Ferguson-Florissant Parents as Teachers offers summer program
Parents in the Ferguson-Florissant School District have a good, free opportunity this summer to entertain their kids, encourage them to read, get them a library card and stimulate their imaginations with stories about Dora the Explorer, Elmo and Dinosaurs.
The Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program and the Ferguson Municipal Library are teaming up to present Summer Story Time Adventures.
Parents and children will enjoy sharing book-based adventures with Elmo, Dora the Explorer and other friends as they read and participate in related hands-on activities that teach the importance of reading. Parents will also have the opportunity to obtain library cards for children and help them explore the library.
Parents and others who are interested in participating in the Summer Story Time Adventures should mark the following dates on their calendars:
* Hola, Dora!, Thursday, June 14, 10 – 11 a.m.
* Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Friday, June 22, 10 – 11 a.m.
* Dinosaurs Galore!, Tuesday, June 26, 10 – 11 a.m.
* Thomas the Tank Engine, Friday, July 6, 10 – 11 a.m.
* Bob the Builder, Wednesday, July 11, 10 – 11 a.m.
* Elmo and Friends, Tuesday, July 17, 6 – 7 p.m.
The story time adventures program is free, but registration is appreciated. Please call Debbe Smith McCutchen at (314) 506-9069 to register or for more information about Parents as Teachers.
PAT is a free program offered by the Ferguson-Florissant School District to families for children from birth to 5 years old. (Prenatal visits are also available upon request.) Its services include personalized home visits where age-appropriate child-development information and activities are offered. In addition, child, parent and group activities are available along with health and developmental screenings.
The Ferguson-Florissant School District’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) program also offers the following free services to families for children from birth to 5 years old:
* Home visits: The flexible program is tailored to meet your busy family’s needs. For example, trained and certified parent educators will visit your home at a time that is most convenient for you. During the visit, they will help you understand and prepare for each stage of your child’s development. More specifically, parent educators offer practical ideas that equip you to manage your child’s behavior and help him or her learn. Prenatal visits are also available upon request.
* Developmental screenings: Parent educators offer yearly screenings of your child’s overall development, hearing, vision and health.
* Group meetings: PAT organizes fun parent – child activities such as movement-to-music classes, infant massage, story time and vehicle fairs. The meetings will enhance your parenting knowledge as you share child-rearing experiences with other parents. Meanwhile, children have the opportunity to explore and learn with peers.
* Resource network: Parent educators help families access needed community services that are beyond the scope of the Parents as Teachers program.
Please call Debbe Smith McCutchen at (314) 506-9069 to register for the Ferguson-Florissant School District PAT program or gather more information. Those living outside the district should contact their school district’s PAT program for support.
