Pasadena Proclaims Week of the Young Child, Highlighting City’s Early Learning Priorities

Pasadena formally designated April 11–17, 2026, as the Week of the Young Child, with the City Council issuing a proclamation Monday underscoring Pasadena’s commitment to early childhood education and the development of its youngest residents.

The proclamation, the only ceremonial item on the council’s agenda, aligns the city with a national movement recognizing that robust early learning initiatives are critical to cultivating responsible and contributing members of society. By prioritizing public policies that expand access to high-quality preschool, the Pasadena City Council aims to reinforce the city’s vision of becoming a premier early learning community where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Mayor Victor Gordo presented the proclamation to Eva Rivera, whom he introduced as “a new staff person, a program coordinator for the Office of the Young Child, … and Quality Early Childhood.”

Gordo said quality early childhood education nurtures the intellectual, emotional and physical development of young children, preparing them to become responsible and contributing members of society. He added that Pasadena values organizations that expand access to high-quality preschool and recognizes the importance of public policies that promote early learning for all children.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual national celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which is recognized as the world’s largest early childhood education association. This year’s event marks the 55th anniversary of the organization’s efforts to elevate the needs of young children and their families. The 2026 celebration will take place April 11 through 17 and highlight themes emphasizing early childhood education and community support.

Addressing the council, Rivera greeted the mayor, council members and community members and thanked them for the opportunity to speak as the city prepared to celebrate the upcoming week. She noted that NAEYC “has long championed the importance of high quality early learning.”

While the national association establishes the dates and themes, Rivera said “the real strength of the Week of the Young Child comes from local communities like ours,” explaining that “communities tailor their celebrations to meet local needs.” In Pasadena, early care and education programs — including Families Forward, family childcare providers and “our own libraries” — will host events designed to uplift the imagination and creativity of young children.

Accepting the proclamation, Rivera emphasized the critical role of local leadership in supporting early learning initiatives.

“The Week of the Young Child gives us an annual opportunity to recommit ourselves to Pasadena’s vision of being an early learning city where every young child can learn, grow, and succeed,” she told the council. “Today, I invite our city council to join us in raising awareness about the Week of the Young Child and shine a spotlight on the programs and professionals who shape the earliest years of learning. Your leadership sends a powerful message that Pasadena values its youngest residents and understands that strong beginnings create strong communities. Thank you for your continued dedication to Pasadena’s children, families, and future of our community.”