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Family Read event sparks creativity
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Published: February 12, 2009
As its hard work came to a close, Girl Scout Troop 26 was rewarded with seeing firsthand what a difference it made last weekend at Family Read Night.
Kathryn Vance, Elizabeth Hardig, Molly Murphy, Sarah Ann Waugh and Rebecca Soltysiak have been volunteering for the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children for the past month to help organize the event.
"One of the moms called looking for a project for the girls to do to earn their Gold award, and we had just had a meeting for the Big Read," said Jennifer Griffith, director of quality support services. "It seemed like the beginning of a great collaboration and a wonderful opportunity for the girls to be able to partner with us and work with local kids and families."
Each girl put in 65 hours of work and "went above and beyond" to pull the event together, Griffith said.
"They helped make the 770 packets that we're giving out today, and cut out shapes, glued things, punched other things out and really pulled together to make this happen," she said. "They obviously love children and did a great job."
Included in the packet handed out at the event was the poem book "I Love You," by Jean Marzollo, as well as finger puppets to go along with the characters in the story, a themed matching game and crayons with a little book for the children to create their own story.
Activities around the facility were based on creativity and education, as well as reading. In one room, children could use household items to make works of art.
"These kids are coloring on coffee filters and then when you spritz them with water, it becomes a painting," explained executive director Marta Koesling. "There's also coloring and music."
The most popular activity included tents made out of sheets and chairs that enveloped giggling kids with flashlights and books.
"I have no idea how we'll get them to leave at noon," Koesling said, laughing. "They love it."
Chris Brown shared in the excitement as his daughter, Hope, buzzed around from activity to activity.
"Her preschool center told us about the program and it seemed like the perfect father-daughter activity," he said. "I like that it's geared toward education and lets the children use their imagination, which I think is a skill that needs to be brought to the forefront. We need to encourage free thinking."
Child care provider and daycare manager Thelma Gaither of Harmony brought one of her younger clients to the event, an 18-month-old who eagerly grabbed crayons and scribbled gleefully.
"We just got started with the art, but it seems like fun," she said. "I was hoping to learn a few activities to incorporate into my daycare."
After seeing the success of the event, the girls in Troop 26 said they were proud of how the event turned out.
"There's a lot of kids here, and I think it's going great so far," Vance said. "They're excited and I love interacting with them."
"It's wonderful to see the program in action," added Hardig. "I'm proud."
For additonal information about The Big Read or Family Read Night, contact the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children at (704) 878-9980.
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