During the week of April 16-April 20, 2018 Maternity Care Coalition’s Early Head Start program celebrated the WOYC (Week of the Young Child.) Every year, during the month of April, NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) hosts WOYC, as an annual celebration. NAEYC is currently the world’s largest early childhood education association.
While NAEYC has designated daily themes, many child care providers may modify the themes to fit their center’s educational needs, or just to try something different. At EHS-South, our daily themes were Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Workout Wednesday, and Family Friday. Our center had an in-service day on Thursday, and we were closed. Workout Wednesday was the only theme that we modified, offering health and fitness resources to our families during the parent meeting.
The children, and teachers really enjoyed Music Monday at South. The teachers did various music and movement activities with the children, however, the highlight of Music Monday was Mr. David Perry a.k.a., The Music Man, joining in our Music Monday festivities. His gentle, yet fun personality had each child (and each teacher) swinging, swaying and clapping along.
Mr. David visited each age group and gave them a very entertaining show and he received much active participation from everyone, even the infant.
On Tuesday at South, we celebrated Tasty Tuesday. The children made their very own, personal side of guacamole to enjoy with their lunch, tacos! They learned about an avocado, feeling the texture of the outside, and seeing what it looks and tastes like on the inside. The children smashed, and mushed their avocado, and mixed in extras such as red onion and cilantro.
Wednesday of WOYC, South celebrated Work out Wednesday. The parents engaged in a very active parent meeting, learning how to access free, and inexpensive fitness classes and healthy recipes. A local company, Baby WordPlay joined the South site for some interactive storytelling. Each classroom had the chance to experience the songs, visual aids, and sound effects that Ms. Pam incorporated into their storytelling experience. It was an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Thursday at Pottstown, the children and staff celebrated Music Thursday by having a music and dance party. They really had a great time and was able to get in some good gross motor activity!
At South, we were also celebrating Family Friday. The Young Toddler classroom had participation from the parents to create a collage of family hand prints.
Next year, the Week of the Young Child will be held April 8-12, 2019. Stay tuned to see what type of creativity will be brewing in South, Norristown and Pottstown. Feel free to visit and/or volunteer in the Early Head Start program during WOYC, and be a part of the celebration! As the NAEYC site states, “The Week of the Young Child™ is a time to recognize that children’s opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment—at home, at child care, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning.”
For more pictures of Maternity Care Coalition’s Week of the Young Child 2018 events, please follow the link to our flickr account here.
