Step Up for Kids rally draws in many parents
4:55 p.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2008
"In our greatest natural resource...our people," Senator Laura Kelly said.
Many people came out to the Capitol to show support for Step up for Kids.
Children played with their parents, while the rally continued with signs like "Want my vote? Invest in kids!"
Christy Stegman came out with her 1 year-old daughter to see what's changed in the 14 years since her last child.
"We haven't been before and since we have a one-year-old, we want what's best for her future," Stegman said.
She tells us one thing she learned more about was early childhood education.
"I didn't do that with my oldest daughter because I was younger then, and we didn't have a lot of information about it then, so she, I think, has a lot more opportunity then my older child had," Stegman said.
While kids played, parents shared information about different programs they can get involved with to promote their children's future.
"I believe children are an extremely important resource and we should do everything we can to educate them as early as we can," mother Wendi States said.
"As a parent, sometimes it's hard to think outside the box, of daily living, and they have wonderful ideas on how to interact with your child, play with your child, and that's how they learn. Children learn through playing," States said.
One piece of advice Attorney General Steve Six gives parents, "The one simplest thing any parent can do is read to their kids every night, and have their kids read to them," Six said.
One group, Parents as Teachers, set up reading blankets for kids and parents to interact.
"You have to build the foundation from the beginning," States said.
Step up for Kids focuses on education, but also poverty and abuse.
Learn more by logging onto the Web site, www.everychildmatters.org.
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