The National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) promotes the annual celebration Week of the Young Child. It is a fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. Experience Curriculum is sharing A Week of Ocean Activities to Celebrate the Week of the Young Child. Early childhood educators already know the importance of early childhood education and the earliest years. You’re likely playing a critical role in the lives of young children. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to bring public attention to the needs of young children and recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. 

The activities featured are from Experience Preschool’s Ocean Dive theme. Below is a sample of the types of activities preschoolers in early childhood programs across the nation will participate in all year long in Experience Curriculum classrooms. Be inspired, try something new, and celebrate child development through playful activities during this special week! Be sure share your fun activities and tag @experiencecurriculm on your social media posts and use the hashtag #WOYC24. Get started today.

A Week of Ocean Activities to Celebrate the Week of the Young Child

Music Monday

Music is a large part of the early childhood classroom experience! Through music, young children learn early literacy skills, numeracy, social skills, and emotional regulation. Music introduces new vocabulary and helps children learn pronunciation. Music also encourages movement and coordination, which are necessary for gross motor skills. 

In group settings, music promotes collaboration, turn-taking, and listening skills. Emotionally, music can be calming or energizing, aiding in self-regulation. Integrating music into the early childhood curriculum enhances learning across various domains and creates a fun and engaging environment for young learners. Listen and dance along to Big Blue Whale here. Add musical instruments if desired!

Tasty Tuesday

By incorporating food into the early childhood program, we can create meaningful learning experiences that extend far beyond the kitchen. It’s important to introduce children to a variety of foods but foods also can serve as an engaging method to integrate math and literacy skills. 

From measuring ingredients to following recipes, children engage in hands-on learning that reinforces concepts like counting, fractions, and sequencing. Exploring the science behind cooking, such as how ingredients change form when heated or mixed, sparks curiosity and critical thinking. 

In addressing the issue of childhood obesity, we can use these opportunities to promote healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle. By teaching children about healthy nutrition choices and the importance of physical activity, we empower them to make positive decisions for their well-being both now and in the future.

This Tasty Tuesday activity uses goldfish crackers to explore patterns, making learning tasty! Download the pattern templates here.

Work Together Wednesday

Work Together Wednesday is a day dedicated to collaborative play and exploration, where children come together to build and create. This hands-on activity goes beyond just fun; it’s a rich learning experience that integrates math and science concepts.

As children work together to construct structures using various materials, they explore principles of geometry, engineering, and physics. They learn about balance, stability, and cause-and-effect relationships in a tangible and engaging way. 

This collaborative play allows children to practice social skills such as communication, cooperation, and problem-solving. Through dialogue and negotiation, children develop the ability to work in teams and effectively express their ideas. 

Work Together Wednesday contributes to early literacy development as children engage in storytelling and imaginative play while building their creations. Whether they’re constructing a treehouse on the playground or a spaceship in the playroom, these collaborative building activities provide valuable learning opportunities that extend far beyond the construction itself.

Collaborative activities like Keep Our Reefs! helps children develop social awareness and practice being respectful and mindful of the world around them. 

Artsy Thursday

Artsy Thursday during NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child is all about encouraging creativity and artistic expression in children. By engaging in open-ended art projects, children have the opportunity to think critically, solve problems, and unleash their imagination. 

These projects not only encourage creativity but also support the development of social skills as children collaborate, share ideas, and appreciate each other’s work. Having the opportunity of working with various art materials like crayons, paint, clay, and crafts enhances fine motor skills as children manipulate and control tools to create their masterpieces. 

Artsy Thursday is a day to celebrate the joy and learning that children experience through artistic exploration. Whether they’re painting a colorful canvas, sculpting with clay, or creating a unique craft, children are empowered to make choices, express themselves, and engage in meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the art table. Try Experience Curriculum’s School of Fish Invitation to Create.

Family Friday

Family Friday during NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child is a special day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the crucial role that families play in early childhood development. Engaging and celebrating families is at the core of supporting our youngest learners. 

Along with NAEYC, Experience Curriculum acknowledges and applauds family members as young children’s first and most influential teachers. One of the most impactful ways families can support early learning is through reading. 

Creating a culture of reading at home not only enhances literacy skills but also fosters a love for books and learning. When parents or caregivers read to young children, they are not only building language and vocabulary skills but also nurturing important social-emotional connections. 

Reading together creates a bonding experience that promotes a sense of security and belonging for children. It also sets a strong foundation for academic success by instilling a curiosity for learning and a lifelong love of reading. Family Friday is a reminder of the invaluable partnership between families and educators in nurturing and supporting children’s growth and development.

Enjoy this week-long celebration of a week of ocean activities to celebrate the Week of the Young Child that encourages best practices, fitness habits, healthy lifestyles, family engagement, child development, creative art, and a positive learning environment.