The Magazine for Early Learning Community and Practice
Balancing Formats and Choice in Early
Childhood Education
Spring 2025 • Volume 1 No 1
Educating Young Children Staff Annie Moses Editor in Chief Susan Donsky Managing Editor Charity Coleman Senior Creative Design Manager Makayla Johnson Creative Design Specialist Shabrayle Setliff Associate Editor Emily Wehby Associate Editor Michelle Kang Chief Executive Officer Mark Day Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Naomi Dillon Chief Communications Officer
Alissa Mwenelupembe Chief Early Learning Quality and Research Officer
Treva Bustow Senior Director, Membership and Marketing
Susan Friedman Senior Director, Publishing and Content Development
Codi Trump Advertising Manager
NAEYC Membership NAEYC. org / membership membership @ naeyc. org 800‐424‐2460 or 202‐232‐8777
Submission guidelines NAEYC. org / resources / pubs / eyc / writing Permissions NAEYC. org / resources / permissions
Advertising rates / media kits NAEYC. org / about / advertise advertising @ naeyc. org 202-350-8906 or 800-424-2460, ext. 8906
EYC – Educating Young Children
( ISSN 3066-8891) is published quarterly( January, April, July, and October) by the National Association for the Education of Young Children( NAEYC), 1401 H Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005.
Through its publications program, NAEYC provides a forum for discussion of major issues and ideas in our field. We hope to provoke thought and promote professional growth. The views expressed or implied are not necessarily those of the Association. Acceptance of advertising does not represent NAEYC’ s endorsement of any product or service, nor is NAEYC responsible for representations made by advertisers.
Copyright © 2025 by NAEYC unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Cover photo courtesy of Michelle Zurita-Sharpe.
NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for each and every child, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Index of Advertisers CedarWorks HighScope Branagh Group
63 49 63
Walden 9
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear NAEYC members,
Welcome to the first issue of Educating Young Children( EYC), NAEYC’ s new, member-exclusive digital magazine!
EYC builds on the legacy of Teaching Young Children, which has been a trusted resource. EYC offers practical, ready-to-use ideas for early childhood educators working with children birth through age 8 and in a variety of roles. In it, you’ ll find an expanded focus, an engaging digital experience, and a deeper look inside NAEYC.
In this issue:
› Explore Professional Journeys, which provides insights from an Early Childhood Teacher of the Year and NAEYC member as well as advice for new educators.
› Find tips, ideas, and articles written by fellow educators on making intentional decisions informed by children’ s interests and learning goals as they adapt learning formats and offer children choice.
Be sure to tell us what you think about this issue using the popout form on page 27 or page 87. Also, visit NAEYC. org / resources / pubs / eyc for information about how to contribute to EYC.
With gratitude for all that you do, Annie Moses, EYC Editor in Chief
Susan Friedman, Senior Director, Publishing and Content Development
Branagh Group