Month of the Young Child

Dear L&L Family,

As we wrap up the last full school week of March and look ahead to April, we are so excited to welcome one of the most joyful and meaningful celebrations of our school year: the Month of the Young Child (MOTYC) If there were ever a time to pause and truly appreciate the magic of early childhood, this is it! From the smallest milestones to the biggest “aha” moments, this month is all about celebrating the incredible growth, curiosity, and wonder that we are lucky enough to witness every single day in our classrooms.

At L&L, we often say that childhood is not a race, it’s a journey. The MOTYC is our prideful annual celebration and beautiful reminder to slow down and honor that journey. It’s a time to recognize that learning doesn’t just happen through structured lessons, but through play, exploration, creativity, relationships, and meaningful everyday experiences.

As we all know, early childhood is one of the most important stages of development. It is during these early years that children are building the foundation for social-emotional skills, problem-solving, language, creativity, and confidence. The MOTYC is a nationally recognized celebration (led by the National Association for the Education of Young Children - NAEYC) that highlights the importance of high-quality early education, the value of play-based learning, the role of teachers, families, and communities in supporting children’s growth, and the joy, curiosity, and potential within every child. Simply put, it’s a celebration of them and all the ways they learn, grow, and light up our world.

For over a decade, in honor of MOTYC in April, L&L classrooms buzz with even more intentional opportunities for hands-on, play-based learning, all centered around weekly and daily themes that highlight different areas of development. This year, you too will see this come to life through:

• thoughtfully planned circle times with songs, stories, and meaningful conversations
• engaging learning centers that invite creativity, building, pretend play, and exploration
• sensory activities and science discoveries that spark curiosity
• collaborative projects that encourage teamwork and problem-solving
• outdoor experiences that connect children to movement and nature

Each activity will be designed to meet children where they are developmentally, while encouraging them to explore, question, create, and connect.

During the second week of April, we will be participating in the nationally recognized NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child, which includes fun, themed days such as:

• Music Monday – Singing, dancing, rhythm, and joyful movement
• Tasty Tuesday – Simple cooking experiences and conversations about food
• Work Together Wednesday – Building, collaborating, and problem-solving
• Artsy Thursday – Creative expression through open-ended art
• Family Friday – Celebrating the important role of families in children’s lives

These days are always a favorite among our students and staff, bringing energy, creativity, and connection into every classroom.

As the month continues, in weeks 3 and 4, we’ll lean even further into community-building with some fun and lighthearted celebrations, including dress-up days like Pajama Day, Mismatch Day, Superhero Day, Crazy Hair Day, and more!

We’ll also be ending the month on a sweet note with the known favorites: “Donuts at Drop-Off” and “Popsicles at Pick-Up”, which are special moments designed to bring families into our classrooms and celebrate together.

At its heart, this month is about the connection between children, teachers, and families, and recognizing that we are all partners in this beautiful journey of growth.

In case you are already wondering how you can expand the MOTYC into your home, please rest assured that you don’t need elaborate activities to participate. Some of the most meaningful moments happen in simple, everyday ways:

• Ask your child about their favorite part of the day
• Sing songs together or have a mini dance party
• Cook or bake something simple as a family
• Create art using everyday materials
• Read together and talk about stories
• Take a nature walk and explore what you see

These small moments of connection reinforce the same values we nurture in the classroom.

How You Can Join the Celebration at School 

One of the most meaningful parts of the MOTYC is the opportunity to bring our school community even closer together. As you all know, we love opening our doors and creating moments for families to step into your child’s world, because there is nothing more special than seeing their pride when they get to share their classroom with you.

Throughout the month, there will be a variety of ways for you to participate:

• Join us for special themed days like Family Friday, or drop off in your PJs during Pajama Day
• Participate in classroom activities whenever your schedule allows it: whether it’s reading a story, joining a small group activity, or simply observing the day in action
• Engage in our community celebrations, including Donuts at Drop-Off and Popsicles at Pick-Up!
• Help your child prepare for dress-up days, and match the spirit with your own outfit, bringing a little extra fun and excitement into their school day

Even the smallest moments, like walking into the classroom together, seeing their artwork displayed, or sharing a quick activity, can have a big impact on your child’s sense of belonging and pride! We truly value the partnership we share with our families any day of the year, but this month is a beautiful reminder that when school and home come together, this is when children really thrive. Thank you for being such an important part of our L&L community. The laughter, curiosity, imagination, and joy we see each day are constant reminders of why this work matters so deeply.

We can’t wait to celebrate next month with you!

Friendly Reminder

 L&L will be closed next week from Wednesday, 3/25, through Friday, 3/27 in observance of our Spring Break. This time allows our students, families, and staff a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy a change of pace as we transition into the spring season. We hope your days are filled with a little extra sunshine, relaxation, and special moments together. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready for all the exciting experiences ahead!