Celebrate 'Week of the Young Child' with activities and resources

Workforce Solutions East Texas • April 5, 2024

April 6 - 12, 2024

The National Association for the Education of Young Children invites you to celebrate and spotlight your classroom, advocacy, and family engagement activities during the Week of the Young Child (WOYC).


What is the Week of the Young Child?

The Week of the Young Child is an opportunity to celebrate early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. It is a time to recognize the importance of the early years in a child's life and to advocate for high-quality early childhood education programs.


Overview of the Event

The WOYC typically occurs in April, with events and activities across the United States. During this week-long celebration, educators, families, and communities come together to engage in various activities and initiatives that promote the well-being and development of young children.


Themes of the Week

Each day is dedicated to a specific theme, highlighting various early childhood education and development aspects. These themes are as follows:

  1. Music Monday: Music is a powerful tool for learning and expression. On Music Monday, educators and families incorporate music and movement into their activities, fostering creativity and joy in young children.
  2. Tasty Tuesday: Healthy eating habits are crucial for children's overall well-being. Tasty Tuesday encourages nutritious food choices and introduces children to the joys of cooking and trying new foods.
  3. Work Together Wednesday: Collaboration and teamwork are essential skills for success in life. Work Together Wednesday promotes activities that encourage children to cooperate, communicate, and problem-solve together.
  4. Artsy Thursday: Art allows children to express themselves creatively and develop fine motor skills. On Artsy Thursday, children engage in various art activities, from painting and drawing to sculpting and crafting.
  5. Family Friday: Families play a vital role in a child's development. Family Friday celebrates the bond between children and their families, encouraging quality time spent together and fostering strong relationships.


The Week of the Young Child is a time to celebrate the wonder and magic of early childhood. By coming together as educators, families, and communities, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. Join us in celebrating the Week of the Young Child and making a difference in the lives of young children everywhere!


To learn more about child care resources as a parent or provider, visit www.easttexasworkforce.org/child-care.

August 4th Regionwide Job Fair Employers List

July 28, 2026
Tuesday, August 4 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler

Texas Job Market Grows by More Than 177,000 Positions Over the Year

July 20, 2026
Texas added 43,400 nonfarm jobs in June to reach a total of 14,469,600 positions. Over the year, the state added 177,900 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.9 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,904,900 after adding 3,400 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 29,700 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “Texas’ continued job growth is a testament to the strength of our employers and robust workforce development system,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The addition of more than 177,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ reputation among employers as the best place to start and grow a business.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in June after adding 25,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 10,300 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,400. “The growth of the Texas labor market highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our state’s workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to ensuring every Texan has the support they need to thrive, whether through training opportunities to gain new skills or specialized programs that help our foster youth transition into successful careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent in June. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.9 percent and the Abilene MSA at 4.0 percent. “With an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, Texas continues to outpace the national average and demonstrate economic resilience,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Both job seekers and employers can seek customized career services and recruitment assistance by visiting our TWC website or their local Workforce Solutions office.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

Building Connections, Strengthening Child Care

July 20, 2026
Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is proud to partner with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to support child care leaders across the region. Through this partnership, the Chamber provides a welcoming meeting space for Directors Connect training designed to help early learning program owners and directors connect, learn, and grow together. The partnership was made possible through the support of Keri Perot-Vance, Executive Director of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to community collaboration helped create a space where child care leaders can come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen their leadership skills. The partnership began in 2025 in response to daycare owners expressing a need for accessible training opportunities. Recognizing this need, Panola County Chamber of Commerce graciously offered to host the Directors Connect training in its beautiful historic building. This collaboration provides child care professionals with the opportunity to earn professional development hours required to remain in compliance with Child Care Regulation and Texas Rising Star. Tonia Crawford and Aerial Jones, Business Industry Specialists for Child Care Services and facilitators of Directors Connect, say the program has evolved into so much more than a training opportunity. It has become a space for meaningful conversations, professional connections, and shared solutions. Through these gatherings, directors are strengthening their businesses, growing as leaders, and ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families throughout East Texas. Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is grateful for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce's ongoing support and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership for years to come. Together, we are investing in stronger leaders, stronger child care programs, and stronger communities.
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