The Reading Ambassadors held their inaugural meeting on May 5th and it was a fantastic experience welcoming the parents. The objective of the Reading Ambassador Program is to connect with local families with children of all ages to reinforce how reading is so important, not only educationally but also socially. Families join the FACES Team on a monthly basis in a community space with their children to spend time reading together on a specific book that the family would also read at home. The meeting includes a light meal and refreshments, as well as an activity that ties to the stories or themes.
We are committed to connecting with local parents in small, community settings to provide quality time for them and their children. Our primary goal is to foster strong connections among caregivers while sharing effective ideas, techniques, and tools to enhance reading engagement and develop essential reading skills. We are dedicated to involving a diverse group of caregivers, ensuring that new participants join us each time.
The children thoroughly enjoyed their time with their moms and dads, turning the gathering into a memorable outing. As a team, we had carefully selected the book for the event: "Groovy Joe, Ice Cream & Dinosaurs," along with a fun post-reading activity that perfectly aligned with the story.
We meticulously prepared for the meeting, gathering materials and organizing everything with enthusiasm and care. A brief meeting with the ambassador's mother, who read the story, set the stage for a truly heartwarming experience. It was delightful to see her daughter revel in the moment as her mother animatedly used the puppet and engaged the children with a playful voice.
The use of the puppet proved to be a brilliant choice; the children were captivated, laughing at Joe's voice and staying engaged throughout the reading. Ana, the mother who read the story, excelled in her role, sparking interest by asking the children questions about the tale. After the reading, we seamlessly transitioned to our ice cream cone activity, where the children decorated their creations with their parents' assistance. We concluded the evening by sharing a delicious dinner and capturing treasured group photos.
The parents expressed immense satisfaction and joy seeing their children so enthusiastic and involved, eagerly anticipating future participation. Many praised the idea of using puppets for reading at home. The following day, several parents reached out with messages of gratitude for a wonderful evening, and their children continued to share how much fun they had.
