Parents As Teachers

When we arrived to Leavenworth, it was suggested to me to try Parents As Teachers (PAT) by more than a few other parents. I am so glad I did and I'm making this post my recommendation to any other parents, period. 

Parents As Teachers, for us, has been an amazing way to keep Baby A on track. As I haven't worked since A was born, he hasn't been attending daycare, which makes it difficult to know if he's developmentally at the right level since I am not able to compare him to other children often, or have a certified childcare provider indicating development, or being able to ensure he has ample opportunities to socialize. 

Beginning at 6 months and continuing through kindergarten, Parents As Teachers offers a FREE program to help parents ensure their children are developing healthily and happily. 
From their website, "Parents as Teachers National Center is an international nonprofit organization that promotes optimal early development, learning and health of young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. We advance the delivery of high quality services for families through a comprehensive system of supports and innovative solutions.

Our internationally recognized network uses an evidence-based model to deliver parent education primarily through personal visits and group meetings. We equip parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children, from prenatal through kindergarten, for a stronger start in life and greater success in school. Parents as Teachers programs operate in various settings, including schools, hospitals, faith-based organizations and housing communities."

Here is a breakdown of the main parts of the program as we have experienced it:

1. Monthly home visits from a certified PAT representative. This is usually about an hour at home with Baby A and our rep, Jen (who is beyond lovely). She generally brings a game and/or book that pertains to the topics we discuss at our visit, which have included discipline, speech and language, handling the terrible twos tantrums, and even potty training. Jen has also done a vision test, and some of the games are to gauge important skills A should have at his particular age range. I usually have a lot of questions for her, and she is wonderful at fielding them and offering me suggestions for overcoming whatever obstacle I feel we are facing, whether it be A's social skills or fine motor skills. 

2. Weekly supervised playgroups. We have seriously adored the playgroups with PAT, and have met some of A's most precious little friends at them. The group is just an hour a week at a local education center in a room decked out for his age group with the coolest play structures and toys. All the toys and activities are centered on a specific developmental skill or idea that the kids should be mastering based on their age. When we joined the group, A was placed with other 15 month old kids up to 2 and a half year old children. He has loved playgroup and I am impressed with how social he has become. While he has never really been behind on any developmental stage, I truly think the PAT playgroup socialization opportunities have been invaluable to him learning how to interact with other people, watching others to learn new skills, and just being free to explore in a safe environment. Not to mention, it was another opportunity to get us out of the house!! 

3. Monthly Area-wide Group Connections. Our PAT has offered a monthly activity that usually lasts for a couple of hours on the weekend, which I know is invaluable to those families who cannot make a weekly playgroup during the working day. They are themed and provide yet another chance for socialization (for the whole family!) and developmentally significant learning. 

I want to make it clear that PAT is not only for kids who are struggling; however, if you do notice your child doesn't seem to be on the same level as other kids at the playground in speech or movement, or even if you're just 100% unsure because you aren't around many other same-age children/simply don't know what your kid should be doing at each stage, this program is a wonderful way to allay your worries and give you a way to be proactive in your child's development. I have gained so many tools to handle any and all of the totally normal issues that could come up with a baby/toddler, and it has made me a more confident parent. 

I have a friend who has received FREE speech therapy through the state for her son because her PAT rep was able to identify an opportunity for growth in time. Another friend is working with a children's sleep therapist to ensure her daughter gets the sleep she needs to grow properly. We all discuss what we learn at PAT, trade knowledge, and grow together, because playgroups and group connections provide not only our kids a social outlet, but also a built-in tribe for the parents. Plus, you can learn so much about your own community- which is so crucial when you move with the military a lot like we do!

Lastly, it has been enriching and heart warming to watch my son develop and know that he's where he needs to be, or even ahead. You cannot beat the price tag (let me repeat, FREE FREE FREEEEE) and if you CAN give your child a leg-up, why wouldn't you!??! 

Please take the short amount of time to find your local Parents As Teachers affiliate (they are state-run), and contact whoever is closest to you about getting your little(s) into this program ASAP. And if you're like me and you have a sweet grandparent who is looking to transition out of a full-time childcare career, tell them to find a way to become a PAT rep!!

Here is the website (YOU HAVE NO EXCUSES!): https://parentsasteachers.org/

Get on it for those babies, parents 😀⚓