NORMAN — Norman Public Schools recently received a fourth installment of a grant from Oklahoma Parents As Teachers, a voluntary parent education program, for the 2010-2011 school year, according to a news release.
The program is designed to advance development for children from birth to age three.
Parents currently active in the program or on the waiting list may attend the opening date of the OPAT Stay and Play Zone 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Jefferson Elementary School, 250 Cockrel, OPAT’s headquarters in Norman.
OPAT parent educators attended 30 hours of pre-service training from the Birth to Three Institute.
The parent educator then visits parents in their homes. Monthly parent group meetings focus on developmental stages, sharing parenting experiences and activities to encourage development.
OPAT will help connect parents with community resources, form a partnership between home and school, provide referrals to appropriate professionals and utilize developmental screenings.
Expectant parents also can participate in the free program.
According to a news release, OPAT is based on the philosophy that parents are children’s first teachers.
The news release also states that the district partners with the Center For Children and Families, Inc. to provide teen parents in the community with the program.
