AAAEYC
Akron Area Association for the Education of Young Children   

Express your voice, engage in a professional community and influence the future of early childhood

The Akron Area Association for the Education of Young Children is the recognized authority in Early Childhood Education in Summit, Portage and Medina counties, helping to ensure quality programs for young children, birth to age eight. In existence for over 50 years, the AAAEYC has steadily grown to its current membership of over 250.

Our Vision:  

AAAEYC strives to lead and consolidate the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children.

Our Mission:

AAAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children and their families in Summit, Portage and Medina counties of Ohio with a special emphasis on developmental and educational services and resources; and to foster the growth and development of the membership in their work with and on behalf of young children.

Spotlight Center    

Did you know there is a student chapter of NAEYC on the Campus of the University of Akron? Check out what they have been up to!  

The University Association for the Education of Young Children, which is the student chapter of NAEYC at The University of Akron, has been very active during the past year.  This group, which includes students majoring in Child Development, Family Development, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Speech Pathology, meets once a month during the school year to work on service projects for the community.  Projects the students have worked on recently are:

Making 30 blankets for children living in local homeless shelters

Collecting and wrapping 86 pairs of shoes for children living in shelters

Having a baby shower for moms and children who are clients of local pregnancy care centers

Collecting and distributing almost 800 books to children living in shelters

Making thank you valentines for staff of local child care centers 

In addition to their many service projects, the group has also sponsored speakers from organizations such as Info Line, Children Services Board, United Disabilities Toy Resource Center, Summit County Juvenile Court Guardian Ad Litem program, Head Start, and the Public Library.

The members of UAEYC have fun while doing good things for their community.  And while most members are child development and early childhood majors, the group welcomes anyone who is interested in encouraging optimal development of children.  For more information about the organization, contact the president, Stephanie at sbe6@uakron.edu or the faculty advisor, Susan Witt at susan8@uakron.edu.