Dia de los Niños

MERCEDES - This week belongs to the children.

Administration and staff at the Texas Migrant Council Head Start here held a mini-carnival Wednesday to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, Mary Ledesma, a Head Start employee, said.

On Tuesday, the Chamber of Commerce issued a proclamation at the Head Start and special events will be held throughout the week, leading up to the April 30 Dia de Los Niños, an annual celebration of children, families, culture and literacy.

"It's not just us that is doing this," Ledesma said. "It's a national event that different cities, schools and day cares participate in."
"It's a time to just give children the honor they deserve," Ledesma said.

The are 85 3- to 5-year-olds who spend their days at the Head Start, many of them from migrant families, Ledesma said.

At the carnival, the children received free green re-usable bags from H-E-B's Buddy filled with school supplies.

The Mercedes Fire Department also visited with the children, Ledesma said.

"Part of (the week) is trying to bring together the community to help out," Ledesma said.

Parents were invited to chaperone the event, and many watched as small children rode tricycles around the playground or tried to knock down cans with small beanbags.

One group of children played a game of bowling, while others danced to the Jackson Five's "ABC."

"We'll be having an array of activities for the week," Ledesma said. "On Friday we will bring the families to make presentations to the children."

Marie Santos of Weslaco attended the event with her 3-year-old son Nicholas.

"There are a lot of games for the kids, so it's been great," Santos said.

Santos said she has attended activities in the past with other children in her family, like nieces and nephews.

"It's something to help remind us how special the kids are," Santos said.