Parents as Teachers is hosting a roll and read event this Saturday. The event is open to all families in the South Callaway R-II School District, not just those involved with the Parents as Teachers program.
During the event, families will walk, run, push a stroller and bike one mile on the Kathy Trail, which will have reading stations. Families will stop at the readings stations on the trail for story time. One reading station will have the book, "Going on a bear hunt."
Pam Norris with the South Callaway School District and parent educator with Parents as Teachers, said they wanted to have an event that combined literacy with physical activity for kids.
"We'll get a little physical activity and a little bit of reading," Norris said.
The event is in part to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Parents as Teachers programs worldwide. The South Callaway School District's Parents as Teachers program started 25 years ago. Norris started doing the PAT program at South Callaway eight years ago. Programs across the country will be holding events this month to celebrate the program and to make others more aware of the program.
"The focus for Parents as Teachers is usually on children from prenatal up until they enter kindergarten," Norris said.
Children of all ages are welcome to attend the event on Saturday, Norris said. She will have more information about the PAT program on Saturday. She said the program offers resources and encouragement to parents of young children.
"Especially for first-time parents, a lot of us don't know very much about child development - I know I didn't when my kids were little," Norris said. "It's helpful to know if the things your child is doing is typical for babies or toddlers that age."
The roll and read event open for families in the district with children of all ages. It starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Families will walk, bike, etc. from the pavilion in the parking lot and they will travel west toward Sate Route PP. They will go about one half of a mile then turn around and travel the half a mile back to the parking lot.
Megan Favignano can be reached at (573) 826-2417 or [email protected].