Please keep all handprints and DO NOT mail to the APC. If you have already mailed handprints, these handprints will be returned and should be mailed or personally delivered to your legislators and city officials.

If you are interested in celebrating Week of the Young Child by advocating for young children in your local community, visit www.legislature.state.al.us to determine local contact information for your legislators. State lawmakers are always interested in hearing from constituents on the issues that are important to them. Don’t be afraid to invite legislators to your facility and be sure to engage them in any Week of the Young Child activities you may have planned. Listed below are some easy ways to celebrate Week of the Young Child:

• Visit your local lawmaker and deliver child handprint artwork to remind them of the needs of young children. 
• Host a day at the mall, with activities for children and information for parents from family service organizations. 
• Have a children’s parade through town. 
• Have a proclamation signed by a city government official. 
• Post art done by children in local restaurants and businesses. 
• Decorate community store windows to promote the celebration. 
• Have an art project set up at a child care center for parents and children to do together. 
• Support programs that provide quality early childhood education by volunteering at a local school, community center, Head Start, or child care program. 
• Have local newspapers cover activities during the week. 
• Have an award for parents to nominate someone they think is an exceptional friend of young children. 
• Educate yourself and others about the importance of quality early childhood education in preparing young children for school. 

The Alabama Partnership for Children would love to know of any activities planned in local communities. Contact mpiggott[at]smartstartalabama[dot]org or call toll-free (866) 711-4025.