Staff from the Office of Child Health of the Department of Public Health gather during a Kite Day they sponsored in honor of Month of the Young Child.

The Office of Child Health of the Department of Public Health sponsored a Kite Day on April 20 at Central Park in Atlanta in honor of Month of the Young Child.  Month of the Young Child is an opportunity for early childhood programs-including child care and Head Start programs, preschools, and elementary schools-to hold activities to bring awareness to the needs of young children. During the month of April, The Office of Child Health encouraged all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Georgia a better place for young children and their families.
 

Kids decorate kites at Kite Day in Central Park in Atlanta in celebration of Month of the Young Child.

Kite Day was a fun opportunity to recognize and celebrate with Georgia's young children and the programs and individuals that serve them. Local pre-K classrooms were invited to bring children to this day of fun in the park to decorate and fly kites.
 

Kids fly kites at Kite Day in Central Park in Atlanta in celebration of Month of the Young Child.

Programs that serve young children and their families were also invited to share their information with attendees. Two childcare centers were presented with gift bags of classroom supplies to aid in early literacy as they return to their centers.

"I really enjoyed Kite Day and the support the Department of Public Health and Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems provided during Month of the Young Child," said Dr. Pat Minish, executive director of Georgia Association on Young Children (GAYC).
  
The Office of Child Health also delivered kites to local Sheltering Arms Early Learning and Literacy Centers to promote kite day during National Week of the Young Child, April 22-28.

In addition to Kite Day, the Office of Child Health proudly sponsored a book drive during the month of April. Developing early reading skills is crucial to children's success in school.  Several books were collected from state office employees and family members of employees in the 2 Peachtree building.  The books will be donated to the Grade Level Reading Campaigns in the Fulton and South Central Public Health Districts.

-Story by Nina M. Johnson, L.M.S.W., program consultant, Children 1st Program