However, in so doing, we see parents who lose sight of those very natural experiences such as reading to their child in order to participate in various therapies. The video has helped parents realize that these very normal experiences support relationship building and early literacy development as well or better than any other form of therapy. It also allows us to help parents begin to reach out into the community and participate in Early Childhood services in their neighborhoods as a lifeline activity for their child. It is a valuable tool for our Early Intervention Program, and one that we will use extensively in years to come. Because it is short, and completely focuses on young parents, the video is effective in teen parenting classes, as well a parent support groups.
Adolescents learn best from their peers, and that is another reason the video is so popular.
The video is refreshingly optimistic and empowering because it features the voices of young parents, not adults. The novice teachers are impressed that such important education is being offered to young, inexperienced parents. Please keep up the good work. The young parents featured in the video speak from their hearts and are an inspiration to the staff and parents. We originally showed the video at staff pre-service as a part of our training in family literacy and parent involvement.