|
Key Terms Related to the Spirit of Title I is the meaningful, respectful engagement of families as partners for the academic success of all children. is one who leaves no parent behind; one who is an ally with parents, educators and the broader community to help every child succeed; one who has a following and is focused on creating public schools that work for all children; one who recognizes, creates and uses social capital effectively for school reform. involves the connections or networks among individuals and groups and the norms that generate reciprocity and trustworthiness, which, taken all together, make it easier to coordinate and cooperate for mutual benefit. |
HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) is an internationally-recognized family-based literacy program whose mission is to empower parents to be the primary educators of their 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children.
The Texas HIPPY program integrates the HIPPY program model of parent involvement and school readiness with the AmeriCorps model of community service and civic involvement.
HIPPY is a three-year (90-week) parent involvement and school readiness program in which learning and play go hand-in-hand. Using a structured curriculum, parents encourage their children to recognize shapes and colors, tell stories, follow directions, solve logical problems and acquire other school readiness skills.
HIPPY helps parents empower themselves as their children’s first teachers by giving them the tools, skills and confidence they need to work with their children in the home. The program is designed to bring families, organizations and communities together and remove any barriers to participation that may include limited financial resources or lack of education.
The Texas IDRA PIRC is proud to be working with HIPPY in Texas to support families and their children’s learning.
Importance of Early Childhood Education
"Children begin learning at birth. Science tells us that 80 percent of brain development happens when a child is less than 3 years old and that 90 percent of brain development happens before a child turns 5. Waiting for a child to turn 4 years old and then offering a part-time, part-year initiative is a day late and a dollar short."
– National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
All children, regardless of income, ethnicity or parent education, need effective early learning experiences.
High quality early childhood education programs have long-term, significant positive impacts for children: Higher monthly earnings, levels of school and home ownership as well as fewer arrests and social services needed.
What Participating Parents Say about HIPPY…
"The program has helped me have more patience with my children. I have also learned to talk to my children more so they can learn better."
– Yolanda C., Dallas, Texas
"Thanks to this program, my son and I have a very good relationship… My son benefited a lot academically too. He is a grade level ahead in school thanks to the program and to the commitment I have made to work with him one-on-one."
– Sylvia M., Grand Prairie, Texas
"HIPPY helps me to understand my child’s needs. Thank you HIPPY for giving me the opportunity to be my child’s first teacher. I now understand educational terminology that I never would have if it hadn’t been for HIPPY."
– Diana A., Irving, Texas
Carla Marie Weir, state director
carla.weir@unt.edu 214-442-1660
Susan Blackburn, program assistant
susan.blackburn@unt.edu 214-442-1661
David Tisdale, program coordinator
david.tisdale@unt.edu 214-442-1662
Comments and questions maybe directed to IDRA via e-mail at feedback@idra.org.
[©2008, IDRA. The following article originally appeared in the IDRA Newsletter by the Intercultural Development Research Association. Every effort has been made to maintain the content in its original form. However, accompanying charts and graphs may not be provided here. To receive a copy of the original article by mail or fax, please fill out our information request and feedback form. Permission to reproduce this article is granted provided the article is reprinted in its entirety and proper credit is given to IDRA and the author.]
Recent Podcasts 