4 Message from the CEO
Michelle Kang
8 Latest News
10 Celebrating NAEYC’ s Centennial
12 Professional Journeys
Carlyn Rahynes
15 Advice for Educators Who Aspire to Leadership Roles
16 Advocacy in Action
18 Affiliate Network News
21
Sparking Creative Expression Through Community Connections The Trash Art Project Jennalee Johnson
28
6X. Sing It, Chant It, Play It Incorporating Music Throughout the Learning Day Rebecca Anne Swartz and Kira Hamann
32
Message in a Backpack™ Make Music Part of Your Family Routine Rebecca Anne Swartz and Kira Hamann
34
Nurturing Healthy Habits Within the STEAM Curriculum A Guide for Teacher Planning Sydney Yance, Chelsea Pansé-Barone, Juile C. Parker, and Lori Elmore-Staton
Teaching for Children’ s Well-Being and Expression
Summer 2026 • Volume 2 No 2
42
5X. Honoring Body Diversity in Early Childhood Settings Anne Valauri
46
Farm to Early Care and Education Partnering with Families to Support Children’ s Health and Nutrition Meagan K. Shedd and Avery Shedd
52
Teaching Self-Advocacy and Social and Emotional Learning Strategies to Support Children with Disabilities Laura N. Sarchet
58 Ask HELLO
Play That Encourages Health, Well-Being, and Expression
In the Next Issue
Published four times a year, each issue of Educating Young Children offers an engaging digital experience that puts professional knowledge and community connection at your fingertips. The Fall 2026 issue will focus on Growing as an Early Childhood Educator. It will include articles that offer effective ways for educators to tend to their professional growth.