Throughout the state of Maryland, local communities and educators hosted events to promote awareness of the needs of young children and their families and to recognize early childhood programs and services available to families within their communities. The Week of the Young Child was April 10-16.

NAEYC Theme for 2011: Early Years Are Learning Years™

Click here to visit the NAEYC's Week of the Young Child webpage.

Week of the Young Child Activities:
MDAEYC-Eastern Shore

The Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children Eastern Shore Chapter sponsored an Early Childhood Fair at the Centre in Salisbury on April 16, 2011. Many local organizations were invited to showcase their information to parents to learn about local programs and services for children. 

Emerging Leaders - Involving Students
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Child Development Education students and alumni enthusiastically made balloon sculptures, face painting, and helped with an obstacle course for children attending the fair.

• University of Maryland students taught families about dental health in conjunction with Three Lower Counties Medical services
• Salisbury University students discussed the Wicomico County Health Department services
• Wor-Wic Community College presented information about the Jordan Child Development Center's services to students

Partnering within Communities
Other organizations providing information or activities included the Wicomico Library, Healthy Families of the Lower Shore, Shore-Up! Inc. Project Head Start, the Professional Family Providers of the Lower Shore, Wicomico Birth to Five, the Salvation Army, Christian Community Child Care Center, the Council for Professional Recognition, Wicomico Family Support Center, Lower Shore Early Intervention Program and Priority Partners.

What is the Week of the Young Child?
The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 90,000 members and a network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates.
The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

The Week of the Young Child turns 40!
NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child.

The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we - -as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation--will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

Did your community host an event for Week of the Young Child?
MDAEYC would love to hear what your program, community, or Affiliate group organized for WOYC 2011. Please let us know!