Montpelier — The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is pleased to announce its celebration of the Week of the Young Child®, April 11-17, 2026. This special week coincides with the national Week of the Young Child® celebration organized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and comes 100 days into NAEYC’s centennial year.
The Week of the Young Child® — now in its 55th year — is an annual celebration that focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. First established by NAEYC in 1971, this week highlights that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life.
“We’re excited to celebrate Week of the Young Child® and shine a spotlight on Vermont’s youngest citizens and the dedicated educators who nurture their development,” said Sharron Harrington, Executive Director of VTAEYC. “Quality early childhood education is a crucial investment in our community’s future.”
Week of the Young Child® features themed days that engage children in diverse activities, including Kick-off Saturday, Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. In honor of Week of the Young Child®, VTAEYC has awarded five $500 mini-grants to early childhood education programs across the state to support their activities through the week. This year’s grant recipients are VTAEYC Members:
- Holly Godfrey (Creative Spirit Children’s Center, West Fairlee)
- Logan Davis (Here Wee Grow Preschool, Manchester)
- Molly Boardman Abbey (Saxon Hill School, Jericho)
- Molly Doherty (Milton Family Community Center, Milton)
- Sarah Hall (Orange County Parent Child Center, Tunbridge)
For more info about Week of the Young Child®, visit www.naeyc.org/events/woyc
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About VTAEYC
The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) advances excellence and equity in early childhood education as the state’s largest membership organization for early childhood educators and is the state affiliate of NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Formed 50 years ago by a grassroots effort and now with more than 500 members, VTAEYC provides advocacy, workforce development, professional development, and other resources to support early childhood educators. VTAEYC works to strengthen today’s workforce and build a more equitable early childhood education system for the future.
About NAEYC
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. In 2026, we celebrate 100 years of advancing a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supporting all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. Today, the association comprises tens of thousands of individual members of the early childhood community and 50 Affiliates across the country, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning.
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