Staff writer
Marion County Parents as Teachers coordinator Lori Soo Hoo read the Gingerbread Baby book by Jan Brett to children around Marion County on Friday, stopping at several locations, including the Goessel City Library.
“What we have here is a great testament to this community,” Soo Hoo said, addressing a group of 14 children plus their parents. “There is a direct link to how successful children are in school and life, from how much time they are read to and talked with by their parents when they are little.”
At Goessel, and at each library or school location in the county, Soo Hoo set up several activity stations to go along with the gingerbread story. Flannel boards, cookie cutters and rolling pins with gingerbread play dough, a sorting box, baby maze and mirror, and coloring pages with stickers attracted the attention of youngsters under the age of five.
“Logan really enjoys coming to the library, hearing stories, and interacting with the other children,” said her mother, Denise Bryant of rural Goessel.
Goessel Librarian Laura Dailey said she offers a story time for preschool children every Friday morning, with activities every day that school is in session.
The Parents as Teachers organization is sponsored by school district dollars. It provides information, support, and encouragement for parents who want to help their children develop optimally during early critical years.