Model
What We Do
A wealth of research shows that early childhood education -- when grounded in close partnership with families and children's social-emotional learning -- can have profound positive impacts on children’s life trajectories, helping reduce inequities rooted in poverty and structural racism.
Though the expansion of early childhood education holds promise, those on the ground often report a lack of support to provide this kind of high-quality pre-K experience to children and families.
ParentCorps is an evidence-based program designed to target this gap. In partnership with pre-K programs, we work to build a different education experience — one that centers race and culture, engages parents as partners, and supports children’s social-emotional well-being — to help unlock the full promise of early childhood education.
“I feel very powerful to engage
and encourage my parents.”
Teacher, Detroit
ParentCorps
is available in
English
ParentCorps disponible en Español
ParentCorps
提供中文服务
Professional Development
Group-based experiential training and one-on-one coaching for pre-K school staff
Professional Development is designed to support school staff to form strong, culturally responsive relationships with families and promote children’s social-emotional well-being. School staff engage in authentic dialogue — examining their beliefs, reflecting on the challenges families face, and learning the science of early childhood development — to build capacity to engage with children and families in new ways.
Parenting Program
Group-based program for all families as part of the pre-K experience
Parenting Program is designed to support families to promote children’s early learning and development. In a culturally affirming environment, parents connect, share experiences, and explore evidence-based parenting practices they may choose to incorporate at home, in alignment with their values.
Friends School
Classroom-based social-emotional learning program for pre-K children
Friends School is designed based on the wealth of evidence that young children’s social-emotional learning is a critical foundation for school success and lifelong health. Children learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings, develop a positive sense of self (with a focus on racial and cultural identities and family pride), build healthy relationships — and have fun!
“I feel very powerful to engage and encourage my parents.”
ParentCorps Teacher
“[My first time observing Parenting Program] I expected a didactic lesson in best practices, but what I saw instead actually moved me to tears. It was clear that parents were viewed as valued partners and that the engagement and community created here would extend far beyond the children’s pre-K year.”
Carly Roberts, Overdeck Family Foundation
