Story Walk increases literacy and local food awareness.

In 2013-2015, 31.9% of adults in Hickman County age 20 and over reported no leisure-time physical activity (Hickman County Data Profile, CES Community Assessment 2019). Simultaneously, only 76.1% of children entering kindergarten are ready to learn (2020 Early Childhood Profile). Physical activity, healthy local food choices, and early community literacy opportunities were strategically combined through the Story Walk experience. 

The Hickman County Extension collaborated with the Family Resource Youth Service Center, Four River Counties Early Childhood Council, Farmer’s Market Vendors, and Local Businesses/Organizations for the fourth year to hold a Story Walk Event. This event is held at the Hickman County Rotary Park/Farmers Market.  The Story Walk is based on parent/caregiver/child involvement. They read a story page by page around the walking trail, practice social skills by interacting with community businesses and visit vendors under the Farmers Market.  Due to Covid-19, developmentally appropriate experiential learning activities were offered as take-home activity kits to enable the youth the opportunity to learn and play with their families.

The socially distanced event was attended by 60 families with COVID-19 safety procedures in place.  Of those families, 102 youth ranging in ages from 7 months- age 16 were present.  Fifty-seven of the youth were in school, 47 were either in-home care or in preschool/childcare. Seventeen volunteers supported Story Walk.

After attending Story Walk, 86% planned on completing the at-home learning kits with their family. 100% said they planned on visiting the Farmers Market and Walking Path after the event. 85% said that this event helped them to gain skills to use in home literacy activities. As a result of this event, 82% said they planned to increase time spent reading and playing with their child.