Fayette County Head Start/Early Head Start Hosts Literacy Event

Head Start and Early Head Start of Fayette County enrolled families were invited to “The Colors of HS/EHS” held at the Uniontown Mall on November 16, 2023. The event’s activities were focused on the book “The Colors of Us” for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

One hundred eighteen HS/EHS staff members were present and eager to celebrate with the children and families the many cultures of the world that are discussed in the storybook. Families were greeted by staff at the doors with a bag that was filled with the book “The Colors of Us,” activity sheets from WQED, multicultural crayons, a loom with yarn, a multicultural instrument for the preschoolers, and a multicultural baby doll for the infants and toddlers.  The families were then able to participate in various activities. The activities included musical instruments, Colors of Apples, multicultural dress up, face stick masks, sand sensory play, block play, decorating umbrellas, tribal masks, faces, hands, and feet, interactive maps, multicultural dancing, basket balance, chopsticks sensory play, self-portraits, and the reading of the story “The Colors of Us.” Two activities were food experiences. Our registered dietician consultant Judy Siebert attended our event and demonstrated the use of the air fryer to make English muffin pizzas with various cheeses from around the world. The other food experience was with some of our classroom staff, where we received a donation of flavored teas to have a tea party. Our School Nurses were on site to share information about proper handwashing and to complete hearing and vision sensory screenings. Lastly, families were offered a light refreshment of mango salsa and guacamole with tortilla chips, hummus with cucumbers, carrots, and various breads, pepperoni, salami, various cheeses, pretzels, tropical fruits, and water.

We were joined by several community agencies at The Colors of HS/EHS. The Private Industry Council’s Youth programs, Dads Matter, and ETI were present, along with a representative from PA CareerLink. Fayette County Behavioral Health, Community Action, WIC, and the United Way of Southwestern PA also joined in for the event. Families were also able to participate in a Mandarin experience from activities of a Beijing opera mask and a lantern craft from the Mandarin teacher from California Area School District. Two student volunteers were present from Southmoreland School District that assisted with a helping hand craft. Golden Onsite Dental were able to complete 15 dental screenings for children during the event. Emma Martin’s Studio of Dance performed three cultural dances and Independent Dance Crew performed two cultural dances for the children and families.

In attendance were 65 families; 101 adults, 54 Head Start children, 29 Early Head Start children, and 33 siblings. There were also 2 families that attended that were shopping in the mall. Feedback from the families, included statements from parents such as “Best event yet!” “Great job y’all!” “This was fantastic,” “We love HS events,” and “Absolutely better than I could imagine.”