School Readiness Starts at Home
Heather Tritten, Executive Director at Parent Possible
Kindergarten is one of the most exciting events of a young child’s life. It’s a time when you might think your little kid just became a big kid. It’s a time to celebrate – and maybe it’s a time when parents are a little bit sad. But getting ready for kindergarten starts way before your child turns five! It begins before they are even born.
Babies are born with busy brains. They are ready to learn and grow, which is why it is important to give them lots of time and attention. Babies don’t come with instructions, though, which is why home visiting programs are helpful. These programs meet families at home and support parents in their most important job.
Babies don’t come with instructions, which is why home visiting programs are helpful. These programs meet families at home and support parents in their most important job.
Home visiting programs like Parents as Teachers (PAT) and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) help parents understand how their child learns and grows. They provide a home visitor who meets regularly with parents in their home. Home visitors help parents know what kids need to be happy, healthy, and ready for school. They also help families by providing information about services and supports in their community.
Parents as Teachers offers families a home visitor who shares parenting skills and shares information about parenting, growth, development, and health. Home visitors meet with parents individually to engage in activities and provide ongoing support. Parents as Teachers also offers health and developmental screenings to detect any issues as early as possible. Home visitors provide resources to help parents reach their own goals and address their needs. Finally, families enrolled in Parents as Teachers can participate in group meetings where they can socialize, learn, and support each other. Parents participating in PAT grow and learn in amazing ways! One parent said, “I absolutely love the Parents as Teachers program! It has helped me become a better parent. My [parent educator] helped me get food, diapers and so many other items for my home and child. I have learned how to raise my daughter and use other strategies to parent that I didn’t know before.” You can find a PAT program near you here.
“I absolutely love the Parents as Teachers program! It has helped me become a better parent. My [parent educator] helped me get food, diapers and so many other items for my home and child. I have learned how to raise my daughter and use other strategies to parent that I didn’t know before.”
HIPPY is an in-home preschool program. Each week parents meet with their home visitor and practice pre-school activities that they will teach their children throughout the week. Parents learn how to read stories, do math activities, play games, and science experiments in their kitchen. HIPPY participants engage with their child for 20-minutes each day to share the week’s activities. Parents and children develop strong relationships and home visitors are able to answer questions and provide support. Additionally, parents are invited to group meetings where they can meet other parents and learn more about child development and other resources. HIPPY brings families together and helps them grow together. In the words of a HIPPY parent, “I am loving being my son’s teacher and am much more confident in what I am doing to teach him.” Find a local HIPPY program here!
In the words of a HIPPY parent, “I am loving being my son’s teacher and am much more confident in what I am doing to teach him.”
