National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

During Women’s History Month, I have been reflecting on the incredible trailblazers who revolutionized how we understand and approach early childhood education, and who have become touchstones for me in my work advocating for children, educators, and families at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).   From Maria Montessori, whose child-centered hands-on educational approach is still used in classrooms worldwide, we have lessons from the early 1900s that resonate today.   Joan Ganz Cooney, co-founder of the Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop), used media as a powerful tool for early education that reached millions of children.   Barbara Bowman, who died last year at age 94, co-founded the groundbreaking Erikson Institute, dedicated to understanding child development and improving educational practices for young learners, especially those from underserved communities.   And, of course, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Patty Smith Hill, a true innovator in educational standards, who was NAEYC’s founder and leader. It’s an unbelievable honor to follow in her footsteps.   These women championed the idea that children are capable, curious individuals who need quality early learning, and their work has been woven into the fabric of our field for 150 years.   There are so many great women in early education, and I’d love to know: Who are the women who have inspired you in early childhood education?   #WomensHistoryMonth #EarlyChildhoodEducation

Why Do a Proclamation for Week of the Young Child? A proclamation is an official designation of an event, like hashtag#WOYC25. Proclamations are a great way to educate the public and bring attention to the cause of high–quality early childhood education. A proclamation is effective for gaining public recognition—and serving as an advocacy and accountability tool for the future—because it carries the full support of a key government official in your state or community. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-rirMjg

Week of the Young Child®, our annual event celebrates early learning, young children, their teachers, and families. Each day highlights a fun theme that you can make your own! Make sure to use the hashtag #WOYC25 to share all the fun you do in your programs to uplift and celebrate young children and their families! A few things you can do to prepare for WOYC: ✨ Visit NAEYC.org/events/woyc ✨ Visit our WOYC Activity Resources page for inspiration ✨ Check out your local NAEYC Affiliate to see what they have planned for #WOYC25 ✨ Proclaim Week of the Young Child in your area by using the "Whereas & Therefore: #WOYC25 Proclamations to Advance the ECE Profession" toolkit

Guidance and behavior are two pressing topics on the minds of early childhood professionals. Even those well beyond their first years of teaching still seek perspectives and practical strategies on these topics. The latest YC issue explores the meaning behind children’s behaviors and how to respond to them. NAEYC members can access it through their membership portal today!

Calling all Higher Education Faculty! It’s Time to Plan for Fall Courses! NAEYC books provide the latest research-based content at great prices students can afford! From updated must-have references like Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Early Childhood Programs, 4th edition and Healthy Young Children, 6th edition to stimulating books on STEM and literacy including The Young Child and Mathematics and Literacy Learning for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers, NAEYC is the go-to source for your fall course materials. Books and bulk purchase orders can be purchased through our NAEYC store at www.NAEYC.org/shop 📚 Consortium Book Sales & Distribution

Call for Submissions for the 2025 Voices of Practitioners Compilation For the 2025 issue of Voices of Practitioners, we are focusing on building empathy and a sense of belonging in early childhood settings. We invite early childhood teachers, leaders, and other early childhood professionals to submit a proposal by April 16, 2025. See the website for submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/gr3kgtpn

Why Do a Proclamation for Week of the Young Child? A proclamation is an official designation of an event, like #WOYC25. Proclamations are a great way to educate the public and bring attention to the cause of high–quality early childhood education. A proclamation is effective for gaining public recognition—and serving as an advocacy and accountability tool for the future—because it carries the full support of a key government official in your state or community. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-rirMjg

Read this piece in Early Learning Nation co-authored by NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang and Isabelle Hau that explores how "when we nurture the relational foundations of our youngest learners by showing them love, we unlock their potential and, in turn, create a brighter future for us all." 

The Affiliate Advisory Council advises the NAEYC Governing Board and national staff about all issues related to Affiliates and members, and works to ensure that diverse, inclusive leadership pathways are present and accessible throughout the Affiliate Network and NAEYC.  The Council will appoint five new members in 2025 with terms beginning on 6/1/25 and ending 5/31/28. You can apply for the 2025 Council through March 14th at 5:00PM EST. For more information and to apply, please visit the Council’s page on the NAEYC website by visiting, https://lnkd.in/ebHeXPF8

Hundreds of early childhood educators, advocates, and allies made sure YOUR voices were heard on Capitol Hill, as they came from across the country to participate in NAEYC’s 2025 Public Policy Forum. We are deeply grateful for the incredible work ECE advocates do, each and every day, across all early learning settings and within communities nationwide. #AdvocacyInAction #naeycppf Read more highlights in our blog: https://lnkd.in/eAxbs3hU