When you join The Gardner School, you’re joining an inclusive and supportive community of educators, students, parents, and caregivers. We know that the early childhood years are the foundation for children’s success in school and later in life. It’s why we’re committed to partnering with parents to ensure every student has their needs met at school and home.
Every April, The Gardner School joins early education communities across the country to celebrate Week of the Young Child. This annual event was created by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association. Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize that children’s opportunities are all of our responsibilities. It’s also a chance to celebrate the children, families, and educators who make up our learning community. We are excited to share some activities with you to continue the celebration at home!
We also use this week to highlight some of the exciting activities TGS students will experience during Camp Gardner. Our 2024 Camp Gardner theme, Once Upon a Summer, will serve as the inspiration for a truly magical time centered around children’s classic literature!
Inspiration and Activities
In 2024, Week of the Young Child runs from April 6 through April 12, and each day has a new theme that helps guide our learning activities through movement, music, food, and art!
Music Monday
Music is a powerful teaching tool for children! When our little ones sing and dance, they’re being physically active and developing language and literacy skills. If you want to incorporate music into your daily routine, you can make up and record your own unique version of a song or have a dance party in your living room! Check out this blog for some additional music-centered ideas to try with your whole family.
Tasty Tuesday
Inviting your little ones into the kitchen to help you cook has big benefits for their development! Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. From banana sushi to rainbow grilled cheese, this post shares our favorite healthy snack recipes that your children will love to make and eat!
Work Together Wednesday
What can you do with your child at home on Work Together Wednesday? Since this theme is all about cooperation and teamwork, put together a puzzle or work together on S.T.E.A.M. engineering projects like building a tall structure out of blocks. As an early celebration of Earth Day, you could even visit a local park to pick up litter while explaining that taking care of your community is a group effort.
Artsy Thursday
Open-ended art projects help children develop creativity, social skills, and fine motor skills by allowing them to make choices, tap into their imaginations, and create with their hands. You can get creative with these art projects at home or check out these craft ideas that are perfect for practicing fine motor skills.
Family Friday
There is no doubt that a strong parent-child bond is beneficial for a child’s well-being. Parents and families are children’s first teachers. Connecting with your child can be as simple as reading a book together or sitting down for a family meal. Here are a few more tips and activities you can use to connect with your child and strengthen the bond they have with extended family members.
TGS Celebrates Our Little Learners All Year
Children learn so much as they enjoy music, explore food and cooking, build together, create art, and celebrate their families! We hope you continue to be inspired by the activities included in this blog. You can find additional resources and tips to help your family thrive in any situation on our website. If you’re interested in joining The Gardner School community, schedule a tour to see our spaces and meet our staff today!