At Starfish Family Services, we believe in the power of early childhood education to shape what comes next. We see it every day in the moments that build a child’s confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging.
That belief shines especially bright during Week of the Young Child (WOYC), a national celebration led by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is a time to recognize just how important these early years are and to celebrate the role families, educators, and everyday experiences play in a child’s development.
What is Week of the Young Child?
Week of the Young Child is a national celebration focused on early learning, young children, and the people who support them.
It was created to raise awareness about just how critical the early years are. From birth through age eight, children are developing the foundation for language, relationships, problem-solving, and emotional well-being. These are the years when the brain grows the fastest and when early experiences have a lasting impact.
But this week is not just about awareness. It is about what that development actually looks like in real life.
Children are not learning by sitting still. They are learning through movement, play, creativity, connection, and everyday interactions. Singing, building, storytelling, exploring-these are not just activities. They are the building blocks of lifelong learning.
How Starfish is Celebrating WOYC
Across our centers, classrooms will be filled with hands-on experiences designed to support development in ways that feel natural, engaging, and fun. Each day focuses on a different way children learn best, and families can be part of it, too.
Music Monday
Our classrooms will come alive with sound, movement, and rhythm. Children sing, dance, and explore music in ways that build coordination, language, and self-expression.
At home: Turn on music and move together. Use pots, pans, or plastic bowls as instruments and let your child create their own rhythm.
Tasty Tuesday
Food becomes a way to explore, create, and try something new. Children engage their senses by tasting, preparing, and learning about different foods.
At home: Let your child help in the kitchen. Have them choose a new fruit or vegetable to try or turn grocery shopping into a scavenger hunt for different colors and shapes.
Work Together Wednesday
This day is all about teamwork, problem-solving, and learning how to work alongside others. Children collaborate, share ideas, and build something together.
At home: Work on something as a team, build a blanket fort, complete a puzzle, or even turn everyday tasks like laundry into conversation and learning time.
Artsy Thursday
Creativity takes center stage. Children paint, build, design, and explore materials in their own way, developing fine motor skills and learning to express themselves.
At home: Set up a simple art station with paper, crayons, or recycled materials. Let your child create freely. No instructions needed.
Family Friday
While children may not be in the classroom here on Friday, learning continues at home. This day is about connection, time together, and the role families play in a child’s growth.
At home: Read a favorite book together, share stories, or talk about your day. Even small moments, like a walk or a meal together, make a lasting impact.
Why This Week Matters
Week of the Young Child is a celebration, but it is also a reminder.
The experiences children have early on, how they are supported, encouraged, and engaged, shape everything that comes next.
At Starfish, this work goes beyond the classroom. It is about creating environments where children feel safe to explore, families feel supported, and learning happens in ways that stick.
Because strong starts do not happen by chance, they happen through intention, connection, and the people who show up every day to make it possible.