[TL;DR: What we know about early childhood carries into every field. Joy fuels curiosity. Play builds resilience. Connection drives growth. Choosing joy isn’t naive. It’s a leadership skill.]
Each April, the early childhood field celebrates the Week of the Young Child, created by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to honor young children, their families, and the educators who support them. It’s more than a festive week of music, art, and play (though there’s plenty of that!). It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of early learning and the magic found in everyday moments with children.
Step into any early childhood classroom this week – or any week! – and you’ll see it: children singing at full volume, building wild block creations, delighting in worm hunts and puddle splashes. You’ll see learning, yes, but also joy, connection, curiosity, and play. (So much play!)
And here’s the beautiful thing: these aren’t just childhood experiences. They’re life skills.
If we’ve been taught that “growing up” means getting serious and setting aside what’s playful or lighthearted, early childhood offers a powerful counterpoint. In great learning environments, joy isn’t a bonus—it’s the heartbeat of the process. It fuels curiosity, deepens relationships, and builds resilience.
Choosing joy isn’t about ignoring struggle. It’s about remembering that delight and difficulty can exist side by side. Joy doesn’t deny reality—it helps us live through it with heart. After years working in ECE, I’ve seen these truths carry far beyond the classroom. What we know about connection, play, and joy in early learning applies across every industry and every human-centered space.
So choosing joy?
That’s not just a feel-good idea. It’s a brilliant, bold, and deeply human way to lead.
