North Alabama Parents as Teachers Program

We know that experiences in the beginning years of children’s lives are the important foundation for school and life success, and parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers.

Our goal is to give parents the information and support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. The program emphasizes parent-child interaction, development centered parenting and family well-being. There is also a prenatal curriculum for pregnant women.

During personal home visits, our Early Childhood Parent Educators seek to build on family strengths, recognizing that all parents want to be good parents, that parents are experts on their children, and that all families need support. The program focuses on making available social networks, community resources, mutual aid and peer groups as appropriate for the child and family.

Home visits are made weekly or bi-weekly with a certified Parent Educator. Parents participate in planned child activities during the home visit and are given basic information in the areas of intellectual, language, motor, and social-emotional development. Parents receive information on development centered parenting and are supported in family goal setting. Parents are also provided the opportunity to participate in play groups with their children once a month.