In
the United States, the Missouri Parents As Teachers program is an important trailblazer.25
It started in 1981 as a pilot program - under the Parents as First Teachers title - and
its early results were thoroughly researched. When all children in the pilot reached age
three, a randomly-selected group was tested against a carefully-matched comparison group.
In all significant areas - language, problem-solving, health, intellectual skills,
relating to others and confidence - the PAT group scored much better.
PAT is now a state-funded service provided by all 543
public school districts in Missouri. Today about 60,000 Missouri families, with children
from birth to three, take part in the program. They're being helped by about 1500 trained
part-time "parent-educators". Every month, each parent is visited by a
parent-educator, who offers information about the next phase of each child's development
and suggests practical ways parents can encourage sound growth. Parent-educators also
offer tips on home safety, effective discipline, constructive play and other topics.
At each visit, the parent-educator takes along toys and
books suitable for the next likely phase of development, discusses what parents can
expect, and leaves behind a one-sheet series of tips on how to stimulate the child's
interest through that next stage.
"Families receive three types of service,"
says parent-educator Joy Rouse.26 "The primary part is the
monthly home visit. We also provide group meetings - a chance for parents to come together
with other families who have children in the same age-group. Sometimes it will be for
parent-child activities, others to hear a consultant talk about child development or
parenting, and sometimes it's just a fun time. The third component is screening, and this
is a key component. We screen for language development, general development, hearing and
vision. We also have a network where we can refer families with special needs."
Many Missouri schools link their PAT work with other
programs. The Ferguson Florissant School District, in St. Louis county, is typical.27
It runs six separate preschool programs: PAT; a LINK program, with parents and infants
together on courses; "Saturday School" - a half-day for four-year-olds, with
group visits at home; a program for three-year-olds; a child-care center, with youngsters
from two to five, where parents pay; and an education program for preschoolers with
special needs. The day-care center operates at the local high school, and is used as part
of a training program for teenage high-school pupils.
Contents Page Preface
Introduction
