The Californer - City of Long Beach Hosts Sixth Annual Celebration of the Young Child

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Long Beach, CA ~ The City of Long Beach is gearing up for its sixth annual Celebration of the Young Child, set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This free event will be held in Downtown Long Beach and aims to provide hands-on activities and showcase vendors who offer services and resources for children up to 8 years old.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his excitement for the event, stating that it brings the community together to celebrate the joy, creativity, and potential of young residents. He also emphasized the importance of investing in children today for a brighter future for the entire community.

The event will be held at two locations - Billie Jean King Main Library and Lincoln Park - with free parking available at the Civic Center parking garage on Broadway and Chestnut Avenue. The Early Childhood Education team conducted a community survey last year to gather insights on how this year's Celebration could best support child development. The survey results informed the activities planned for this year's event.

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Families can look forward to a variety of performances, including interactive live musical dance by Kids Imagine Nation and a folklorica dance performance by students from Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Mika Storey, a pediatric speech therapist and author of "Nixon's Engine Words," will also be present to read her book and give a presentation on speech and language development in early childhood.

In addition to performances, there will be music and movement activities for toddlers and preschool-aged children, read-aloud story times, a sensory exploration area, and other educational hands-on activities. Families can also take advantage of free early intervention resources and screenings provided at the event.

These services include walk-in appointments for the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)-3, which helps parents identify areas where their child may need additional support. There will also be screenings for articulation using the Preschool Language Scale (PSL)-5. The UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic will also be present to provide pediatric eye health screenings and education, along with vaccination clinics for routine immunizations.

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First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas expressed her excitement for the event, stating that it honors young children and supports their growth and well-being. She encouraged everyone to attend and help foster a solid foundation for a better future.

The Celebration of the Young Child is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services' Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives program, the Long Beach Public Library, and the Mayor's Fund for Education. Information booths from local and regional education centers, agencies, and vendors will also be set up outside on the library terrace with educational handouts promoting healthy child development and resources for parents.

For more information about the Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives program, visit longbeach.gov/earlychildhood. The City of Long Beach looks forward to welcoming families to this exciting event celebrating the young children in their community.

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