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Month of the Young Child®
Focus Weeks
Early Years Are
Learning Years™…Make Them Count!
Children’s
early years are the foundation for growth and development. Children are
constantly developing and learning. What they are learning
depends on their social-emotional health, physical health, relationships,
and daily interactions and experiences. The MOYC® 2012
Focus Weeks highlight children’s development.
| Week
1 |
April |
1
- 7 |
Physical Development |
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Proper nutrition
and rest, opportunities to explore in safe, supportive environments,
sound health practices, and nurturing,
responsive relationships help ensure children’s physical development.
Children vary in their physical abilities at different ages; different
parts of the body grow at different rates. Children need to move and
be active in many different ways to reach their full physical development.
- Healthy babies should sleep on their backs.
- Well-balanced meals
support growth and development.
- Exercise and fresh air enhance well-being.
- Safe, secure environments
support exploration which helps develop muscles and motor skills.
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| Week 2 |
April |
8 - 14 |
Social-Emotional Development |
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Social-emotional development strongly influences interpersonal relations, behavior and learning. The early childhood years are a critical period for the development of self-esteem and social skills. Early interactions and how we relate and respond, directly affect the way the brain is ‘wired’; children learn in the context of important relationships. Children with a healthy sense of self-esteem feel that the important adults in their lives love them, accept them, and would go out of their way to ensure their safety and well-being.
Responding lovingly – smiling, holding, cuddling – helps build trusting relationships.
Talk with and listen to children with genuine interest and respect.
Focus on the positive; thank children for sharing, helping, cooperating.
Set reasonable limits children can learn and depend on. |
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| Week 3 |
April |
15
- 21 |
Cognitive Development |
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Brain
development research affirms what parents and teachers have known
for years, 1) good prenatal
care, 2) warm
and loving attachments between young children and adults and
3) positive stimulation from the time of birth makes a difference
in children’s
development for a lifetime. Early experiences contribute
significantly
to the structure of the brain. The quality, quantity and
consistency of
stimulation
determines how the brain connects and functions; this is
true for cognitive and emotional development, and the effect
is
lifelong.
- 95% of information received comes to us through
vision, touch and hearing.
- Positive feelings trigger the release
of endorphins, which enhance the functioning of brain connections.
- The
brain needs to be properly hydrated in order to be alert; only
water provides proper hydration. Check with your physician for
appropriate water intake for children under two.
- Offer information to young
children in small doses and increase the amount as they show understanding.
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| Week 4 |
April |
22
- 30 |
Language and Literacy |
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Communication
is the vehicle for intellectual development, exchanging information,
sharing feelings, and developing strong emotional
bonds. Talking with children encouragingly about the things they are
doing, thinking, and feeling enhances children’s language development
and helps build confidence and independence. Reading aloud with children
is an essential component to language development and is one of the
most important activities for preparing them to succeed as readers.
- Make time to read with your child each and every
day.
- Read it again, and again,
and again – children
delight in the familiar and knowing what comes next.
- Talk to and
with your children so they can learn about the sounds, rhythms and
purpose of language.
- Talk about everyday print, read signs and point
out letters and words so children learn the importance of written
communication.
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