A ceremony and reading of a joint proclamation from county agencies will kick off the celebration of the Month of the Young Child in Montgomery County. The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. on March 21 at the Montgomery County Children's Resource and Referral Center, 332 West Edmonston Drive in Rockville.

The theme for this year's celebration throughout April is “help me grow -- Learning Begins at Birth.” Monthlong activities will highlight the importance of healthy growth, development, and education for young students.

Among those scheduled to participate in the proclamation ceremony are Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools; Patricia B. O'Neill, president of the Board of Education; County Executive Douglas M. Duncan; Thomas Perez, president of the County Council; and Dr. Carol Garvey, chair of the Montgomery County Collaboration Council. Eleanor Northway, executive director of the Rockville Day Care Association, will serve as master of ceremonies, and children from Wintergreen Child Care Center will sing.

Later in the day, the Board of Education will recognize the Month of the Young Child at its regularly scheduled business meeting on Monday evening, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Among other planned events are programs for families at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg and Westfield Shoppingtown in Wheaton on April 9 and 30, respectively, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be entertainment and fun activities for young children as well as resources and information for parents at each of these events.