We celebrate Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) during the first week of May each year to promote awareness of exceptionalities in children and youth. This is a time to celebrate diverse learners. The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) established this week to remind all individuals about the importance of acceptance and understanding.
Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) will take place from May 1-7. The members of the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) are gearing up to celebrate and promote awareness of children and youth with exceptionalities. ICEC is a professional organization that supports acceptance and understanding of students with special learning and behavioral needs as well as provide professional development to special educators and related service personnel.
Celebrate Exceptional Children’s Week with daily themes:
May 1: Thankful Thursday – Thank an educator or friend in your life!
May 2: Friendship Friday – Spend the day with a local Best Buddies/Special Olympics group!
May 3: Support Saturday – Learn how you can support individuals with disabilities in local, state, and federal law.
May 4: Inclusion Sunday – Share your favorite activity/sport/hobby with someone with a disability in your life!
May 5: Meaningful Monday – Read children’s books that have an inclusive message or feature children with exceptional learning needs.
May 6: Talk About it Tuesday – Use social media to advocate and educate others about youth with exceptionalities.
May 7: Wacky Wednesday – Celebrate a week of fun and education with crazy socks or bold colors.
These are just a few ways for you to consider when celebrating and bringing joy to a child or youth with a disability, their teachers, and their families. Pick one, two, or more ideas, and know that you can make a difference.
Let us lead the way in celebrating students with exceptionalities, their teachers, and their families.
Nominate your students for the “Yes, I Can” Awards. All completed nominations are due May 15th.