Every year since 1971, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has celebrated the Week of the Young ChildⓇ, drawing attention to the complex and diverse needs of young children and the ways early childhood education can meet those needs. The Gardner School has worked hard to obtain NAEYC accreditation for several of our schools, and that number is growing every year. The Gardner School believes it’s essential to always be looking ahead to ensure our students are receiving the highest quality care. In support of the association and everything it stands for, our schools celebrated NAEYC’s Week of the Young ChildⓇ. Take a look at all the fun we’ve had!
Daily Celebrations of NAEYC’s Week of the Young ChildⓇ
Music Monday—With a fun Schoolhouse Rock! theme, our students celebrated Music Monday by exploring their rhythm with handmade tambourines. We incorporated paper crafts into this musical experience, making our instruments with paper plates and other easy-to-find materials. The magical effect that music can have on children is a joy to watch, and it was the perfect way to start off our week!
Tasty Tuesday—Tuesday’s theme was the 70’s, and we had a groovy time making our Hungry Hungry Hippie Trail Mix together! Our students mixed up their own unique creations to make a special snack. Food is one of the many ways that children explore their surroundings, so we’re always excited to put our chef hats on and get our hands on some yummy ingredients.
Work Together Wednesday—This day’s theme was peace, so we all worked as a team on a S.T.E.A.M. activity to find a solution (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say, and our students made that concept shine! It’s essential that we focus on collaboration within our curriculum, as we can all get further together than we can alone.
Artsy Thursday—We love being inspired by nature, so we celebrated Artsy Thursday by getting out of the classroom and collecting flowers for a flower power-themed art experience. Then we used our flowers to create beautiful works of art!
Family Friday—The week ended with a retro party theme, where we asked families to send us photos of their family game night. For Family Friday, it was important to us that our students spend quality time with their families doing something engaging. Our TGS parents sent fun photos that will surely be cherished for years to come.
The Gardner School Strives for the Highest Standards of Childcare
NAEYC is a wonderful standard for childcare and is recognized nationally for its focus on high-quality learning through practice, policy, and research. That’s why The Gardner School loves to be involved in NAEYC events, especially the Week of the Young ChildⓇ. As more and more of our schools become NAEYC accredited, we thank the hard work and dedication of educators and school leadership, showing parents that their children’s development is our priority. To learn more about what makes The Gardner School stand out, please visit our website to explore our programs or schedule a tour!