Parents as Teachers: A FREE Program for Wichita Area Moms & Dads

by Michelle Kinnevan, Parents as Teachers, Maize USD 266

Rolling from tummy to back, eating solids, crawling, walking…I remember thinking back to my daughter’s first year of life and learning what big milestones she needed to reach but not necessarily knowing how to help her get there.

I’d scour Instagram and find helpful tips about topics like sleeping, but then feel conflicted and unsure as a completely different sleep guru used entirely different methods.

Thinking back to that time, those early days of being a first-time Mom were filled with plenty of confusion, self-doubt, and worry over not feeling confident I was actually equipped for this most important role. Don’t get me wrong, the days were sprinkled with giggles and cooing and an intense bond being built, too; but there is so much for a new Mom to be expected to know in order to help her child(ren) develop, and a program I wish I would’ve known about is Parents as Teachers. 

What is Parents as Teachers?

Parents as Teachers, or “PAT” for short, is a program many school districts offer. Think of how your child can attend his/her area elementary school because of your taxpayer dollars, PAT exists (either through grant-funding or taxpayer dollars) to start that education even earlier. How does it work? Great question!

A pillar of the PAT program in the Maize school district, for example, is home visits. Parent educators (basically a very friendly, knowledgeable, trained, and certified individual) will visit your home at least once a month and bring developmentally-appropriate activities to work on with you and your child.

Your baby could be 4 months old or 3 years old, the activities will vary and build upon one another to help your child develop. Some activities are gauged to help your child grow in her fine motor abilities (i.e. putting toy coins in a can or more advanced skills like cutting), while other activities focus more on supporting your child’s social-emotional growth (discussing feelings, discipline, etc.) and beyond.

This means the guessing game of how to help your child crawl and how to work through temper tantrums during meals is alleviated as you’re provided with support and research-based information to not only “get through” but thrive in these seasons.

I think of PAT as being there for the whole journey of early parenthood so that you don’t feel abandoned in what to do with this baby you’ve fallen completely in love with. Our program’s mission is to help you feel empowered to do the best you can do with the time and resources you have, whether you’re a stay-at-home Dad or a full-time working Mom.

Beyond home visits, Maize’s PAT program offers weekly music and playgroup opportunities where you and your child can explore and play together as you meet and connect with other parents/children.

On top of home visits and group connections, events are offered throughout the year to educate families on a wide variety of topics—like appropriate screen time exposure for your child, how to use logic in your everyday parenting, and more. In USD 266, the PAT program is offered for free for families who live within the boundaries.

If you aren’t located in Maize, other area districts such as Valley Center and Wichita have PAT programs that are worth checking out as well!

The Benefit of Having Support

When I was a new Mom, I didn’t know PAT existed and therefore didn’t take advantage of it. As someone who wanted to spend more time with my own kids and was hired as a parent educator in Maize, though, I wholeheartedly endorse this program and the impact it makes on families. We aren’t going into your home to look at how clean the floors are or to judge the way you’ve tackled sleep training.

We’re there to cheer you on in your decisions and help you know what to do as your child works toward his/her next step. We’re there to help you challenge your child when you’ve noticed him progressing and we’re there to explore options of support when you feel he’s not mastering a certain skill yet.

Having started this new role,  the best part of my job is watching Moms and Dads love their kids. Each day, I get to have a glimpse into the inner workings of a family and tell them how proud of themselves they should be—how commendable it is that they are more tired and worn than they’ve ever been yet more successful and accomplished than they probably realize, because they’re stewarding these gifts—these children—so well.

Looking back, I wonder how much more confident I would’ve felt as “Millie’s Mom” if I had someone encouraging me and supporting me the way PAT parent educators do. Every parent deserves to have somebody championing them in that way. 

For more information on the Maize Parents as Teachers program, please contact [email protected] or call 316-722-3105. If you live outside of Maize USD 266, search for PAT within your area to see what offerings are available. 

Michelle is a wife to her high school sweetheart Jordan, Mom to a feisty and hilarious little girl and a smiley, sweet baby boy.