Pasadena’s ‘Week of the Young Child’ to Celebrate Early Learning and Community

A quiet revolution of sorts will take place in Pasadena in early April. This revolution will fuel change with crayons, building blocks, and children’s laughter. 

The Week of the Young Child Celebration is planned as a citywide event that pays tribute to the transformative power of early childhood education and the boundless potential of our youngest citizens.

According to a memo from Pasadena’s Office of the Young Child, the celebration, which will take place in various events from April 6 to 12, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Young Child and the Human Services Commission’s Early Childhood Ad Hoc Committee. 

For the children of Pasadena, the Week of the Young Child Celebration will be a magical time with a diverse array of free, engaging, and child-centered programs designed to ignite a love for reading, music, and art, as outlined in the event flyer. From storytelling sessions at local libraries to musical performances in the park, the celebration offers a glimpse into the world of possibilities that early education can unlock.

Tim McDonald, Director of Libraries and Information Services, said the events during the Week of the Young Child highlight the importance of quality early childhood programs. 

“The celebration recognizes that a child’s earliest years lay the foundation for later success in school and in life,” McDonald said.

McDonald added the Week of the Young Child follows six themed days to guide community engagement. The festivities, he said, are in alignment with the Office of the Young Child’s mission to create a child-centered environment that nurtures healthy, happy, safe, and curious children ready to navigate the world with creativity and kindness. 

Here are the events for the Week of the Young Child as listed in the Office of the Young Child’s calendar for April: 

• Kick-Off Saturday! Celebrate the Week of the Young Child with sensory art, planting in our children’s garden and learning about community resources and kindergarten readiness. Write letters of appreciation to early learning teachers and pick up a free Born to Read kit while supplies last. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Saturday, April 6 • 10 a.m. at Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St.

• Music Monday. Have fun singing and playing with kid-friendly instruments. Move and groove! Get those wiggles out with action songs and silly dances as we stomp like elephants, twirl like ballerinas and slither like snakes! For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Monday, April 8 • 10:30 a.m. at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.

• Tasty Tuesday with Miss Cherie. Storytime is a fun way to introduce your little one to language and learning. Join us for books, songs, rhymes and fun! For ages 0-2 and their caregivers.

Tuesday, April 9 • 10:30 a.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 N. Altadena Dr.

• Work Together Wednesday. Join us for stories, rhymes and songs all about the fun of working together, then help create a beautiful spring display for the library. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Wednesday, April 10 • 10:30 a.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.

• Artsy Thursday. It’s a “Jump Little Frog, Jump!” Book Party with froggy books, fun games and an art craft inspired by Monet’s water lilies pond artwork. For ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

Thursday, April 11 • 4 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

• Family Friday Play & Learn. Bring your child for a morning of fun learning through educational games, music, coloring, interacting with other children and making new friends. For ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

Friday, April 12 • 10:30 a.m. at Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St.

• Spring Craft Festival. Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly craft projects inspired by the spring season. Visit our DIY stations to make and take home your homemade crafts. Take photos and play games in the courtyard. For families.

Saturday, April 13 • 3 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.

Past the Week of the Young Child, there’s a “Celebracion del Día del Niño” (Día del Niño Celebration) on Wednesday, April 24, starting at 3:30 p.m. Join in the fun! Celebrate Día del Niño, with stories, music, crafts, and games at the La Pintoresca Branch Library, at 1355 N. Raymond Ave. 

This year’s celebration also coincides with a nationwide program initiated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971. 

Recently, Mayor Victor Gordo officially proclaimed the Week of April 6 to 12 as the Week of the Young Child in Pasadena, emphasizing the city’s commitment to early childhood education and development.

For more information and event updates, call the Office of the Young Child at (626) 555-5555 or email YoungChild@CityOfPasadena.net.