What is Parents As Teachers?
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a parent education and family support program serving families with young children. Some programs serve families through out pregnancy until their child turns three years of age, while others continue to serve families until their child enters Kindergarten.

Parents are visited by PAT-certified parent educators trained to provide parents with information on brain development and ways in which parents can assist their children in reaching their full potential. Parent educators provide information on each stage of development and fun activities to capture teachable moments in every day life to enhance children’s language development, intellectual growth, social development, and motor skills.

Parents as Teachers Services
Families enrolled in the Parents as Teachers programs receive:
Personal Visits: Parent educators share age appropriate child development and parenting information, help parents learn to observe their child, and address parenting concerns.

Parent Group Meetings: Parents and children are given an opportunity to gather together 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.

Screenings: Children’s overall development, health, hearing, and vision are all assessed to ensure children are developing appropriately.

Resource Network: Parent educators are knowledgeable about other community resources.

Parents as Teachers Programs in Alaska:
To find a Parents as Teachers program near you, please contact the Parents as Teachers Alaska State Coordinator, Melissa Pickle at 907-865-7345 or mpickle@ruralcap.com.