![]() In keeping with the parent participation philosophy, Ms. Jaime also leads a quarterly discussion group for dads, including topics like discipline and father-child interaction. On top of it all, she leads weekly discussion groups for the parents - mostly moms - who attend the school.ĭiscussion topics include social development and children's friendships, nutrition and health, and basic parenting skills - "things other people may take for granted," Ms. Always smiling, she hops from activity to activity, organizing the kids into play groups, art center and story time. Jaime may be the key to this "learning is fun" philosophy. But most importantly, they're learning that education is fun, says Ms. They're learning small motor skills, counting and the alphabet. Jaime gathers the kids up into a circle and begins a medley of songs - "ABCs," "Ten Little Fingers," and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." The children and parents are all smiles as they waggle their fingers, clap their hands and create imaginary spiders in the air. The kids, who range from infants to 5-year-olds, may be learning these basic skills, but from an outsider's perspective, the class just looks like fun. It gives kids a head start, as they learn things like colors, letters and numbers before entering kindergarten. "Children do better when they have previous experience in preschool," she says. We're trying to let them see how important it is."Īngela Jaime, a Menlo Park resident and the preschool's only teacher, says this early involvement is key to a child's future success. "Education hasn't been in a big deal in (these parents') lives. "Our mission is to get low-income parents involved in their children's education," Ms. They must attend from 9 to 11 a.m., every day their children are present. It's geared to low-income families, mostly from east Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and Redwood City, and it's completely free for those who attend.īut there's a catch, says Ms. We want them to see that books are important."įamily Connections, a privately funded preschool, serves 25 families (or about 35 kids) in its year-round, five-day-a-week program. "Many of these parents didn't have education themselves - some only until the ninth grade. "These kids weren't used to being read to," she says. de Boer, a parent, begins to read, the kids listen with wide eyes, some calling out questions or excited squeals to the colorful pages.Īt the beginning of the year, most of these kids couldn't sit still for story time, says Robin Holcomb, executive director of Family Connections, this Belle Haven preschool for low-income parents. Even the toddlers, who can barely walk, make their way to the story time circle, where they nestle themselves in their mothers' laps.Īs Ms. Some sprawl themselves across the miniature sofas others sit cross-legged on the faded blue carpet. Making a Connection: At an innovative Belle Haven preschool, parents must get involved in their children's development
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