Early Childhood Education students help out with annual Literacy Fair

MOSES LAKE–  It was a packed house for the annual Early Literacy Fair at the Moses Lake Public Library Tuesday night.

This is the fourth year Big Bend Community College’s Early Childhood Education program has partnered with the library to help put on the free event. The fair brings in anywhere from 80 to 100 participants each year.

While at the fair, kids travel from station to station and participate in various activities that promote early literacy skills. This year they had a chance to read and listen to stories, fish for letters to make words, play with big blocks and personalize their own coloring books, among other crafts and activities.

Moses Lake Pediatric Dentistry was also at the fair to talk to kids and their parents about the importance of oral health, and Dr. Sisson from Ephrata Eye Care provided free eye screenings. Inspire Development Center and the Moses Lake School District and the North Central Educational Services District also lent a helping hand and provided their own activities and information for attendees.

Also present at the event was Family Services of Grant County, who showed parents and kids that making healthy food choices can impact their ability to learn.

Papa John’s provided pizza for children and their families, and Safeway  donated juice and water to go along with the pizza. The Friends of the Library group provided refreshments and snacks for all the volunteers.

Each of the stations were manned by students in the college’s Early Childhood Education program. The program prepares students to work with children ages birth to eight, and the annual fair is geared towards families with children ages birth to five.

“This gives our students a real-life opportunity to apply and showcase the skills they are learning in their classes, said program coordinator Jenny Nighswonger.

It also provides students with a way to give back to the community, she said.

To see more photos from the event, CLICK HERE!

For more information about BBCC’s Early Childhood Education program, CLICK HERE!