Parents As Teachers (PAT)

WHAT IS THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM?

The Parents As Teachers Program is a FREE program which offers parents:

research-based information on how children grow and develop;
types of activities and toys that will foster learning and nurture development;
methods of positive discipline; new techniques for problem solving; realistic expectations of child behavior; and
attitudes that will raise children's self esteem.

PAT is based on two important concepts:

Parents are their child's first and most influential teachers.
Experiences in the first years of a child's life are key to future success in school and in life.

WHAT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED?

Personal Visits: Certified parent educators, trained in child development and home visiting, go to each family's home on a regular basis. Visit times are flexible so that all families can participate.

Parent & Child Activities: Playdates are held weekly. Other special events such as field trips to the pumpkin patch and our annual Breakfast with Santa are held seasonally.

Developmental Screenings: The developmental screenings serve two purposes: 1) to reassure parents when their child is developing on target, and; 2) to identify problems early to assist parents with appropriate interventions.

Newsletter: Parents receive a newsletter informing them of upcoming PAT events and community events.

WHAT HAVE RESEARCHERS LEARNED?

research suggests that from birth to 3 years and especially the first 6 months of life, the brain goes through the most critical stage of development;
by age 3, a child will absorb and recognize about 1,000 words, which is two-thirds of the adult everyday vocabulary; and
by the age of 4, a child's brain will have grown to nearly three-fourths of its adult size.