The Week of the Young Child

Young children deserve recognition and support every day of the year. However, there’s one particular week in which we pay special attention to young children, their families, and the early care and learning programs and teachers that support them. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This year it is April 16-20, 2018.

Why this focus on young children? Today we know more than ever about brain growth and the optimum period for development – the first few years of life. This week is a time for all of us – parents, grandparents, policy makers, philanthropists, business, teachers, and individuals – to recognize the value of investing time, energy, and resources in those early years.

We can celebrate early learning, young children, their teachers, and families in many different ways during this week. NAEYC is providing a framework for the celebration:

Visit Best Beginnings on Facebook every day, from Music Monday to Family Friday, for ideas and activities for children and their grown-ups wherever they are – at home, at child care or school, in a park, at a museum, wherever.

Did you “Go Blue” on Friday, April 6 ^th? If you did, you joined hundreds of Alaskans who wore blue to show their support for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, a nationwide effort to raise public awareness about and take a stand against child abuse and neglect. It is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities who work together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well being of children and families.

To find out how you can help strengthen families and promote prevention of child abuse and neglect, click here.

Save the Date

Free Event for Families with Children 0-5 Years Old!

Saturday, April 28th

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Campbell Creek Science Center

5600 Science Center Drive - Anchorage

Join us for storytime, fun crafts, activities, and a book swap for your gently used children's books. For more information click here .