Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros

Author: The Jumpstart Friends
April 28, 2024

San Francisco’s Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros is a Celebration of Children & Books is rooted in a longtime Latin American tradition of celebrating children. San Francisco’s first Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros was held in 1999 and each year since then, organizers continue to volunteer their time and resources to achieve the goal of promoting literacy and unifying families of all cultures, through a community-based, child-centered event.

The JumpStart members woke up bright and early to set up for the fun day ahead! JumpStart has had the pleasure of being a part of this event for the past couple years. This year was very special to me — Madison — seeing as it was my first year being a part of this event with the JumpStart program.

Hands collecting some rocks
Jumpstart mentees with families
"Jumpstart says welcome" in scrabble letters
A Jumpstart mentee reading a book to a boy

Something For Everyone

The Incorporation of cultural food, music, and performances into events like Día de los Niños adds vibrancy and cultural richness to the community enhancing the overall experience. Each element contributed to the festivities in their own way. Food is an integral part of any cultural celebration, offering a taste of tradition and a sense of belonging. At this event, attendees might enjoy a some cultural snacks such as elote and different fruits with Tajín. There were also cultural dances from a dance group in the mission as well as a musical band performance, which everyone there enjoyed.

Dancers in the parade
The parade
A live band singing
A dancer in traditional garb

Guest Star: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

The event even brought out a special guest from the PBS television star — Daniel Tiger — that shares relatable preschool discoveries and challenges with his friends, neighbors, and family in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. He teaches math and problem solving skills,spelling and social and emotional development that everyone enjoyed, including the JumpStart Mentees!

Daniel Tiger and Jumpstart mentees
Daniel Tiger hugging a child
Jumpstart mentees on a picnic mat

A Great Experience

In summary, the event was very successful and had a wonderful turnout giving many children books and opening them up to new opportunities. Enjoy some more photos of the amazing event. 

Jumpstart mentees on the swings
Jumpstart mentee on the hammock
The Jumpstart table at the event
Jumpstart mentees sitting on the hammock
A girl planting some seeds.
Two boys and their mother playing with pinecones
Jumpstart mentees in the jungle gym
Flyers at the event

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