Month of The Young Child: April

[Minister Robbin Swinger Otey]

http://www.gdcnc.org/Online_Archive/Month_of_the_Young_Child/month_of_the_young_child.html

101 WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE MONTH OF THE YOUNG CHILD
Smile at a child
Volunteer for a children's agency
Start a Toy Lending Library
Take a child care provider to lunch
Write a letter to a legislator about child care
Campaign for better schools
Run for public office on a child advocacy platform
Sign up for a parenting workshop
.Be a chaperon for the kindergarten class
Adopt a child care center and make a donation
Urge a local business to start up child care services for employees
Write a letter to the President of the United States of America to express your views on children's issue
Hug a child
Sign up for Big Brothers, Big sisters, or a scout group as a volunteer
Visit three or more playgrounds and give them a children's fun rating
Hold a fire drill in your home for parents and children.
Donate some new clothing for children to the community clothes bank
Check your child's nutritional habits
Send an apple to the teacher to show your appreciation for his/her commitment to children
Run for the school board.
Give a child care provider a raise
Vow to spend as much time choosing child care as buying a car
Visit the library.
Contact a lawyer to make a will and arrange for guardianship of your children
Attend a workshop on storytelling and put what you've learned to use
Initiate talks with employers about childcare benefits for working parents
Write a letter to the editor expressing concern for an issue related to children
Sponsor an art show of children's works
Give a book to your local library in honor of your child or another in the community
Volunteer to teach a religious education class for kids
Attend a musical concert with your child
Send a thank-you note to your own parents
Read a book about child development so you'll know how your child is growing
Do not feed your child peanuts or peanut butter until kindergarten to help prevent the development of peanut allergies.
Hold a shower for the neonatal nursery at the local hospital
Sign up for counseling if your child seems to need it
Review the purposes of Little Leagues before signing up your child for the team
Keep a log of how much time you spend with your child and the activities involved
Discuss allowances and other family financial matters
Develop flex time policies for your company
Sponsor a parents' group at the work place
Post your child's latest drawing in a prominent place in your office
Write a proclamation or resolution in honor of the Month of the Young Child
Visit a local agency that serves children and families
Consider becoming a Foster Parent/Grandparent
Take a bag of safe toys to the homeless shelter for the children that are there
Think twice about offering your child any sip of alcoholic beverage
Count to twenty before yelling at your child
Play games with your child
Join the PTA/PTO and support your school
Schedule a parent/teacher conference to discuss concerns about your child
Send to your legislator a piece of children's artwork to remind him/her the importance of children
Spend a hour at the local toy store with your child
Make a dental appointment for your child
Watch cartoons with your child and really pay attention
Check the ingredients of your child's favorite breakfast cereal
Let your child choose the activities for an entire Saturday afternoon
If you suspect someone is abusing a child, make a report to the local Children's Protection Program
Visit your children's grandparents or another person who likes children
Share your favorite children's book with a young child
Give a special discount for children in your store or restaurant.
Take some time to draw on the sidewalk with a child
Attend a luncheon or sponsor one that recognizes the child advocates in your community
Put up a picture of children and families in your office
Attend a children's services fair to learn more about the services in your community
Make a donation to the local child abuse prevention agency
Sign up as a volunteer court watcher for children's cases
Send flowers to your childcare provider
Share a special hobby with a childcare provider
Make a doctors appointment for yourself to assure your own well being and ability to be
a healthy parent
Listen to a favorite story with your child, no matter how many times you've heard that
tape before
Take your child to a children's play or movie
Cuddle on the couch with your child and the family pet.
Remember to take the childcare credit on your income tax
Try "magic painting" with a paintbrush and plain water
Start a savings account for your child
Send a donation to a Head Start program or other early childhood program in your community
Make a corporate donation to a children's agency
Sign up for a respite childcare and parent support program if your family is feeling stress
Teach your child and yourself to say "thank you" in another language
Sign up for a class in First Aid and CPR
Do a safety check in your home to see if all dangerous materials are out of a child's reach
Talk to a child about personal safety
Show a child how to cross the street safely
Give working parents time off to attend a school play or other event their child is in ...during working hours
Sponsor a family play day for employees and their kids
Read one story each day to a child and yourself
Read a book about positive parenting
Hold a "kids at the office" day so children see where their parents work
Send a letter to a television station expressing your concern or appreciation for children's programming
Sponsor a children's team or event in honor of the Month of the Young Child
Donate baby food to the local Food Bank
Sponsor a special worship service honoring children during the Month of the Young Child
Buckle up your own seat belt after making sure your child's belt is fastened
Have your child's picture taken
Recycle to assure a better environment for your child and yourself
Urge a local service club to make children #1
Install and test smoke detectors in your home.
Buy a bond in your child's name
Look in on your child while he/she is sleeping