At Read and Romp – Tuscaloosa, children engaged in fun, learning-based activities themed around favorite children’s books. Children left the event with goodies they created from an activity at each station, along with a stamped passport and books. By associating fun-filled activities with reading, parents learned ways to engage with their child on the life-long journey of learning at an early age, which will help increase their children’s success in school.
While centered around books, each station was staffed by organizations and businesses that are child-focused, which provided families an opportunity to learn about activities that will enhance the development and education of their young children. We had 14 organizations that provided amazing hands-on fun activity stations. For example, children touched buttons at the Tuscaloosa Public Library station and created a monster craft to take home, based on the book, Don’t Push the Button. At the Bama Bounders station, children enjoyed a bounce house based on the book, 5 Little Monkeys. Children also enjoyed face painting, character visits, a petting zoo, and listening to a live reading of the books.
Started by the national Reach Out and Read organization in Boston as a signature event, Read and Romp – Tuscaloosa is unique in that it is a collaboration of organizations that have early childhood literacy and family engagement as priorities. We want to thank our main sponsoring organizations this year, Reach Out and Read-Alabama, Alabama Project LAUNCH, The Tuscaloosa Public Library, United Way’s Success by 6, Alabama Public Television, and Macaroni Kid Tuscaloosa.
Partnering Organizations:
Bama Bounders
Belser-Parton Literacy Center
Child Development Resources (PNC)
Literacy Council of West Alabama
Northport Police Department
PAL/Baby Talk
Parents As Teachers
Read Bama Read
Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre
Tuscaloosa’s One Place
WIC