First Five - Parents As Teachers

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5.

Parents are supported by PAT-certified parent educators trained to translate scientific information on early brain development into specific when, what, how and why advice for families. By understanding what to expect during each stage of development, parents can easily capture the teachable moments in everyday life to enhance their child's language development, intellectual growth, social development and motor skills.

Visit the Parents As Teachers National website to learn more.

Parents and children participating in activities
A man and child site together

PAT Family Benefits

As a PAT family you receive:

  • Personal visits - during which 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 - which are 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.
  • Resource network - that links your family to other community services.
  • Screenings - to assess your child's overall development as well as health, hearing, and vision.