Pioneers – answering the ‘Why?’
April 1991
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.
“We firmly believe that parents desperately want to do the right thing for their children and that all they need is some help.”
April 1991
30 miles from London, an experienced infants’ school Head Teacher WITNESSED…
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“Why do we wait until children walk into school before we address early problems?“
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“Why don’t we give parents vital child development information when they most need it?”
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“Why was the equivalent of these people’s salaries not used to support this family earlier?”
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“Why hasn’t 11 years of education diverted that child from a path to imprisonment?”
The Head Teacher recognised that the Parents as Teachers pre-birth to age 3, prevention and early intervention programme, could provide answers with its aims to:
Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve parenting practices.
Provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues.
Prevent child abuse and neglect.
Increase children’s school readiness and school success.
November 1991
Parents as Teachers started in the UK with one, minimally funded pioneer programme.
2023
30 years later, now known as Parents as First Teachers, it is recognised by the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) as an effective, evidence based, early intervention programme delivering multiple benefits. It has spread through England, into Wales and Scotland and is currently delivered by over 150 support workers.
“With my support worker, we did PAFT. Me and my daughter love doing these activities as I can see such a difference in her when we do them. She’s so smiley and happy and I feel so lucky and proud to be able to engage in something with my baby knowing that she loves it. The programme concentrates on bringing you and your baby closer together and helps baby develop at the natural pace. My daughter still loves doing PAFT activities and I love watching her widen her skill set.”