Connellsville, PA (July 31, 2023) – What if raising kids came with directions? The Learning Lamp’s new Parents as Teachers (PAT) program in Fayette County is the next best thing! PAT offers home-based support services for families of young children, pre-birth through kindergarten, by helping families and caregivers set goals and build upon existing strengths to reach their full parenting potential. The program is also proven to help children start kindergarten with the fundamental skills they need to be more successful learners.
“This is a great opportunity for parents who want their little ones to reach all of those critical developmental milestones, but who need extra help knowing what to look for and how to help their children grow and excel,” said Laura Martin, PAT Supervisor for The Learning Lamp. “The coaching our parent educators provide is really structured to support the entire family so parents and children cross that finish line together enabling children to start school on pace with their peers.”
Participation in PAT in Fayette County through The Learning Lamp is FREE. A three-year grant from the Children’s Trust Fund and matching funds from Dollar General Literacy Foundation helped to launch the program which is currently recruiting families and referral partners. PAT is open to any pregnant mother or family with a child or children under the age of 5 in Fayette County. The program includes FREE health screenings for children, monthly home visits to coach parents on child development and fun, interactive ways to help children master foundational skills. The program also connects families with a variety of community resources and social services like adult basic education and GED classes. Monthly get-togethers also connect parents with other caregivers, establishing a network of peer support.
Research has shown that children enrolled in PAT scored higher on standardized tests at entry into kindergarten and later grades. And PAT children required half the rate of remedial and special education in third grade than those in non-PAT families. Working with skilled educators, parents are taught the benchmarks of child development and how to effectively advocate for their children’s health and well-being.
“By teaching and empowering parents on how to support their child at home through those early years, PAT equips parents with skills that will benefit their families for years to come,” said Martin.
For more information on how to sign up for the Parents As Teachers program in Fayette County or to refer someone you know, please call Laura at 412-582-7419 or email PAT@thelearninglamp.org.
The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high-quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. In 2022, The Learning Lamp served 34,813 youth/adults from 61 public school districts and 70 other schools and organizations in 22 Pennsylvania counties.
Our programs include: child care and preschool, after-school programs, tutoring, SAT prep, school staffing, alternative education programs for at-risk students, online learning, credit recovery, drug and alcohol prevention programs, and grant writing and project consulting for schools.
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