Week of the Young Child is a fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. This year — 2026 — marks 100 years of NAEYC and the 55th anniversary of Week of the Young Child. During the week — April 11 – 17 — Sparkler is sharing a lineup of activities to help families celebrate and learn with their young children!
Music Monday
When you invite children to sing, dance, and listen to music, you develop their language and early literacy skills while encouraging movement.
In honor of Music Monday check out Tune Up — a new series in Sparkler that uses the healing power of music to help children (and the adults who love them) tackle challenges of early childhood, from cleaning up to including others. It’s in the app or learn more on the Tune Up Web page.
Tasty Tuesday
This fun, food-themed day is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits.
In honor of Tasty Tuesday, listen to The Bread Song and try baking and trying a new bread recipe together with the play activity My Bread, Your Bread.
Work Together Wednesday
When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material — from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home.
In honor of Work Together Wednesday, go through the recycling bin and find boxes and other materials, and use them to create imaginary new worlds together! Try Trash Masterpiece in Sparkler.
Artsy Thursday
Think, problem solve, and create! Children develop creativity, social skills, and fine motor skills through open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday, celebrate the joy and learning children experience when expressing themselves through art.
In honor of Artsy Thursday, draw self portraits or family portraits. Look in a mirror or look at family photos and draw or paint together. Try xxxxx in Sparkler.
Family Friday
Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC applauds family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers.
In honor of Family Friday, listen to the song I’ve Got My Family and count the people in your family with the activity I’ve Got My Family in Sparkler.