Early Childhood Program Celebrates Parents As Teachers Day With A National Community Play Day

Parents as Teachers National Center
Wednesday, 7 November 2001

Over 2,800 local Parents as Teachers programs empower parents and prepare their children for success in school

ST. LOUIS, MO, November 7, 2001 – The Parents as Teachers (PAT) National Center, Inc. announces the first annual Parents as Teachers Day on November 8, 2001. National Parents as Teachers Day was established to create awareness of early childhood programs in local communities, and to bring the early childhood education issue to the forefront of community legislative agendas.

"It is important for communities to advocate for, support and celebrate early childhood and parent education programs such as Parents as Teachers," says Carolyn Losos, the Parents as Teachers Board of Directors Chair. In conjunction with the national celebration, the PAT national board of directors' regularly scheduled meeting will be held at the National Center to discuss the organization's strategic planning, including its public policy agenda and role in educating policy-makers.

Local PAT programs around the globe will be joining in celebration of National Parents as Teachers Day by hosting community "play day" events. "Play enhances all areas of development," says Jane Kostelc, curriculum development manager at the National Center and parent educator for the Ferguson-Florissant school district in St. Louis, Mo. "Play affects the young child's social, emotional, physical, intellectual and language development, helping children become more skilled at math, language, cooperation and problem solving."

The Parents as Teachers program focuses on the early years, from before birth to the time a child enters kindergarten. It was established 16 years ago to help parents understand what to expect during each stage of their child's development. PAT-certified parent educators offer parents practical ways to encourage learning, manage challenging behavior, and promote strong parent-child relationships.

The Parents as Teachers program is free and participation is voluntary. Families who enroll in the program receive personal visits with PAT-certified parent educators, group meetings for parents to enhance their parenting knowledge, periodic child screenings for vision, hearing, and overall development, and referrals to a network of community services.

For more information, or to contact Parents as Teachers National Center, see their website at: www.patnc.org