Month of the Young Child

First established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, the Week of the Young Child is an opportunity to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

Over the years, with growing interest and focus, Trying Together designated the entire month of April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC). MOYC is a time to plan how we will better meet the needs of all young children, families, caregivers, and early care and education professionals.

Elevate Early Childhood

The Month of the Young Child is a time during which the dedicated work of early educators can be promoted for the essential role that it plays in our society. The events of the last few years have demonstrated just how important it is to fund, support, and elevate the work of child care. Trying Together has assembled a month full of opportunities to share the importance of early care with the audiences that need to hear it most.

Empower Early Childhood Development

You can help Trying Together achieve the goal of empowering early child care professionals by making a donation for the Month of the Young Child.

Gifts of any amount will help, but these are suggested amounts to consider that would directly impact quality improvements for our region’s early learning programs:

  • $50 helps to cover the average cost for one early educator to attend a professional learning course offered by Trying Together.
  • $500 covers the cost for an early educator to complete necessary job requirements and receive support from Trying Together through the Child Care 101: New Hire Orientation Professional Development Series.
  • $2,500 provides an early educator the opportunity to grow in their career by obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate or School-Age Professional Credential offered by Trying Together.

If you’re interested in supporting the Month of the Young Child campaign or learning more about how to work with Trying Together, contact Kerry May at 412-206-1053 or email kerry@tryingtogether.org. 

Month of the Young Child Events

2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner

Join Trying Together and your early care and education colleagues to celebrate the work you do for young children and families. Guests will enjoy dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. Individual and group ticket prices are available. 

When

Thursday, April 25, 2024
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. 

Where

Acrisure Stadium, UPMC Club
100 Art Rooney Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Free parking in Gold Lot 1 (W. General Robinson Street) will be available for guests.

Dress Code

While we have never had a formal dress code for this event, many have used it as an opportunity to dress up. We recognize that many people will be coming from work directly to the event. For this reason, please dress in what is most comfortable and convenient for you!

More Events

Education Affiliate Dinner and Lecture

Event Details

Thursday, April 18, 2024
5 – 6:45 p.m.
Event and Conference Center, Saint Vincent College

Lecture with Todd Whitaker
7 p.m.
Carey Performing Arts Center, Saint Vincent College

Details are available on the Saint Vincent College Education Department website.

Check out our Events page to discover all of the Month of the Young Child programming available throughout April 2024.

Join the Celebration from Home

NAEYC Week of the Young Child

Celebrate the daily themes featured during the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (WOYC). This year’s events will be held on April 6 – 12, 2024. Daily themes include:

Kick-Off Saturday (April 6, 2024)
Music Monday (April 8, 2024)
Tasty Tuesday (April 9, 2024)
Work Together Wednesday (April 10, 2024)
Artsy Thursday (April 11, 2024)
Family Friday (April 12, 2024)

To learn more about WOYC, WOYC daily themes, and WOYC activity resources, visit NAEYC’s WOYC webpage. 

Share Your Celebrations With Us

Follow Trying Together on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn! If you’re hosting a Month of the Young Child or Week of the Young Child celebration, tag us on social media with the hashtags #TryingTogether and #MOYC2024.