2010 THEME: "Play: Where Learning Begins!"

What is the Week of the Young Child?
WOYC is an annual celebration of young children that was started in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Each year First 5 Shasta joins other local organizations and businesses to develop a Shasta County celebration that focuses on young children, ages 0-to-5, their families and caregivers. WOYC is a time to honor young children and remind our community that they are important and valued residents of Shasta County!

Week of the Young Child 2010 will take place April 10-17th!

Shasta County has adopted the 40 Developmental Assets as the foundation for our strength-based
WOYC celebration. The national theme for WOYC 2010 is Play: Where Learning Begins! The Assets offer a natural and powerful guide to developing events and activities that align with this theme and help make connections with families. Introducing parents, caregivers and community members to asset development begins with Shasta's WOYC and extends through the year as asset builders become intentional in their positive interactions with children at home, school, and in the community.

Learn more about the 40 Developmental Assets here!

View/Download " 40 Developmental Assets for Early Childhood (Ages 3-5)"

The "Paperdoll Project" links generations and all geographic areas of Shasta County in a signature activity for WOYC 2009. Paperdolls handcrafted by young children in early education, child care, and home environments are being donated for adoption and display! Each paperdoll is unique, decorated in an individual child's self-image. The Paperdoll Project alerts the entire community to the WOYC celebration and the importance and value of young children. Local businesses hosting a paperdoll display indicate their support for children, families, and a thriving Shasta County.
Your community is welcome to use our project model: Shasta Paperdoll Model

Make Paperdolls: View the dollmaker invitation to learn how young children may join the WOYC 2010 Paperdoll Project. Children from local preschools, child care centers, family child care homes, and other children's activity groups created paperdolls - one to keep and one to donate. Families are always invited to join the fun!
Print a sample Paperdoll here.

Request Paperdolls: Request quantities of free blank paperdolls for your Shasta County children's group. Be sure to include quantity (2 per child) and contact information for delivery.
Submit paperdoll requests to Linda Delles.

Display Paperdolls: TO adopt a group of paperdolls, businesses may contact Linda Delles. Businesses are invited to display paperdolls hanging hand-in-hand in store windows, lobbies, offices, and other public gathering spots beginning April 1, 2010!

Each year First 5 Shasta supports Shasta County WOYC projects with mini-grants ranging from $250 to $500. To qualify for funding, projects must be based on the 40 Developmental Assets, offered in Shasta County during WOYC 2010, and be appropriate for children ages 0-to-5, their families, or professionals focused on this age group. This is a competitive mini-grant process. Deadline for applications is 4:00 p.m. on January 12, 2010.

Learn more: WOYC Mini-grant Announcement | WOYC Mini-Grant Application for Shasta County
Contact: Debbie Peel

Get national WOYC details, toolkits, and more at: www.naeyc.org/woyc