Oklahoma Parents As Teachers (OPAT) is a unique parent education program designed to give children the best possible start in life. The program is based on the philosophy that parents are their children's first and most important teachers. It is a voluntary program for all parents with children birth to age three.
The goal of the Oklahoma Parents As Teachers program is to strengthen the capacity of parents to be effective first teachers. The program is designed to maximize a child's overall development during the first three years of life, lay the foundation for school success and minimize developmental problems that interfere with the child's learning.
OPAT is also designed to foster an early partnership between home and school so that parents take a far more active role during their children's formal years of schooling. Other intended benefits of the program include: positive parental attitudes toward the school district, early identification of sensory or developmental problems, and reduction in the need for expensive remediation and special education programs.
OPAT offers:
Parent group meetings provide opportunities to
§ Discuss developmental stages,
§ Share parenting experiences, and
§ Obtain information and activities to encourage your child’s development.
Resources and referrals
§ Connect parents to community resources,
§ Provide referrals to appropriate professionals in your community, and
§ Use reliable, research-based curricula.
Developmental screenings
Early partnership between home and school
§ Makes transitioning from home to school easier,
§ Provides resources from the school district to supporting parenting, and
§ Emphasizes the critical role parents have in school readiness.
Who is eligible?
Expectant parents and parents of children birth to age three in participating school districts.
What does OPAT cost?
OPAT is a free program through the Oklahoma State Department of Education and your local public school district.
For enrollment call Gail Hilty, OPAT Coordinator and Parent Educator at 206-4705 or 872-3452.