Parents as Teachers class offered

New and expectant parents may feel a bit overwhelmed at the responsibilities of caring for an infant.

“Parents as Teachers,” a free program sponsored by the Family Resource Center at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, may help allay those fears. The course provides information about infant and toddler brain development and the ways parents can stimulate motor and communication skills.

Kayla McDowell is the PAT parent educator for the county. She completed a week of training in October to become certified nationally to provide services to parents.

McDowell will visit the homes of participants about twice a month. Several families have signed up for the program already.

Children who participate in the program are more advanced in language, social development and problem solving and score higher on kindergarten readiness tests, according to McDowell.

An introduction to the program will be 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at ALES.  There will be a craft time with other parents and a meal will be provided by Lee’s Famous Recipe.

There is no charge to attend or participate in the program. For more information, contact McDowell or Machelle Durham at ALES at 358-4112.