Week of the Young Child

April 19-25 is the 39th annual Week of the Young Child (WOYC), a time to focus on what young children and their families need to succeed. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) leads this seven-day celebration by coordinating activities in its state chapters around the country to raise awareness about quality early care and education. The theme of this year's WOYC is "Bringing Communities Together for Children - Children Bring Communities Together".

NAEYC is a membership organization that works at multiple levels to improve educational and developmental outcomes for young children through age 8. As a National Partner Organization in Strengthening Families, NAEYC has incorporated the five Protective Factors into their accreditation standards for early care and education centers; NAEYC accreditation is among the highest indicators of quality early education. For more on activities around the country celebrating the Week of the Young Child, visit NAEYC's WOYC page.

Post contributed by Judy Langford, Senior Fellow and manager of the Strengthening Families Initiative.

Building on our previous post about the Strengthening Families Initiative's Protective Factors approach, all posts this week will feature new reports and strategies to encourage healthy child development and family economic opportunities. For more information on policies to support young children.