Head Start celebrates Week of the Young Child

More than 400 children from the six Head Start centers in Darlington County converged on Byerly Park Friday morning for the fourth annual celebration of the Week of the Young Child, April 11-17. Activities were set up for children and their parents. The children participated in sack races, tug-a-war rope games, tricycle relays and other games and activities while parents had the opportunity to visit about 20 vendors set up with health and educational information

“The purpose is to raise awareness in the community about Head Start and the services that it provides,” said Osteen Wingate, education coordinator for Darlington County Head Start

“Our celebration of the Week of the Young Child is to bring children, parents and the community together to raise awareness for early childhood education and Head Start services to children and families,” said Wanda James, event coordinator and family community partnership coordinator for Darlington County Head Start

Mayor Mel Pennington spoke at the opening ceremonies too

Members of the Hartsville Recreation Department staff and student volunteers from Hartsville High School started the day off with warm-up stretches and exercises before the children took off running toward the games and activity stations

Through this event children are encouraged to play outside, become more physically active and focus on the importance of literacy. Besides the physical activities, there was face painting, storytelling, educational games, magic tricks, tours of the Hartsville Fire Department fire truck and more. Want to know more about child physical activity ?

There were vendors set up for blood pressure screenings, HIV testing, the stroke mobile and others. Informational booths included one for the Census 2010, the Durant Center and other health- and education-related booths