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 where 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.

Celebrating Early Care and Education

Trying Together is offering early learning programs the opportunity to receive Month of the Young Child materials and experiences. Programs may request a mailed box of materials related to Month of the Young Child including:

  • Posters to display at their program location or to give to local businesses to promote the importance of child care in the community
  • Buttons for staff and families to wear during the month of April
  • Printed materials and resources from Trying Together and ELRC Region 5

To request the MOYC-in-a-Box, please fill out this form. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Programs can expect to receive their boxes before the beginning of April.


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.

Cost

Individual tickets: $15 

Groups of 10 may reserve a table* at a discounted rate of $135.
*Please Note: If you are purchasing a table, you will be required to input each attendee’s full name and email address during the registration process.

Trying Together aims to make attending the Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner equitable for all attendees. The standard ticket price is set at $15 and tables of 10 are set at a discounted rate of $135 to ensure accessibility. We encourage registrants to consider the value of each ticket and table – $140 and $1,400, respectively – and contribute more if they are willing and able to do so. Your additional contribution will help support our dinner and enhance the experience of all attendees. We thank you for your generosity and for the additional support.

Register

To learn more about the Annual Celebration Dinner or register for the event, visit the Annual Celebration Dinner event page.

For questions or assistance, please email info@tryingtogether.org.

(Share this flyer with your networks)

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!

Recognize an early childhood educator 

New this year, individuals can recognize the early childhood caregivers in their life.  Businesses, organizations, and individuals can purchase full-color advertisements to appear in the 2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner program book. Want to honor an early childhood educator? Add their name to the Recognition List in the program book

Sponsorship

Sponsorship packages are available for the dinner for the first time this year. If you’re interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities or donating raffle items or baskets, please contact Kerry May, Assistant Director of Development, at kerry@tryingtogether.org or 412.206.1053.

Homewood Early Learning Block Party

Join us for a free event in the Homewood community! There will be craft activities, along with face painting, dancing, and more for people of all ages. There will be a wide variety of resources from organizations in Homewood and the Pittsburgh Region for caregivers and families.

When

Saturday, April 13, 2024
12–4 p.m.

Where

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (Outside)

There is no cost to attend this event. For more information, visit the Homewood Block Party event page. For details or questions, visit The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center Facebook Group.

(Share this flyer with your networks)

Sponsorship

Sponsorship packages are available for the dinner for the first time this year. If you’re interested in supporting the work of early childhood and learning more about this opportunity, please contact Kerry May, Assistant Director of Development, at kerry@tryingtogether.org or 412.206.1053.

More Events

Affirming Black Joy: Race, Identity, and Early Childhood

The Positive Racial Identity Development In Early Education (P.R.I.D.E.) program is hosting its spring Speaker Series event, Affirming Black Joy: Race, Identity, and Early Childhood.

Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo will be a guest panelist.

Event Details

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
5:30 p.m. | Virtual
Register

More information will be available soon.

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.