Green Eggs & Ham Literacy Event

The 0-5 Early Childhood Program at Child Start hosts a collaborative literacy event called Green Eggs and Ham every spring for the past 15 years.  This event that started with the passion of one teacher at a Head Start center in Wichita has expanded to a two day event for over 1300 children and families in Head Start and Early Head Start.

The activities focus on different Dr. Seuss books such as Cat In the Hat and Hop On POP.  A dental station with tooth brush practice and free tooth brush handouts highlight The Tooth Book.  Children participate in activities that highlight physical, dental, medical, literacy, math and safety activities.  There are also specific age appropriate areas for younger children and families who participate in Early Head Start. The Head Start children participate as a classroom field trip after two weeks of classroom lessons and home activities building up to this culminating event.  The children are excited to meet and greet the characters in their favorite Dr. Seuss books.

Community involvement is a priority.  Over 350 community volunteers help run the booths at the event and help escort the children to each activity.  Local companies and restaurants donate food to serve the volunteers.  Parent volunteers help prepare all the activities such as putting prize bags together and cutting hats.  Last year one sponsor bought books and t-shirts for every child.

Staff enjoy either participating in this event behind the scenes with preparation or during the event by manning a booth or becoming a Seuss character.  Children, families, staff and community have positive things to say about the Green Eggs & Ham event that will take place on April 15^th and 16^th this year.

Child Start, Inc.  serves Head Start and Early Head Start families in Sedgwick County and can be found on the web at www.childstart.org.