It is a voluntary program for parents with children from birth through age 5. PAT promotes parent involvement in learning from the very beginning of a child's life and fosters optimal development of the young child. To accomplish this, the Parents as Teachers National Center provides training and support to early childhood educators. Through Parents as Teachers, parents acquire the skills to help make the most of crucial early-learning years. A number of independent studies show that children who participate in PAT are significantly advanced over their peers, and that these early gains continue after the children enter elementary school.
Parents are the experts on their child.
As Teachers is an official state affiliate of the national PAT program. This means all inquiries and re-certifications can go directly through the Nebraska state office, rather than the national. An Administrative Team advises the PAT program. This team consists of a representative from the Nebraska Department of Education, representatives from three PAT programs and a retired principal. How PAT Works.