A parent is a child's first and most influential teacher. The home is a child's first schoolhouse. The way a child grows and learns during the early years of life can have an enormous impact on his or her later development and success.
The primary goal of Parents As Teachers (PAT) is to empower parents to give their children the best possible start in life. It's based on the concept that experiences in the beginning years of a child's life are critical in laying the foundation for school and life success. PAT is a free and voluntary program designed for all families with children from birth to kindergarten. The program covers child development and parent-child activities that encourage language, intellectual, social and physical skills.
The PAT program includes the following services:
- Personal home visits with a parent educator who is trained in child development. These visits provide information and guidance before and after a baby is born to help parents prepare for their most important job --parenting.
- Information about what to look for and expect as a child grows and develops.
- Periodic screening of a child's educational and physical development (vision, hearing, health).
- Group meetings with other new parents for the purpose of sharing experiences and discussing topics of interest.
- Monthly play group, and storytime.
- PAT Library with books on child development and parenting ideas.
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