Parents as Teachers at Scottdale Child Development Center

For over a decade, metro Atlanta’s Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center (www.scottdale.org) has helped young children in DeKalb County’s at-risk communities by educating and supporting their parents through the international “Parents as Teachers” (PAT) program.  Based on the idea that parents are their children’s first teachers, PAT’s mission is to provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help children up to age five develop optimally during the crucial early years of life and prepare for kindergarten.  This year, the national organization will hold its annual conference in Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 2-4, http://www.parentsasteachers.org/.

“The “Parents as Teachers” national conference will highlight the importance and need for programs like this one in Atlanta and nationwide,” said Maryum C. Lewis, executive director of the Scottdale Center.  “The program is an essential component of the Center’s long-term strategy of working with low-income families and to extend its reach and expertise further into the community with families that do not use center-based care such as preschool and pre-K.  Our Certified Parent Educators meet twice a month with 100+ families in the home to coach and mentor each parent as he or she develops safe and healthy attachments with their young children.  They facilitate educational activities and play for the parents and children to enjoy together.  During the visits, the PAT professionals educate the parents about early childhood development, and improve parenting practices, including preventing child abuse and neglect.  The PAT professionals also provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and connect the family with community resources, when needed.”

In addition to the at-home visits, families served by the PAT program are invited to meetings and workshops at the Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center to participate in programs on parenting issues and to have the opportunity to interact with other parents.  Children enjoy structured playtime together, to help prepare them for classroom settings.  The Scottdale Center provides a meal for participants, childcare and transportation to these community events.

Lewis reports progress is closely monitored through pre- and post-program evaluations, but perhaps the most heart-warming measure of the program’s success can be seen through the numerous letters the Center receives from grateful parents:

• “I really love “Parents as Teachers” because while you teach and learn with your child, you learn who they really are.”  J.A.
• “Having teachers come into the home gives (my son) a sense of comfort and openness to learning, which is a wonderful aid in the transition to attending school.”  T.H.
• “The other activities such as trips and parent group meetings are important opportunities for relaxation, learning about family life and exchanging ideas between the parents.” A.W.
• “The PAT program gave me an outline of how to be an effective and efficient parent.  It has been an amazing experience.”  A.P.

“Parents as Teachers” is supported locally through gifts from private foundations, government grants, organizations such as the United Way, and contributions from corporations and individual donors.  Others help by providing transportation for the families in the program, conducting book or diaper drives and assisting at the parent workshops.

“The need is great, and we are only restricted by the amount of funding we receive,” said Lewis.  “Obviously, the greater the funding, the more families we can serve.  I would encourage anyone who is interested in supporting this outstanding program to contact the Scottdale Center.”

About Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center

Founded in 1977 in DeKalb County’s historic Scottdale community, the Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center is a 501(c)3 early care and educational organization serving low and moderate income families.  Its mission is to enhance the total development of children from six weeks old to age 5, and strengthen their families and communities.  The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals, and focuses on developing young children’s social, emotional and physical skills, along with pre-reading language and literacy skills and pre-math.  For more information, visit www.scottdale.org.