The Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children is asking people to come together for children during the Week of the Young Child (April 10-16).  As part of the national Week of the Young Child™ celebrated across the country, Rhode Island is honoring young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives. 

Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is an opportunity for early childhood programs across the country, including child care and Head Start programs, preschools, and elementary schools, to hold activities to bring awareness to the needs of young children. 

“All young children need and deserve high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and Rhode Island has a great opportunity to do our part to help young children,” Lisa Hildebrand, Executive Director of Rhode Island AEYC in a statement. “Week of the Young Child is a time for Rhode Island to celebrate our youngest learners and we are excited to be a part of that!”   

Young children and their families depend on high-quality care and education, which help children get a great start and bring lasting benefits to our state. Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize the importance of early learning and early literacy and to celebrate the teachers and systems that bring early childhood education to young children. 

If your family has children in an early care and education program in Rhode Island, ask the program how you can contribute and help them celebrate. Each day of the Week of the Young Child has a theme starting with music Monday on April 11. That’s followed by Taco Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday and Family Friday, April 15.

The Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children is the managing agency for BrightStars. Rhode Island AEYC is the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Rhode Island AEYC and NAEYC are dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for young children.