We just celebrated our 17th annual "Day of the Child at Westland Mall" event. This event kicks off April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Week of the Young Child. Over 40 local agencies and organizations set up information booths and had fun activities for parents and children to do together. The Lion's Club sponsored eye checks for children 6 months through 4 years, and a photography studio took free family portraits.

Community Action of Southeast Iowa, which sponsored the event, had a "walk in the woods" where children used magnifying glasses to look for nature items. Area recyclers had each person make a personal scrapbook to hold all of their memories. There were so many activities (40+) that it would be impossible to list them all! All activities were free. Parents enjoyed slowing down and playing with their children, and they received a wealth of information about community resources. Children were the "guests of honor" and were delighted to be able to pick and choose activities and to have the full attention of their parents. Parents learned many inexpensive age-appropriate activities that they can do at home in order to help their children succeed in school. Our local Southeast Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children also had a booth during the event.

Tamee DeCoursey works with the Community Action of Southeast Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Burlington, Iowa.