Parents are Their Child’s First and Primary Teacher
What truly sets Head Start apart from other early childhood programs is that it is a program for the whole family. We help families identify their needs and build on their strengths in order to achieve their goals.
Parents are recognized as their children’s first and most important teachers. Programs provide parenting education and family literacy services to support adult as well as children’s literacy skills. Parents and staff work together to help children become successful learners. We also coordinate with our partners (link to partners page) to ensure parents and families with children enrolled in Head Start get their needs met to succeed.
The Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center has many resources for parents. This comprehensive website is produced by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start and offers resources for Head Start programs and families.
Our partner, the National Head Start Association, also offers lots of resources and tools for parents from parenting tips to advocacy.
Parents can connect to other parents at Vermont Head Start Parent to Parent Forum.
Things To Do At Home
Things to do at home while programs are closed are important to support a child’s development. The Head Start and Early Head Start staff developed guidance on what parents can do while the ” stay at home, stay safe” order is in place . Reading is one of those things to do. Pick out your favorite children’s book and read to your child. Here’s an example from Friend Man, a superhero who reads about snowy days. For more activities to do at home, please visit your Head Start program’s website.
Storytime with Friend Man – The Snowy Day from Sarah Antone on Vimeo.