To quote Whitney Houston, the children are our future, and Long Beach is investing in that future through the annual Celebration of the Young Child, returning Saturday, April 26.
During this free event, the City connects local parents with on-site resources, vendors and activities aimed at assisting kids ranging from 0 to 8 years old in their development.
This year’s Celebration will take place at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park (2760 N. Studebaker Road).
“Every year, Celebration of the Young Child brings us together to celebrate the joy, creativity and great potential of our young residents,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Investing in children today builds a brighter, more vibrant future for our entire community.”
In late 2024, the City’s Early Childhood Education team launched a community survey to ascertain how this year’s event could best support babies and young children.
The results from the survey influenced the features of this year’s event, with respondents looking for experiences with healthy food options, hands-on activities and on-site enrollment assistance for programs. Families also expressed interest in resting areas, safe spaces for children to play and more resources addressing developmental and sensory needs at the event.
Next month’s Celebration will feature an array of live entertainment, such as dance performances by Kids Imagine Nation and students from Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Plus, pediatric speech therapist and author Mika Storey will read her book “Nixon’s Engine Words” and lead a presentation about early childhood speech and development.
Other activities include music and movement for toddlers and preschool-aged children, read-aloud story times, a sensory exploration area and hands-on education-focused activities.
Free early intervention resources and screenings will be available at the event for families with children who may benefit from them. There will also be information booths from local and regional education centers, agencies and vendors on the library terrace.
Services being offered at the event include:
- 10-20 minute walk-in appointments for the Ages & Stages Questionnaire, which helps parents identify areas of development in which their child may need more support.
- 10-20 minute walk-in appointments for the articulation component of the Preschool Language Scale, which assesses kids’ emerging language and developmental skills.
- Pediatric eye health screenings, courtesy of the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic, to help identify vision concerns and prevent future impairments. Eye screenings will also include vision education, resources and reading glasses, if needed. Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to sign up for a walk-in appointment.
- Vaccination clinics to provide children with their routine immunizations.
“We are thrilled to host Celebration of the Young Child, a wonderful event that honors our young children and supports their growth and well-being,” said First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas in a public statement. “We invite you to join us at Billie Jean King Main Library and Lincoln Park as we help to foster a solid foundation and better future for all.”
The Celebration of the Young Child is a collaborative effort between the health department’s Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives program, the Long Beach Public Library and the Mayor’s Fund for Education.
The 6th annual Celebration of the Young Child will take place Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Long Beach. There will be free parking for attendees in the Civic Center parking garage at the corner of Broadway and Chestnut Avenue.
