The Library of Congress named Parents as Teachers National Center as the recipient of its $50,000 “American Prize” for its work to expand literacy and promote reading among young children and their families.
Parents as Teachers trained professionals called Parent Educators, make regular personal home visits during the early childhood years. They bring age-appropriate books on every visit and incorporate language development, new vocabulary, and early reading skills into all parent-child activities. These activities use simple, effective literacy promotion strategies that are appropriate for all parents and families, regardless of their primary language, reading level, or income.
“We are extremely grateful to the Library of Congress for recognizing how Parents as Teachers provides learning experiences that help promote literacy as an everyday part of parenting,” said Constance Gully, PAT’s president, and CEO. “This funding will enable us to continue providing curricula that parent educators can use to help parents promote school readiness and healthy development of their children. When we help parents ensure that their children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn, and that their families feel supported in their child’s development, we are building communities that can thrive.”
Parents as Teachers was selected because it embeds literacy-promoting strategies within everyday parenting activities, helping all parents understand their role in promoting their child’s pre-literacy. Children’s literacy skills development permeates the Parents as Teachers model and curriculum, engaging parents in their children’s literacy experience.