Parents as Teachers
What is Parents as Teachers (PAT)?
PAT is a free parent education and family support program serving families from pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually around age 5.
Parents are supported by PAT-certified parent educators who are trained to translate scientific information on early brain development into specific, actionable advice on what, when, how, and why. By understanding what to expect during each stage of development, parents can easily capture teachable moments in everyday life to enhance their child's language development, intellectual growth, social development, and motor skills.
In the first few years of life, children learn more and at a faster pace than at any other time. As a parent, you help shape your child's future through the experiences you provide. Your baby was born to learn, and you are your child's first and most important teacher.
As a PAT family, you receive:
- Personal visits: Your parent educator will share age-appropriate child development and parenting information, help you learn to observe your child, and address your parenting concerns.
- Parent group meetings: Opportunities to share information about parenting issues and child development. Parents learn and support each other, observe their children with other children, and practice parenting skills.
- Screenings: Assessments of your child's overall development as well as health, hearing, and vision.
- Resource network: Links your family to other community services.
Contact Parents as Teachers
For more information about the Hickman Mills PAT program contact.
Name: Teresa Tanner
Title: Executive Director of Academic Services
Office Number: (816) 316-8501
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
"Parents as Teachers is an excellent program to prepare children—and parents—for school," said Anna, a Hickman Mills C-1 School District parent. "They have helped me to grow with my children. I read more now; I'm more hands-on with my kids. We play all types of games and use our imaginations, turning even the basic everyday things, like cooking meals and cleaning the house, into a game. I wasn't doing those things before Parents as Teachers. Parents as Teachers really taught me how to be a teacher, as well as a parent."
Parents as Teachers Staff
Name: Janine Oltjen
Title: Parent Educator Lead
Office Number: (816) 316-
Name: Danika Reyes
Title: Parent Educator
Office Number: (816) 316-
Name: Shanette Nickens
Title: Parent Educator
Office Number: (816) 316-
Name: Rebecca Kelley
Title: Parent Educator
Office Number: (816) 316-