The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 90,000 members and a network of over 300 local, state, and regional affiliates.

The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is 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.

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we--as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation--will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

Locally, activities recognizing Week of the Young Child have been held for more than 20 years. In 1992, the Lincoln Association for the Education of Young Children held its first Early Childhood Celebration at State Fair Park. Since then, local community organizations who share a commitment to children and early childhood education have partnered in this annual event. In 2010, partner organizations are working together to promote the Week of the Young Child through events across the Lincoln community.