HealthyGreenFamilies (video)
• Visit the Little Chef’s Corner
• Download the Little Chef’s Certificate
• Take a Family Trip for Berry Delicious Fun

Work Together Wednesday

You know the words to the song: “Clean up, Clean up, Everybody Do Your Share.” That’s right, pump up the music: it’s time for spring cleaning! For Work Together Wednesday, teach children essential life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, independence and the importance of a clean environment and recycling. Partner with families to host a classroom, playground, home or community clean-up. Education.com recommends making it fun for children by skating for dust bunnies to clean hardwood floors or waxing on and off to wash cars and windows.

• Prepare For Earth Day by Creating a Greener Earth

Artsy Thursday 

Get those creative juices flowing and little hands dirty! Young children are naturally curious and creative and learn best by doing. Children learn problem-solving, fine motor and social skills through arts and crafts projects. For Artsy Thursday, encourage children to use their imaginations to create a work of art. Ask families to use art supplies and a large piece of paper to create a family tree or portrait. Want to get creative? Other options can include creating a Melted Bead Bowl or Decorated Egg Holder. Get helpful tips with the Arts At-Home Activity Sheet.

• Go On the Hunt for Spring Fun

Family Friday 

Families need your support now more than ever! Goal One of the Framework: Family Engagement initiatives should promote family well-being. Maryland’s vision for family engagement is a two-generation strategy. Families are the key to a child’s early development and learning. Invite families into the classroom or host a virtual family meet-up. Invite a guest speaker such as a nutritionist, mental health professional or yoga instructor. Make it simple, fun and relaxing for families. After your event, use the Parent and Family Certificate below to engage families, establish relationships and show your support. 

• You Got This (video)
• Different Perspectives (video)
• Download the Parent and Family Certificate

Help promote family engagement by ensuring families have fun and creative learning activities to do at home with their children. Learn more about the 2023 Week of the Young Child®.