Welcome to Parents as Teachers Faith Community Network!

Babies are born to learn! You are already your child’s first and most influential teacher. You have shown a direct interest in your child’s development and learning when you choose to participate in “Parents as Teachers.” The Parents as Teachers program is designed to offer developmental information and support to all parents of infants and young children. The goal of the program is to help parents give their child the best possible start in life. Parents as Teachers uses four ways to partner with parents to help each child reach his(her) fullest potential for learning.

1. The Personal Visit. During a personal visit, a certified parent educator will come to your home and share information on child development and will bring an age-appropriate activity for you and your child to do together; and with you, will observe your child’s play and development. You can share any questions or concerns that you may have. Visits usually last about an hour.
2. Group Meetings. Parents come to a central location to meet and socialize with other parents; discuss parenting topics and child development; and occasionally hear a guest speaker address a topic of interest.
3. Screenings: Annual health, vision and hearing screenings are offered. There are also developmental screenings provided to help you see where your child is and where he is headed next, developmentally.  Screenings highlight the strengths and abilities of your child and usually reassure parents that their child is meeting developmental milestones within the expected age ranges. If there are any possible delays or concerns identified, your parent educator will help you in the referral process through our resource referral network.
4. Resource Network. Resources throughout the community are located and referrals are made available when needed. This can include anything from local library and children’s museum programs to appropriate health professionals.

Oak Ridge United Methodist Church is proud to be a part of this program and would like to invite anyone with children 0 - 5 years of age to participate in this unique opportunity to meet regularly with other parents of young children and also learn how to be your child’s first and best teacher! We currently meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month in room 201 at 6:15 pm and we are doing a study entitled: “Meeting Your Child’s Nine Basic Needs for Love.”