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National Week of the Young Child Closes Out with Family and Fun  

While it was great to see preschool instruction highlighted during the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (WOYC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville early childhood experts say every day is a day they are working to instill education into young learners. 

The SIUE Early Childhood Center (ECC), the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) Program and the SIUE School of Education Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Department of Teaching and Learning joined with area early childhood agencies to take part in the annual WOYC, which ran Saturday-Friday, April 5-11. 

“The WOYC is a time to recognize the vital work of early childhood education in shaping young children’s development,” said ECC Director Rebecca Dabbs. “It also focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families.” 

The WOYC’s goals align perfectly with the HS/EHS program, according to Lisa Tate, assistant program director/Center Operations. 

“The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program establishes standards for helping infants, toddlers and preschool age children develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally,” said Tate. 

Specifically, Dabbs noted one activity that ECC conducted in conjunction with WOYC. 

“On April 7, we had a family event in collaboration with the SIUE STEM Center on campus,” shared Dabbs. “It was a time when ECC families were able to come together and explore a variety of materials and activities. This was important and helpful because collaborative, hands-on STEM activities can contribute to children’s social-emotional development, sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” 

The HS/EHS program has a history of participating in WOYC-related activities, noted Tate. 

“All of our Head Start/Early Head Start centers have been participating in celebrating the Week of the Young Child (WOYC) for years,” shared Tate. “The teaching staff have planned various WOYC activities in their classrooms that celebrate young children and their families with hands-on, collaborative exercises that encourage movement and a healthy lifestyle through music, food and art. These actions encourage our philosophy of learning through play!”  

Tate listed some of the popular exercises during the WOYC.

“Some of the activities children have enjoyed are playing musical instruments and singing; making their own home-made lemonade; parents visiting the centers to read to the classrooms; and children creating lots of beautiful art projects,” enumerated Tate. 

For more information and to view HS/EHS students participating in WOYC, visit the program’s Facebook page. 

The WOYC closed out on Friday, April 11 with a Family Fun Fest at the Downtown Belleville YMCA in Belleville. Part of the festivity included Rebecca Swartz, PhD, assistant professor in the SEHHB Department of Teaching and Learning. Swarz played songs on her guitar that mentally and physically engaged the young crowd to sing, move and learn.  

About the SIUE Early Childhood Center
The ECC recognizes the potential of each child and the vital contributions parents make to the ECC community. Our philosophy is strongly influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Our work with children and families is grounded in our commitments to nurturing trusting relationships. We are devoted to growing a deeply connected community that allows intellectual and emotional risk-taking. We emphasize a joyful, playful climate with a culture of intellectual inquiry and critical thinking.

Our program is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), has a 4-star rating from the Illinois Quality Rating System (QRS), a Gold Circle of Quality through IL ExceleRate and is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  We are also proud that our playground is a certified Nature Explore Classroom through the Arbor Day Foundation. 

About SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start
The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program serves hundreds of families and children from birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County. The program also provides services to expectant mothers. The program is housed in 9 early childhood centers, eight managed directly by SIUE staff and two collaboration sites. The program includes a rigorous school readiness program and offers comprehensive services to children and families in the areas of instructional early learning, health, and family well-being to ensure that children are ready to learn. 

Photos:
Dr. Rebecca Swartz, assistant professor in the SEHHB Department of Teaching and Learning and WOYC organizer (top row, right), played children’s songs on her guitar at the Family Fun Fest at the Downtown Belleville YMCA in Belleville.