A reading event hosted by the South Callaway school district aims to help increase early literacy.
Roll and Read's goal is to increase awareness of early reading. South Callaway's Parents as Teachers group help put together the event.
Parents as Teachers provides practical, effective help for all Missouri families with children from prenatal age to kindergarten entry.
"It's a great activity to do outdoors," said Pam Norris of South Callaway Parents as Teachers.
There have been events like this in the past and Norris said it was time to do one again. The original idea for the event came from the Parents as Teachers National Center, she said.
Norris said it's important for parents to read to their children at an early age, even if they don't understand the story.
The event is a good way for families to get some fresh air and exercise while reading, she said. It can help parents build a close relationship with their child.
South Callaway school district will have the Roll and Read event at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Katy Trail parking lot in Mokane. Families will hike from the parking lot traveling west towards State Route PP for a half-mile and back, while enjoying select children's books at points along the way. The event is open to all families in the South Callaway district.
Norris said the school district might hold another reading event like Roll and Read in the spring.