Week of the Young Child

This week marks the 41^st anniversary of the Week of the Young Child™. 

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (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. 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 (NAEYC, 2011).

At the Museum, we are celebrating with a week full of activities for families, teachers, children, caregivers and everyone working on behalf of our children.  Below is a taste of what has been happening so far.   

 

Touch a Truck with Naperville Park District 

The wind was blowing and the crowd formed in the Whole Foods parking lot on 75th Street in Naperville. Children, caregivers and families lined up to see some of the biggest and best utility vehicles in the area. This was an exciting event where children and their families simulated driving a fire truck, took an imaginary ride on the Naperville Trolley and played with some of DCM’s portable exhibits.

Play to Learn funded by DuPage Community Foundation
Staff in our Programs Department traveled to Villa Park for a presentation on play, followed by interactive family play and learning. Parents were presented with information about how they can facilitate learning through play in the Museum, with their preschool program and even in the home environment.    

Stay tuned for more reporting on DuPage Children's Museum and celebration of the Week of the Young Child™.