Parents as Teachers
by Michelle Bruce
PARENTS AS TEACHERS
WHAT IS PARENTS AS TEACHERS?
A parent education and family support program-serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten.
Designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education.
A universal access program available to all families.
free; family participation is voluntary
WHY PARENTS AS TEACHERS?
Research has clearly shown that the early years are critical in a child’s development and lay the foundation for success in school and in life.
Parents are the most influential people in their children’s lives; they are their child’s first teachers.
To invest in our future, we need to give parents the education and support they need to promote their young children’s healthy development and prepare them for success in school and life.
WHY FOCUS ON THE YEARS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS?
There are developmental “windows of opportunity” when children are especially adept at learning specific skills including:
Motor skills such as turning over, crawling, walking, drawing;
Sensory skills such as seeing and hearing;
Communication skills including language; and
Social skills such as playing with other children
Unless adequately stimulated at the right time, the brain will not be properly “wired”—if developmental “windows of opportunity” are missed, this “wiring” may happen later on only with great difficulty, or it may never happen at all.
After the developmental “windows of opportunity” close, progress can still take place, but it is much more difficult.
If you are interest in participating in this wonderful program for children age birth to kindergarten please contact Michelle Bruce at 417-465-2070(home) 417-667-1971(cell) or the school at 417-432-3196.
