Parents as Teachers is a global resource for professionals and organizations that are focused on improving early childhood development and learning. Utilizing professional parent educators and a nationwide network of affiliates, Parents as Teachers provides the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life – from prenatal through kindergarten. The core curriculum covers a variety of topics to help raise healthy kids and get them ready for school. Other topics include special needs children, responsible fatherhood, teenage parenting, and more.
These professional parent educators often work with existing local organizations such as schools, hospitals, and community organizations. The educators come directly to families where they can provide parents with information, activities, screenings and resources to prepare their child for early academic success in a convenient, impactful location - their own homes. Parents as Teachers also facilitates connections between families and community resources that can give parents the additional support they may need during these vital, formative years.
Parents as Teachers functions on several core values, including that all young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
Studies have shown that children who participated in Parents as Teachers programs were more likely to be reading at or above grade level than their peers, have significantly higher math and science test scores in 3rd and 6th grades, better school attendance, and lower suspension rates.
In addition to their direct work with families, Parents as Teachers advocates for children and families, helping shape public policy to increase access to early learning, child development, and education at the federal, state, and community levels.
The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.
Now affiliates exist in all 50 states and six additional countries, including Australia, Canada, and Germany. There are 11,000 parent educators who make a combined 1.6 million personal visits to 240,000 children each year. Most services are provided free of charge. Visit the Parents as Teachers website at http://www.ParentsAsTeachers.org to find a location near you.
