The Leelanau Children's Center (LCC) and the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD) are among organizations celebrating Month of the Young Child throughout April.

Month of the Young Child, which has been marked in Michigan since 1985, celebrates the years during which a person develops foundation skills that will guide them for a lifetime. The LCC estimates that there are 960 children in Leelanau County ages 4 and younger, and that nearly 13 percent of families with young children live in poverty. Center officials offer several tips for raising healthy children, and advice on programs available in the county. Call 256-7841 for more information.

The LCC planned to hang full-sized silhouettes of children throughout the county in April, and collect testimonials from people on the importance of early childhood programs. The silhouettes and testimonials will later be sent to Lansing for the benefit of state lawmakers and education officials.

Luis Roman learns to paint with his hands
and feet at the Leelanau Children's center.

The Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children coordinates Month of the Young Child activities through intermediate school districts. This year’s focus weeks are:

April 1-7 – Promoting healthy children and families.

April 8-14 – Celebrating community partnerships.

April 15-21 – Recognizing early childhood professionals.

April 22-30 – Advocating on behalf of children and families.

The TBAISD said that several local and state activities are planned to mark April, including:

• Our Region Reads, which promotes literacy.
• Diaper Drive, where baby pantries in Leelanau and four surrounding counties will collect disposable diapers and donations.
• Kids Count Presentation on Thursday, April 26, when a program will be held on the current state of the region’s young children.
• Celebration Day on Saturday, April 28, when the Grand Traverse Area Association for the Education of Young Children will host a fun-filled day of hands-on activities at the City Opera House in Traverse City.
• Purple Ribbon Campaign, where Michigan citizens are encouraged to show their support for young children and their families by displaying a purple ribbon.
• Early Childhood Professional Recognition Week, on April 15-21.

For more information, call the Early Childhood Services Way to Grow office at TBAISD at 922-6437. Additional information is available about early childhood programs through Child Care Connections at 941-7767.