Alondra was like any mom who wants the best for her child.
One day she visited her brother’s house and saw him participating in a virtual “Play and Learn” group with his preschool aged son. She was so impressed by what she saw and wanted to find out more.
She discovered the group was offered by a home visiting program run through one of our family resource centers, so she contacted us to enroll in the program. Alondra and her four-year-old son Tomas had never participated in a home visiting program, nor had he ever attended preschool.
When they first started the program, Tomas only spoke a handful of words. The family received a tablet so they could join the groups, which were offered virtually at the time due to the pandemic. Tomas was so happy and hugged the tablet. Alondra also received a kit that included new books that would be read during virtual groups. She and Tomas could also read them together in between groups.
Tomas was a quick learner and began speaking many new words. With the help of coaching by the group facilitator, she showed Alondra how to do word repetitions whenever Tomas encountered a new or difficult word until he could repeat the word just right.
The weekly 90-minute groups are offered free to all families, and the group Alondra and Tomas participate in is offered in Spanish.
The groups promote positive and healthy outcomes for preschool children using culturally and developmentally appropriate play activities.
Alondra and the other parents are also supported through peer-to-peer and hands-on activities that teach them what they can do at home to promote their child’s developmental growth and prepare them for kindergarten.
Today, Alondra and Tomas continue to participate in weekly groups, and Tomas is well on his way to being ready to start Kindergarten.