Children dug for worms and played with toy cars in sand, mud, ice and shaving cream Saturday at the Parents as Teachers' annual "messy play" event.
Parents as Teachers is a parent education and support program that serves families with children from birth to kindergarten, as well as expectant parents. The program offers free home visits from a certified parent educator, annual screenings, group connection events, resource information and access to a play center.
"Our main over-arching goal for Parents as Teachers is that all children will reach their full potential," said Katie Epema, Jefferson City School District Parents as Teachers coordinator.
During home visits, the parent educators bring an activity for the child, answer questions for parents, and give parents information on subjects such as discipline, attachment, health, safety, nutrition and sleep.
To receive home visits from parent educators, families must enroll. There is typically a wait list, and evening times have a longer wait. The wait list is currently short, Epema said, but she cannot predict how long a family may have to wait. Families on the wait list can still receive free screenings and come to group connection events and the play center.
There is typically about one group connection event a month. These events range from informative lessons for parents to fun activities for families to do together. Upcoming events include lessons from conscious discipline-certified experts and hands-on activities at a farm.
"We would love to have as many families who are interested take advantage of our free screening services come to our group connection events as well as enroll in the home visit part of the program," Epema said.
To enroll in parent educator visits or to learn more about Parents as Teachers, contact Epema at [email protected] or 573-659-2350, or visit the JC Schools Parents as Teachers Facebook page.