Last month, the Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED) was thrilled to partner with DeKalb Partners for Early Learning (DPEL) in Decatur, Georgia for their 16th annual Early Literacy Celebration. CEED engaged in this partnership work as part of its new 2025 community wellness initiative called, “Planting CEEDs of Joy and Peace.” As part of this initiative, CEED strives to strategically engage with community organizations to offer wellness activities in the form of yoga, volunteering, and sponsorship of community wellness events.
The Early Literacy Celebration engaged with early learning programs and elementary schools to promote and celebrate literacy and learning in young children and their families. This work is near and dear to CEED’s mission and is also relevant to CEED’s Language and Literacy for Liberation initiative, which focuses on children’s strengths and needs in terms of early literacy skills and the use of oral language to foster relationships, build identity, and advance learning.
The Early Literacy Celebration on April 26 featured a variety of engaging and fun literacy activities and learning opportunities, including a read aloud and book giveaway with Lanoria Buttrom, author of “Mind over Matter,” a performance and book giveaway with percussionist Jerry G. White, author of “Anansi and the Colorful Kente Cloth,” facepainting, and literacy activity booths. Children who visited all activity booths received a bookbag with books to build their own home libraries as well as literacy information and materials for caregivers.
CEED hosted an activity booth with a bookmark station where children were invited to make their own bookmarks and caregivers received an accompanying informational bookmark, “Creating Joyful Conversations when Reading Together©” The bookmark, created by CEED Executive Director Dr. Stephanie M. Curenton and CEED collaborator Dr. Shana E. Rochester, from Child Trends, provides tips for caregivers to use when reading together with their children. Many children were repeat visitors at CEED’s bookmark booth, asking if they could make even more bookmarks for friends and teachers! Children expressed themselves through self-portraits, special messages, and colorful creations. They also enjoyed sharing what books they plan to read and use their bookmarks in. Alongside the bookmark crafts and the informational bookmark, we were thrilled to share Equity bracelets and other resources from Early Learning Access. The kids loved the bracelets in particular!
In addition to the bookmark station, CEED provided a “Guess the Number” station, where participants were invited to guess how many letters and words were in a large glass jar (186!). The closest guesses won raffle prizes throughout the Celebration.
CEED’s role in the Early Literacy Celebration originated with CEED’s partnership with our valued colleague and friend Ms. Pamela L. Ross from Pamper Me Beautiful/United Way, in collaboration with DeKalb Partners for Early Learning. We look forward to our future work together in community and partnership with Ms. Ross!