April 13-17, 2020, marks the Week of the Young Child. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) observes this week every April to celebrate early childhood, young children, their teachers, their families, and their communities. Please join us in celebrating Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday! Check back here and on our social pages daily for more information and ways to celebrate!

Music Monday!

• Check out this resource from Zero to Three: ​Getting in Tune: The Powerful Influence of Music on Young Children’s Development
• Make your own musical instruments! Here are some ideas using materials you may have around the house:
  • An empty yogurt container, oatmeal canister, or coffee can makes a great drum! Hit it with your hands or use a wooden spoon.
  • Rubber bands twang! Stretch them over the opening on an empty tissue box for a homemade guitar. Attach a paper towel roll to make a handle!
  • Make shakers! You can use empty medicine bottles (as shown in the photo below), plastic eggs, or any other small container that seals. Fill them with different materials and listen to the different sounds they make.
  • Try putting out some materials and seeing what your kiddos come up with!
  • Check out this page for more ideas! These ideas range from super simple to more involved. We'd love to see what you come up with! Don't forget to tag with #WOYC20 and #verneravl.

Empty medicine bottles make great homemade shakers! Just remove the label, clean them out, and put something noisy inside. No need to glue the tops because they are already childproof! These examples are made with fish tank rocks, white rice, and quinoa.

Tasty Tuesday!

• Check out our Verner Media YouTube Channel to see Verner East teacher Ms. Theresa making fruit salad and Ms. Anna from Verner Central showing how to make play dough at home!
• Follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to see some recipes and tips from our Rainbow In My Tummy® Family Cookbook. For more info about the program, visit the Rainbow In My Tummy® page of our website!