The Long Beach Public Library is hosting its annual Early Learning Festival on Saturday Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Billie Jean King Main Library.
“We are offering an opportunity for families to meet and learn about the local preschools and programs in the city,” said Cynthia Bautista, senior librarian for Youth & Family Services. “As well as learning some new skills with their children.”
The festival will include a preschool fair, where at least 15 different preschools will be represented.
Parents and caregivers will be able to learn more about these preschools and compare them to find the best choice for their child.
Due to the pandemic, last year’s Early Learning Festival was held online only.
This year marks the Early Learning Festival’s return as an in-person event.
It will also be the first time the festival is held at the Billie Jean King Main Library.
The event is aimed at children between the ages of 0 to 3, their parents and caregivers, as well as professionals looking for a career in early childhood education.
According to the University of Maine, children’s brains develop rapidly between birth and their third year of life, rapidly creating more synapses—connections between brain cells.
The event will feature three workshops led by early childhood education specialists on math, literacy and social emotional skills.
While the preschool fair is open to the public, parents and caregivers have to register for the workshops online. People can register for the workshops by scanning a QR code available at lbece.org.
All families that participate in one of the workshops will be given a developmental kit assembled by the Long Beach Health Department.
A total of 100 developmental kits will be available. After workshop participants receive their kits, the rest will be given on a first-come first-served basis.
Specific kits are available for three different age groups: infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Each developmental kit contains age-appropriate toys and art supplies.
A new component will also be added to this year’s festival, a job fair for students and professionals seeking work in early childhood education.
“We’re inviting students and job seekers that are interested in working in early childhood [education] to come and meet our local programs and find out what opportunities are available to them,” Bautista said.
The Early Learning Festival will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Billie Jean King Main Library, located at 200 W Broadway.